ibstock plc said wednesday that it swung to pretax profit for 2021 as revenue increased and that its performance in 2022 has started well the uk manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products said pretax profit was 649 million pounds 85 million compared with a pretax loss of gbp239 million for 2020 revenue rose to gbp4087 million from gbp3162 million the year prior the board recommended a final dividend of 50 pence a share taking the total for the year to 75 pence a share up from 16 pence in 2020 whilst we remain mindful of the broader macroeconomic uncertainties particularly in light of the tragic conflict in ukraine we have made a good start to 2022 with a robust demand backdrop across end markets this positive momentum along with additional brick capacity coming on stream during the 2022 year provides us with a strong platform to deliver significant further financial and strategic progress in the current financial year the company said shares at 0911 gmt were up 630 pence or 41 at 16030 pence