Brick production problems prompt Ibstock profit warning

Grant Prior 5 years ago
Share

Brick giant Ibstock issued a profit warning to the city this morning after production problems at its UK factories.

Ibstock said it is struggling to meet demand after brick output from its plants fell below anticipated levels.

The company will now  boost maintenance work at its factories over the next year leading to an increase in shutdowns.

Ibstock said: “The Group’s UK brick factories have been producing at, or close to, full production capacity for an extended period.

“In recent months however, particularly in July, production has been lower than expected and despite corrective measures output, and therefore cost recovery, in the second half of the year is now anticipated to be below expectations.

“A twelve month period of increased maintenance activity is now planned to ensure the factories can operate at sustainable levels to meet continued increasing demand.”

Profits for the year to December 31 2018 are now expected to be in the range of £121m to £125m compared to previous forecasts of £130m to £134m.

Joe Hudson, CEO, said: “Demand in our UK brick markets is robust and the outlook for our UK Clay business remains encouraging, supported by the ongoing need for new housing.

“However, following my appointment as CEO, the Group has completed a review of its brick manufacturing assets which has identified a number of measures that are required to sustain the quality and range of our production output.

“While the resulting additional maintenance shutdowns and extra spending on plant maintenance and refurbishment will have a short-term impact on our financial performance, we firmly believe that it is the right thing to do for our customers and to maximise long-term value for shareholders.

“We will be working closely with all customers to ensure we continue to meet their demand requirements over the second half.”

Latest news

Bouygues/Murphy JV confirmed for £2.3bn Thames tunnel job

BMJV clinches 4.2km Lower Thames Crossing road tunnel job
4 days ago

Berkeley keeping close eye on subbies as market softens

Supply chain insolvency now bigger threat than build cost rises
3 days ago

Roofing firm fined £881,000 after double fall

Court hears of two falls on sites involving same contractor
4 days ago

Plans in for £450m Coventry city centre regeneration

Work is expected to start next summer on City Centre South scheme
3 days ago

Galliford Try to upgrade Red Arrows base

Contractor seals quartet of RAF base upgrades
3 days ago

Strabag tunnel drive in Yorkshire sets new world record

Woodsmith potash mine tunnelling project to be included in Guinness World Records
4 days ago

McLaren and Arlington to develop York Central site

Developer deal signed for one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration schemes
4 days ago

Watkin Jones plans 36-storey Glasgow tower

The Ard student rooms scheme will be Glasgow's second tallest building
4 days ago

Balfour Beatty on track for solid set of results

Country's largest contractor on course to meet financial targets
4 days ago

Brymor Group Southern heads for CVA

Hampshire builder applies for Company Voluntary Arrangement with its creditors.
4 days ago

Former Costain transport chief joins Aecom

Sue Kershaw takes up US-based vice president job with consultant
4 days ago

Industry’s best construction managers revealed

More than 80 now in the running for delayed awards: Full list
4 days ago

Materials prices plummet as housing demand slumps

Buyers report biggest fall in purchasing costs for 14 years
5 days ago

Welsh contractor Andrew Scott targets £90m turnover

Profit and revenue up at Port Talbot-based civils and building firm
5 days ago

M-AR buyer starts round of redundancies

30 jobs at risk after modular firm bought out of administration
5 days ago

First HS2 viaduct completes deck beam installation

EKFB completes beams for first of project's 50 major viaducts
5 days ago

Fatal accident at Laing O’Rourke Oxford site

Work suspended on site after tragedy
6 days ago

Homes lead the way as Bancon Group boosts turnover

Homes and contracting group looking to further growth in 2024
5 days ago

L&G Modular Homes scheme replaced by traditional build

Wolverhampton council chooses new partner and build method for £150m project
5 days ago

£33m Plymouth city centre homes scheme approved

Spring start for Bath Street scheme in Millbay regeneration area
5 days ago

Balfour renews £330m Lincolnshire highways deal

Firm will use its new operational control hub to promptly address network issues
6 days ago

Three Caledonian Modular-built schools to be demolished

DfE confirms Essex, Somerset and Northampton schools will be bulldozed and rebuilt
6 days ago

Gilbert-Ash takes £30m Tate Liverpool revamp

Work to start in the New Year on remodelling of iconic 1846 warehouse
6 days ago

HS2 Solihull mass transit enabling works out to bid

Bidding for £60m main works to start early next year
6 days ago

Modular health specialist Vanguard rescues M-AR

Deal with administrators sees Vanguard add production capacity with 100,00 sq ft offsite factory
6 days ago

Torsion forms JV to build £90m Leeds resi tower

Construction to start in January on one of Leeds' tallest towers
6 days ago

Approved change to concrete ‘recipe’ to slash carbon emissions

New approved concrete mixes will be able to blend finely ground limestone and fly ash
7 days ago

Network Rail unveils Cardiff South Central masterplan

Plans being drawn up for major housing-led mixed-use scheme
6 days ago

McLaren Living to revamp Watford police station site

Developer to submit plans for a major mixed-use development
7 days ago

National Grid £12.8bn HV civils framework hits market

Firms needed for major power line links and high voltage direct current converter stations
7 days ago

Contractor services