SNR Senior Plc

RNS Number:0543O
Senior PLC
27 June 2005

Senior plc

Pre Close Period Statement

Senior plc, a manufacturer of high technology components and systems,
principally for the Aerospace and Automotive markets, issues this trading update
for the six-month period to 30 June 2005:

Overall trading for the Group, during the first half of 2005, has been better
than anticipated by the Board at the time of its AGM statement on 15 April 2005.

The 2005 interim results will be prepared for the first time under International
Accounting Standards ("IAS"). On this basis, adjusted profit before tax(1) from
continuing operations is expected to show a comfortable increase over the
equivalent number for the first half of 2004. The tax rate is, however, expected
to increase. Under IAS, the adjusted profit before tax from continuing
operations for the first half of 2004 was #6.1m and the tax rate 15%.

Net debt, at the end of June, is anticipated to be in line with the Board's
expectations, being similar to the #57.9m at the end of June 2004. The principal
reasons for the increase from the #50.6m reported at the end of 2004 include the
recent strengthening of the US$, in which the majority of the Group's borrowings
are denominated, and the increase in automotive capital expenditure as
previously announced.

In the Aerospace Division, demand and profitability have continued to improve as
a result of healthy increases in the build rates of commercial aircraft and
commercial engines. Defence sales have remained strong whilst the regional jet
market has softened.

In the global automotive market, demand for new vehicles is relatively weak and
raw material costs remain high. The Group's diesel product development
opportunities continue to be strong, with the costs of the required additional
engineering resources being expensed as incurred. As anticipated, profitability
of the Automotive Division will be below that for the first half of 2004.
However, the first half profitability of the Division is expected to show a
recovery over the second half of 2004 as a result of the improved recovery of
raw material price rises, the Group's French operation returning to profit and
the operation in South Africa benefiting from higher volumes.

The full benefits of the rationalisation undertaken during 2004 at Pathway are
now being realised. Consequently, the Industrial Division is expected to report
a strong improvement in profitability compared to the performance during the
first half of 2004.

The Group will be reporting its interim results on Thursday 4 August 2005.

(1)               adjusted profit is that before goodwill impairment, profit /
loss on sale of operations and fixed assets and foreign exchange gains / losses
on long-term inter-company loans.



For further information please contact:
Senior plc
Graham Menzies, Group Chief Executive                     01923 714702
Mark Rollins, Group Finance Director                      01923 714738
Finsbury Group
Charlotte Hepburne-Scott / Gordon Simpson                 020 7251 3801

This announcement, together with other information on Senior plc may be found
at: www.seniorplc.com



Note to Editors:

Senior is an international manufacturing group with operations in 11 countries.
Senior designs, manufactures and markets high technology components and systems
for the principal original equipment producers in the worldwide aerospace,
automotive and specialised industrial markets.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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