Brick production was increased by 26% in the first quarter but this was still not enough to meet demand.
Michelmersh Brick Holdings chairman Eric Gadsden said: “Volumes for the brick industry increased by 26% against the backdrop of severe weather conditions in 2013. More importantly, the industry achieved a long overdue average price increase of 13% for the quarter, as building materials generally, and bricks in particular, remain in very short supply.”
He added: “Michelmersh maintained its market premium and matched that percentage increase for the first quarter.”
He said that with the peak sales months still to come, the company is forecasting continued strong demand and expects to outperform pervious market expectations this year.
A £2.3m investment project to increase capacity at Michelmersh’s Freshfield Lane by six million bricks a year is on schedule to be ready in early 2015.
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