RNS Number:3562O
Rotork PLC
06 August 2003

6 August 2003

                                 Rotork p.l.c.
                              Interim Announcement


Rotork p.l.c., the international specialist engineering group, today announces
interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2003.

                              Financial Highlights
              Continued growth in turnover, earnings and cashflow
     
*    Profit before taxation and goodwill amortisation increased by 8.6% to
     #13.9m (2002: #12.8m)
*    Order book up 11% since year end 2002
*    Completion of Luton property sale created net cash inflow of #1.6m and
     profits of #0.6m
*    Earnings per share increased by 13.3% to 10.2p (2002: 9.0p)
*    Interim dividend increased by 5% to 5.25p (2002: 5.0p)


                             Operational Highlights

  * Electric Actuators - Order input increased 6% compared to second half
    2002.  Shift in industry mix towards Oil and Gas and geographical mix
    towards Europe and Far East
  * Rotork Fluid Systems - Move to larger manufacturing facility in Italy now
    enables larger and more complex projects
  * Rotork Gears - 10% increase in sales output and profits up 18%.  Leeds
    operation increased margin based on purchasing initiatives.

Chief Executive Bill Whiteley, commenting on the results said:

"Progress resulting from good activity levels in the oil and gas sector and in
important markets in Asia and Europe is being constrained by reduced levels of
demand in the Americas, which performed well in 2002.  The extent of our growth
for the year will, therefore, depend upon the performance of the US market in
the second half."


For further information, please contact:


Rotork p.l.c.                                      Tel:  01225 733200
Bill Whiteley, Chief Executive
Bob Slater, Finance Director

Financial Dynamics                                 Tel:  020 7269 7273
Peter Otero


REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Financial Results

We are pleased to report continued growth in turnover, earnings and cashflow in
the six months to 30 June.

Turnover on continuing operations was up 2% over the prior year, with operating
profit up 5%. Net profit before tax and goodwill, on continuing operations, was
up 6 % and represented an increase in net margin from 20.0% to 20.7%. Earnings
per share on this pre-exceptional basis increased from 9.0p to 9.5p.

When adding in the gain on sale at the end of April of the freehold in Luton,
occupied by the Rotork Control & Safety business disposed of in November last
year, net profit was up 9% year on year and earnings per share at 10.2p
increased by 13%.

Order book at the end of June was up 11% over the year-end figure, with the
biggest increase being in the Fluid System business where a large Oil and Gas
project remained in work in progress at the half year.

Completion of the Luton property sale created a net cash inflow of #1.6 m and
produced a profit on disposal of #0.6m. Operating cash inflow was strong at
#3.0m which, when combined with the receipt from the property disposal and the
payment of #1.2m on share buybacks in March, resulted in cash balances of
#23.8m, up #3.4m since the year-end.

Operating review

Electric Actuators

Order input values for electric actuators were similar to the first half of last
year, and 6% higher than the second half. Within this there was a change in both
the industry and geographic mix.  Oil and gas input represented nearly half of
our unit input as project activity which was evident last year came through in
increased order flow in the first six months of the current year.  This was
particularly marked in the Far East and Europe.  Water industry demand was down
on the comparative period in spite of a modest increase in units sold to the UK.
This was due to reduced activity in North America and the Far East.  The
proportion of electric actuators going to the power market was down slightly due
to the lack of activity in this sector other than in the Far East where we
recorded further gains.  Geographically there was an increase in units destined
for Europe and the Far East at the expense of the Americas.

Overall sales output was up 4% and profits up 9% over the comparative period.
The improved margin was due to continued cost initiatives and a favourable
product mix.  Good profit progress was achieved in a number of our European and
Far Eastern companies while sales and profits were down in the US and Canada.
The Venezuela operation, which recorded a loss in 2002, traded at above break
even despite continued difficulties in the country. The Malaysian manufacturing
plant, which commenced production in December 2002, has, as expected, recorded a
small operating loss. While still operating at below break even, production
levels have increased as the year progressed.

The quarter turn variant of our successful IQII range of intelligent actuators,
the IQT, will be launched on target in the second half of the current year.

Rotork Fluid System

The manufacturing facility of this division successfully moved into much larger
premises in Lucca, Italy, which has enabled it to take on larger and more
complex projects. Order intake is slightly up on the prior year.  Phasing of
shipments has resulted in output and profits being down on the comparative
period, although results for the year are still expected to be ahead of the
prior year.  A large Middle Eastern project, which was won in the period under
review, will be delivered in the second half. The US division's performance was
disappointing and recorded a loss in the period.  Progress in terms of
international coverage and increased breadth of product offering continues to be
made.

Rotork Gears

Gears made good progress with sales output up 10% and profits up 18%.  The
operation in Leeds benefited from improved margins due in part to purchasing
initiatives.  The results of Gears BV, based in the Netherlands, have responded
well to the management changes made towards the end of last year, recording much
improved profitability.

Dividend

An interim dividend of 5.25p per ordinary share will be paid on 29 September to
all shareholders on the register at 15 August 2003. This represents an increase
of 5 % year on year.

