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Taylor Woodrow Construction

From Alfawiki
Taylor Woodrow Construction
Company typeDivision of Vinci Construction UK
IndustryCivil engineering, Construction
Founded1937
Headquarters
United Kingdom
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom, International
ProductsCivil engineering services, construction
ParentVinci Construction UK
Websitewww.taylorwoodrow.com

Taylor Woodrow Construction, operating under the name Taylor Woodrow, is a civil engineering firm based in the United Kingdom and functions as one of the four divisions within Vinci Construction UK. Established in 2011, the company emerged from the integration of civil engineering units formerly belonging to the original Taylor Woodrow group and Vinci UK (previously known as Norwest Holst).

Historically, Taylor Woodrow stood as one of the UK's foremost housebuilding and general construction enterprises. In July 2007, it merged with competitor George Wimpey, creating the housebuilding entity Taylor Wimpey. Subsequently, in September 2008, Vinci plc purchased Taylor Woodrow Construction from Taylor Wimpey. Initially operating under the Vinci Construction brand, the company reinstated the Taylor Woodrow name in 2011 to highlight its roots in civil engineering.

Founding Period

The company was established in 1921 in Blackpool by Frank Taylor and his uncle Jack Woodrow, initially focusing on residential construction. By 1930, Taylor Woodrow had relocated its headquarters to London, eventually settling in Southall. The housebuilding division was publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1935 as Taylor Woodrow Estates. Two years later, in 1937, Taylor Woodrow Construction was created and rapidly took on defence-related projects. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, private housing development was halted; for six years, the firm concentrated on military infrastructure such as camps, airfields, factories, and Mulberry harbour components.

1945–2008

Post-World War II, Taylor Woodrow expanded significantly into civil engineering and international markets including East Africa—particularly through involvement in the Groundnut Scheme—as well as West and South Africa. By the 1950s, operations extended to Australia, Canada, and the Middle East. Domestically, Taylor Woodrow Construction became a leading contractor for power generation facilities, constructing both conventional power stations and pioneering nuclear projects like Calder Hall, recognized as the world’s first commercial nuclear power station. Other major nuclear projects included Hartlepool, Hinkley Point A, Wylfa, and Sizewell A stations. The company also delivered prominent contracts such as terminal buildings at London Heathrow Airport and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

International expansion was significantly driven by Middle Eastern projects; by the mid-1970s, overseas earnings accounted for approximately two-thirds of total group revenue. Among these ventures was a major joint venture with Costain to construct dry docks at Port Rashid in Dubai—then regarded as the largest overseas contract awarded to a British construction firm.

During the 1980s, with a decline in Middle East construction activity, Taylor Woodrow redirected its focus toward residential development and commercial property ventures. While it participated in the Channel Tunnel consortium completed in 1994, construction gradually became a less dominant part of its business portfolio. This evolution culminated in March 2007 with a £6 billion merger with George Wimpey that formed Taylor Wimpey. In September 2008, Vinci plc—the UK arm of France’s Vinci SA—acquired Taylor Woodrow Construction from Taylor Wimpey for £74 million.

Significant projects completed

Taylor Woodrow's portfolio of major undertakings includes:


Vinci Construction UK and its origins

Vinci Construction UK traces its roots back to Holst & Co, a concrete-focused company established in London by Danish engineers Knud Holst and Christian Lunoe in 1918. Norwest Construction was founded later, in Liverpool, during 1923. These two entities merged in 1969 to create Norwest Holst, which became the largest privately held construction firm within the UK throughout the 1980s.

In 1991, Norwest Holst came under majority ownership of the French company SGE. The firm was rebranded as Vinci plc in 2002 and subsequently acquired London-based contractor Crispin & Borst. Weaver plc joined the group in 2007.

Taylor Woodrow Construction

In 2009, Vinci aimed to consolidate its UK businesses under a single brand identity but chose to maintain the Taylor Woodrow name. By 2011, Vinci Construction UK's civil engineering branch adopted the Taylor Woodrow brand to capitalize on its well-established reputation.

As of 2021, Taylor Woodrow Construction recorded a profit of £8.6 million on revenues of £319 million, with an increasing emphasis on emerging energy sectors and securing four pre-construction contracts from Transport for London.

Significant projects post-rebranding

Following its rebranding, Taylor Woodrow has delivered several major infrastructure projects such as:

  • Western Concourse at London King's Cross railway station (2012)
  • Victoria Underground station North Ticketing Hall (2017)
  • Expansion of Tottenham Court Road ticket hall for Crossrail (2017)
  • Allerton waste recovery park (2018)
  • Enlargement of Old Oak Common traction maintenance depot for Crossrail (2018)
  • New ticket hall and entrance at White Hart Lane railway station (2019)
  • Redevelopment of Crown Point Train Maintenance Depot in Norwich (2021)
  • Expansion of Whitechapel station for Crossrail (2021)
  • Edmonton EcoPark South recycling centre, incorporating Vinci’s innovative "ultra-low" carbon concrete technology, scheduled for completion in 2023
  • Old Oak Common Station, projected completion by 2030


Additionally, Taylor Woodrow participates in HS2 contracts N1 and N2 through a joint venture arrangement, with an anticipated finish date by 2031.

External links

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