Business briefs: Rain puts lid on SIG roofing sales | Winnebago offer

BUILDING materials supplier SIG has reported weaker sales in the UK as the wettest April since records began hit the group’s roofing business.

The news came as the firm staged its annual shareholder meeting at which there was a small 9.7 per cent protest vote against the directors’ remuneration report.

The Sheffield-based firm, which also supplies insulation products, also noted that turnover in the UK was around 1 per cent lower on a sales per day basis in the period since 1 January. The group trades from 710 locations across Europe.

£200m offer for Winnebago

CAravan company Winnebago Industries has received an unsolicited buy-out offer from racing car enthusiast Alex Mascioli, valuing the largest US motor homes maker at $321.5 million (£203.3m).

The company said last night that it has not received enough information to call the $11-per-share offer credible, and asked its shareholders not to take any action. Founded in 1958, Iowa-based Winnebago has been struggling in recent years as consumers put off spending on big-ticket items. Motor home shipments in 2012 are expected to reach 265,200, up 5 per cent.