Interim Results

Wolseley PLC
13 March 2001


                                 NEWS RELEASE

                                13 March 2001


                       Wolseley continues strong growth
                     in the half year to 31 January 2001


-        Group sales up 14% with sales on continuing operations up nearly 20%

-        Group operating profit** up nearly 12% with operating profit on
         continuing operations up nearly 19%

-        PBT* up 7.5%.

-        EPS* up over 12%

-        Cash flow from operating activities up by over 34%

-        Interim dividend up 10.3% at 4.55 pence.


Commenting on the results, Richard Ireland, Executive Chairman, said:

'By any standards, our people in both Europe and the United States have
produced good half year results.  It has not been easy for them and, indeed,
it never is, but they have come through with flying colours.  We are now well
into the second half of the year which will be testing too.  But, I have no
doubt that we will see further progress over the remainder of this financial
year as our principal businesses continue to add market share and develop
their market leading positions.'

           * before goodwill amortisation and exceptional provision



                              SUMMARY OF RESULTS

                                                        31 January
                                            2001              2000       Change

Sales                                  £3,465.7m         £3,037.1m       +14.1%

Operating profit
- before goodwill amortisation           £186.4m           £167.0m       +11.6%

- goodwill amortisation                  £(8.2)m           £(5.3)m

Total                                    £178.2m           £161.7m       +10.2%

Exceptional provision for loss
on disposal of operations               £(75.0)m                 -

Profit before interest                   £103.2m           £161.7m
Interest                                £(19.2)m          £(11.4)m

Profit before tax
- before goodwill amortisation
and exceptional provision                £167.2m           £155.6m        +7.5%

- goodwill amortisation and
exceptional provision                   £(83.2)m           £(5.3)m

Total                                     £84.0m           £150.3m

Earnings per share
- before goodwill amortisation
and exceptionals                          20.36p            18.13p       +12.3%

- goodwill amortisation and
exceptionals                            (14.48)p             0.12p

Total                                      5.88p            18.25p

Dividend per share                         4.55p            4.125p       +10.3%


Net borrowings                           £567.6m           £492.3m

Gearing                                   41.1 %             42.1%


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Richard Ireland  - Executive Chairman    )   c/o The London Underwriting Centre
                                         )   until midday

Steve Webster    - Group Finance Director  )   Telephone [phone]
                   After 12 pm [phone] (Mobile)      )

Tom Wyatt        - Financial Dynamics (Telephone [phone])



                                 NEWS RELEASE

                                13 March 2001

Announcement of Interim Results


        The unaudited results for the half year ended 31 January 2001

Wolseley is pleased to announce interim results which demonstrate continued
growth in line with its principal strategic objectives to achieve double digit
increases in sales and earnings per share and to expand market share through a
combination of branch openings and acquisitions.



Group sales increased by 14.1% from £3,037 million to £3,466 million.
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation rose by 11.6% from £167.0
million to £186.4 million. Excluding discontinued operations the increase in
sales and operating profit was approximately 20% and 19%, respectively.



The remaining manufacturing businesses were successfully disposed of on 2
February to complete the group's exit from manufacturing activities.  Wolseley
is now a focused building materials distribution group.  An exceptional
provision of £75 million, including goodwill of £44.4 million previously
written off to reserves, has been made at the half year stage.



Net interest increased from £11.4 million to £19.2 million mainly reflecting
higher borrowings as a result of the group's investment in acquiring new
businesses.



Profit before tax, goodwill amortisation and the exceptional provision
increased by 7.5% from £155.6 million to £167.2 million.  The increase in
earnings per share on the same basis was 12.3%, reflecting the benefit of the
reduction in the tax rate to 30% from 33% in the first half last year.  After
deducting goodwill amortisation and the exceptional provision, profit before
tax was £84.0 million compared to £150.3 million.



European Distribution



Business conditions affecting each of the European businesses were generally
favourable. Positive trends in the repairs, maintenance and improvement
('RMI') markets were driven largely by relatively robust levels of consumer
confidence.



Sales for the division increased by 5.8% from £1,094.3 million to £1,158.1
million.  The organic increase in sales was 5.7%.  Trading profit increased by
11.0% from £64.3 million to £71.4 million.  Each of the European businesses
improved its trading margin percentage giving rise to an improvement in the
divisional trading margin from 5.9% of sales to 6.2% of sales.



