Trading Update

 
TIDMAGA 
 
7th July 2010 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
                    AGA RANGEMASTER GROUP PLC ("the Group") 
 
                                TRADING UPDATE 
 
Rangemaster cooker sales provide a boost while consumer markets remain subdued 
 
AGA Rangemaster Group plc, the consumer brands Group, is issuing a trading 
update ahead of its interim results for the six months ended 30th June 2010 
which will be announced on 27th August 2010. 
 
The Group has traded in line with expectations and has made steady progress 
with Rangemaster cooker sales providing a boost while consumer markets remain 
subdued given current economic conditions. The plan for 2010 remains to rebuild 
profitability and to generate cash as markets improve given the continuing cost 
reduction programmes, the strong operational gearing and the systematic 
investment in product development. 
 
Sales of AGA cast iron cookers were up in the first half and the current level 
of leads suggests that 2010 will prove better than 2009 although sales of the 
all-in-one cooker and boiler Rayburn and Stanley models were appreciably lower. 
 
Rangemaster has had another good half year. Sales through design centres, 
featuring the broader Rangemaster appliance offering, have performed well. 
Sales on the near continent have been particularly strong reflecting an 
established long run growth pattern. After a slow start, first half order 
intake for Rangemaster was up over 8% on 2009 and production is being increased 
from budgeted levels for the second half of the year. 
 
Closer integration of the operations continues to bring benefits, notably 
between AGA and Rangemaster in the UK. In addition, in North America, our 
decision to make our new state-of-the-art Greenville, Michigan site the 
production and distribution centre for hot, as well as cold products, will see 
the cooker production facility in Ontario close later this year. 
 
Our home fashions lines overall improved but remained loss-making with Fired 
Earth revenues down while orders were up and at Grange orders and revenues were 
ahead. Our cookware lines from AGA and Divertimenti performed well. 
 
Cash continues to be carefully managed and net cash balances at 30th June 2010 
were in excess of GBP20 million compared with GBP2.3 million a year earlier. The 
Group expects to generate net cash again this year. 
 
William McGrath, Chief Executive, commented: "We have had a sound first half as 
activity levels ticked up and Rangemaster is providing considerable impetus. 
The sustained and innovative work on our product offering and in supporting our 
brands, alongside the cost base reductions made, all mean we are well 
positioned for a recovery. 
 
Enquiries: 
 
William McGrath, Chief Executive, AGA Rangemaster Group plc - 01926 455731 
 
Simon Sporborg/Charlotte Kenyon, Brunswick Group - 020 7404 5959 
 
 
 
END