Announcements

RB Press release - 09/04/2001
Reckitt Benckiser Q1 Update

Underlying Q1 Net Revenue Growth at 7% to 8% Indicated

Full Year Targets Confirmed with Increasing Confidence

The following is the text for the Reckitt Benckiser conference call to be given today by Bart Becht, Chief Executive Officer, and Colin Day, Chief Financial Officer, at 1400 hours London time. The purpose of the call is to update the market on progress of the business in the first quarter of 2001 and to confirm the targets for the full year communicated with the Company's final results on 28 February.

Commenting on the position, Bart Becht, Chief Executive Officer, said

ôReckitt Benckiser made a strong start to 2001 building on the momentum established in 2000 behind the Company's new growth strategy. The success of an increasing number of new product launches, the significant improvements in in-market execution in major markets behind the higher marketing investment, and the continuing good performance in developing markets all contributed to the broad-based growth in Q1. This good performance gives us increasing confidence in our targets for the full year.ö

Update on First Quarter

The First Quarter saw underlying growth of the business continuing. Specifically, Q1 net revenue growth is expected to be in the range of 7% to 8% at constant exchange on continuing operations (2000 base £726m).

These Q1 results will be affected, in comparison with 2000, by discontinued businesses and by exchange rate movements. Discontinued business will reduce reported net revenue growth by around 3 percentage points, while exchange rates will increase it by around 4 percentage points.

As a result, reported net revenue growth for total operations at actual exchange is expected to be up to 9% in Q1 on the base of £748m reported in 2000.

Profitability has been favorably affected by strong top line growth, continued steady improvement in gross margins, and further delivery of the promised merger savings partially offset by higher marketing investment. As a result, the Company looks for Q1 normalized net income to grow somewhat faster than the full year target growth of 18% at constant exchange on continuing operations (2000 base £46m).

The recently announced acquisitions in Indonesia (Tiga Roda) and in Korea (Oxy) have now been completed and will be consolidated beginning with Q2 2001.

Outlook for Full Year

Despite the strong Q1 numbers, Reckitt Benckiser today confirmed its previously communicated full year targets although it indicates that its 4% full year growth target for net revenues on continuing operations at constant exchange may prove somewhat conservative. The target for net income remains 18% on continuing operations at constant exchange, and for net working capital the target remains a reduction of £50m.

Confidence in the full year outturn is also supported by a growing list of new initiatives for 2001. The Company today announced a number of new initiatives for Q2

º Roll out of Airwick air care, Mortein pest control and Mr. Sheen furniture care in most of Eastern Europe

º Roll-out of Mortein pest control into Mexico

º Launch of furniture wipes and glass cleaning wipes in Europe and North America

º Launch of Lysol disinfectant spray and trigger spray fabric refresher in North America

The Q1 results will be announced on 10 May 2001 to coincide with the Reckitt Benckiser Annual General Meeting.



Detailed Note - Restated Q1 2000 (adjusted for disposals)

Geographical Area	Net Revenues £m	Operating Profit £m
Western Europe	324	67
North America	201	10
Latin America	52	(1)
Asia Pacific	79	2
Rest of World	70	3
Corporate	-	0
Continuing Operations	726	81
Discontinued operations	22	5
Total Company	748	86

For Further Information

Tom Corran- Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 1753 446 548