Despite the effect of adverse weather conditions, Wolseley Centers' UK sales
increased by nearly 10% and trading profits by more than 12%.  The organic
increase in sales was 7%. Trading profits increased in each of the four UK
divisions. There was a continued improvement in the performance of prior year
acquisitions and a marginal rise in the added value percentage for the UK as a
whole.  The UK branch network increased by a net 73 (7.7%) branches.



The increase in sales and profits at Brossette in France was more modest at
around 3% when compared to the strong equivalent period last year which
benefited from a sales incentive programme. The reduction last year in the
rate of value added tax on RMI work carried out by contractors continues to
underpin demand in this segment of the market.  The improvement continues in
the performance of the branches acquired from Porcher.  The trading margin
percentage was unchanged.



Despite a continuation in the difficult market conditions in Austria, OAG
increased its sales by more than 3%. Trading profit was up by around 30%
assisted by a higher added value percentage and further benefits from the cost
reduction programme last year.  OAG's overall trading margin improved to just
under 3% for the half year. Sound progress was also made at Manzardo in Italy
and CFM in Luxembourg with both companies recording increases in sales and
trading profits.



US Plumbing and Heating Distribution



The market background for the group's US plumbing and heating activities was
generally favourable until the latter part of the half year when adverse
weather and a softening in the US economy slowed the sales growth rate.



Sales and trading profits for this division both increased by around 20%,
approximately half of which was due to currency translation.  The organic
growth in sales was 6.6%.



Ferguson experienced strong sales growth through to the period just before
Christmas and ended the half year with an organic increase in sales of around
6%.  The trend of an increasing added value percentage and net margin
percentage continued as further benefits accrued from the expanded
distribution centre network.  There was a significant improvement in
performance of the west coast operations.  The Californian market held up well
throughout the first half although several other regions experienced some
softening in the residential sector.  The reduction in capital goods spending
across the USA in the latter part of the calendar year resulted in a weakening
in its industrial and commercial markets.



Activity levels in the northwestern states in which Familian Northwest
principally trades were less buoyant due to a slowdown in the technology
sector and a weak residential market in the Portland and Salt Lake City
regions.  Sales were up by nearly 4% but trading profit was marginally down
largely due to investment costs in new branch openings and a new distribution
centre in Salt Lake City which is designed to enhance operational efficiency.



There was a net addition of six branches to the plumbing and heating network
during the half year.



US Building Materials Distribution



The US housing market was relatively stable throughout the first half with new
housing starts at an annual run rate of around 1.5 million.  Statistics for
housing starts and building permits since the January reduction in interest
rates show an encouraging upward trend.



The regional pattern of housing starts was varied. Carolina's strategy of
extending its geographic coverage through acquisitions in new states has
helped it to take advantage of continued strength in certain key markets and
has reduced its exposure to individual housing markets.  California, Texas,
Florida and Minnesota were the more buoyant areas whereas Detroit, Atlanta and
Salt Lake City were less strong.



Lumber and panel prices weakened from August to around a seven year low in
December.  Whilst the recent trend in lumber prices has been encouraging, the
average price for framing lumber for the first half was 27% lower than the
corresponding period last year.  This had the effect of reducing Carolina's
sales revenue by approximately 12% in the first half.  Approximately 45% of
Carolina's sales relate to framing lumber and panel products.  However, this
decline was offset by a £275.8 million contribution from acquisitions and, in
sterling terms, a gain on currency translation of a further £59.8 million.
This brought total sales for the division to £831.5 million, an increase of
46.7% on last year's £566.9 million.  Sales volumes were up 2% overall.



Carolina's margins also came under pressure from the effect of the lumber and
panel price decline. It was able to mitigate some of the effect by increasing
its added value percentage but the trading margin ended down.  However,
reflecting the impact of acquisitions and the benefit from currency
translation, total trading profit rose by 28.3% from last year's £33.9 million
to £43.5 million.



A total of seven branches were added to the building materials distribution
network during the half year.



Discontinued Operations



The discontinued operations represent the manufacturing  companies disposed of
in April 2000 and the boiler and burner operations sold in February 2001.  The
first half contribution to group sales and profits from the boiler and burner
businesses declined due to difficult market conditions in Germany and Sweden,
in particular, and the disruption caused by the sale process.



