Group had closed most sites following covid lockdown
Forterra is now producing bricks and blocks at all 18 of its UK factories following easing of coronavirus restrictions in July.
After scaling back output as the coronavirus situation worsened, the Northampton-based firm, which employs around 1,800 staff, ceased production completely in March at all but a handful of its plants. But it said all were now back up and running.
Announcing pre-exceptional losses of £2.3m for the first six months of 2020, Forterra said since emerging from lockdown last month trading had “exceeded expectations”, although uncertainties remained around the prospect of a new lockdown.
The group, which in June announced it was looking to cut up to 225 jobs as the covid situation tightened its grip on the industry, said it expected Ebitda before exceptionals for the 12 months to the end of December to be between £27m to £32m, down from £83m last year.
Turnover for the first six months of 2020 amounted to £122m, down 37% on last year.
The group raised £55m in June via a share placing to shore up its balance sheet, with some of the money being used to fund its new Desford brick factory in Leicestershire.
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