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Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is a British privately owned contracting, residential development and property support business.
The company was founded at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire by a bricklayer, John Willmott, in 1852. During the second half of the 19th century and much of the 20th century, the company remained small. Prior to 1987, the company was named John Willmott.
During 1975, the company opened its first building repair and maintenance depot; this business sector would prove to be a key area for the future of the company. By 1980, John Willmott was recording turnovers of nearly £30 million per annum. During the early 1980s, the company bought a motorhome, made by Winnebago Industries, from which to conduct board meetings at regional locations and thereby keep in touch with local management. Furthermore, the company decided to expand internationally around this time, setting up in both Egypt and Portugal.
Through the early 1990s, various public sector bodies, from local authorities to housing associations, issued numerous large construction contracts to the company. During early 1992, as part of parts to increase turnover by 50% within 24 months, Willmott Dixon created a new holding company, Willmott Dixon Housing, that oversaw two of its operating companies, Eastern and Southern, that primarily built homes for housing associations; another division, Willmott Dixon Housing Refurbishment, was launched to capitalise on growing demand within the refurbishment market; it sought to provide a specialist service for social housing.
During the early 1990s, the company made several acquisitions, such as of the Cheltenham-based firm Kalkare Property Maintenance and the Cardiff-based contractor Turner Western, as part of its expansion programme; in March 1992, it put further acquisitions on hold after pre-tax profits dropped to £914,000.
In 1998, Willmott Dixon recorded that its pre-tax profits for the previous year had nearly trebled, reaching £2.3 million.
During 2000, the company moved its headquarters from London to the Spirella Building in Letchworth. One year later, Rick Willmott became the fifth generation of the Willmott family to lead the business. During May 2005, Willmott Dixon reported that it had recorded record profits of £10.4 million; it stated its intention to expand its housing arm and that it would evaluate private finance initiative (PFI) opportunities.
During May 2005, Willmott Dixon opted to spin out its social housing business, Inspace, which it listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, in January 2008, the company re-acquired Inspace in exchange for £148 million. Following the reacquisition, Willmott Dixon opted to reshape its group structure and simplify the brands it traded under.
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Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is a British privately owned contracting, residential development and property support business.
The company was founded at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire by a bricklayer, John Willmott, in 1852. During the second half of the 19th century and much of the 20th century, the company remained small. Prior to 1987, the company was named John Willmott.
During 1975, the company opened its first building repair and maintenance depot; this business sector would prove to be a key area for the future of the company. By 1980, John Willmott was recording turnovers of nearly £30 million per annum. During the early 1980s, the company bought a motorhome, made by Winnebago Industries, from which to conduct board meetings at regional locations and thereby keep in touch with local management. Furthermore, the company decided to expand internationally around this time, setting up in both Egypt and Portugal.
Through the early 1990s, various public sector bodies, from local authorities to housing associations, issued numerous large construction contracts to the company. During early 1992, as part of parts to increase turnover by 50% within 24 months, Willmott Dixon created a new holding company, Willmott Dixon Housing, that oversaw two of its operating companies, Eastern and Southern, that primarily built homes for housing associations; another division, Willmott Dixon Housing Refurbishment, was launched to capitalise on growing demand within the refurbishment market; it sought to provide a specialist service for social housing.
During the early 1990s, the company made several acquisitions, such as of the Cheltenham-based firm Kalkare Property Maintenance and the Cardiff-based contractor Turner Western, as part of its expansion programme; in March 1992, it put further acquisitions on hold after pre-tax profits dropped to £914,000.
In 1998, Willmott Dixon recorded that its pre-tax profits for the previous year had nearly trebled, reaching £2.3 million.
During 2000, the company moved its headquarters from London to the Spirella Building in Letchworth. One year later, Rick Willmott became the fifth generation of the Willmott family to lead the business. During May 2005, Willmott Dixon reported that it had recorded record profits of £10.4 million; it stated its intention to expand its housing arm and that it would evaluate private finance initiative (PFI) opportunities.
During May 2005, Willmott Dixon opted to spin out its social housing business, Inspace, which it listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, in January 2008, the company re-acquired Inspace in exchange for £148 million. Following the reacquisition, Willmott Dixon opted to reshape its group structure and simplify the brands it traded under.
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