Immediate Release: 27 August 2009

                             HARTEST HOLDINGS PLC                              

                 ("Hartest", or "the Company" or "the Group")                  

                Response to Withdrawal of Possible Joint Offer                 

The Board of Hartest Holdings Plc note the announcement made by Elektron plc
(`Elektron') yesterday that it is no longer considering a possible joint offer
for Hartest. Hartest welcomes this clarification of Elektron's intentions.

However, Hartest remains in early stage discussions with one other potential
offeror and as such remains in an offer period. Further announcements will be
made regarding these discussions as appropriate.

The new financial year has started well, and trading by all Group companies is
in line with, or ahead of, the Board's expectations. Gross margins are
improving, and overheads are under close control. The relocations of our two
subsidiary companies, Hartest Precision Instruments and Agar Scientific, has
also been completed successfully.

For Further Information:


Geoff Spink                         Hartest Holdings Plc    01252 749 530      
                                                                               
Executive Chairman                                                             
                                                                               
Vikki Krause                        Hansard Group           020 7245 1100      
                                                                               
Account Director                                                               
                                                                               
William Vandyk                      Astaire Securities      020 7448 4400      
                                                                               
Director