American Depositary Receipts

Wolseley PLC
23 January 2004


NEWS RELEASE

23 January 2004



                                  Wolseley plc

                                ADR Ratio Change

Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing,
heating and building materials products, today announces a change in the ratio
of its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) traded on the New York Stock
Exchange.


Since the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001, Wolseley's
price per ADR has risen from around $35 to about $70. In order to bring the
share price in line with other ADRs and improve liquidity, the company will
change the ratio from one (1) ADR for every five (5) ordinary shares to one (1)
ADR for every two (2) ordinary shares effective for holders of record on January
30, 2004. From the perspective of the ADR holder, the ratio change has the same
effect as a five (5) for two (2) stock split and Wolseley ADR holders, at the
close of business on February 2, 2004, will receive one and one-half (1.5)
additional ADRs for every ADR held. There will be no change to Wolseley's
ordinary shares.


Commenting on this change, Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley
said: 'Today's announcement demonstrates Wolseley's firm commitment to making
the company even more accessible to the broader US investment community. The
change in the ADR ratio will help increase NYSE volumes, creating a more liquid
market for our shares in the US. This will enable us to build a larger US
ownership base, particularly among individual investors and smaller firms.'


Wolseley released a Trading Statement on January 14, 2004 which can be found on
its website at www.wolseley.com. The company's Interim Results for the six
months ending January 31, 2004 will be announced on March 22, 2004.







FURTHER INFORMATION:

Wolseley plc
Guy Stainer                                            Tel: [phone]
Head of Investor Relations

North America Contact
John R. English                                        Tel: [phone]
Director, Investor Relations, North America






Notes for Editors


Wolseley plc (LSE: WOS.L, NYSE: WOS) is the world's largest trade distributor of
heating and plumbing products and a leading supplier of builders' materials to
the professional market. Wolseley has over 47,000 employees and operates in 13
countries in Europe and North America. In the year ended 31 July 2003 Wolseley
reported sales of £8.2 billion and operating profit before goodwill amortisation
of £473 million.



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