Interim Management Statement

16 July 2014

RPC Group

Interim Management Statement

RPC Group Plc, Europe's leading supplier of rigid plastic packaging, is issuing the following interim management statement ahead of its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 16 July 2014 at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD.

Trading performance

Trading in the period from 1 April to 30 June 2014 ("the period") was in line with management's expectations, with both revenues and adjusted operating profit (before exceptional items) ahead of last year and the recently acquired businesses making a good contribution to the Group's performance. The appreciation of the pound versus both the Euro and US dollar had an adverse translation impact on the adjusted operating profit in the period as a significant part of revenues are in these currencies. Activity levels were slightly above the prior year on a like-for-like basis and the ACE businesses in China performed well during the period, of which the last month will be consolidated into RPC's accounts.

The Group's financial position remains robust, with satisfactory cash flow development in the quarter, and it retains significant headroom under its debt facilities.

The Vision 2020 Focused Growth Strategy continues to gain momentum. The acquisition of ACE was completed on 2 June 2014 providing the Group with a further platform for profitable growth outside Europe; its integration is progressing well. Initial customer responses to the creation of this Asian platform have been encouraging. The final phase of the "Fitter for the Future" business optimisation project continues to progress well.

Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive said:

"Our overall performance in the first quarter was robust. The acquired businesses are integrating well with performances in line with expectations and we continue to invest for organic growth in the USA to further enhance the Group's position outside Europe."

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