Outlook

As indicated above progress resulting from good activity levels in the oil and
gas sector and in important markets in Asia and Europe is being constrained by
reduced levels of demand in the Americas, which performed well in 2002.  The
extent of our growth for the year will depend upon the performance of the US
market in the second half.

As previously notified we intend to give a trading update in late November.

BILL WHITELEY
Chief Executive
5 August 2003


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
Unaudited
                                                               First half      First half       Full year
                                                                     2003            2002            2002
                                                                       #m              #m              #m

Turnover
Continuing operations                                                64.3            63.1           129.7
Discontinued operations                                                 -             1.9             3.8

                                                                     64.3            65.0           133.5
Operating profit
Continuing operations                                                12.3            11.7            25.2
Discontinued operations                                                 -             0.2             0.5
                                                                     12.3            11.9            25.7


Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill                     13.0            12.6            27.0
Amortisation of goodwill (all continuing operations)                (0.7)           (0.7)           (1.3)


Operating profit                                                     12.3            11.9            25.7

Profit on disposal of fixed asset (discontinued                       0.6               -               -
operations)

Net interest and similar income                                       0.3             0.2             0.5

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation                        13.2            12.1            26.2

Taxation
UK                                                                  (1.6)           (1.5)           (4.1)
Overseas                                                            (2.8)           (2.9)           (4.8)

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation                          8.8             7.7            17.3

Dividend                                                            (4.5)           (4.3)          (12.0)

Retained profit                                                       4.3             3.4             5.3

                                                                    Pence           pence           pence
Earnings per share                                                   10.2             9.0            20.1
Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation                      11.0             9.8            21.6
Diluted earnings per share                                           10.2             9.0            20.0


Statement of the Group's Total Recognised Gains and
losses
                                                               First half      First half       Full year
                                                                     2003            2002            2002
                                                                       #m              #m              #m


Profit for the period                                                 8.9             7.7            17.3

Exchange differences                                                  1.2           (0.7)           (1.6)
Total recognised gains and losses for the period                     10.1             7.0            15.7


Balance Sheet
Unaudited
                                                                   30 June         30 June        31 Dec
                                                                      2003            2002          2002
                                                                        #m              #m            #m
Fixed assets
Intangibles                                                           20.2            21.3          20.9
Tangibles                                                             14.0            14.8          14.8
Investments                                                            0.4             0.3           0.9
                                                                      34.6            36.4          36.6
Current assets
Stock                                                                 18.7            20.0          17.7
Debtors                                                               32.1            36.2          32.8
Cash                                                                  23.8            13.2          20.4
                                                                      74.6            69.4          70.9

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year                      (30.7)          (33.0)        (33.6)

Net current assets                                                    43.9            36.4          37.3


Total assets less current liabilities                                 78.5            72.8          73.9

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year              (0.2)           (0.3)         (0.2)
Provisions for liabilities and charges                               (2.3)           (2.3)         (2.0)

Net assets                                                            76.0            70.2          71.7

Share capital                                                          4.3             4.4           4.4
Reserves                                                              71.7            65.8          67.3
Shareholders' funds                                                   76.0            70.2          71.7


Cash Flow

                                                               First half       First half     Full year
                                                                     2003             2002          2002
                                                                       #m               #m            #m

Net cashflow from operating activities                               15.6             10.8          25.8
Returns on investments and servicing of finance                       0.3              0.2           0.3
Taxation                                                            (3.9)            (4.6)         (9.0)
Net capital expenditure and financial investments
Sale of Luton property                                                1.6                -             -
Other                                                               (1.2)            (0.9)         (2.3)
                                                                      0.4            (0.9)         (2.3)
Acquisitions and disposals                                              -            (7.7)         (6.2)
Dividends paid                                                      (7.6)            (7.1)        (11.4)
Financing
Purchase of own equity ordinary shares                              (1.2)                -             -
Other                                                               (0.2)              0.3           0.1
                                                                    (1.4)              0.3           0.1

Increase / (decrease) in cash and term deposits                       3.4            (9.0)         (2.7)


Notes to the Interim Report

     
1.   Status of Interim Report

     The interim report was approved by the Directors on 5 August 2003.  It 
     should be read in conjunction with the 2002 Annual Report, which contains 
     the most recent audited financial statements.

     The financial information for the six months to 30 June 2003 and the 
     comparative figures for the six months to 30 June 2002 are unaudited and 
     have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the 
     Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2002.

     The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2002 is an 
     abridged version of the full accounts for that year, which received an 
     unqualified report from the auditors and which have been filed with the 
     Registrar of Companies.
     
