Recommencement of operations

Forterra plc

28 April 2020 

Recommencement of operations

Forterra plc, a leading UK producer of manufactured masonry products, provides an update on the recommencement of business operations.

Since our announcement of 24 March 2020 in which we stated that Forterra would be suspending business operations until further notice, the Group has been planning alternative working practices that enable manufacturing facilities to operate whilst keeping employees safe and maintaining social distancing. 

Working to the guidance from Public Health England and the Construction Leadership Council we have been able to continue manufacturing small volumes of precast concrete products to support essential public sector projects.  In addition, we have continued to service customer demand delivering our brick and block products from inventory.

Responding to news that housebuilders are to begin a phased re-opening of building sites along with many builders' merchants reopening and having undertaken the necessary risk assessments, we will relight the kiln at one of our brick manufacturing facilities this week ready to restart production. We will also recommence production of hollowcore concrete flooring to service customer requirements.

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

Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive at Forterra, said, "This move means that we are able to support our housebuilder and merchant customers as they also begin the process of returning to work over the coming days and weeks, ramping up our production as required in response to inventory levels and market demand.

"This return to business is encouraging and we must all adjust to new ways of working that ensure the safety of our staff and our customers and the continued success of our industry."

Enquiries:

Further information relating to the Company and its group can be found at www.forterraplc.co.uk.