Interim dividend



The board has decided to pay an interim dividend of 4.55 pence per share which
represents an increase of 10.3% on last year's 4.125p interim dividend.  The
dividend reinvestment plan will continue to be available to shareholders.



Finance



The effective tax rate has reduced to 30% from 33% in the first half last year
as a result of benefits arising from ongoing tax planning measures.  It is
expected that 30% will be the effective tax rate for the year as a whole and
for at least the next two financial years, provided the geographical
contributions to profits remain similar and there are no significant changes
to tax legislation.



Net cash flow from operating activities increased by over 34% from £132.5
million to £177.9 million, partly reflecting improved control over working
capital with a net outflow of only £49.8 million compared to £68.3 million in
the previous half year.



Consideration for acquisitions, including debt, amounted to £77.0 million
compared to £153.3 million.  A further £10 million has been spent since the
end of the half year.  This level of spend in the current financial year to
date is broadly in line with the group's target spend of around £200 million
each year on 'bolt on' acquisitions, provided appropriately priced
acquisitions can continue to be found.  Further details of the current year
acquisitions are included in note 8 to this statement.



The group's branch network has been extended through acquisitions and branch
openings by a net total of 98 (4.4%), bringing the total to 2,342 at 31
January 2001.



Net borrowings, excluding construction loan borrowings, at 31 January 2001
amounted to £567.6 million compared to £454.3 million at 31 July 2000, giving
gearing of 41.1% compared to 34.7% at the previous year end.



Chief Executive



The Nominations Committee of the Board has established a short list of
candidates for the Chief Executive position.  Further interviews will take
place shortly and an announcement will be released in due course.



Outlook



The outlook for Wolseley's key European markets is positive, particularly in
the RMI sector which is the principal driver of these businesses.



In the USA, the short-term outlook is more challenging. The industrial and
commercial sectors have naturally softened in response to a slowdown in the
economy since early January and although lumber prices have increased recently
they remain at historically low levels.  Nevertheless, we believe that the
current weakening in consumer confidence will be seen as temporary and we are
encouraged by the resilience of the US housing market where recent reductions
in interest rates have improved the prospects for further growth.



We are confident that our principal businesses will continue to add market
share and develop their market leading positions, independent of market
conditions.  Whilst we are taking steps to mitigate the overall effects of a
softer US marketplace, we continue to expect further progress over the
remainder of this financial year.



GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (UNAUDITED)


                                                             Half          Half
                                                          year to       year to
 Year to                                                       31            31
 31 July                                                  January       January
    2000                                                    2001          2000
      £m                                                       £m            £m

               Turnover
6,104.1        Continuing operations                      3,363.3       2,849.8
-              Acquisitions                               49.1          -
299.3          Discontinued operations                    53.3          187.3
6,403.4                                                   3,465.7       3,037.1


385.7          Operating profit before goodwill           186.4         167.0
               amortisation

(12.5)         Goodwill amortisation                      (8.2)         (5.3)

               Operating profit
353.5          Continuing operations                      172.1         148.7
-              Acquisitions                               2.2           -
19.7           Discontinued activities                    3.9           13.0

373.2                                                     178.2         161.7

(42.6)         Provision for loss on disposal of          (75.0)        -
               operations (note 3)

330.6          Profit on ordinary activities before       103.2         161.7
               interest

(28.3)         Net interest payable                       (19.2)        (11.4)

302.3          Profit on ordinary activities before       84.0          150.3
               tax

               Taxation (note 5)
(114.4)        Ordinary activities                        (50.2)        (51.4)
6.0            Exceptional credit                         -             6.0
(108.4)                                                   (50.2)        (45.4)
193.9          Profit on ordinary activities after        33.8          104.9
               tax

(0.4)          Minority interests                         -             (0.2)

               Profit for the period attributable
193.5          to ordinary shareholders                   33.8          104.7

(88.3)         Dividends (note 7)                         (26.2)        (23.7)

105.2          Profit retained                            7.6           81.0

               Earnings per share (note 6)
42.26p         Before exceptionals and goodwill           20.36p        18.13 p
               amortisation
(2.17)p        Goodwill amortisation                      (1.43)p       (0.93)p
(6.38)p        Exceptionals                              (13.05)p        1.05 p

