23 February 2010

HILL & SMITH HOLDINGS PLC 

("HILL & SMITH")

Partnership and Joint Strategy for SEC South Coast Street Lighting PFI

Hill & Smith, the international group with leading positions in the supply of infrastructure products, galvanizing services and building and construction products to global markets, announces that it has been awarded a contract by SEC (Southern Electric Contracting) under the South Coast Street Lighting PFI, in partnership with Caparo Steel.

The five year contract is due to commence in April 2010 and entails the supply of approximately 100,000 lighting columns by Hill & Smith's subsidiary Mallatite and represents a contract value of £10 million.

The £225 million, 25 year South Coast Street Lighting PFI is the largest street lighting PFI project in the UK and includes lighting services for Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and West Sussex County Council.  The work involves replacement and maintenance of streetlights, illuminated signs and bollards.

This success follows on from the award last year of an £8 million five year contract for 72,000 lighting columns, under the Surrey Street Lighting PFI Scheme, to Hill & Smith's subsidiary Mallatite. Several similar major schemes are also being tendered for.

Commenting on the partnership, Derek Muir, Chief Executive of Hill & Smith, said:

"We are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project that continues our strong relationship with SEC and highlights the strength of our product and service offering."

Jacquie Stuart of SEC commented:

"SEC are pleased to award Mallatite this contract for the largest street lighting PFI contract in the UK.  This further strengthens our relationship and we look forward to working closely with them over the next five years.  We continue to reinforce our position in this market and are currently bidding on a large range of projects."

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Notes to Editors

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC is an international group with leading positions in the design, manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to global markets.  It serves its customers from facilities principally in the UK, France, USA, Thailand and China.

The Group's operations are organised into three business segments:

Infrastructure Products which supplies products and services such as permanent and temporary road safety barriers, street lighting columns, bridge parapets, temporary car parks, "GRP" railway platforms, variable road messaging solutions, traffic data collection systems, plastic drainage pipes and pipe supports for the power and LNG markets, energy grid components and security fencing.

Galvanizing Services which provides zinc and other coatings for a wide range of products including fencing, lighting columns, structural steel work, bridges, agricultural and other products for the infrastructure and construction sectors.

Building and Construction Products which supplies roofing systems, safety handrails and flooring, lintels and doors in steel and, increasingly, composite materials.  The range of uses for these products include large infrastructure projects involving schools and other public buildings.

Headquartered in the UK and quoted on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: HILS.L), Hill & Smith Holdings PLC employs some 3,300 staff across 54 sites, principally in 5 countries.  In the year to 31 December 2008, it generated revenues of £419.8 million.