Three of the top four UK brickmakers have now re-fired kilns as housebuilders get back to site
Forterra has become the latest UK brickmaker to re-start production, meaning that three of the top four UK brick firms have now re-fired their kilns after halting last month when the coronavirus lockdown was brought in.
The £380m-turnover brickmaker said that it planned to re-fire kilns at one of its brick plants in order to recommence production this week.
It will also restart production of precast concrete blocks at its Bison facility in Swadlincote, before re-opening two further brick factories in May.
Forterra chief executive Stephen Harrison said the move meant the firm will “be able to support our housebuilder customers as they also begin the process of returning to work over the coming days and weeks.”
The firm said current high inventory levels meant there was no need for it to re-open its remaining plants until June and July.
Harrison said production was recommencing with “alternative working practices” that enabled production to continue while allowing staff to socially distance.
The announcement follows similar statements by Michelmersh and Ibstock last week, with Ibstock chief executive Joe Hudson stating on Thursday that he wanted “to get Britain building again.”
Of the four largest brickmakers, only Weinerberger has not announced plans to re-start production of materials. It announced at the end of March that it had decided to close all its plants until the end of April, but has not yet said what it plans to do now.
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