Trading Statement

Molins PLC 17 December 2001 MOLINS PLC TRADING STATEMENT Molins PLC, the international specialist engineering company, announces that it expects its profits for the year ending 31 December 2001 to be in excess of current market forecasts. The rate of improvement in the operational performance and service delivery of the Tobacco Machinery division is running ahead of previous expectations. Trading conditions and the outlook for the Packaging Machinery division are unchanged. Molins will announce its preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2001 in early March 2002. Enquiries: Molins PLC Peter Byrom, Chairman, Tel: 01908 219000 David Cowen, Group Finance Director, Tel: 01908 219000 Issued by: Citigate Dewe Rogerson Margaret George, Tel: 020 7638 9571