Acquisition

Bodycote International PLC
21 February 2001

                                                             21 February, 2001

                               PRESS RELEASE

               Bodycote acquires testing laboratories in Sweden

BODYCOTE INTERNATIONAL PLC is pleased to announce the acquisition by its
materials testing group of the entire share capital of Celsius Materials
Karlskoga AB (CMK) of Sweden, a subsidiary of SAAB AB.

The company whch will trade as Bodycote CMK AB has laboratories in Karlskoga
and Karlstad and specialises in the shelf life assessment of components in
addition to the provision of a full range of mechanical testing analysis and
evaluation of metals and polymeric materials.

The transaction also includes a long term agreement for co-operation and
supply of services to SAAB's subsidiary CSM Materialteknik  in continuation of
Bodycote's strategy to align itself with major international high technology
businesses.

In the twelve months ended 31st December 2000 CMK earned profits before tax of
SEK 2.8 million (£0.2 million) on sales of SEK 23.3 million (£1.7 million).

Bodycote Materials Testing intends to further develop its presence in Sweden
through investment and expansion of CMK in conjunction with its existing
subsidiary Bodycote Polymer AB based in Nykoping.

Enquiries:

Derek Sleight
Joint managing director
Bodycote Material Testing Group Limited
0131-333-4360