AGM Statement

James Halstead PLC
01 December 2006



                                                                 1 December 2006





                               JAMES HALSTEAD PLC



               CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING



The Chairman, Mr Geoffrey Halstead will make the following statement to
shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 1 December 2006:



'I, and the Board are always cautious in looking forward but, as is usual at the
AGM, I would like to give shareholders an update on current trading.



As we stand today, five months into the financial year, I can say with
confidence that progress continues to be made. In recent weeks we have obtained
planning permission for an extension to one of our main production lines and
equipment has been ordered for a major upgrade to the plant.



We continue to win specifications for significant flooring projects and, in
addition, our day to day distribution business continues to be robust. I have
often made note of prestigious flooring installations but I feel that our
motorcycle accessories business merits mention. We have distributed Arai crash
helmets in the UK for 28 years and no doubt everyone is aware of the very high
speed crash that the television presenter Richard Hammond was involved in a few
weeks ago. Richard Hammond was wearing a standard production Arai helmet and
this was one of the few, if not the only standard production helmet in the
world, that was capable of saving his life.



The Group is well on track for another good year and will not disappoint market
expectations.



Last year, at the AGM, I announced a special dividend to be paid of 25p per
share and today I have pleasure in announcing that we will be paying another
special dividend of 30 pence per ordinary 5p share payable on 2 February 2007.'



                                     -ends-


Enquiries:
James Halstead plc
Gordon Oliver, Finance Director                       Tel: [phone]

Hudson Sandler
Nick Lyon                                             Tel: [phone]




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