2.   Geographical analysis

                                       Turnover              Operating profit          Operating profit
                                                              before goodwill           after goodwill
                                                               amortisation              amortisation
                                 First    First     Full First      First     Full   First    First     Full
                                  half     half     year half        half     year    half     half     year
                               2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m 2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m 2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m            
                            
Analysis by geographical
origin
Europe                            33.2     31.4     62.5     7.7      7.5     15.5     7.3      7.1     14.6
Americas                          19.1     22.2     45.4     2.5      2.7      6.7     2.3      2.5      6.4
Rest of world                     12.0      9.5     21.8     2.8      2.2      4.3     2.7      2.1      4.2
Continuing operations             64.3     63.1    129.7    13.0     12.4     26.5    12.3     11.7     25.2
Discontinued operations              -      1.9      3.8       -      0.2      0.5       -      0.2      0.5
                                  64.3     65.0    133.5    13.0     12.6     27.0    12.3     11.9     25.7

Analysis by operation
Electrics                         51.3     49.5    102.3    11.2     10.3     22.2    10.9     10.0     21.7
Gears                              7.8      7.1     14.5     1.5      1.3      2.6     1.3      1.1      2.1
Fluid system                       7.2      8.3     16.7     0.3      0.8      1.7     0.1      0.6      1.4
Inter-segmental elimination      (2.0)    (1.8)    (3.8)       -        -        -       -        -        -
Continuing operations             64.3     63.1    129.7    13.0     12.4     26.5    12.3     11.7     25.2
Discontinued operations              -      1.9      3.8       -      0.2      0.5       -      0.2      0.5
                                  64.3     65.0    133.5    13.0     12.6     27.0    12.3     11.9     25.7


Turnover - analysis by destination

                                                                                     First    First     Full
                                                                                      half     half     year
                                                                                   2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m
Europe                                                                                29.2     26.3     52.8
Americas                                                                              19.8     23.4     47.8
Rest of world                                                                         15.3     13.4     29.1
Continuing operations                                                                 64.3     63.1    129.7
Discontinued operations                                                                  -      1.9      3.8
                                                                                      64.3     65.0    133.5

Net assets by geographical origin

                                                                                     First    First     Full
                                                                                      half     half     year
                                                                                   2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m
Europe                                                                                45.3     39.6     37.6
Americas                                                                              20.7     21.7     22.2
Rest of world                                                                         10.0      8.4     11.5
Continuing operations                                                                 76.0     69.7     71.3
Discontinued operations                                                                  -      0.5      0.4
                                                                                      76.0     70.2     71.7


Net assets by operation

                                                                                     First    First     Full
                                                                                      half     half     year
                                                                                   2003 #m  2002 #m  2002 #m
Electric                                                                              54.3     46.5     47.9
Gears                                                                                 11.5     12.0     12.5
Fluid system                                                                          10.2     11.2     10.9
Continuing operations                                                                 76.0     69.7     71.3
Discontinued operations                                                                  -      0.5      0.4
                                                                                      76.0     70.2     71.7

     The prior year segmental information has been restated to reflect the
     re-allocation of goodwill to each segment.
     
3.   Earnings per share

     Earnings per share is calculated using the profit attributable to the 
     ordinary shareholders for the period and 86.0 million shares (six months to 
     30 June 2002: 86.0 million; year to 31 December 2002: 86.1 million) being 
     the weighted average ordinary shares in issue.

     The adjusted earnings per share is based on the profit for the period
     attributable to the ordinary shareholders before the amortisation of 
     goodwill. The adjusted numbers provide a more consistent measure of 
     operating performance.

     Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the profit attributable to 
     the ordinary shareholders for the period and the weighted average ordinary 
     shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential 
     ordinary shares under the group's option schemes.
     
4.   Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cashflow

                                                                                First  First   Full
                                                                                 half   half   year
                                                                                 2003   2002   2002
                                                                                   #m     #m     #m

Operating profit                                                                 12.3   11.9   25.7
Depreciation and amortisation                                                     1.8    1.8    3.5
Profit on sale of fixed assets                                                      -      -  (0.5)
(Increase) / decrease in stock                                                  (0.6)  (0.5)    0.8
Decrease / (increase) in debtors                                                  0.9    0.5  (1.2)
Increase / (decrease) in creditors                                                1.2  (2.9)  (2.5)
Net cashflow from operating activities                                           15.6   10.8   25.8
     
5.   Disposal

     On 30 April 2003 the freehold property occupied by Rotork Control and 
     Safety, the business disposed of in November 2002, was sold for #1,675,000.  
     The net gain on the disposal was #600,000.
     
6.   Shareholder information

     This interim report is being sent to all shareholders and copies are 
     available to the public from the Registered Office at the address below.  
     The interim report is also available on the company's website at 
     www.rotork.com.

     We offer shareholders a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) under which
     shareholders can reinvest their cash dividends in the company, by buying 
     shares in the market at competitive dealing rates.  If you have already 
     elected to join the DRIP, there is no further action for you to take.

     If you would like to join for the first time, please contact our registrars
     below.

     Lloyds TSB Registrars
     The Causeway
     Worthing
     West Sussex
     BN99 6DA

     Share dividend helpline number - 0870 241 3018
     
7.   Group information
     Secretary and registered office:
     Stephen Rhys Jones
     Rotork plc
     Rotork House     
     Brassmill Lane
     Bath BA1 3JQ
     
     Company website:      
     www.rotork.com


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