Bowers Launch Major New ``SmartPlug'' Range.

Business Editors

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2003

Spear & Jackson (OTCBB:SJCK) just announced today that its Division Bowers Metrology, the worlds leading bore gauge manufacturer, will this week be using the Control Exhibition in Sinsheim, Germany as the major European launch of its new "SmartPlug" product range.

The extremely robust, easy to use new 2-point measuring plug range is designed to give the operator great speed of use, unmatched measuring accuracy and superb repeatability, even when used in extremely harsh industrial environments. Advanced hand held ergonomics allied to an ingenious mechanical/electronic systems render SmartPlugs the easiest to operate Bowers bore gauging system to date - simply insert the hard-wearing plug end into the bore to be measured and instantly read the required diameter on the gauge's built-in indicator. The flexible nature of Bowers SmartPlugs means that they can be supplied fitted with easy to read electronic indicators, (ideal for automatic data collection) conventional analogue indicators, or transducer probes linked to remote digital readout units.

Steve White, Managing Director of the progressive, UK based Bowers Metrology Group reported: "As a major international exhibition, Control 2003 represents the ideal venue for the European launch of Bowers important new SmartPlug range. Many Bowers overseas agents will be attending our stand to witness the debut of this major addition to Bowers rapidly expanding product portfolio."

The Bowers Metrology Group, a division of Spear & Jackson, has four manufacturing sites in England: Bowers in Bordon, Hampshire, Bowers in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Moore & Wright in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and Coventry Gauge in Poole, Dorset. The main products that are manufactured include internal and external micrometers, bore and air gauges, hardness testers, thread gauges and engineers hand tools.

Spear & Jackson, based in Sheffield, England is one of the largest and oldest tool manufacturers in the UK. Spear & Jackson's roots go back to the 1740's as one of the premium tool manufacturers.

Spear & Jackson manufacturers and distributes tools, garden tools, metrology equipment, woodworking tools and magnetic equipment. They sell their products Under Spear & Jackson, Neill Tools, Bowers, Robert Sorby, Moore and Wright, Eclipse (Blades), WHS, Tyzack, and Eclipse Magnetics Brands. Spear & Jackson has divisions throughout England, France and Australia. Spear & Jackson distributes its products throughout the world.

Disclosure concerning Forward-Looking Statements:

Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management's best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Various economic and competitive factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, including some factors which will be outside of the control of the company, such as successful completion and consolidation of the acquisitions, such as consumer spending patterns, availability of consumer and commercial credit, interest rates, currency exchange rates, inflation rates, adverse weather, energy costs, freight costs, the level of residential and commercial constructions and the costs of raw materials, along with other specific factors with respect to the company's businesses set forth in the company's responses and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Interest parties should review the "forward-looking statement" sections in the Spear & Jackson reports file with Securities & Exchange Commission, including the annual report on form 10K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.