PREMIER FARNELL WINS �30M ROLLS-ROYCE CONTRACT                 

LONDON, 17th MARCH, 2003: Premier Farnell, (LSE:PFL, NYSE: PFP), the global
marketer and distributor of electronic, maintenance, repair and operations
(MRO) and specialist products and services, has been awarded a three year
contract (subject to annual review) with Rolls-Royce plc, with total
anticipated sales of over �30m.

The contract is to supply a broad range of industrial consumables such as hand
tools, safety products, abrasives and electronic components to eight separate
Rolls Royce sites throughout the UK. Premier Farnell subsidiaries, Buck &
Hickman and Farnell, are involved in the contract, anticipated to generate
annual sales in the order of �10 million.

Commenting on this contract win, John Hirst, Chief Executive, Premier Farnell,
said:

"This proves once again how well positioned Premier Farnell has become to meet
the demands of major corporations as it comes hard on the heels of the Vauxhall
Motors contract announced in October. On an annualised basis, this is the
largest contract we have ever secured."

For business critical MRO items, Premier Farnell will supply Rolls Royce with
product at point-of-use, via its Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) stocking
solution. This uses electronic inventory control software, to automatically
re-order the stock required, with next day replenishment of stocking locations.
This will be backed up by a tailored online catalogue through Exostar, the
aerospace and defence trading exchange, for on-demand ordering of standard
consumable products.

This consolidation of consumable requirements within a single contract is
consistent with Rolls-Royce Procurement's commodity management strategy for MRO
requirements, and is anticipated to generate benefits from improved service
levels, reduced total cost of acquisition and reduced transaction levels.

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For further information please contact:

Premier Farnell plc

Nicholas Ross 0870 129 8608
Caroline Walker

Financial Dynamics

Richard Mountain 020 7269 7291



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