Trading Update

    RNS Number : 2437V
  SMC Group Plc
  27 May 2008
   

    27th May 2008

    SMC Group Plc ("SMC" or "the Company" or "the Group")

    Trading update

    The Board of SMC Group Plc is pleased to announce that Group trading continues to be robust with a stronger order book than at the same
stage of the year in 2007, coupled with an improved conversion rate of order book into revenue and EBITDA.

    Actions to rationalise the business and to make further cost savings over and above those arising from the review in 2007 continue to
progress well and a full report will be given in the Group's interim results announcement in September 2008. As part of this process, the
Group is close to agreeing improved terms with its principle bankers, HBOS.

    The Group continues to win new business and in the last 2 months, the Group has won commissions with total estimated fees of in excess
of £8m, including:

    * Retail and Mixed Use developments in China, Malaysia and Singapore
    * Criminal Justice Centre in East Midlands
    * Oil Company HQ Buildings - Scotland
    * New Secondary School - Central Scotland
    * Mixed Use Masterplans in Manchester, Croydon, S London
    * Affordable and Private Residential projects - Scotland and England and Hyderabad
    * Police Station - Cornwall
    * Industrial Park - East Anglia
    * Flight Simulation Training Centre - Sussex
    * HM Government Communications Centre Office - Milton Keynes

    The Group's new commissions represent a mix of private and public sector clients and continue to demonstrate the Group's exposure and
experience in a wide and balanced portfolio of work.  

    Outside of the UK, management is pleased with the growth generated in Asia and the scale of new commissions and development
opportunities, both in the existing office locations of Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing and also in Malaysia and India. We have doubled our
number of staff in these locations during the last 12 months in response to the expanding order book and high quality of work being
delivered.

    The Board confirms that the AGM for SMC Group Plc will be held at 10am on 25 June 2008 in Room 33, The Royal Horticultural Centre,
Greycoat Street, London SW1P 2QD. Tel. [phone]. The notice of the AGM and a copy of the Group's annual report for the year ended 31
December 2007 is expected to be posted to shareholders on 2 June 2008.

    Ends


    For further information:

    SMC Group Plc Tel: [phone]
    Chris Littlemore/Rob Boardman

    Numis Securities Limited Tel: [phone]
    Stuart Skinner/Brent Nabbs/James Serjeant

    Financial Dynamics Tel: [phone]
    Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg/Caroline Stewart/Annie Evangeli

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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