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The report card
A+George Wimpey
 The industry number one, notching up a single acquisition in 2002, Laing Homes, which is not expected to increase output this year. “Its sales total is still only 1000 more than it achieved 30 years ago. Since then it has acquired Tarmac’s McLean Homes, McAlpine Homes and Laing Homes,” says Wellings.
A-Persimmon
 In the runner-up slot is Persimmon, which acquired Merewood Group in June, although this is not expected to increase volumes in 2003. Wellings’ verdict on the company’s performance in 2002: “Persimmon’s volumes stayed much the same, as it consolidated its Beazer acquisition.”
A+Barratt
 Of the top company that has spurned the acquisition game, Wellings says: “Barratt continued to produce strong organic growth … The largest volume increase is expected to be from further organic growth at Barratt where the addition of 1000 units could take it to the number one position again.”
BTaylor Woodrow/Wilson Connolly
 Taylor Woodrow’s bid this month for Wilson Connolly occurred after this year’s review went to press, but it had been widely expected that the latter would be snapped up soon. Wellings sums up Wilson Connolly as: “The only company that has failed to produce volume growth, despite the acquisition of Wainhomes.”
ADavid Wilson
 Wilson Bowden went shopping in April, picking up the 694-unit Henry Boot Homes. This is one acquisition that is expected to feed directly through to output, says Wellings. “Volumes are expected to be up around 700 units following its purchase.”
B-Westbury
 The same cannot be said for Westbury, which acquired the 1307-unit Prowting in June of last year. “In the February 2003 figures for Westbury, the 700-unit increase is equivalent to about half the Prowting acquisition,” says Wellings.
B-Bovis
 With the Taylor Woodrow/Wilson Connolly deal, Bovis moves into the top 10. But, says Wellings, “its output of 2700 units would pull in no more than another two points of market share”.
B+Miller
 Sitting just outside the top 10, Miller has not got out its chequebook and joined the buying bonanza yet – but it might. Wellings says: “Miller has stated its intention to return to the south of England, abandoned in 1996, and has expressed an open mind as to organic development or acquisition.”
Output by number of units
HousebuilderYear End199819992000200120022003
WimpeyDec12,87012,36511,43711,53713,480 
PersimmonDec6,4837,1017,03512,05112,352 
BarrattJune8,7109,55610,63611,31012,250 
Taylor WoodrowDec1,5721,7791,9195,2266,238 
BellwayJuly5,1545,1725,7145,7256,044 
David WilsonDec3,2873,6233,6043,9084,164 
Wilson ConnollyDec4,7144,7004,2154,5824,002 
BerkeleyApril3,0933,0143,2102,8923,9554,181
RedrowJune3,0103,1353,3303,4633,9084,025
WestburyFeb3,5244,2934,4354,0083,8124,538
BovisDec2,3032,4292,3602,4292,691 
Miller Dec1,0641,4151,8442,0302,298 
FairviewMar1,8721,6401,4591,7442,265 
LovellSept1,9241,7401,8151,6301,901 
CrestOct2,2102,4221,7311,5311,899 
BloorJune1,7181,7001,7001,7001,870 
CountrysideSept1,7822,1052,1732,2931,854 
McCarthy & StoneAug1,3201,4701,5391,5501,671 
FaircloughMar1,8451,7501,7071,2431,387 
ProwtingFeb1,7181,6181,5791,5331,307