DWHT Dewhurst Group Plc

RNS No 7504b
DEWHURST PLC
11th June 1998


Dewhurst plc
-------------
Directors Interim Report
------------------------

FIRST HALF

The results for the first half continue the improvement shown
last year.  Sales were up 11% and profit before tax up 10%.

Lift Division sales overall showed an advance.  The high pound
and turmoil in Asian markets inevitably had an effect and
reduced sales overseas, but this was offset by UK sales
increases.  At subsidiaries, Thames Valley Controls has made
further progress in operating performance and generated a
profit in the half year.  Their continuing focus on reducing
unit costs has markedly improved their competitiveness.  In
North America, Dupar Controls and The Fixture Company have
both turned in sales increases of more than 10%.

Continuing last year's trend, Rail and Keypad Divisions
registered improvements in sales, with a range of product
developments and enhancements.  Both markets remain extremely
price sensitive.

INDICATIONS FOR THE YEAR

Last year second half sales were unseasonably strong.  That
pattern is not expected to be repeated this year.
Nevertheless we expect to end the year with an improvement in
full year Group profits.

DIVIDENDS

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 10.5% net,
compared with 9.6% last year.

The interim dividend is payable on 1st September 1998 and
warrants will be posted on 27th August 1998 to shareholders
appearing in the Register at 3.00 p.m. on 17th July 1998.

By order of the Board
M N GREEN
Secretary

11th June 1998


TRADING RESULTS FOR THE 26 WEEKS ENDED 29TH MARCH 1998
______________________________________________________

The unaudited consolidated profit and loss account of Dewhurst
plc and its subsidiaries for the 26 weeks to 29th March 1998,
as compared with the corresponding 26 weeks ended 30th March
1997 and the 52 weeks ended 28th September 1997, shows the
following results:

                        26 weeks         26          52 Weeks
                         ended         weeks          ended
                          29th         ended           28th
                         March          30th         September
                          1998         March          1997
                                        1997
                         #(000)        #(000)         #(000)
                                                         
Turnover                  9221          8295          16981
Trading profit before     676           615            1204
taxation
Taxation                  228 (Est)     229 (Est)      393
                        --------      -------        --------
Profit after taxation     448           386            811
                        ________      _______        ________
Dividends                 115           107            315
Earnings per share       4.07p         3.45p          7.27p
Dividends per share      1.05p         0.96p          2.88p

Registered Office:
Melbourne Works, Inverness Road, Hounslow TW3 3LT

Registrars and Transfer Office:
IRG plc
Balfour House, 390/398 High Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 1NQ
______________________________________________________________

The results for the 1997 year set out above are abridged.
Full accounts for that year, on which the auditors of the
company made an unqualified report, have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies.



END


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