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, 2006
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
Hanson PLC Annual General Meeting
Speaking today at the AGM of Hanson PLC, Alan Murray, Chief Executive, made the following comments regarding the group's outlook:
"Our view on the outlook for 2006 remains substantially the same as reported two months ago. We expect demand and pricing in the US
to remain strong and we have seen a good first quarter. As anticipated, the start to the year in the UK has been slower than the same
period last year. Australia has had a good start although for the full year demand may be below the strong levels in 2005. The
increase in energy costs incurred in 2005 will impact our annual cost base in 2006, despite our cost reduction initiatives. We will
remain focussed on increasing our prices to recover these costs.
Corporate Development progress has been very pleasing and we have completed or agreed eleven acquisitions to date in 2006 for a total
consideration of approximately GBP515m. 90% of this investment is represented by three acquisitions. In January, we announced the
acquisition of PaverModule, one of the top two suppliers of concrete pavers in Florida. In March, we acquired Civil and Marine for
GBP245m. Civil and Marine is the UK's leading producer of ground granulated blast furnace slag, a cement substitute, and also has
operations in Florida and the Czech Republic. Thirdly, we have agreed to acquire Material Service, the thirteenth largest producer of
aggregates in the US, for approximately GBP170m. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. The
eight smaller transactions include operations in the UK, US, Australia and Spain.
Overall, we continue to expect to make further progress in 2006 based on our strong asset base and market positions, ongoing
financial discipline and continued investment in acquisitions."
Slides, speeches and proxy votes will be available on Hanson's website www.hanson.biz from 3.00pm (BST).
Inquiries: Nick Swift / Hilary Reid Evans
Hanson PLC
Tel: +44 (0)20 7245 1245
Notes about Hanson:
1. Hanson is one of the world's leading heavy building materials companies. It is the largest producer of aggregates - crushed
rock, sand and gravel - and one of the largest producers of concrete products, clay bricks and ready-mixed concrete in the
world. Its other principal products include asphalt and concrete roof tiles and its operations are in North America, the UK,
Australia, Asia Pacific and Continental Europe.
2. Hanson operates through six divisions: Hanson Aggregates North America, Hanson Building Products North America, Hanson Aggregates
UK, Hanson Building Products UK, Hanson Australia & Asia Pacific and Hanson Continental Europe.
3. Register for Hanson's e-mail distribution service for press releases and notification of the publication of corporate reports via
www.hanson.biz.
4. High-resolution Hanson images for editorial use are available from www.hanson.biz and from www.pixmedia.co.uk/30/company.
Forward-looking statements made in this press release involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated by such statements. Factors that 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 especially in the USA, the UK and Australia; 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 undertakes no obligation to update or
revise publicly such forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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 26, 2006