Purchase of Own Securities

Macfarlane Group PLC
9 March 2001

Macfarlane Group PLC

9 March 2001


PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

In its statement of preliminary results on 8 March 2001, Macfarlane stated
that it intended to use its existing share buyback authority to make tactical
purchases of its own shares for cancellation. Macfarlane Group PLC announces
that on 8 March 2001, it purchased for cancellation 240,000 ordinary shares of
Macfarlane Group PLC, representing 0.18% of Macfarlane's issued share capital,
at a price of 64p pence per share. Upon the cancellation of these shares, the
number of Macfarlane shares in issue will be 126,828,000.