AGM Statement

29 May 2003 Rolls-Royce plc AGM statement The presentation made today by Sir John Rose, Chief Executive, at the Rolls-Royce plc Annual General Meeting, contained the following statement about the company's priorities and prospects: `The after-effects of the war in Iraq continue to impact the airline industry. The situation has been exacerbated by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), particularly in Asia and Australasia. It is not clear how long these negative factors will depress civil aerospace demand but they have already caused further deferrals of original equipment deliveries. On the other hand, year to date Rolls-Royce engine flying hours have increased compared to the same period in 2002, indicating that our important aftermarket can continue to grow even in a depressed cycle for original equipment. On March 4 the company provided guidance for profit growth in 2003, with positive cash flow. This guidance was subject to the uncertainty over Iraq and the outcome of consultations with employees aimed at limiting the financial impact of the company's pension fund deficit. Based on trading performance across all our businesses over the first five months of 2003 and our current view of market conditions, the company is reiterating this guidance. Our priorities remain to manage the business uncertainty in civil aerospace by accelerating our programmes to reduce costs and extract more cash from the business. In the longer term we remain confident that the maturing of our businesses and our ongoing restructuring programme will allow us to deliver value to our shareholders by generating strong cash flows'. The full presentation and supporting text is available on the company's website, at www.rolls-royce.com Corporate note to editors Rolls-Royce plc operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products. The success of these products is demonstrated by the company's rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years. As a result, engine deliveries have grown and the company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide. The investments in product, capability and infrastructure to gain this market position create high barriers to entry. Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 50 navies. The company has energy customers in nearly 120 countries. Rolls-Royce employs around 37,000 people, of which 22,000 are in the UK. Forty per cent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 5,000 in the rest of Europe and 8,000 in North America. Most of the engines in service will have operational lives of 25 years or more, generating an assured aftermarket demand for the provision of spare parts and services. The company's strategy is to maximise aftermarket revenues which have increased by 60 per cent over the past five years due to the development of a comprehensive services capability. Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which over 40 per cent currently comes from aftermarket services. The order book stands at more than £17 billion, which, together with aftermarket demand, provides visibility as to future activity levels. For further information: Peter Barnes-Wallis Colin Duncan Director of Financial Communications Director of Corporate Communications Tel: 0207 222 9020 www.rolls-royce.com
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