Date: 15/07/05
Reference: PR/063/05

Pilkington plc: Philip Webb
Tel: 01744 692184

Finsbury: Robin Walker
Tel:  020 7251 3801

PILKINGTON TO ACQUIRE AUTOSTOCK DISTRIBUTION US AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET GLAZING NETWORK

Pilkington announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the US assets of Autostock Distribution, with an asset value of around $US 18 million. Autostock Distribution is a glass distributor with 21 locations in the United States. In addition to distributing automotive replacement glass for all makes and models of domestic and foreign vehicles, it supplies a wide range of automotive aftermarket accessory products. The acquisition is expected to complete on Monday 18th July 2005.

This acquisition will further strengthen Pilkington as the market leader in the distribution and wholesale automotive glazing aftermarket in North America. Today, Pilkington, through its automotive glass replacement business, distributes parts for virtually every vehicle type in the North American market.

Pilkington Group Chief Executive Stuart Chambers said "This acquisition is another step in our transition to Stage 3 of our three-stage 'Cash for Growth' strategy - identifying opportunities for profitable growth in our existing businesses."