Acquisition

IMI PLC
09 February 2005


                                                                 9 February 2005

                    IMI announces acquisition in Fluid Power

IMI plc, the major international engineering group, has acquired Syron
Engineering and Manufacturing (Syron), a leading provider of press tooling
solutions for the US automotive industry.

IMI has acquired Syron for a cash consideration of $33.4m (£18m). For the year
to 31 December 2004, Syron had unaudited sales of $24.3m (£13m). The value of
the net operating assets to be acquired is approximately $9m (£5m).

Syron designs and supplies tooling to optimise the efficiency of transfer
stamping presses for in-plant automotive applications. Central to Syron's
success are its excellent relationships with major US automotive manufacturers
and their tier 1 suppliers of pressed parts.

Operating from two main sites in Michigan close to its key customers, Syron
employs around 150 people, including a talented and strong management team who
will remain with the business.

David Nicholas, IMI's Executive Director (Fluid Controls), commented:

'Syron has built an excellent reputation as a US market leader in tooling
solutions for transfer presses and complements the existing in-plant automotive
operations of our Norgren business, extending its reach into transfer press
tooling. The acquisition represents a significant opportunity for Norgren to
develop the range of services that it provides to the automotive sector and to
strengthen its relationships with leading automotive customers'.

                                    - Ends -

IMI plc
Graham Truscott, Communications Director                      Tel: [phone]

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Nick Oborne / Stephanie Badjonat                              Tel: [phone]

Information about IMI plc can be found on the website: www.imiplc.com

Note to editors:

IMI plc is a dynamic international engineering business specialising in
innovative solutions and services for a wide range of industrial and retail
customers. Its future growth is being built on the two business areas of Fluid
Controls and Retail Dispense.

IMI's operations in these two business areas share the following core
characteristics: strong market positions in growing markets; the ability to be
clearly differentiated from their competitors through technological innovation
or after-sales service; and the provision of 'added value' through bespoke
solutions rather than a high manufacturing or material content.

IMI is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and is capitalised at approximately
£1.5bn.




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