33.71p         Basic earnings per share                   5.88p         18.25 p

33.67p         Diluted earnings per share                 5.87p         18.21 p

15.35p         Dividends per share (note 7)               4.55p         4.125 p

               Translation rates (note 4)
1.5836         US dollars                                 1.4700        1.6250
1.6017         Euro                                       1.6400        1.5700




STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
                                                            Half          Half
                                                         year to       year to
 Year to                                                      31            31
 31 July                                                 January       January
    2000                                                    2001          2000
      £m                                                      £m            £m

193.5          Profit for the period                     33.8          104.7

42.2           Currency translation difference on        19.5          (7.3)
               foreign investments
235.7                                                    53.3          97.4





SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)


   Year to                                            Half year       Half year
   31 July                                                   to              to
      2000                                                   31              31
                                                        January         January
                                                           2001            2000
        £m                                                   £m              £m

277.0            Intangible fixed assets              322.8           238.3
531.6            Tangible fixed assets                562.6           460.6

977.7            Stocks                               962.3           886.7

1,117.2          Debtors and property awaiting      1,109.5         1,022.1
                 disposal
193.0            Construction loans receivable        212.6           161.1
                 (secured)
(963.0)          Creditors                           (843.9)         (810.4)

(192.1)          Construction loan borrowings        (212.6)         (161.1)
                 (unsecured)


1,132.8          Net operating assets                 1,227.9         1,098.4

(454.3)          Net group borrowings                 (567.6)         (492.3)

(43.1)           Net liabilities for tax              (37.2)          (42.1)

(64.6)           Dividend                             (26.2)          (23.7)

(69.0)           Provisions for liabilities and       (100.6)         (66.4)
                 charges

1,310.4          TOTAL NET ASSETS                    1,381.7         1,172.8

300.4            Capital and share premium           301.7           298.8
                 account
1,008.5          Reserves                            1,080.0         870.9
                 
1,308.9          Shareholders' funds                 1,381.7         1,169.7

1.5              Minority interests                   -               3.1

1,310.4                                               1,381.7         1,172.8



              Translation rates (note 4)
1.4977        US Dollars                            1.4611            1.6209

1.6163        Euro                                  1.5712            1.6567



RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN CAPITAL AND RESERVES

                                                     Half year        Half year
                                                            to               to
   Year to                                          31 January       31 January
   31 July 2000                                           2001             2000
        £m                                                  £m               £m

105.2            Profit retained                    7.6              81.0

42.2             Other recognised gains and         19.5             (7.3)
                 losses
2.0              New share capital subscribed       1.3              1.0
                 
65.0             Goodwill written back              44.4             0.5
                 

214.4            Net addition to                    72.8             75.2
                 shareholders' funds
1,094.5          Opening shareholders' funds        1,308.9          1,094.5
                 
1,308.9          Closing shareholders' funds        1,381.7          1,169.7


SUMMARISED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

                                                             Half          Half
                                                          year to       year to
Year to                                                        31            31
31 July                                                   January       January
   2000                                                      2001          2000
     £m                                                        £m            £m
              NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING
390.0         ACTIVITIES*                                  177.9         132.5

(24.1)        Net cash outflow from returns on
              investments and servicing of finance         (20.3)        (4.4)

(113.6)       Taxation paid                               (56.5)        (52.8)

(117.0)       Capital expenditure                         (53.8)        (58.4)

(285.7)       Acquisitions                                (75.9)        (145.2)

122.7         Disposals                                   -             1.5

(81.1)        Equity dividends paid                       (64.6)        (57.4)

2.0           Financing - Issue of shares                 1.3           1.0

(105.8)       Change in net debt resulting from           (91.9)        (183.2)
              cash flows

(5.8)         New loans and finance leases                (4.8)         (5.1)

(33.7)        Translation difference                      (16.6)        5.0

(145.3)       Movement in net debt in period              (113.3)       (183.3)

(309.0)       Opening net debt                            (454.3)       (309.0)

(454.3)       Closing net debt                            (567.6)       (492.3)



* RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO OPERATING CASH FLOWS

                                                            Half           Half
                                                         year to        year to
  Year to                                                     31             31
  31 July                                                January        January
     2000                                                   2001           2000
       £m                                                     £m             £m


