Brickworks, which listed in 1962, holds a 43 per cent of the diversified investment group, which in turn has a 49.5 per cent stake in Brickworks. ''The investment business benefits us because building products is inherently very volatile,'' Mr Partridge said. However,, Brickworks' profit was dragged back by its building products division and property division, both of which were hit by the economic downturn and lack of credit for building projects. Building products division EBIT slumped 31 per cent to $37 million as the company mothballed several manufacturing plants during the downturn to manage inventory levels.