BRITISH building materials group SIG has reported a pre-tax loss of £55.3 million (€61.8m) for 2009, with its Irish operations again playing a negative role in overall performance.

FURTHER job losses are expected in the Irish operations of building materials group SIG due to the economic downturn.

SALES at the Irish operations of roofing and building insulation company SIG fell by 22.3%, on a local currency basis in 2008.

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