Taylor Woodrow Construction Company History Explained

Taylor Woodrow Construction Company has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1894, the company has been involved in various construction projects, including the development of the London Underground.

The company's early years were marked by its involvement in the construction of the London Underground, with Taylor Woodrow constructing several key stations. This experience laid the groundwork for the company's future success.

Taylor Woodrow's growth and expansion continued throughout the 20th century, with the company taking on large-scale projects such as the construction of the M1 motorway. This was a significant milestone for the company, showcasing its ability to handle complex and ambitious projects.

Taylor Woodrow's expertise and reputation continued to grow, making it a respected name in the construction industry.

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Taylor Woodrow was founded in Blackpool in 1921 by Frank Taylor and his uncle Jack Woodrow as a housebuilder. The company was originally known as Taylor Woodrow Estates.

In 1935, Taylor Woodrow Construction was formed, and it soon became involved in defence work. The company's first major project was building military camps, airfields, and factories during World War II.

Taylor Woodrow expanded its operations in the post-war period, working on domestic civil construction projects and internationally in countries such as East Africa, South Africa, and Australia.

The Taylor Woodrow business was founded in Blackpool in 1921 by Frank Taylor and his uncle, Jack Woodrow, creating the Taylor Woodrow name.

Frank Taylor moved to London in 1930 and his business eventually established headquarters in Southall.

The housebuilding business was floated on the London Stock Exchange as Taylor Woodrow Estates in 1935.

In 1937, Taylor Woodrow Construction was formed and the company was soon engaged in defence work.

Private housing development stopped shortly following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, and for six years Taylor Woodrow built military camps, airfields and factories, and worked on the Mulberry harbour units.

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Taylor Woodrow's expansion into international construction began in the 1940s. By 1945, the company had become a substantial construction business.

In the 1950s, Taylor Woodrow Construction expanded into Australia, Canada, and the Middle East. They worked on various projects, including the notorious Groundnut Scheme in East Africa.

The company's work in the Middle East helped grow its international construction business. Overseas profits accounted for two-thirds of group profits by the mid-1970s.

Taylor Woodrow Construction was involved in building the world's first commercial nuclear power station, Calder Hall. This was a significant milestone in the company's history.

In the 1980s, Middle East construction was declining, and the parent Taylor Woodrow group shifted its focus to housebuilding and the commercial property market.

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In March 2007, Taylor Woodrow announced plans for a £6 billion nil premium merger with George Wimpey.

This merger was a significant move, leaving the original Taylor Woodrow shareholders with 51% of the new Taylor Wimpey.

The merger was structured as a scheme of arrangement, a common method for combining companies in the UK.

Taylor Woodrow provided the new chairman and finance director, while George Wimpey contributed the chief executive and the UK managing director.

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Taylor Woodrow was a British construction company that played a significant role in various projects during World War II. They built concrete caissons for the Mulberry Harbour and constructed runways, airfields, ordnance and aircraft factories, hospitals, power stations, railway sidings, and open cast coal mining sites.

Taylor Woodrow also experimented with the design of prefabricated houses and was appointed by the government as the managing contractor for the supply of Arcon homes. They made many hutments, airborne lifeboats, and canoes during this time.

Some of the notable projects Taylor Woodrow worked on include the construction of a penicillin factory and the FIDO project. They also supplied prefabricated buildings for use in equatorial and sub-tropical countries.

Here are some of the key areas Taylor Woodrow was involved in:

Taylor Woodrow has a rich history in construction, with a legacy that spans over 90 years. The company was launched in 1921 and was a major player in the UK construction industry.

In the early years, Taylor Woodrow worked on several notable projects, including the Mulberry harbours completed in 1944. These harbours were a crucial part of the D-Day landings during World War II.

Some of the company's most notable projects include the Calder Hall nuclear power station completed in 1956 and the Hinkley Point A nuclear power station completed in 1965. These projects showcased Taylor Woodrow's expertise in large-scale infrastructure development.

Here are some of Taylor Woodrow's most notable projects:

Taylor Woodrow Construction has a rich history of delivering impressive projects across the UK. One of its notable achievements was the construction of the Mulberry harbours, completed in 1944.

The company's expertise in civil engineering was showcased in the Tanganyika groundnut scheme, completed in 1951. This project demonstrated its ability to handle complex and large-scale infrastructure projects.

Taylor Woodrow's work on the Calder Hall nuclear power station, completed in 1956, marked a significant milestone in the company's history. The station was one of the first nuclear power stations in the UK.

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The company's portfolio includes the Hinkley Point A nuclear power station, completed in 1965, and the Westminster City Hall, also completed in 1965. These projects highlight its ability to work on high-profile and complex projects.

Here are some of Taylor Woodrow's most notable projects:

Taylor Woodrow's success in these projects demonstrates its capabilities in delivering complex and high-profile construction projects.

The collapse of the property boom in the early 1990s led to significant write-offs for Taylor Woodrow, with losses exceeding £100 million in 1991 and 1992.

The construction industry was struggling to make substantial profits during this period, forcing Taylor Woodrow to downsize its construction business and refocus on private housing.

In 1994, Taylor Woodrow strengthened its Taywood Homes division by acquiring Heron Homes, increasing its annual sales to 1,000 units.

By the end of the 1990s, Taylor Woodrow had transformed itself into an international housing and property group, with a significant shift away from major civil engineering contracts.

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The last major civil engineering contract undertaken by Taylor Woodrow was the Channel Tunnel consortium, completed in 1994, after which such work became a diminishing area for the business.

Taylor Woodrow's housing output continued to grow, reaching 2,000 units per year in the US and Canada, in addition to its UK sales.

In 2001, the company intervened in the proposed merger of Bryant-Beazer, acquiring Bryant for £632 million in cash and shares, and immediately elevating Taylor Woodrow to one of the UK's top five housebuilders.

By 2003, Taylor Woodrow's housing business was being run from Bryant's Birmingham office, and was rebranded under the Bryant name.

The company continued to expand its housing operations, acquiring Wilson Connolly in 2003 and increasing its output to around 10,000 units per year.

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