SIG Shuts Trading Sites as Construction Grinds to a Halt

SIG HAS SHUT its UK and Ireland trading sites following a fall in sales as social distancing and isolation guidelines have come into effect.

The company’s distribution and roofing businesses have been temporarily closed, with staff members asked to take a cut in pay. In line with other staff, members of the board have reduced their pay by 50% from 1 April 2020.

However SIG has stated it will remain open to some customers working on critical and emergency projects, such as for the NHS, energy and food sectors, as well as for safety reasons

A statement from the company read: “SIG is committed to do what it can to trade as normally as possible within local government guidelines, allied to the need to preserve the safety of colleagues, suppliers and customers. We also stated that the Group would keep this position under daily review in every jurisdiction in which it operates.

“Large parts of our UK market have seen sales fall away rapidly, in common with the broader construction industry. Therefore, we have concluded that it is necessary and appropriate to temporarily close our UK operations – specifically the Distribution and Roofing businesses.

“In addition, the announcement of further restrictions by the Irish Government on Friday evening has resulted in the suspension of construction activity in the Republic of Ireland. As a result, all Group trading sites in Ireland have also temporarily closed this morning.”

Chance to refocus

SIG plans to use the coming days and weeks with restricted trading to redevelop its focus and strategy across its businesses.

The statement continued: “We do believe, out of adversity comes opportunity: the closure period will be used as an opportunity to develop a revised strategy and organisational model designed to be more sales-led, customer focused and responsive to local market needs.

“The trading and governmental measures in other markets in which we operate are each different and evolving in different ways. Accordingly, our businesses in France, Germany, Benelux and Poland, as well as our Building Solutions business, continue to be open for trade.”