Description
The transition from the local housebuilders of the 1930s, through the regional diversification of the 1960s, to the national housebuilders of today is charted via a series of industry league tables.
The rationale for the growth in national firms is analysed. The conventional explanation of economies of scale is rejected: instead, the stock market is found to play a key role both in facilitating acquisitions and in demanding growth from its constituent companies.
The supply-side analysis also addresses the frequent corporate failures: succession issues, lack of focus and the 1974 and 1990 recessions have played their part in equal measure.
British Housebuilders provides the first opportunity to review the evidence drawn from a century of speculative housebuilding; it is only with this historical perspective that sound judgements can be made on the corporate role in housebuilding.
About the Author
Fred Wellings, former research partner at Credit Lyonnais Securities, is a well respected figure in the housing industry - partly through his Private Housebuilding Annual containing data on the corporate structure of the industry. For the current edition see www.fredwellings.co.uk
Reviews
'The author's encyclopaedic knowledge from researching and monitoring the industry shine through, but the book also draws on company accounts and a series of in-depth interviews with firm founders and senior directors or their relatives.' Housing Studies March 2007.
'Comprehensive in its scope and rigourous in its approach - an essential work or reference for any serious student of construction and housebuilding' - Building Research and Information
Book Information
ISBN 9781405149181
Author Fred Wellings
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 662g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 173mm * 18mm
