FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Pursuant to Rule 13a - - 16 or 15d - 16 of
The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of April, 2007
HANSON PLC
1 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7JH, England
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40F.]
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
April 24, 2007
Hanson PLC Annual General Meeting
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Hanson PLC later today, Alan Murray,
Chief Executive, will review the company's performance during 2006 and make the
following comments regarding the group's outlook:
"Whilst it is still early in the construction season, overall our trading
outlook for 2007 is substantially the same as two months ago.
In the USA, selling prices have remained robust. However, the residential market
has been difficult and, together with a prolonged winter season, will result in
a challenging first half compared to an unusually strong first half of 2006. In
addition, the weak US dollar will affect the translated results for the period.
Elsewhere, our operations in the UK, Australia, Asia and Continental Europe have
started the year well.
We continue to invest in our business and expect our level of capital investment
to increase by around £100m against 2006 to between £350m and
£400m in 2007. Many of these projects will take more than one year to
complete and hence most of the benefit will be delivered in 2008 and beyond.
Acquisitions remain an important part of our growth strategy. To date in 2007,
we have invested approximately £120m in seven acquisitions, principally in
our US building products division. The pipeline of potential deals remains
encouraging, particularly in North America."
Slides, speeches and proxy votes will be available on Hanson's website
www.hanson.biz from 3pm (BST).
Further information about Hanson can be found at www.hanson.biz
Enquiries:
Hanson PLC +44 (0)20 7245 1245
Media - Charlotte Mulford
Investors/Analysts - Nick Swift
Website:
www.hanson.biz
Notes to editors:
Hanson is one of the world's largest suppliers of heavy building materials to
the construction industry, with turnover in 2006 of £4.1bn. Our products
fall into two categories: 'aggregates' (crushed rock, sand and gravel,
ready-mixed concrete, asphalt and cement related products) and 'building
products' (concrete pipes, pre-cast products, concrete pavers, blocks, tiles and
clay bricks). We employ approximately 26,000 people, operating primarily in
North America, the UK and Australia with further operations in Asia Pacific and
Continental Europe.
Register for Hanson's e-mail distribution service for press releases and
notification of the publication of corporate reports via www.hanson.biz.
High-resolution Hanson images for editorial use are available from
www.hanson.biz
Forward-looking statements made in this press release involve risks and
uncertainties which could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed in or contemplated by such statements. Factors
which could cause such differences are set out in detail in Hanson's Annual
Report and Form 20-F and include, but are not limited to, changes in economic
conditions; changes in governmental policy or legislation that could effect
regulatory compliance and other operating costs; changes in governmental policy
or legislation relating to public works expenditure and housing; potential
liabilities arising out of former businesses and activities; our inability to
achieve success in our acquisition strategy; the competitive market in which we
operate; disruption to, or increased costs of, the supply of raw materials,
energy and fuel to our business; inclement weather conditions; exchange rate
fluctuations; and ineffective implementation of computer software systems.
Hanson does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly such
forward-looking statements. All written, oral or other tangible and electronic
forward-looking statements attributable to Hanson or persons acting on behalf of
Hanson are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
END
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 authorised.
HANSON PLC
By: /s/ Graham Dransfield
Date: April 24, 2007