FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
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July 10, 2003
Commission File Number 001-14978
SMITH & NEPHEW plc
(Registrant's name)
15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information
to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.]
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
Total Pages: 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Smith & Nephew plc
(Registrant)
Date: July 10, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers
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Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
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NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM CANADA,
AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN
9 July 2003
Smith & Nephew: response to Centerpulse and InCentive Capital statements
Smith & Nephew plc notes the statements made today by the Boards of
Centerpulse AG and InCentive Capital AG regarding the current offers to
acquire Centerpulse.
Smith & Nephew is convinced that a combination of its own business with that
of Centerpulse will offer shareholders, employees and customers of both
companies a superior opportunity for enhanced long-term value.
Smith & Nephew is continuing to review its options. Pending the outcome of
that review, Centerpulse and InCentive Capital shareholders are strongly
advised to take no action in respect of the Zimmer offers. Under Swiss
takeover legislation all offers will remain open for acceptances until 27
August.
Enquiries:
Smith & Nephew
Angie Craig Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646
Corporate Affairs Director
Financial Dynamics
Jonathan Birt Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
United States of America
The offer for Centerpulse shares is being made in the United States only
through a prospectus/offer to exchange, which is part of a registration
statement filed with the SEC by Smith & Nephew Group. Centerpulse shareholders
who are US persons or are located in the United States are urged to read the
registration statement, including the prospectus/offer to exchange included
therein, and the other documents filed, or to be filed, with the SEC by Smith
& Nephew Group or Centerpulse relating to the Centerpulse offer, because they
contain important information about the Centerpulse offer. You may obtain a
free copy of these documents from the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov. You may
also obtain this information from Morrow & Co., Inc., the US information agent
for the Centerpulse offer, at (800) 607-0088, or by e-mail at
centerpulse.info@morrowco.com
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