RNS Number:8930L
Expro International Group PLC
04 June 2003


For Immediate Release

4 June 2003

                         EXPRO INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
                            ("Expro" or "the Group")

         Preliminary results for the twelve months ending 31 March 2003

Expro International Group PLC, the oil field services company, today announces
preliminary results for the twelve months ending 31 March 2003.

                                                Year             Year
                                              ending           ending
                                       31 March 2003    31 March 2002     Change 

Turnover*                                    #209.2m          #219.2m       (5%)
Operating Profit*                             #22.4m           #27.5m      (19%)
Profit before Tax                             #34.4m           #20.2m       70%
Profit before Tax, Goodwill &                 
Exceptional items(1)                          #20.0m           #24.6m      (19%)
Basic EPS                                      37.8p            20.0p       89%
Basic EPS before Goodwill &                   
Exceptional items                              22.1p            26.8p      (18%)
Dividend per share                             10.9p            10.8p        1%

* (includes share of joint-ventures)
The above numbers can be found by reference to the Group Consolidated Profit and
Loss Account, and note 5.

(1)Operating Profit plus goodwill amortisation of #2,388,000 (2002: #2,468,000)
less finance charges of #4,794,000 (2002: #5,415,000)
(2)See note 2


* Profit before Tax for 2003 includes an exceptional gain of #16.5m
* The business produced a strong EBITDA (Earnings before Exceptional
  Items, Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) of #43.4m(2), only 6% below
  prior year #46.3m(2)(includes share of joint-ventures)
* A challenging year for the Group - difficult trading conditions,
  particularly in H2
* Results in line with guidance given in trading update in March
* Strengthened financial position - net debt reduced to #42.4m (2001/2:
  #88.2m)
* Continued investment in technology set to yield benefits in the future

Commenting on these results, John Dawson, Chief Executive, said: "In the near
term the market outlook for oil and gas demand is linked to the pace of global
economic recovery and in the coming year is expected to be modest. Projects
postponed from the second half of last year are commencing as expected. At
present the overall market continues to lack momentum, although recent
indicators suggest a progressive improvement in activity levels during the
course of the coming year.

"The long-term fundamentals for oil and gas are very positive, a recent
International Energy Agency study for oil and gas production, forecast an
increase of 25% in demand by the end of the decade. This requires massive
investment by the operators in order to add to capacity, whilst at the same time
overcoming the declining productivity from existing sources of production.
Against this backdrop we believe Expro is well positioned to continue to show
long term through cycle growth."

                                    - Ends -

For further information please contact:

Expro International Group PLC                           On 6 June: 020 7067 0700
John Dawson, Chief Executive                           Thereafter: 01189 591 341
Eric Woolley, Group Finance Director

Weber Shandwick Square Mile                                        020 7067 0700
Tim Jackaman, Kirsty Hall, Rachel Taylor



Chairman's & Chief Executive's Statement

Results Summary

After two years of very strong growth, market conditions during the year ended
March 2003 and more particularly during the second half, have proved difficult
for Expro. Against a background of high commodity prices there has been
reluctance by our clients to expand their Exploration and Production programmes,
preferring to maximise cash flow from existing operations. Prices have been
driven by security of supply issues rather than demand, which has remained
static through a period of uncertainty surrounding the global economic and
political outlook. Despite this challenging environment, turnover for the year
held up relatively well, falling a modest 5% to #209m for the Group and share of
joint ventures.

Pre-tax profits, excluding goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, at
#20.0m was 19% below prior year, with EPS on the same basis at 22.1p, down 18%,
with EBITDA before exceptional items only 6% below the previous year's level at
#43.4m

Our financial condition continued to improve, as we repaid debt, reducing
gearing in the period from 106% to 43%, with net debt at the year-end of #42.4m.
The improvement to the Group's net debt position through strong operational cash
flow was further significantly enhanced by the receipt from Baker Hughes Inc. of
$30m, on the creation of the QuantX joint venture. QuantX has been formed to
become the leading provider of permanent in-well data acquisition systems,
utilising Expro's established reputation in this market combined with Baker
Hughes mechanical intelligent well completions technology and enhanced sales and
distribution capability.

A number of factors contributed to the shortfall in meeting our expectations of
improving our performance over the previous year. Sharp declines in oilfield
activity in the Gulf of Mexico were partially offset by strong performances in
Africa, the Former Soviet Union and Middle East. In Asia Pacific, activity
slowed following completion of the Malampaya project in the early part of the
year, whilst in Europe business was maintained at last year's levels despite the
reduction in client capital spending in this area. Delays and deferrals to
client projects from the second half into the following year also contributed to
the general weakness.

