Willmott Dixon's impressive success in securing almost £300m of new work in January establishes them as a leading contractor in the construction industry. The company's achievement is a testament to their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality and innovative solutions to clients.
Construction intelligence provider Glenigan reported that Willmott Dixon's position at the top of the contract wins league table was largely due to their success in winning two significant residential projects. One of these projects was the £100m social housing and school project in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, which was entrusted to the contractor by the charity Seashell Trust. This project is expected to have a transformative impact on the local community by providing essential services to children and adults with learning difficulties.
Willmott Dixon won the contract to build the Finzels Reach build-to-rent scheme in Bristol, valued at £63m. This project involves constructing a new residential development that will provide much-needed accommodation for local residents. The development will also create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the area.
Willmott Dixon was awarded a total of 15 contracts in the month, with a combined value of £295.7m. This exceptional success is a result of the company's commitment to excellence in all aspects of its operations, from project management and delivery to client relationships and innovation.
The company's impressive track record of delivering successful projects, combined with its focus on sustainability and social responsibility, has made it a trusted partner for clients across a range of industries. Willmott Dixon's dedication to creating a positive impact in the communities it serves is evident in its approach to each project, and this has undoubtedly contributed to its success in securing new contracts.
Willmott Dixon's outstanding performance in January is a testament to its dedication to excellence and its ability to deliver innovative and high-quality solutions to clients. The company's success is a sign of its strong position in the industry and a reflection of its commitment to being a leader in construction.
| Top 10 contractors, January 2021 | ||
| Contractor | No | Total (£m) |
1 | Willmott Dixon | 15 | 295.7 |
2 | Costain | 1 | 250.0 |
3 | Bowmer & Kirkland | 7 | 215.1 |
4 | Kier | 22 | 168.3 |
5 | Graham | 7 | 158.9 |
6 | Morgan Sindall | 33 | 141.1 |
7 | Robertson | 5 | 132.1 |
8 | Readie | 5 | 89.4 |
9 | Laing O'Rourke | 1 | 81.8 |
10 | Royal Bam | 5 | 71.4 |
| League tables are subject to revision | | |
Table source: Glenigan
In January, the total wins for the top 50 firms in the construction industry amounted to £2.64bn, a decrease compared to £3.23bn in December. This figure is roughly in line with the £2.63bn recorded in January 2020. Despite the challenging market conditions, several firms stood out with impressive performances.
Costain secured second place in the month, thanks to a single win, a £250m contract to upgrade the A1 between Birtley and Coal House. This project is expected to have a significant impact on the transportation infrastructure of the area, and Costain's expertise in delivering large-scale projects makes them a reliable partner for such initiatives.
Bowmer & Kirkland claimed the third spot, which is their highest placing since March 2017. The firm secured £215.1m worth of work spread across seven jobs. The largest of these projects was a £125m warehouse job in Pontefract for retailer Next. The company's success is a reflection of its commitment to delivering high-quality work across a range of sectors.
An additional significant win during the month was the Holland Park residential scheme in Glasgow, worth £120m, which went to Robertson. The project, for Moda Living, helped the firm secure the seventh spot in the January table. This is a testament to the company's expertise in delivering complex residential developments that meet the needs of modern living.
On the rolling 12-month total, Kier re-took the top spot, swapping places with Morgan Sindall, which dropped to second place. This ranking reflects the firms' performances over the past year, during which Kier delivered a range of successful projects across multiple sectors.
Despite the challenging market conditions, the top-performing construction firms have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability in securing new contracts and delivering successful projects. These firms' commitment to excellence and innovation will undoubtedly continue to drive their success in the future.
Top 10 contractors, year to January 2021 | |||
| Contractor | No | Total (£m) |
1 | Kier | 180 | 1,557.6 |
2 | Morgan Sindall | 260 | 1,527.2 |
3 | Willmott Dixon | 129 | 1,335.1 |
4 | Royal Bam | 56 | 1,232.5 |
5 | ISG | 62 | 1,124.9 |
6 | Wates | 43 | 1,016.2 |
7 | Bowmer & Kirkland | 37 | 912.3 |
8 | Winvic | 32 | 872.7 |
9 | VolkerWessels | 73 | 744.5 |
10 | Costain | 8 | 715.6 |
| League tables are subject to revision | | |
Table source: Glenigan
Willmott Dixon has had a strong start to 2021, which has helped the company climb from fourth to third place in the rankings. This success reflects the company's focus on delivering high-quality projects across multiple sectors.
Costain was the only new entry in the top 10 in January. The company's impressive win of a £250m contract to upgrade the A1 between Birtley and Coal House helped it secure second place in the month. This project is expected to have a significant impact on the transportation infrastructure of the area, and Costain's expertise in delivering large-scale projects makes it a reliable partner for such initiatives.
Balfour Beatty, which had previously been in the top 10, dropped down to 13th place. The company's decline in ranking may reflect the challenges faced by the industry over the past year, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction sector. However, Balfour Beatty remains a significant player in the industry and is likely to continue to win new contracts in the future.
The construction industry continues to face challenges, but firms such as Willmott Dixon and Costain have demonstrated their ability to adapt and succeed in these challenging times. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see new firms emerge and existing players adapt to meet the changing needs of clients and customers.