<p>Persimmon’s acquisition and integration of Westbury has helped to boost its first half pre-tax profits by 16% to £271.5 million. The results for the six months to June 20 2006 include five and a half months of Westbury trading, which took Persimmon’s turnover to £1.5 billion.</p> <p>The integration was completed ahead of schedule, with cost savings of £10 million in the first half. Persimmon expects to make further savings of £20 million in the second half, with savings in excess of £40 million expected for 2007. The cost of the reorganisation was £15.4 million.</p> <p>Chief executive Mike Farley said: “The incorporation of Westbury Homes has enabled us to increase our turnover. We had to close eight offices but the integration is well through now.” This included 550 job losses.</p> <p>Farley added that the acquisition would allow Persimmon to push further into the affordable homes market. “We now have the Space4 factory that can provide Part L-compliant and Ecohomes very good standard affordable housing. The £16.5 million we received from the Housing Corporation also gives us a platform to develop and deliver affordable housing.”</p> <p>Farley said he was confident the market will remain stable and predicted prices will rise slightly in …