TIDMSNCL 
 
RNS Number : 2117K 
Sinclair (William) Holdings PLC 
15 April 2010 
 

                                  15 April 2010 
 
WILLIAM SINCLAIR HOLDINGS PLC 
               ("William Sinclair", the "Company" or the "Group") 
 
Trading update 
 
William Sinclair is pleased to announce the following trading update ahead of 
its interim results which are expected to be announced on Wednesday 2 June 2010. 
 
Highlights 
·     GBP9 million advance payment received for Bolton Fell from DEFRA 
·     Positive trading in the period contrary to industry reports of weak 
consumer sales 
·     Mass production of peat substitute material commenced at Freeland 
Horticulture 
 
The Company is pleased to confirm that it has now received GBP9 million from 
DEFRA as an advance initial payment for the future cessation of peat harvesting 
at Bolton Fell Moss in Cumbria.  This follows the announcement on 23 March 2010 
that the Company had reached an interim agreement with Natural England over the 
future of its peat bog operations at Bolton Fell. 
 
Trading for the six months to 31 March 2010 has been positive and, in 
particular, like for like sales of peat free compost sold under the New Horizon 
brand increased by 44% compared with the same period last year.  Like for like 
sales of peat based composts increased by 1% compared with the same period a 
year earlier.  This contrasts with recent reports from industry analysts 
suggesting consumer demand in the market was down by as much as 15% on Easter of 
2009. 
 
Mass production of a sustainable peat substitute material, developed by Freeland 
Horticulture, has started and the Company continues to expect this to have a 
positive impact on business throughout 2010 and beyond.  The peat-free sector of 
the market will become increasingly important following the announcement by the 
Environment Secretary on 8 March 2010 about the phase-out of peat in compost 
material. 
 
As a result of these positive developments, the Company is well positioned to 
accelerate its growth plans and will consider, if appropriate, acquisitions to 
augment its organic growth. 
 
Bernard Burns, William Sinclair Chief Executive, said: 'William Sinclair is best 
placed within the industry to prosper in this changing market and consolidate 
our position as the market leader of peat substitute growing media.  We continue 
to look forward very positively to this financial year.' 
 
 
For further information: 
William Sinclair Holdings plc                          Tel: 01522 537 
561 
Bernard Burns, Chief Executive 
Peter Williams, Finance Director 
Arbuthnot Securities                                         Tel: 020 7012 
2000 
Alastair Moreton 
Alasdair Younie 
Madano Partnership                                          Tel: 020 7593 
4000 
Matthew Moth 
Charles Reynolds 
About William Sinclair 
William Sinclair Holdings PLC is one of the UK's leading producers of commercial 
horticulture and branded garden products.  William Sinclair's well established 
brands include J Arthur Bower's, Silvaperl and New Horizon - the leading brand 
in the fast growing peat free garden compost and organic plant foods sector. 
William Sinclair's customers include national accounts such as The Garden Centre 
Group (formerly Wyevale), Wilkinson, Homebase and B&Q as well as an extensive 
range of independent garden centres. 
Ends 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
   END 
 
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