In view of the difficult trading environment, no payments were made in respect of either the 2008 final dividend or the 2009 interim dividend.  Whilst the Board does not propose to pay a final dividend in respect of 2009, it intends to resume payments, commencing with a 2010 interim dividend, commensurate with earnings and taking account of our markets at that time.

'B' shares

No final dividend for 1999 was paid. Instead, a return of capital to ordinary shareholders by way of a bonus issue of redeemable 'B' shares of 11.7p each to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 26 May 2000 was approved at an EGM held on that date. The majority of shareholders elected to have their 'B' shares redeemed in May or June 2000. Holders of 'B' shares at 16 October 2000 were paid a dividend of 0.188p per share on 31 October 2000 in respect of the four month period ended on that date. On 1 November 2000 GKN redeemed all outstanding 'B' shares at their nominal value of 11.7p each.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Would you prefer to receive your dividends as shares rather than cash?

As an alternative to receiving your dividends in cash, Equiniti Financial Services Limited (‘Equiniti’) operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) under which you can use the cash dividend on your ordinary shares to buy additional GKN ordinary shares in the market at competitive dealing rates.

How the DRIP works

Equiniti will arrange for the purchase of the GKN ordinary shares using the whole of your cash dividend. The shares will be purchased on your behalf in the market as soon as possible on or after the dividend payment date, at the prevailing market price.

How to apply

An Application Form and a booklet containing information on the DRIP are available for you to download in PDF format. If you would like to apply, please print the Application Form and complete your details, then sign and return it to Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA. Please read the Terms and Conditions of the DRIP before applying.

Participants in the DRIP are advised that the Terms and Conditions of the DRIP have been revised following the sale of Lloyds TSB Registrars and new European legislation (MiFID - Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) implemented in the UK on 1 November 2007.

If you would prefer to be sent a hard copy of the Application Form and Terms and Conditions, please contact Equiniti on 0871 384 2268 quoting reference '2402 GKN DRIP'. (Calls to this number are charged at 8 pence per minute from a BT landline; other telephony provider costs may vary.)