Housebuilding slowdown has pushed Ibstock’s first-half revenues down 15.1% to £164m, with profit before tax swinging from an £8m profit in 2025 to a £27m loss in 2026, despite clay brick revenues only falling 8% to £118m and concrete revenues £44m, down 11% like-for-like. Brick volumes declined by less than the market average, supported by February price increases and a temporary energy and fuel surcharge introduced in June. With major upgrades to its manufacturing network largely complete, Ibstock plans to keep flexing capacity, inventories and costs, targeting stronger adjusted EBITDA in H2.

Builders merchants MKM Airdrie will begin stocking Sisalwool natural fibre insulation batts, loft rolls and breathable low‑carbon products, following a link-up arranged by the Federation of Master Builders Scotland. The range, already used on the Greyfriars Charteris Centre in Edinburgh, is aimed at heritage, retrofit and conservation projects where vapour-open, hygroscopic insulation is often required to manage moisture in solid-wall and traditional constructions. A launch “Builders’ Breakfast” with live installation demonstrations is scheduled for 27 August at the Airdrie branch.

JCB’s Hydromax hydrogen-powered streamliner has reached 368.347mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, breaking the Southern California Timing Association Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) class record of 348.342mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the car uses two production-based JCB hydrogen internal combustion engines now being pushed towards a combined 1,600hp. The team is preparing the vehicle for an FIA-sanctioned outright world land speed record attempt next week, positioning hydrogen ICE as a zero-emission, high-load power option for heavy plant.