Brick volumes were up modestly in the first half, reflecting continuing house-building activity. Brick sales into the merchant and distributor channels were relatively good in the first four months, Forterra said, with some replenishment of the supply chain. But sales then started to soften in May and June. Precast volumes in the first half were also higher though against a weaker comparative, and the business continued the productivity improvements that it made towards the end of 2018.