SNR Senior Plc

RNS Number:8441V
Senior PLC
19 December 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 twelve month period to 31 December 2005.

Overall, trading remains in line with that anticipated at the time of the
interim statement on 3 August 2005. Consequently, the Group's adjusted profit
before tax(1) for the full year is expected to be ahead of that reported for
2004. Year-end net debt will, as anticipated, be slightly higher than the #59.1m
reported at June 2005, primarily due to the continued high levels of capital
expenditure in the Automotive Division.

Aerospace Divisional sales have improved during the period as the overall civil
aircraft market continues to recover and the military and defence sector remains
at a healthy level. Within the civil market, business jets enjoyed strong growth
but regional jet build rates continued to weaken. Deliveries of large civil
aircraft, built by Boeing and Airbus, increased in the period and, with 1,514
aircraft ordered in the first eleven months of the year compared to the 605
delivered, their order books remain strong. Consequently, the aerospace market
continues to present solid opportunities for growth as build rates increase and
manufacturers seek to outsource production of some products to make way for the
newer and larger aircraft.

In the Automotive Division, sales have been slightly better than expected,
despite overall vehicle sales in both the European and US markets remaining
weak. This improved position is mainly due to a combination of new programme
start-ups at a number of operations, diesel engines continuing their market
share increase in Europe and a favourable product mix in the USA, where a higher
proportion of front wheel drive cars were built and sold.

Investment in plant and equipment required to manufacture new products for the
North American heavy truck diesel engine market, as it converts to common rail
technology to meet the new emission laws in early 2007, continues according to
plan. In addition, new opportunities in the diesel market have necessitated the
recruitment of additional engineering resources.

In the Industrial Division, improved demand from the energy sector and healthy
export markets have led to greatly improved performances at Pathway and Canada.
At Hargreaves, its contract on the new Wembley stadium has proved to be
difficult but is now close to completion. Overall, the Division is expected to
deliver a strong profit improvement over 2004 and future prospects remain
encouraging.

The 2005 full year results will be announced on 2 March 2006.


(1) adjusted profit is that before goodwill impairment, profit / loss on sale
    of operations and fixed assets


For further information please contact:

Senior plc
Graham Menzies, Group Chief Executive                    01923 714702
Mark Rollins, Group Finance Director                     01923 714738

Finsbury Group
Adrian Howard                                            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

END
TSTDGMMZNVDGKZM

Senior (LSE:SNR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024

Senior (LSE:SNR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024