Preliminary Results for Year Ended 31 December 2005

27 February 2006

Bunzl plc, the international distribution and outsourcing Group, today announces its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2005. The results from continuing operations were:

• Revenue up 20% to £2,924.4 million
• Operating profit before intangible amortisation up 20% to £203.4 million
• Profit before tax and intangible amortisation up 16% to £192.6 million
• Profit before tax up 12% to £176.7 million
• Earnings per share up 15% to 35.4p
• Adjusted earnings per share* up 21% to 38.7p
• Dividend for the year up 18% to 15.7p

Other highlights of the year include:

• Successful demerger of Filtrona
• Michael Roney appointed Chief Executive
• £270 million of annualised revenue added as a result of 2005 acquisitions
• Operating cash flow 97% of operating profit before intangible amortisation

Commenting on today's results, Anthony Habgood, Chairman of Bunzl, said:

''This excellent set of results is our first since the successful demerger of Filtrona and the appointment of Mike Roney as Chief Executive. They show the underlying strength of our business both overall and in each of the geographic regions in which we compete. They also once again clearly demonstrate the ability of Bunzl to grow successfully."

Michael Roney, Chief Executive of Bunzl, said:

"It is very encouraging to lead a business that has performed so well and I am excited about our potential as we move forward. Our relatively small market penetration in many sectors should provide both organic and acquisition growth opportunities through the use of our successful business model."

View the full Preliminary Results for Year Ended 31 December 2005 (PDF 256KB).

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* Before the effect of intangible amortisation