Forterra (FORT) managed to continue to offset cost inflation with price increases during the first half, helping push operating profits up marginally, although the margin was down slightly to 17.5 per cent from 18.6 per cent last year.
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Revenue was up 8 per cent thanks to higher sales volumes of masonry products and price increases, although chief executive Stephen Harrison said May and June had been slightly weaker. Construction also started on revamping the old Desford brick plant, which will more than double capacity at the site and reduce the cash cost per brick by 15 per cent.
