AGM Statement

Cropper(James) PLC
06 August 2002

Issued on behalf of James Cropper PLC

Date: Tuesday, 6 August 2002  IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                               JAMES CROPPER PLC

                             Annual General Meeting


At today's (6 August 2002) Annual General Meeting, James Cropper, Chairman told
shareholders:


'I am pleased to report that the Group has had a good opening quarter of the
current financial year with profits of all three businesses at a higher level
than the same period last year.


'The Papermaking Division has made satisfactory progress against difficult
trading conditions. We continue to explore opportunities in the home and export
markets to increase turnover by seeking to exploit competitive advantage
wherever we can. Although pulp prices have moved upwards after bottoming out in
April 2002 it is unclear whether there is sufficient strength of demand in the
global pulp market to sustain further increases.


'The Converting Division started off the new financial year well but is now
entering the traditionally quiet summer period.


'Technical Fibre Products has continued the robust recovery that began in
January 2002 with a buoyant opening quarter. Sales to the USA have increased and
the uptake of fire protection materials in particular to Europe and the Far East
is encouraging.


'The weakening US$ is beginning to depress margins on Group sales outside
Europe. However the impact is mitigated by the Group policy of using US$
receipts to purchase US$ priced pulp.


'In common with many sectors of industry we have experienced a significant rise
in insurance premiums on renewal of our policies. Our premiums have increased
threefold against the background of the hardest insurance market in the past
thirty years. The additional cost for the remaining 8 months in the current year
will be £0.4m.


'Borrowings and gearing continue to reduce with cash flow from operating
activities more than covering a modest capital expenditure programme.'



Enquiries:


Alun Lewis, Chief Executive

John Denman, Finance Director                             Alan Cooke

James Cropper PLC                                         Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: [phone]                                         Tel: [phone]



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