Immediate Release: 1 July 2009

Hartest Holdings Plc Statement re Possible Offer

The board of Hartest Holdings Plc ("Hartest" or "Company") note the announcement made by Elektron plc ("Elektron") today in relation to a possible offer for the Company ("Possible Offer"). The Company awaits with interest further information from Elektron regarding the likelihood of the Possible Offer, the identity of the third party referred to in the announcement and the terms upon which Elektron would be prepared to make the Proposed Offer. At present no offer has been received from Elektron and there is no certainty that an offer will be made.

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers Hartest Holdings Plc confirms that it has 8,605,288 ordinary shares of 10 pence each in issue. The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for these securities is GB00B1Z5GW09.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Further Information: Geoff Spink Hartest Holdings Plc 01252 749 530 William Vandyk Astaire Securities 020 7448 4400 Vikki Krause Hansard Group 020 7245 1100

Dealing Disclosure Requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Hartest, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of Hartest (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Hartest, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of Hartest by Elektron, or by any of their "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.