373.2           Operating profit                        178.2          161.7

73.9            Depreciation charges                    41.3           33.8

12.5            Goodwill amortisation                   8.2            5.3

(75.7)          Decrease/(increase) in stocks           47.6           (26.6)

(19.9)          (Increase)/decrease in debtors          (8.2)          46.6

26.5            (Decrease)/increase in creditors        (90.1)         (88.6)
                and provisions
(0.5)           Decrease/(increase) in net               0.9            0.3
                construction loans


390.0           Net cash flow from operating            177.9          132.5
                activities


ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

                                                             Half          Half
                                                          year to       year to
Year to                                                        31            31
31 July                                                   January       January
   2000                                                      2001          2000
     £m                                                        £m            £m
              TURNOVER BY ACTIVITY

              European Distribution
2,147.0          Continuing operations                    1,147.7       1,077.8

43.3             Acquisitions                             10.4          16.5
2,190.4                                                   1,158.1       1,094.3

              US Plumbing & Heating Distribution
2,391.0          Continuing operations                    1,419.9       1,120.4
160.2            Acquisitions                             2.9           68.2
2,551.2                                                   1,422.8       1,188.6

              US Building Materials Distribution
1,136.4          Continuing operations                    795.7         553.4
226.1            Acquisitions                             35.8          13.5
1,362.5                                                   831.5         566.9

              Manufacturing and Other
108.2            Continuing operations                    -             60.9
191.1            Discontinued                             53.3          126.4
399.3                                                     53.3          187.3


6,403.4       TOTAL                                       3,465.7       3,037.1


              OPERATING PROFIT BY ACTIVITY (BEFORE
              GOODWILL AMORTISATION AND EXCEPTIONALS)

              European Distribution
142.1            Continuing operations                    71.3          63.4
2.4              Acquisitions                             0.1           0.9
144.5                                                     71.4          64.3

              US Plumbing & Heating Distribution
131.4            Continuing operations                    67.3          53.9
4.5              Acquisitions                             0.3           1.9
135.9                                                     67.6          55.8

              US Building Materials Distribution
69.0             Continuing operations                    41.0          33.1
16.5             Acquisitions                             2.5           0.8
85.5                                                      43.5          33.9

              Manufacturing and Other
5.0              Continuing operations                    -             3.8
14.8             Discontinued                             3.9           9.2
19.8                                                      3.9           13.0

385.7         TOTAL                                       186.4         167.0



ANALYSIS OF RESULTS (Continued)
ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT IN SALES

                                                    Movement
                                                   in Sales in
                             New     Acquisitions Discontinued
                        Acquisitions     Increment Operations
             2000  Exchange   2001        2000               Organic     2001
                                                              Change
              £m      £m      £m           £m        £m      £m     %      £m

European
Distribution 1,094.3 (17.2)   10.4         9.5        -     61.1  5.7    1,158.1

US Plumbing &
Heating
Distribution 1,188.6 125.3    2.9          19.7       -     86.3  6.6    1,422.8

US Building
Materials
Distribution 566.9   59.8     35.8         240.0      -     (71.0)(11.3) 831.5
             2,849.8 167.9    49.1         269.2      -     76.4   2.5   3,412.4
Discontinued
Operations   187.3   3.0      -            -         (137.0) -     -     53.3

             3,037.1 170.9    49.1         269.2     (137.0)76.4   -     3,465.7



ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT IN OPERATING PROFIT
(BEFORE GOODWILL AMORTISATION AND EXCEPTIONALS)

                                                    Movement
                                                   in Profit in
                             New      Acquisitions Discontinued
                        Acquisitions     Increment Operations
             2000  Exchange   2001        2000                 Organic     2001
                                                                Change
              £m      £m      £m           £m        £m        £m     %     £m

European     64.3  (0.9)    0.1          0.5          -       7.4    11.6  71.4
Distribution

US Plumbing  55.8  6.0      0.3          1.1          -       4.4    7.1   67.6
& Heating
Distribution

US Building  33.9  3.6      2.5          14.1         -       (10.6) (28.3)43.5
Materials
Distribution

             154.0 8.7      2.9          15.7         -        1.2   0.7   182.5

Discontinued
Operations   13.0  -        -            -        (9.1)        -     -     3.9


             167.0 8.7      2.9          15.7     (9.1)        1.2   -     186.4



Goodwill of £50 million arises on the acquisitions made in the half year.  The
operating profit contribution, after goodwill amortisation, from these
acquisitions is £2.2 million.

