Forterra to fire up kiln this week as house builders resume work

Brick maker Forterra said it would fire up one of its kilns this week and restart production for the first time since the government lockdown imposed last month to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was taken as house manufacturers announced a phased re-opening of building sites and builders' merchants resume trading.

Forterra said it would also restart production of hollowcore concrete flooring.

The company had been allowed to keep making small volumes of precast concrete products to support essential public sector projects and had been delivering bricks and blocks from inventory.

“The group expects to recommence production at two further facilities in May although due to existing inventory levels, it is currently anticipated that the majority of Forterra facilities will not resume manufacturing before the summer,” the company said on Tuesday.

“Should demand increase at a faster rate than expected the group retains full flexibility to reopen facilities sooner.”

Last week, Taylor Wimpey, Vistry and Persimmon said they were all restarting jobs in the coming days and weeks.