Dividend

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 7.1p per ordinary share, bringing
the total dividend for the year to 10.9p vs 10.8p last year.

Overview

During the year, Expro continued to evolve its core strategies focused on
service provision in the development and production phase of an oilfield's life.
This is being achieved through a combination of exploiting our global footprint,
specialist technologies and know-how in our three closely related businesses.

Cased Hole Services, specialises in well maintenance and production
optimisation. Cased Hole spending is determined by client operating expenditure,
maintaining and enhancing production and counteracting the effect of the
naturally occurring fall in productivity of existing wells. In the US market,
where much of our work relates to short life gas wells our services are more
geared to client development capital spending creating new wells.

We are looking to increased levels of business in the UK and our overseas
markets, including some modest recovery in the Gulf of Mexico, as the shelf
water activity begins to recover on the back of increased land activity in
response to higher gas prices in the US. Increasing penetration in overseas
markets is anticipated as additional cased hole portfolio services are
introduced into these locations.

New product development is being increased; a recent innovation jointly
developed with Marathon, BJ Services and Expro is the new EXcapeTM perforating
technology which is finding increasing acceptance in North America as a means of
reducing costs and enhancing reservoir performance.

Our Subsurface Systems business spans three critical areas: subsea safety
systems; Tronic seabed power and instrumentation connectors; and permanently
installed data monitoring systems. The primary driver in the subsurface area is
client capital spending on subsea field developments, in the deepwater.

Subsurface spending in Europe, particularly that in the UK has, as anticipated,
been in rapid decline in the last twelve months as operators have increasingly
focused their capital spending in the deep and ultra deepwater markets of
Africa, Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. In addressing this progressive geographic
re-alignment Expro has made a number of strategic initiatives.

The injection of Expro's permanent monitoring business into the QuantX joint
venture will enable it to become a leader in advancing permanent in-well
monitoring technology. Integrating Expro's capabilities to measure real-time
reservoir performance with Baker Hughes intelligent well completions and other
technologies will enable us to enhance client project economics, particularly in
the deepwater.

Tronic continues to hold a market leading position that will be reinforced by
our build up of capability in the highly influential domestic US market. We will
also be introducing our fibre-optic connector and high voltage seabed power
connectors in the coming year to address the market needs to operate in deeper
waters with long step outs from host facilities.

During the year we have added to our subsea safety system capabilities to
operate in ultra deepwater. Working with Statoil, Aker Kvaerner and bp we are
developing an enhanced open water assembly for high pressure and high
temperature applications for delivery to the field later this year.

Drawing on our capabilities in Cased Hole Services, together with our subsea
systems know-how, is allowing Expro to progress a new concept for deepwater well
maintenance with major clients. This initial move is positioning Expro at the
forefront of an emerging market, allowing step-change performance in subsea
field economics.

Our Surface and Environmental Systems business is positioned to provide the
upstream industry with safe, fast and cost effective surface based hydrocarbon
processing systems.

Expro provides engineered facilities capable of processing, measuring and, as
necessary, disposing of all produced well effluent, including gas, oil, water
and associated contaminates. This has to be done to the most exacting standards
of safety and environmental performance. We have developed a strategic niche
allowing us to provide clients with temporary, semi-permanent and life of field
process solutions, spanning all phases of the oil field cycle, primarily focused
on development and production expenditures.

Throughout the year we have continued to establish our reputation as an
international provider, particularly in the deepwater and in relation to small
field developments. Of significance, this year has seen a full year's operation
of the Soroosh field production facility in the Persian Gulf for Shell and next
year will see the commencement of operations for Tuscan on the Ardmore field in
the North Sea.

Board Changes

We welcome to the Board Terry Lazenby, who was appointed non-executive director
on 3rd June 2003. Terry brings to the Board a wealth of expertise following a
distinguished career with bp.

Sir John Chisholm will be standing down from the Board at the AGM after nearly
nine years of service as non-executive director and we thank Sir John for his
valuable contribution to the Company and the part he has played in the
development of the business.

Outlook

The key to Expro's future success is the continued evolution of its technology
and utilisation of its international footprint, delivered both organically and
through acquisitions, focused on development and production phase activities,
closely associated with our three related business streams.

