Acquisition

Smiths Group PLC
19 March 2008


Smiths buys Texan oilfield equipment company

SMITHS Group, the global technology business, today announces the acquisition of
Fiberod (Fiber Composite Company Inc.) a Texas-based specialist in oil and gas
lifting equipment. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. Financial
details of the purchase, from private owners, were not disclosed.

Fiberod complements the CDI oilfield products and services business bought by
Smiths Group's John Crane business less than a year ago. Both Fiberod and CDI
extend the reliability of artificial lift systems which can pump oil from depths
of more than 10,000 feet.

Fiberod is a world-leading manufacturer of fibre-glass sucker rods. These are a
light-weight alternative to the traditional steel rods used for the artificial
lift of oil and gas from the reservoir. In calendar year 2007, it reported sales
of £12 million ($25 million).

Paul Cox, Group Managing Director of Smiths Specialty Engineering, said: 'There
are some 850,000 wells around the world and many of these require oil and gas
reserves to be brought to the surface using artificial lift.  Fiberod and CDI
operate in a £700m per annum market and, since we acquired it, CDI has
successfully used the John Crane worldwide network to penetrate new territories.
Fiberod already supplies CDI with rods and this deal clears the way for even
closer cooperation as we build a global upstream oilfield services business.'

Employing some 150 people, Fiberod manufactures at Big Spring, near Midland,
Texas. Assembly is carried out in Big Spring and at nearby Ojinaga, Mexico.
Fiberod is near completion of a new manufacturing facility in Midland, Texas.

ENDS



Investor Relations                  Media
Peter Durman                        Chris Fox
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Smiths Specialty Engineering
Smiths Specialty Engineering is part of Smiths Group, a global technology
business listed on the London Stock Exchange.  It serves the international
energy, communications and industrial markets: John Crane designs and
manufactures seals and associated products and provides services mainly for the
oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp & paper and mining sectors; Smiths
Interconnect designs and manufactures specialised electronic products and
systems for the wireless telecommunications, aerospace, defence, space and
medical markets; Flex-Tek designs and manufactures engineered components which
heat and move fluids for aerospace, domestic appliances, and medical devices.
Smiths Specialty Engineering employs 10,800 people.  For further information
visit www.smiths-specialtyengineering.com


Smiths Group
Smiths is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange. A
world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, Smiths Group
delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical
devices, energy and communications markets worldwide. Our products and services
make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group employs more
than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. For more information visit
www.smiths.com




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