Trading Statement

Date:    Embargoed until 7.00am, Thursday 15 July 2004    
                                                          

Contact: Hans Nilsson, Chief Executive       Tel:  [phone] 
         Spectris plc                                     
                                                          
         Richard Mountain                    Tel:  [phone]
         Financial Dynamics                               
                                                          

                                 SPECTRIS PLC                                  
                        2004 FIRST HALF TRADING UPDATE                         

Spectris plc, the precision instrumentation and controls company, today issues
a trading update ahead of its half year results announcement for the period
ending 30 June 2004, due to be released on 14 September 2004.

First half orders were substantially ahead of the same period in 2003,
exceeding sales by £22m. However, this order book build was greater than
expected, particularly as a result of specific supplier issues in two
companies, which resulted in a deferral of sales and the related profits into
the second half. This, together with negative currency effects on profit of
approximately £4m, will cause profits in the first half of 2004 to be around £
3m lower than in the equivalent period in 2003.

Looking forward, the order book and current levels of demand support
expectations of positive progress for the year.

                                   - ENDS  -                                   

Copies of this notice are available to the public from the registered office:
Station Road, Egham Surrey TW20 9NP and on the company's website at 
www.spectris.com