In the near term the market outlook for oil and gas demand is linked to the pace
of global economic recovery and in the coming year is expected to be modest.
Projects postponed from the second half of last year are commencing as expected.
At present the overall market continues to lack momentum, although recent
indicators suggest a progressive improvement in activity levels during the
course of the coming year.

The long-term fundamentals for oil and gas are very positive, a recent
International Energy Agency study for oil and gas production, forecast an
increase of 25% in demand by the end of the decade. This requires massive
investment by the operators in order to add to capacity, whilst at the same time
overcoming the declining productivity from existing sources of production.
Against this backdrop we believe Expro is well positioned to continue to show
long term through cycle growth.

Dr Chris Fay, CBE         John Dawson
Chairman                  Chief Executive Officer                    3 June 2003


                                    - Ends -



Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
For the year ended 31 March 2003
                                               2003                                2002
                                _________________________________   __________________________________  
                                Continuing Discontinued     Total   Continuing Discontinued      Total
                                operations   operations             operations   operations
                           Note      #'000        #'000     #'000        #'000        #'000      #'000
Turnover: Group and share      
of joint ventures             2    209,232            -   209,232      219,042          199    219,241
Less: share of joint          
ventures                      2     (5,743)           -    (5,743)      (6,203)           -     (6,203)
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Group turnover                2    203,489            -   203,489      212,839          199    213,038
Cost of sales                     (170,066)           -  (170,066)    (169,038)        (349)  (169,387)    
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Gross profit / (loss)               33,423            -    33,423       43,801         (150)    43,651
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Other operating expenses (net)
Goodwill amortisation               (2,388)           -    (2,388)      (2,474)           6     (2,468)
Other expenses                      (9,375)           -    (9,375)     (15,043)        (303)   (15,346)
                                    ______                 ______       ______       ______     ______
Total other operating            
expenses                           (11,763)           -   (11,763)     (17,517)        (297)   (17,814)
                                    ______                 ______       ______       ______     ______
Operating profit / (loss):

Group                               21,660            -    21,660       26,284         (447)    25,837
Share of operating profit
in joint ventures                      722            -       722        1,695            -      1,695
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Group and share of joint           
ventures                            22,382            -    22,382       27,979         (447)    27,532
Exceptional gain on partial                               
sale of interest in 
business on formation of      
joint venture                 3     16,550            -    16,550            -            -          -
Exceptional loss on
termination of 
discontinued operations       3          -         (489)     (489)           -       (1,964)    (1,964)
Less: prior year              
provision                     3          -          735       735            -            -          -
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Profit / (loss) on ordinary
activities before finance
charges                             38,932          246    39,178       27,979       (2,411)    25,568
Finance charges (net)               (4,794)           -    (4,794)      (5,415)           -     (5,415)
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     _____
Profit / (loss) on ordinary
activities before
taxation                            34,138          246    34,384       22,564       (2,411)    20,153
Tax on profit/(loss) on       
ordinary activities           4     (9,390)           -    (9,390)      (6,967)           -     (6,967)
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Profit / (loss) on ordinary
activities after taxation           24,748          246    24,994       15,597       (2,411)    13,186
Minority equity interests              (20)           -       (20)         (15)           -        (15)
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Profit / (loss) for the            
financial year                      24,728          246    24,974       15,582       (2,411)    13,171
Dividends paid and            
proposed                      5     (7,210)           -    (7,210)      (7,119)           -     (7,119)
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Retained profit / (loss)            
for the year                        17,518          246    17,764        8,463       (2,411)     6,052
                                    ______       ______    ______       ______       ______     ______
Earnings per ordinary        
share                         6
Basic                                37.4p                  37.8p        23.7p                   20.0p
Diluted                              37.4p                  37.7p        23.5p                   19.8p
Basic before goodwill
amortisation and
exceptional items                    22.1p                  22.1p        27.5p                   26.8p



Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
For the year ended 31 March 2003

                                                              2003        2002
                                                             #'000       #'000

Profit for the financial year                               24,974      13,171
(Loss)/gain on foreign currency translation                 (7,347)      1,960   
Gain/(loss) on overseas borrowings                           4,563      (1,421)
                                                           _______     _______
                                                            22,190      13,710
                                                           _______     _______



