Firm says subdued market conditions at end of last year have continued into 2026
Brickwork firm Forterra said trading in the first two months of this year was still subdued after sites were hit by wet weather in January and February.
Announcing its 2025 results this morning, the firm said: “2025 ended with subdued market conditions which have continued into early 2026, with exceptionally wet weather making it difficult to assess the strength of the underlying market.
“We currently anticipate demand in 2026 will be similar to 2025, although with current activity tracking behind 2025 levels, demand is expected to be weighted towards the second half.”
Revenue for last year was up 12% to £386m but pre-tax profit was down 6% to £23m.
Chief executive Neil Ash added: “Looking beyond 2026, market fundamentals remain attractive with a shortage of housing, a strong desire within Government to address this, and a constrained supply of essential building products.
“The Board remains confident that our recent investments in new production capacity leave the Group well placed to benefit from the market’s structural growth drivers and a sustained recovery when it occurs.”
Forterra added that 80% of its gas usage had been secured for the remainder of 2026 with this month “100% covered insulating us somewhat from the current price volatility caused by the situation in the Middle East”.
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