Metricon helps Sumitomo take top HIA ranking
Metricon has pushed Sumitomo Forestry Australia Group to the top of Australia’s residential building industry.
The consolidated group recorded 8038 housing commencements according to the latest HIA-COLORBOND steel Housing 100.
The 2026 ranking combines starts from Metricon, Henley, Scott Park Group and Wisdom Homes.
The pipeline crosses New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Metricon was Australia’s largest home builder for the previous 10 consecutive years and is now represented within the consolidated Sumitomo Forestry result following its first full financial year under the Japanese forestry group’s ownership.
“After ten years as the country’s number one home builder, we are proud to have helped propel Sumitomo Forestry Australia Group to the top of the Housing 100 and establish a new benchmark for national home building capability,” Metricon chief executive Brad Duggan said.
ABN Group, which owns Boutique Homes, amongst other brands, came second, with 3764 dwellings.
NEX Building Group – behind many developers including Arden Homes and McDonald Jones Homes – is the country’s third largest home builder with 3585 starts (continues below).
Japanese groups back Australian housing
The ranking comes as Japanese groups continue to expand their presence in Australia’s residential development and construction sector.
Yesterday realestatesource.com.au reported rival Sekisui Chemical’s acquisition of a stake in Brisbane-based Ausbuild.
Sumitomo Forestry agreed to acquire Metricon in 2024 on a long settlement.
Managing director Yasuhiro Odagane said the result reflected the group’s partnership with its Australian businesses, with each continuing to operate under its existing brand.
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