AGM Statement

Asfare Group plc 21 September 2004 21 September 2004 ASFARE GROUP PLC AGM Statement Asfare Group plc, the UK's leading supplier of ladders and related equipment to the UK Fire Industry, today held its first Annual General Meeting in Southampton at 11.00am. At the AGM Tim Wightman, Chairman, made the following statement to shareholders: 'I am pleased to be reporting to you at this the first Annual General Meeting of the company, since the Group's Listing on the AIM market in December 2003, and to update you on the affairs of the company over the last three months. Current Trading I referred in my annual statement to the effect of the moratorium on new orders, which most UK fire authorities implemented, as a result of their interpretation of a directive issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and resulting confusion which had arisen in the industry. I am pleased to tell you that this month the position has finally been clarified, the moratorium lifted and a draft of the National Procurement Strategy for the Fire and Rescue Service has been published for consultation. The draft strategy is in line with our expectations and we welcome it as a sensible and constructive approach which should streamline our efforts and costs as well as those of the procurement bodies. In the first five months of the year, trading has met with our expectations, given the industry situation. The order book is now picking up again, which leads us to believe that our trading performance for the year will be in line with market forecasts. I will be able to report further on our prospects when the interim results are announced in December 2004. Acquisitions The board remains committed to expand the Group both organically and by acquisition and is currently in discussions that may lead to the announcement of acquisitions later this calendar year.' All resolutions before the meeting were duly passed. ENDS Enquiries: Asfare Group plc Adrian Jones, Finance Director Tel: +44 (0) 2380 861 966 Media enquiries: Abchurch Ariane Vacher / Julian Bosdet Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700 ariane.vacher@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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