Headquarters site update

Gooch & Housego PLC 01 April 2005 1 April 2005 GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC New Global Headquarters Site Update Gooch & Housego, the specialist manufacturer of acousto-optic and electro-optic devices, precision optical components, crystals, and instruments for measuring optical radiation, today announces that it expects to complete the purchase of land and buildings at Dowlish Ford near Ilminster, currently comprising 67,000 sq ft of buildings on 7.8 acres of land, on 6th April 2005. This represents a milestone in the history of Gooch & Housego allowing extensive scope for expansion and securing the company's long-term future in Ilminster. The site will be developed through a mixture of renovation and new purpose built facilities to become the Company's global headquarters and UK optical manufacturing facility. The re-development will commence this summer, with full occupation expected by financial year-end, September 2006. The new site, currently owned and until today operated by Clarks, the shoe manufacturer, is located close to Gooch & Housego's existing 25,000 sq ft where the Company's expansion has been restricted by a lack of space and inefficient workflows. The Company's high precision optical products are finished in an ultra clean environment to achieve the very high quality demanded by our global customer base. The new factory will provide this environment and improve efficiency, while investment in new plant and machinery will allow the Company to expand its operations and create the showcase facility originally envisioned by co-founder Archie Gooch, who has recently retired as Chairman. For further information: Gareth Jones 01460 52271 Gooch & Housego PLC Andrew Edwards 0207 710 7600 Oriel Securities Tom Carroll/Nicola Cronk 0207 466 5000 Buchanan Communications This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange