RNS Number:6215H
Delta PLC
18 February 2003



Acquisition of Webforge Group


Delta announces the acquisition of Webforge Group from Australian-based Pacifica
Group Limited for a total cash consideration of #19 million (Australian $52.5
million).


Webforge manufactures and supplies a range of construction and civil products
such as gratings for industrial flooring, handrails and fencing, the majority of
which are protected by galvanizing. Complementing Delta's galvanizing business,
Webforge supplies customers in the commercial and industrial construction
industries. Webforge's civil products such as drainage grates will add to
Delta's existing Ingal product range. Webforge is the established market leader
in the Australian market and has built strong market shares in the growing
markets in Asia Pacific which will strengthen Delta's galvanizing operations
there.


Webforge operates from eleven plants in Asia Pacific including four plants in
Australia and one in New Zealand. More recently plants have been established in
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. In addition, Webforge is already
addressing the fast-growing Chinese market with two plants located in Guangzhou
(Canton) and Wuxi, near Shanghai. Webforge will be managed as part of Delta's
Galvanizing business.


In the last financial year, Webforge made profit before interest and taxation of
#2.8 million on sales of #27.1 million. It is expected that the acquisition will
be earnings enhancing in the current year.


Commenting on today's announcement Delta's Chief Executive, Jon Scott-Maxwell
said:


"Webforge is a well-established successful business with a product range and
customer base which is very complementary to our existing galvanized coatings
business. It operates in the Australian market and in many of the Asia Pacific
countries where our current businesses already enjoy strong growth. It also has
an established profitable presence in the strategically important and
fast-growing Chinese market. This is an excellent bolt-on acquisition for our
successful Galvanizing business and we look forward to the next phase of
Webforge's growth as part of Delta."


Date: 18 February 2003



Contact:
Delta plc
Jon Scott-Maxwell
Chief Executive



Mark Robson
Finance Director
Tel: 020 7836 3535


IRfocus (Investor Relations Consultants)
Chris Birks
Tel: 020 7861 3893


Brunswick (Press Enquiries)
Sarah Tovey
Tel: 020 7404 5959



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