Disposal

Smiths Group PLC
16 October 2001

Smiths Group

News Release

London, 16 October 2001
For immediate release

Smiths continues disposal process for non-core businesses

Smiths Group has entered into an agreement to sell the vacuum and pressure
businesses Stokes Vacuum, Hick Hargreaves, Hibon and Wilhelm Klein, to BOC 
Edwards for £12.8 million.  Together with Plenty Ltd, which was sold last month,
these US and European businesses previously comprised the vacuum & filtration 
unit of EIS Group. The deal is expected to be completed by the end
of November, subject to regulatory approval.

Smiths is a global business with market-leading positions in each of its four
operating businesses: advanced aerospace systems; mechanical and polymer
seals; medical devices and critical care equipment; and specialised industrial
products for interconnect & air movement applications. Further information on
Smiths can be found on the company's website: www.smiths-group.com.

BOC Edwards, one of The BOC Group's three global lines of business, is the
world leader in vacuum technology for industrial, scientific and semiconductor
processing applications. BOC Edwards is a
global concern with over 3,000 employees and annual sales around £800m ($1.1bn).
Further information can be obtained from www.bocedwards.com



Ends



For further information contact:

Smiths: Richard Bayliss, tel: + 44 (0) 20 8457 8306.
E-mail: [e-mail]

BOC Edwards: Patrick Pearson. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone].
Email: [e-mail]

The BOC Group: Christopher Marsay. Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]