UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For June 25, 2004
BUNZL PLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
110 Park Street, London W1K 6NX
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.)
Yes ..... No ..X..
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): )
NOT APPLICABLE
INDEX
Description
1. Press release dated June 25, 2004 - Trading Update
25 June 2004
BUNZL PRE CLOSE STATEMENT AHEAD OF ANALYST MEETINGS
Bunzl plc, the international distribution and outsourcing Group, will be
speaking to analysts today prior to the close period for the six months to
30 June 2004. The Company will be indicating that:
* Overall trading is expected to be in line with market estimates which
take account of the impact of currency translation.
* Outsourcing Services North America continues to progress
satisfactorily. As indicated at the time of the AGM, volume growth to
supermarkets has slowed while good volume growth in redistribution and food
processors has continued. Many price increases announced during the period
have so far held, reflecting sustained higher input prices to many of the
Group's suppliers. Although these increases are having a limited impact in the
first half, they should reduce year-on-year deflation as the year progresses.
* Outsourcing Services Europe & Australasia has continued to develop rapidly.
The French business acquired in early May is settling into the Group well and
greatly strengthens Bunzl's position across Europe as a whole, particularly in
the cleaning & safety business. Prices, which have normally been more stable
in Europe than in North America, have generally not risen during 2004.
* Filtrona is also trading well. Sales in both the tobacco and non-tobacco
related parts of the business have grown satisfactorily, reflecting both
organic and acquisition led developments.
In an improved but still uncertain economic climate, current trading remains
satisfactory although the persistence of the current level of the dollar is
having a translation impact compared to the first half of 2003. The Group
remains well positioned to progress satisfactorily as it continues to grow both
organically and by acquisition in its chosen areas of focus.
The Company confirms that it will be reporting the Group interim results in
three business segments: Outsourcing Services North America, Outsourcing
Services Europe & Australasia and Filtrona. In order to assist shareholders to
assimilate the results for the first half of 2004 when they are published in
August, the results for the first half of 2003 and for the full year 2003 are
set out below in this new format. A reallocation of costs between corporate
activities and Outsourcing Services is incorporated in this analysis.
2003 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS - NEW FORMAT
Sales Operating Net
profit operating
assets
Six months Year to Six months Year to Year to
to 30.6.03 31.12.03 to 30.6.03 31.12.03 31.12.03
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Outsourcing Services:
- North America 733.8 1,505.1 55.6 115.8 116.3
- Europe & Australasia 368.9 770.5 22.1 54.7 108.0
Filtrona 228.7 452.6 28.9 56.1 197.2
Corporate activities (5.6) (12.5) (5.2)
Goodwill (8.8) (17.7) 290.9
1,331.4 2,728.2 92.2 196.4 707.2
The results for the six months to 30 June 2004 will be published on
31 August 2004.
Enquiries:
Bunzl plc Finsbury
Anthony Habgood, Chairman Roland Rudd
David Williams, Finance Director Morgan Bone
Tel: 020 7495 4950 Tel: 020 7251 3801
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BUNZL PLC
Date: June 25, 2004 By:__/s/ Anthony Habgood__
Title: Chairman