Trading Statement

18 Dec 2006 07:01

McBride PLC18 December 2006 18 December 2006 McBRIDE plc TRADING STATEMENT McBride plc, Europe's leading provider of private label household and personalcare products, today provides an update on trading for the six months ending 31December 2006. Trading in the first half of the financial year has been as expected. Totalgroup turnover is above last year with particularly encouraging growth in theUK, Spain and Italy. In France we have made progress in targeted areas but salesand profits are nonetheless weaker than last year. As expected, higher materialcosts and efficiency savings mean group operating margin is similar to last year Miles Roberts, Chief Executive, said: 'McBride's growth results directly fromboth new product developments and acquisitions earlier in the calendar year.Having reached the half way stage of the year, in a tough cost environment, bothcurrent trading and the continued momentum in private label sales indicate thatthe group remains on track to make satisfactory progress in the year.' The Group intends to announce its Interim Results for the six months ending 31December 2006 on 12 February 2007. For further information please contact: Miles Roberts, Chief Executive McBride plc 01494 607050Bob Beveridge, Finance Director McBride plc 01494 607051Andrew Dowler, Financial Dynamics 020 7831 3113 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange