AGM Statement

Taylor Woodrow PLC 31 May 2001 To Be Issued At 07.30 Hrs May 31, 2001 TAYLOR WOODROW PLC AGM STATEMENT At the Annual General Meeting of Taylor Woodrow Plc, to be held later today (May 31,2001), the Chairman, Dr Robert Hawley, will make the following statement: 'Turning to current trading, the satisfactory start to 2001, reported at the time of our results announcement in March, has continued. The programme to integrate our two UK main housing businesses (Bryant & Taywood) under the Bryant brand name is progressing well and we will deliver £ 15 million of synergies in the combined operation's first full year of trading. Consumer confidence in the UK housing market remains good fuelled by the recent cuts in interest rates and a very competitive mortgage market. The outlook remains positive and we are witnessing strong visitor numbers and net reservations. Continuing tightness of land supply due to the planning regime and delays in building work on a number of housing sites because of the poor weather will shift the balance of our financial results somewhat towards the second half of the year. In America, whilst residential demand at the high value end of the market is slowing, reflecting the downturn in the US economy, we remain confident of reaching our financial targets for 2001. In Canada, we are enjoying a healthy consumer demand in a buoyant market. Sales of investment properties in UK and Canada are on target to reduce the value of our investment portfolio to approximately £200 million by the year-end. The UK commercial property market is witnessing some deterioration, resulting from the economic slowdown in the USA. This trend is particularly evident in the Thames Valley, where occupier confidence from U.S. businesses has eased. Nevertheless, our property business is on track to deliver its target profits. Our construction order book and revenues are improving and margins should meet our expectations for this year. This business is being further strengthened by the addition of Bryant Construction. The board remains confident that, based upon current market conditions, we can anticipate another set of good results for the year. In conclusion, you are seeing an energetic new Taylor Woodrow, which has accomplished a great deal in the last year and has a confident vision of the future.' -ends- Notes to Editors Taylor Woodrow is an international housing and property group employing over 6000 people. In the year ending 31st December 2000, pre tax profit rose 64 per cent to a record £201.5 Million. Enquiries to: Miranda Bellord Corporate Communications Tel: 07946 722381 (on 31.05.01) Tel: 01784 428768 Tony McGarahan Corporate Communications Tel: 07796 276342 (on 31.5.01) Tel: 01784 428767
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