Consolidated Balance Sheet
31 March 2003

                                                          31 March    31 March
                                                              2003        2002
                                                             #'000       #'000
Fixed assets
Patents and licences                                         1,055         906
Goodwill                                                    38,059      43,364
                                                           _______     _______
Intangible assets                                           39,114      44,270
Tangible assets                                             71,835      76,868
Investments                                                      7          10
Investments in joint ventures:                             
    -   share of gross assets                               12,474      13,986
    -   share of gross liabilities                          (8,392)    (11,520)
    -   goodwill                                               932       1,092
                                                           _______     _______
                                                             5,014       3,558
                                                           _______     _______
                                                           115,970     124,706
                                                           _______     _______
Current assets
Stocks and work-in-progress                                 10,392      12,073
Debtors
    - due within one year                                   61,402      75,639
    - due after one year                                     8,775       8,775
Cash at bank and in hand                                    28,104       5,848
                                                           _______     _______
                                                           108,673     102,335
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year             (52,314)    (58,709)
                                                           _______     _______
Net current assets                                          56,359      43,626
                                                           _______     _______
Total assets less current liabilities                      172,329     168,332
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than             
one year                                                   (70,844)    (82,607)
Provisions for liabilities and charges                      (3,039)     (2,635)
                                                           _______     _______
Net assets                                                  98,446      83,090
                                                           _______     _______

Capital and reserves                              Note

Called-up share capital                                      6,615       6,605
Share premium account                                7      61,650      61,304
Capital reserve                                      7          24          24
Profit and loss account                              7      30,134      15,154
                                                           _______     _______
Shareholders' funds, being equity interests                 98,423      83,087
Minority equity interests                                       23           3
                                                           _______     _______
Total capital and reserves                                  98,446      83,090
                                                           _______     _______



Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 31 March 2003
                                                          31 March    31 March
                                                              2003        2002
                                                             #'000       #'000
                                                  Note
Net cash inflow from operating activities            8      53,129      28,850
                                                           _______     _______
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received                                              109         338
Interest paid                                               (5,461)     (5,457)
                                                           _______     _______
Net cash outflow for returns on investments and             
servicing of finance                                        (5,352)     (5,119)
                                                           _______     _______
Taxation                                                    (6,993)     (7,010)
                                                           _______     _______

Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and               
financial investment                                       (12,874)    (22,312)   
                                                           _______     _______
Acquisitions and disposals                                  18,979           -
Equity dividends paid                                       (7,197)     (6,636)
                                                           _______     _______
Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing                      39,692     (12,227)
                                                           _______     _______
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital                                356         247
(Decrease)/increase in debt                                 (5,676)     31,686
                                                           _______     _______
                                                            (5,320)     31,933
                                                           _______     _______
Increase in cash in the year                                34,372      19,706
                                                           _______     _______




Notes to the preliminary results
31 March 2003

1. The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
The statutory accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2002 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts
was unqualified and did not contain any statements under Section 237(2) or (3)
of the Companies Act 1985.

The auditors' report for the year ended 31 March 2003 is unqualified and does 
not contain any statements under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
These accounts have been prepared using the same accounting policies as in the
31 March 2002 statutory accounts. These accounts will be delivered to the 
Registrar of Companies following the Annual General Meeting on 9 July 2003.




2. Segmental information              Business Stream
                        __________________________________________
                                                        Surface &
                      Cased Hole        Subsurface    Environmental
                       Services          Systems        Systems            Total

                      2003    2002    2003    2002    2003    2002     2003     2002
                     #'000   #'000   #'000   #'000   #'000   #'000    #'000    #'000
Geographical area
-----------------
Europe              27,825  28,194  27,576  27,058  24,471  23,648   79,872   78,900
Africa/FSU/ME(a)    13,306  13,095  11,949   8,772  33,598  31,506   58,853   53,373
Asia Pacific         9,408   8,408   4,743   5,176  11,824  15,454   25,975   29,038
Americas            27,075  34,520  12,518  13,105   4,939  10,305   44,532   57,930
                   _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______  _______  _______
Total turnover      77,614  84,217  56,786  54,111  74,832  80,913  209,232  219,241
Share of joint           
ventures                 -       -       -       -  (5,743) (6,203)  (5,743)  (6,203)
                   _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______  _______  _______
Group turnover      77,614  84,217  56,786  54,111  69,089  74,710  203,489  213,038
                   _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______  _______  _______

EBITDA before 
central costs
and exceptional     
items(b)            16,634  20,937  19,003  18,071  16,388  20,529   52,025   59,537
                   _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Central costs                                                        (8,669) (13,220)
                                                                    _______  _______
EBITDA before
exceptional
items(b)                                                             43,356   46,317
                                                                    _______  _______
                                                                                  
