main image

Our Heritage

VINCI Construction UK has a history of over 90 years in the UK and has delivered some of the country’s landmark structures and buildings. 

Timeline

Click dates below to find out more

 1918


    • Holst & Co. founded in London by a Danish Civil Engineer, Knud Holst and Christian Lunoe. The company specialised in the design and construction of structural reinforced concrete.

 1923


    • Norwest Construction formed in Liverpool by four businessmen to carry out the laying of underground cables.

 1969


    • Holst & Co. and Norwest Construction merged to form Norwest Holst.

 1980s


    • The company became the largest privately owned construction group in the country.

 1991


    • French company, SGE, acquired a majority shareholding of Norwest Holst.

 1998


    • In recognition of its renewed financial strength and status within the industry following a carefully constructed five year plan by the present management team, Norwest Holst Limited became Norwest Holst Group PLC.

 2000


    • VIVENDI (formerly Compagnie Générale des Eaux) reduced its shareholding in SGE to 15%.

    • In May that year, SGE changed its name to VINCI and in October merged with GTM to form the world’s largest company in concessions, construction and related services.

 2002


    • Norwest Holst Group PLC became VINCI PLC.

    • Acquisition of Crispin & Borst, a group of London building contractors active in the sectors of maintenance, refurbishment, interior fit-out and new build.

 2006


    • Acquisition of certain business assets and the trading mark of retail fit-out specialist PEL Group Limited, established in 1930.

    • VINCI acquired ASF and became the world’s leading integrated concessions and construction group.

 2007


    • Acquisition of Weaver Plc and its subsidiaries, a Midlands-based construction company established in 1865.

 2008


    • Acquisition of the share capital of Cardiff based building contractor Fifehead Limited, the holding company of Stradform Limited, Stradform Midlands and Stradform South West.

    • Taylor Woodrow Construction, formed in 1921 by 16 year old Frank Taylor and destined to become a household name, acquired by VINCI PLC

    • Acquistion of Gordon Durham & Co, a family owned Newcastle Upon Tyne building contractor.

 2009


    • Norwest Holst Limited changed its name to VINCI Construction UK Limited and VINCI PLC consolidated its operations under the new company name.

    • Acquisition of the business assets relating to Haymills Property Solutions and East Anglian Projects.

    • VINCI Facilities was formed to bring together the facilities management capabilities of VINCI Construction UK companies in one customer-focused offering.
 2011


    • The Civil Engineering division of VINCI Construction UK was renamed Taylor Woodrow in recognition of its world class heritage in civil engineering projects.

 

Contact Us

VINCI Construction UK


Head Office
Astral House, Imperial Way, Watford, Hertfordshire
WD24 4 WW
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 233433
Map and directions