Brick production in 2015 reached its highest level since 2007 according to the latest statistics from the Department of Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Almost 2 billion bricks were manufactured in the UK last year, over 7% more than in 2014. At the same time, in the third quarter of the year imports of bricks continued to fall and were 50% lower than in the same quarter in 2014.
Commenting on these figures, Michael Ankers, Chairman of the Brick Development Association said:
‘This significant increase in brick production follows the re-opening of a number of plants and improved productivity at many others. Imports are falling significantly and stocks are at a more appropriate level for the current activity in the UK construction industry.
‘The challenges the brick industry faced in 2014 when there was a dramatic increase in housebuilding are now behind us and the industry is confident it can meet the growing demand for its products in housing and other construction projects.’