Chairman's AGM Statement

Weir Group PLC
17 May 2000


The following is the text of the statement delivered by 
the Chairman, Sir Ronald Garrick, at this year's AGM.

'Since the start of the year there has been an increase in activity in our
operations in the Americas and in our slurry pump business in Australia due to
improvements in the oil and minerals processing markets.   Elsewhere in the
world, and particularly in the UK, our companies are experiencing difficulties
in meeting budgeted levels of input.  However, quotation levels have increased
in our main subsidiaries and we anticipate a better order flow as the year
progresses.

Although pre tax profits for the first half of the year will be lower than the
level achieved in the same period in 1999, current projections continue to
support our growth expectations for the year as a whole.  A stronger second
half is expected as the benefits from the integration of Warman and our cost
reduction programme will become evident in results.

In line with our strategy to concentrate on core activities and to consider
disposals where we do not command a significant market share, we have recently
announced the sale of the commercial material handling business of Strachan &
Henshaw Limited.   In future this company will concentrate on mechanical
handling for the defence and nuclear industries where it has major market
shares for both new equipment and through life support.  We expect to make
further disposals and strengthen our core activities through acquisition
during the remainder of the year.'