SNR Senior Plc

RNS Number:5351D
Senior PLC
11 January 2000

               
                                TRADING UPDATE

In  accordance with the undertaking given to the market on 10 November,  1999,
the  Board  of  Senior is issuing the following pre-closed  period  update  on
trading for the year to December 1999.

Automotive

The  US  passenger  car  market provided record orders and  sales  for  Senior
Flexonics  Automotive Division in 1999 and early indications are  that  demand
continues to be strong in the first quarter of 2000.  Demand is being  boosted
by  increasing deliveries of the new Senior Flexonics AIR tube to  GM  as  the
product  becomes  specified across their model range  in  order  to  meet  new
legislative requirements on emissions.

European  demand  remains flat although recent significant  success  with  the
Group's  first  order for flexible exhaust connectors from  PSA  Citroen,  for
delivery  in  2001,  underpins the Group's growing  confidence  in  this  more
fragmented and competitive market.

The  rationalisation  programme undertaken in the UK has  now  been  completed
successfully, resulting in a lower cost base for 2000.

Aerospace

The North American commercial aircraft market continued its cyclical softening
throughout the second half of 1999.  The trading effect of the resulting "push
outs"  was  exacerbated by the temporary delays in an otherwise buoyant  space
market.   Current  indications  are  that this  trading  climate  will  remain
unchanged  until at least the second half of 2000, at which time  supplies  to
new regional and business jet programmes should commence.  This, together with
the  anticipated  recovery in the space market should offer improved  activity
levels.   European  business,  where  the  downturn  is  significantly   less,
continues to develop favourably.

The acquisition of Cork Industries has been well received by customers and  is
now expected to provide returns ahead of initial expectations.

The  investigation into Ketema's accounting irregularities has been completed,
with final results in line with those already advised in December 1999.

Specialised Industrial

As  the  market  has  already been informed, reduction in  worldwide  customer
demand  and associated pricing pressures provided a very difficult climate  in
1999  which  resulted  in  lower  sales  and  significantly  lower  level   of
profitability, particularly in continental Europe.

Having virtually completed the rationalisation programme for Air Systems,  the
division  is  now  benefiting  from its lower cost  base  and  from  improving
activity levels in the UK and Germany, thus providing opportunity for recovery
in 2000.

The  acquisition  of  Pathway required significant  assimilation  into  Senior
Flexonics'  existing expansion joint activity and this process is expected  to
be  complete  by  the  half  year.  Improving  enquiry  levels,  arising  from
increased  oil  prices, should support a recovery in demand for  petrochemical
expansion  joints  which is now expected to begin in the second  half  of  the
year.

Outlook

Trading  conditions at the end of 1999 remained in line with the updated  view
given  to  the  market on 3 December, 1999 and the Board's profit expectations
for the current year therefore remain unchanged.

With   significant  reorganisations  either  already  completed   or   nearing
completion,  and  with  full year contributions from  Pathway  and  Cork,  the
prospects of a recovery in profitability during 2000 are encouraging.

Enquiries:

Senior plc

Andrew Parrish, Group Chief Executive
Terry Garthwaite, Group Finance Director                    01923 775547

Finsbury

James Murgatroyd
Morgan Bone                                                 0207 251 3801


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