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Tomkins Announcement

19 March 1999

Tomkins Announcement

    LONDON--March 19, 1999--Tomkins PLC, the international manufacturing company, announced on March 15, 1999 a tender offer to purchase up to 167 million of its ordinary shares (including ADSs each representing four ordinary shares), equivalent to about 15% of its issued ordinary share capital, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the tender offer document dated March 15, 1999 and tender forms.
    Following discussions with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Tomkins announces that it has extended participation in the tender offer to all shareholders who validly tender their ordinary shares or ADSs prior to 5:00 pm (London time) on April 16, 1999, the closing date of the tender offer. Accordingly, the Record Date of March 25, 1999 no longer applies. Consequently, references in the tender offer document and tender forms to the Record Date should be read accordingly.
    Tomkins comprises a broad range of low-risk technology manufacturing companies. Tomkins' U.S. interests include The Gates Rubber Company, Denver, Colo., the world's leading manufacturer of power transmission belts and a major producer of hose and connector products. Other interests include, Murray, Inc., Brentwood, Tenn., one of the leading U.S. producers of power lawnmowers, snow blowers and bicycles; Red Wing Corporation, Fredonia, N.Y., the largest US manufacturer of private label grocery products; Smith & Wesson Corporation, Springfield, Mass., manufacturer of handguns, handcuffs and the Identi-Kit system; and Tomkins Industries, Dayton, Ohio, a leading manufacturer of components for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, materials handling and the transportation industry.
    Tomkins shares trade in the US on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TKS; its ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange.