Strategic Review Update

Fuller,Smith&Turner PLC 27 February 2006 Monday 27 February 2006 Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. Update on strategic review following acquisition of George Gale and Company Limited Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. ("Fuller's" or the "Company") has today provided the following update on its strategic review of George Gale and Company Limited's ("Gales") operations having completed the acquisition of that business in December 2005. As a result of an extensive review of brewing operations and successful trials at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, brewing will cease at Gales brewery in Horndean, Hampshire on March 31, 2006. The Company will continue to operate a full distribution and warehousing operation in Horndean. The main Gales brands - HSB, Butser, Festival Mild and Prize Old Ale - will be brewed at Chiswick. Some of Gales seasonal beers will continue to be brewed and available at various times as part of the seasonal calendar. Production of Gales Bitter, a recent addition to Gales range, will be discontinued as a result of clear customer preference since Fuller's London Pride was made available across the Gales estate. The combined businesses continue to perform well and in line with market expectations. The Board expects annualised cost savings of at least £3 million through the elimination of duplicated functions, operational efficiencies and the benefits of scale following the acquisition. Chief Executive Michael Turner said: "Fuller's has invested over £17million in the Griffin Brewery over the last six years, and this has helped to ensure the quality and consistency of our beers and underpinned our success. There is capacity at Chiswick and the investment required to continue brewing at Horndean would sadly be prohibitive. "I would like to pay tribute to everyone at the Horndean Brewery. Since our acquisition of Gales, the team in Hampshire has been exemplary in assuring that the union of these two family brewers is as seamless as possible." Fuller's will announce its preliminary results for the year ended April 1, 2006 on June 9, 2006 and will provide a further update at that time. - ENDS - For further information, please contact: Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C Press Office 020 8996 2175 / 2198 / 2048 Michael Turner, Chief Executive 020 8996 2048 Paul Clarke, Finance Director 020 8996 2048 Merlin 020 7653 6620 Paul Downes 07900 244 888 Vanessa Maydon 07802 961 902 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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