Fletcher Building has confirmed a new focus on building materials.

The construction giant's announced a net loss of $419 million for the past year, compared to a loss of $227 million last year.

It's already been looking for buyers for its construction division and some other subsidiaries.

Fletcher CEO Andrew Reding says this is the toughest things have been since the GFC.

"It's highly unusual when you get both your residential infrastructure and your commercial market segments all crashing down at the same time."

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