UK: Breedon Group recorded first-half sales of Euro701m in 2021, up by 79% year-on-year from Euro391 in the first half of 2020. The group’s profit for the period was Euro27.8m, compared to a Euro16.1m loss in the first half of 2020. Its cement sales rose by 47% to Euro140m from Euro95.0m. Cement and ready-mixed concrete sales volumes increased by 50% to 1.2Mt and 70% to 1.7Mm3 respectively.

Chief executive officer Rob Wood said “Breedon delivered a strong trading result in the first half of 2021, building on the recovery in demand which started in the second half of last year. This resilient performance reflects the commitment and efforts of all our colleagues, who have each demonstrated the highest levels of enthusiasm, professionalism and flexibility in working safely across the business despite the challenges of the past fifteen months.” He added “Our first-half performance, current trading conditions and improved visibility for the remainder of the year combine to give us greater confidence in the outlook for 2021 and we now expect underlying earnings before interest and taxation for 2021 to be at the top end of market expectations.”