Cookson is a leading materials science company operating on a worldwide basis in Ceramics, Electronics and Precious Metals markets. We aim to add value to our customers' businesses by providing products, processes and services that allow them to increase the efficiency and quality of their operations. Throughout the world, Cookson companies supply leading technology, supported by outstanding technical service. Cookson employs over 15,000 people in more than 35 countries, selling its products in over 100 countries.

Directors
Chief Executive – Nick Salmon
Finance Director – Mike Butterworth

Trading under the brand names Vesuvius and Foseco, the Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced consumable products and systems to the global steel and foundry industries and a leading supplier of speciality products to the glass and solar industries.
Revenue by End Market (2008) Steel: 53%, Foundry: 33%, Industrial: 11%, Solar: 3%

The Electronics division is a world leading supplier of advanced surface treatment and plating chemicals and assembly materials to the automotive, construction and electronics markets.
Revenue by End Market (2008) Consumer electronics: 46%, Automotive: 19%, Industrial: 18%, Other electronics: 17%

The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals (primarily gold, silver and platinum) to the jewellery industry in the US, UK, France and Spain. Products include alloy materials, semi-finished jewellery components and finished jewellery.
Revenue by End Market (2008) US Jewellery: 51%, European Jewellery: 49%

• 2008 results significantly ahead of 2007 despite weak final quarter: 
    - Revenue of £2,203m, up 23%* 
    - Trading profit of £216.3m, up 11%**
    - Headline PBT of £176.2m, up 18%   
    - Headline EPS 8.9p, up 9%**   
    - Free cash flow of £73m, up £26m
• Successful integration of Foseco into Ceramics division, with greater synergy savings than initially anticipated
• End-market weakness continuing into Q1 2009 as predicted
• Management actions continuing as planned to reduce cost base by £40m and conserve cash; suspending expansion capex, dividends and UK pension ‘top-up’ payments will reduce cash outflow by over £85m compared to 2008
• Rights issue successfully completed (£241m net proceeds) on 4 March 2009, reducing indebtedness and providing a more suitable capital structure for the current economic environment

 * At constant currency   ** As restated for the effect of the Rights issue in March 2009

2008 Trading Profit by Division (incl Foseco pro-forma)
Ceramics: 77% Electronics: 21% Precious Metals: 2%

2008 Revenue by Customer Location (incl Foseco pro-forma)
Europe: 27% NAFTA: 44% RoW: 6% Asia-Pacific: 33%

Cookson Group plc
165 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2AE

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7822 0000
Fax: +44 (0)20 7822 0100
Email: info@cookson.co.uk