SIG benefits from tougher building rules

Europe’s biggest supplier of roofing and insulation shrugged off “challenging” markets today after it benefitted from surging demand for its products.

Based in Sheffield, England, SIG gained from tougher UK building standards for construction schemes and said new carbon reduction targets had generated “strong growth” in demand for retrofit insulation in existing homes.

“Demand for insulation products continues to perform better than other building materials due to a combination of regulatory, environmental and economic drivers throughout all regions in which SIG trades,” it said.

Pre-tax profits were up 10% to £68.3m (€86m) in the first half of 2008, with like for like sales up 9% to £1.49bn (€1.9bn).

Chairman Les Tench said: “This is a solid performance from the group against a background of some challenging conditions.”