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.

Marshalls reported a 0.5% fall in first-half revenues to £317.8m but increased profit before tax by 13.2% to £24.9m, up from £22m in the first half of 2025. The building products manufacturer appears to be holding margins in a weak construction market, implying tighter cost control and more selective pricing across its paving, drainage and hard landscaping ranges. Contractors and specifiers can expect continued supply from a financially stable UK producer, but with limited scope for aggressive discounting on standard civils and streetscape products.