AGM Statement

James Halstead PLC
02 December 2005



                                                                 2 December 2005


                               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 2 December 2005:



'We are now 5 months into the new financial year and I would like to give our
shareholders an update on the Group's performance.



It is clear that raw material prices and energy costs are very challenging, but
I am pleased to report that we are trading ahead of last year both in terms of
sales and profit.



In addition, having regard to our balance sheet and our strong cash position,
the Board are pleased to announce that there will be an additional, special,
interim dividend prior to the interim dividend which is paid in June 2006. This
additional dividend will be 50 pence per ordinary 10p share and will be payable
on 17th February 2006 to those shareholders on the register on the close of
business on 3rd February 2006.



There is no doubt we are seeing the benefits of the launch of updated product
ranges such as Hydro and Corona, and the new warehousing facility in Cologne
(opened in July of this year) is facilitating good growth in central Europe. The
management of our various subsidiaries are very focused on maintaining what has
been a good start to the year and I am confident that this will be another year
of progress.'



                                     -ends-


Enquiries:
James Halstead plc
Gordon Oliver                                         Tel: [phone]

Hudson Sandler
Nick Lyon                                             Tel: [phone]




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