Profit before tax,
exceptional items,
finance and central
costs               10,684  13,965  13,217  13,473    7,891  14,285  31,792   41,723                   
Exceptional items      246  (1,964)      -       -   16,550       -  16,796   (1,964)
Finance and central      
costs                    -       -       -       -        -       - (14,204) (19,606)
                   _______ _______ _______ _______  _______ _______ _______  _______
Profit before tax   10,930  12,001  13,217  13,473   24,441  14,285  34,384   20,153
                   _______ _______ _______ _______  _______ _______ _______  _______


(a) Africa, Former Soviet Union and Middle East.
(b) EBITDA - Group operating profit of #21,660,000 (2002 - #25,837,000) plus 
depreciation of #17,384,000 (2002 - #15,938,000), amortisation of #2,549,000
(2002 - #2,558,000) and share of joint ventures EBITDA of #1,763,000
(2002 - #1,984,000).

An analysis of profit on ordinary activities by geographical area and net assets 
by geographical area and business stream has been omitted.



3.  Exceptional items

(a) Exceptional gain on partial sale of interest in business on formation of
    joint venture

    On 31 March 2003 the group transferred its Permanent Monitoring 
    business into a newly formed joint venture enterprise, QuantX Wellbore
    Instrumentation. In this transaction, the Expro group's Permanent Monitoring
    business was transferred, by a combination of asset and share sales, from 
    three wholly owned subsidiary companies, Expro North Sea Limited, Expro Gulf 
    Limited and Expro Americas Inc. into three newly formed joint venture companies,
    QuantX Wellbore Instrumentation Limited, QuantX Wellbore Instrumentation 
    (International) Limited and QuantX Wellbore Instrumentation LLC. In 
    consideration for a 50% holding in the joint venture companies, Baker Hughes 
    Inc. paid the Expro group #18,979,000 cash. As a result of this transaction, 
    the Expro group and Baker Hughes Inc. each hold 50% in each of these joint 
    venture companies. The total net book value of Expro's Permanent Monitoring 
    business assets was #3,038,000. The group recorded a realised exceptional 
    gain before taxation of #16,550,000 being the cash consideration less the net
    book value of the net assets transferred to the joint ventures by the Expro 
    group of #1,519,000 and costs associated with the transaction of #910,000. 
    Tax on the exceptional gain is #4,036,000. At any time after 31 March 2004, 
    the Expro group has the option to sell to Baker Hughes Inc., and Baker Hughes 
    Inc. has the option to purchase from the Expro group, all of the Expro group's 
    remaining equity interests in the joint venture companies at a price based 
    on the adjusted earnings for the year immediately prior to the exercise of 
    the option.

(b) Exceptional (profit)/loss on termination of discontinued operations

    Discontinued operations relate to the closure of the group's Cased Hole 
    Services business in Venezuela in the prior year. The closure of the operation 
    is complete with the final charges and associated provisions recorded in the
    current year resulting in an exceptional profit from the release of excess
    provisions. The current year exceptional profit and prior year charge had no
    effect on the group tax charge or minority interest.

                                                              2003        2002
                                                             #'000       #'000
Loss on termination of discontinued operations                 489       1,576
Less prior year provision                                     (735)          -
Goodwill previously eliminated against reserves                  -         506
Negative goodwill                                                -        (261)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets                                 -         143
                                                            _______     _______
Exceptional (profit)/loss                                   (246)      1,964
                                                            _______     _______




4. Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities

The taxation charge comprises:
                                                                2003      2002
                                                               #'000     #'000
Current tax
UK corporation tax charge                                      4,300     2,240
Double tax relief                                             (1,347)   (1,046)
                                                              ______    ______
                                                               2,953     1,194
Foreign tax                                                    8,384     5,946
                                                              ______    ______
                                                              11,337     7,140
Adjustments to UK corporation tax in respect of prior
years                                                              -        51
                                                              ______    ______
Total current tax                                             11,337     7,191
Deferred tax: Origination and reversal of timing
differences                                                   (1,947)     (224)
                                                              ______    ______
Total tax on profit on ordinary activities                     9,390     6,967
                                                              ______    ______



5. Dividends paid and proposed
                                                                 2003     2002
                                                                #'000    #'000
Dividend paid on 31 January 2003 of 3.8p (2002 - 3.7p) per
ordinary share                                                  2,510    2,434  
Proposed final dividend of 7.1p (2002 - 7.1p) per ordinary      
share*                                                          4,700    4,685
                                                               ______   ______

                                                                7,210    7,119
                                                               ______   ______

* The Board is recommending a final dividend of 7.1p per ordinary share, subject
to shareholder's approval at the Annual General Meeting on 9 July 2003. The
dividend will be paid on 31 July 2003, to shareholders on the register at 4 July
2003.



