SNR Senior Plc

RNS Number:9904S
Senior PLC
24 April 2008


Senior plc ("Senior" or "the Group"), an international manufacturer of high
technology components and systems, principally for the aerospace, diesel-engine
and energy markets, issues this interim management statement for the three-month
period ended 31 March 2008, ahead of its Annual General Meeting to be held
tomorrow, 25 April 2008.

Aerospace

The wide-bodied commercial aerospace market (43% of aerospace divisional sales)
has remained strong with combined deliveries of Boeing and Airbus up 8% to 238
aircraft for the first three months of 2008 (221 aircraft for the first three
months of 2007).  Total net order intake for Boeing and Airbus over the same
period amounted to 683 aircraft, nearly three times the level of deliveries.
Consequently, their combined order book increased to 7,293 aircraft at the end
of March 2008 (6,848 aircraft at the end of December 2007).  This represents an
order book of over seven years at current build rates.  Senior's Aerospace
Division is currently seeing higher than expected volumes on a number of
programmes which should offset the effect, during 2008, of lower than
anticipated B787 volumes, following Boeing's announcement that delivery of the
aircraft will now not commence until Q3 2009.

Elsewhere, Bombardier and Embraer reported significantly increased deliveries of
regional jets (a combined 67 aircraft against 41 in Q1 2007) and order intake
nearly twice the level of deliveries, therefore increasing their order books.
The business jet market also remains very healthy whilst Senior's military
volumes were modestly ahead, with the first quarter of 2008 seeing improved US
Government spares activity.

Absolute Manufacturing and Capo Industries, which were acquired by Senior in
December 2007 and January 2008 respectively, both performed in line with
expectations during the first quarter of 2008.

Flexonics

The main industrial markets in which Senior operates (oil and gas, power
generation and chemical processing) were stronger than expected with one of the
Group's US subsidiaries, Senior Flexonics Pathway, being a particular
beneficiary.

The financial contribution of the North American heavy-duty diesel-engine
products continued to improve, as the benefits of the Group's operational
improvement initiatives were increasingly realised.  Development activity remains
high in emission-related products, for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, in both
Europe and North America.  Production of flexible exhaust connectors for
commercial vehicles increased and quotation activity for new programmes was
healthy, ahead of the tightening of emission legislation in North America in
2010.  Overall, volumes in the passenger vehicle market were largely as expected,
with the markets outside North America and Europe the healthiest.

Board

As previously announced, Simon Nicholls will join the Board on 1 May 2008, as
Group Finance Director.

Senior plc is also pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Steel as a Non
Executive Director.  Michael recently retired from GE Aviation Systems (formerly
Smiths Aerospace) where he had worked for 17 years in various senior commercial
and operational roles.  He will join the Board with effect from 1 May 2008.  
Michael Steel has not previously acted as a director of a publicly quoted
company.  No further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing
Rule 9.6.13.

Outlook

Trading in the Aerospace and Flexonics' Divisions has been strong with the
Group's adjusted profit before tax, for the first three months of 2008,
comfortably ahead of the Board's expectations.  Following the acquisition of Capo
Industries in January 2008, the Group's net debt at the end of March was, as
expected, around �142m.

Boeing and Airbus have record order books and, as a consequence, demand in the
wide-bodied commercial aerospace market is expected to remain healthy for the
foreseeable future.  New programmes, such as the B787 and A380 will provide
additional benefits as their production rates increase over the coming years.  
Regional and business jet demand is also expected to remain strong and military
volumes to continue at satisfactory levels.

The North American heavy-duty diesel products continue, as expected, to improve
their contribution with a number of new opportunities currently being worked on
ahead of the implementation of tighter emission regulations in 2010.  The
passenger vehicle markets are anticipated to remain competitive.  Senior's key
industrial markets, such as oil and gas, power generation and chemical
processing, are buoyant and currently show no signs of slowing down.

Consequently, the outlook for the Group remains very encouraging.

The results for the six-month period to 30 June 2008 will be announced on Monday
4 August 2008.


Further information

Mark Rollins, Group Chief Executive, Senior plc             +44 (0) 1923 714738
Adrian Howard, PR advisor, Finsbury Group                   +44 (0) 20 7251 3801

About Senior

Senior is an international manufacturing group with operations in 11 countries.
It is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (symbol SNR).
Senior designs, manufactures and markets high technology components and systems
for the principal original equipment producers in the worldwide aerospace,
diesel-engine, exhaust system and energy markets. It employs over 5,800 people
worldwide.  Further information on Senior plc, may be found at: www.seniorplc.com

Cautionary Statement

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements.  Such statements
are made by the Directors in good faith based on the information available to
them at the time of the announcement and they should be treated with caution due
to the inherent uncertainties underlying any such forward-looking information.







                      This information is provided by RNS
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