NOTES:



1          Basis of preparation



            The figures for the year ended 31 July 2000 do not constitute the
company's statutory accounts for that period but, with the exception of the
segmental disclosure referred to in note 2 below, have been extracted from the
statutory accounts which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.  The
auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and
did not contain statements under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
1985.  The accounts for the six months ended 31 January 2001 have not been
audited, nor were the accounts for the equivalent period in 2000.  They comply
with relevant accounting standards and have been prepared on a consistent
basis using accounting policies set out in the 2000 Annual Report.



2          Segmental disclosure



            Following the disposal of the group's manufacturing operations,
the directors have reviewed the reportable segments of the group's businesses
and have adopted a new form of segmental disclosure in the Analysis of Results
section of this interim statement.  Comparative figures have been restated
accordingly.  The directors believe that this new form of disclosure is likely
to be more helpful in gaining an understanding of the group's principal
business streams and in interpreting the financial information in relation
thereto.  This segmental disclosure will be adopted in the group's 2001
Preliminary Announcement and in the Report and Accounts for that year.



3          Provision for loss on disposal of operations



            The group completed the disposal of its remaining manufacturing
businesses on 2 February 2001.  The total loss on disposal amounted to £75.0
million, comprising a £30.6 million loss on assets (including estimated costs
of disposal) plus goodwill of £44.4 million previously written off to
reserves.  A provision for this loss on disposal has been recorded at the half
year.



4          The results of overseas subsidiaries have been translated into
sterling using average rates of exchange.   The year end rates of exchange
have been used to convert balance sheet amounts.



5          The tax charge on ordinary activities for the half year has been
calculated at the rate which it is expected will apply for the year ending 31
July 2001 and comprises the following elements:




                                            Half year to        Half year to
                                         31 January 2001        31 January 2000
                                                     £m               £m
Tax on profit for the year before
exceptional gain
- UK                                                7.9              13.7

- overseas                                          42.3             37.7
                                                    50.2             51.4
Exceptional tax credit relating to the
disposal of a business in a prior year               -               (6.0)
                                                    50.2             45.4



6           Earnings per share, calculated on an average of 574.9 (574.0)
million ordinary shares in issue, are as follows:


                                                             Earnings per share

                                                     Half Year        Half Year
                                                            to               to
                                                    31 January       31 January
                                                          2001             2000
                                                     Pence per        Pence per
                                                         share            share

Before goodwill amortisation and exceptionals            20.36            18.13

Goodwill amortisation                                    (1.43)           (0.93)

Provision for exceptional loss on disposal
(2000 exceptional tax credit)                            (13.05)          1.05

Total                                                    5.88             18.25


7          The interim dividend of 4.55 pence (4.125 pence) per share, which
will absorb £26.2 million (£23.7 million) will be paid on 31 July 2001 to
ordinary shareholders on the register on 13 July 2001.  The shares will be
quoted ex dividend on 11 July 2001.

8          The following table summarises the acquisitions made during the
half year.  In certain cases the consideration is subject to adjustment and
includes net borrowings acquired.


                               Estimated         Expected contribution to group
                           consideration                turnover in a full year
                          including debt


Acquisitions
                                      £m                      £m

European Distribution                20.7                    33.8
US Plumbing and                      6.6                     16.4
Heating Distribution
US Building Materials                49.7                    113.9
Distribution
                                     77.0                    164.1


Since 31 January 2001 further acquisitions have been made in the USA for an
estimated consideration of approximately £10 million, including debt.  In a
full year these acquisitions are expected to contribute a further £21 million
of turnover.


9        Copies of announcements


            Wolseley plc will make available to shareholders, on request, a
copy of its preliminary announcement for the year ending 31 July 2001, to be
issued on or about 25 September 2001.  Requests for a copy of this
announcement should be addressed to the Company Secretary, Wolseley plc, PO
Box 18, Vines Lane, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 8ND.


            A copy of the 2001 Interim Announcement, together with copies of
other recent public announcements, including the 2000 Preliminary
Announcement, can be found on Wolseley's web site at www.wolseley.com.  Copies
of the Interim and Preliminary Announcement presentations given to
stockbrokers' analysts are also available on that site.



                                    -End-