6. Earnings per ordinary share
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and
numbers of shares.

                                              Continuing operations       Total       
                                              _____________________   _______________
                                                2003      2002        2003       2002
                                               #'000     #'000       #'000      #'000

Profit for the financial year for Basic and
Diluted earnings per share                    24,728    15,582      24,974     13,171
Goodwill amortisation                          2,388     2,474       2,388      2,468
Exceptional gain after tax on partial sale
of interest in business on formation of
joint venture                                (12,514)        -     (12,514)         -
Exceptional (gain)/loss on discontinued           
operations                                         -         -        (246)     1,964
                                             _______   _______     _______    _______
Earnings before goodwill and exceptional    
items                                         14,602    18,056      14,602     17,603
                                             _______   _______     _______    _______



                                                               Number of shares   
                                                              __________________        
                                                              2003          2002

Weighted average number of shares ranking for dividend
used for Basic earnings per share                       66,034,624    65,755,130
Exercise of share options   - Executive share scheme        88,222       298,009
                            - Employee share scheme         41,254       300,515
                                                        __________    __________
Weighted average number of shares used for Diluted      
earnings per share                                      66,164,100    66,353,654
                                                        __________    __________

The directors believe that the presentation of basic earnings per share before
goodwill amortisation and exceptional items assists with understanding the
underlying performance of the group.



7. Reserves
                                                  Share                 Profit
                                                premium    Capital    and loss
                                                account    reserve     account
                                                  #'000      #'000       #'000
Group
Beginning of year                                61,304         24      15,154
Share issues                                        346          -           -
Currency translation difference on foreign
currency net investments                              -          -      (7,347)
Currency translation difference on related            
borrowings                                            -          -       4,563
Retained profit for the year                          -          -      17,764
                                                _______      _______   _______
End of year                                      61,650         24      30,134
                                                _______      _______   _______

Cumulative goodwill written off against reserves was #47,186,000 (2002 -
#47,186,000).



8. Cash flow information

Reconciliation of operating profit to net operating cash inflow

                                  2003                                  2002
                  __________________________________    _____________________________________    
                  Continuing  Discontinued    Total     Continuing  Discontinued    Total
                  operations    operations              operations    operations
                       #'000         #'000    #'000          #'000         #'000    #'000

Operating profit/      
(loss)                21,660             -   21,660         26,284          (447)  25,837
Depreciation and        
amortisation          19,933             -   19,933         18,252           244   18,496
Loss on sale of            
tangible fixed
assets                   133             -      133             20             -       20
Increase in stocks        
and
work-in-progress        (437)            -     (437)          (185)         (129)    (314)
Decrease/               
(increase) in
debtors               15,809             -   15,809        (12,062)        1,029  (11,033)
Decrease in             
creditors and
provisions            (4,058)            -   (4,058)        (3,425)         (372)  (3,797)
Exceptional cash
inflow/(outflow)
related to
termination of
discontinued
operation (note
3b)                        -            89       89              -          (359)    (359)
                     _______       _______  _______        _______        _______  _______
Net cash inflow /
(outflow) from
operating
activities            53,040            89   53,129         28,884           (34)   28,850
                     _______       _______  _______        _______        _______  _______   
                   


Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

                                                                 2003       2002
                                                                #'000      #'000

Increase in cash in the year                                   34,372     19,706
Cash flow from decrease/(increase) in debt finance              5,676    (31,686)
                                                              _______     _______
Decrease/(increase) in net debt resulting from cash            
flows                                                          40,048    (11,980)
Translation difference                                          5,701        753
                                                              _______     _______
Movement in net debt in the year                               45,749    (11,227)
Net debt at beginning of year                                 (88,173)   (76,946)
                                                              _______     _______
Net debt at end of year                                       (42,424)   (88,173)
                                                              _______     _______
 

Analysis of net debt
                                                            Other
                             Beginning         Cash      non cash       End of
                               of year         flow       changes         year
                                 #'000        #'000         #'000        #'000

Cash at bank and in hand         5,848       22,256             -       28,104
Bank overdrafts                (12,116)      12,116             -            -
Debt due after 1 year          (81,905)       5,676         5,701      (70,528)
                               _______      _______       _______      _______
                               (88,173)      40,048         5,701      (42,424)
                               _______      _______       _______      _______









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

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