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RNS Number:0346U Hill & Smith Hldgs PLC 09 May 2008 AGM and Interim Management Statement Hill & Smith Holdings PLC is today issuing its first Interim Management Statement ahead of its Annual General Meeting to be held at 11.00 a.m. 9th May 2008 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull. This Interim Management Statement covers the period from 1 January 2008 to 9 May 2008. Group Overview The positive momentum reported in our Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 has continued with our core markets benefitting from healthy demand in each of the three divisions of the Group. The resulting sales growth continues to demonstrate the benefit of the Group's innovative product development strategy and provides confidence in its future growth prospects. Divisional Overview Infrastructure Products Group ("IPG") During the period the IPG division has experienced robust demand for its core products, particularly for its temporary crash barrier, "Varioguard". Similarly, our pipe supports business continues to benefit from the sale of the engineering products required for the growing liquid natural gas market and the location of its low cost Thai operating facilities. Techspan has received its first order call-off for the Highways Agency variable message signage contract and we have successfully launched our innovative temporary car parking solution, "TopDeck", with an order from a major UK airport. Galvanizing Services Volumes are consistent with prior year and margins have been maintained. The price of zinc used in the companies galvanizing processes has reduced to a more realistic base level and continued to fluctuate with a downward trend during the period. The Voigt & Schweitzer operation in the USA has advanced its plans to expand its plant capacity in Delaware to service its growing customer base. Building and Construction Products Overall, demand for the division's products has been healthy, particularly for industrial flooring where we are confident the development of our GRP (glass reinforced plastic) railway platforms will generate future growth. Finance The Group generates a proportion of its earnings through its overseas businesses where the current strength of the Euro will have a favourable translational impact in comparison to 2007. Our overseas operations are financed through foreign currency denominated borrowings and therefore the strength of the Euro has increased both the Sterling carrying value of net assets and net debt. Steel prices have risen significantly during the period and have been managed through both increased selling prices and forward buying albeit at the expense of increased investment in working capital. Acquisitions As part of our strategy for growth we continue to review opportunities offering potential for increasing our product portfolio and market share. Summary Our performance remains in line with expectations and the Board anticipates being able to report continued progress in the year. There have been no other material events since the announcement of our annual results on 11 March 2008. Enquiries: Hill & Smith Holdings PLC D L Grove Chairman Tel: 0121 704 7430 Mobile: 07973 325667 D W Muir Chief Executive Tel: 0121 704 7430 Mobile: 07703 535540 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END