Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

We secure 1,100-tonne contract at £30m Riverwalk development

Posted on: August 14th, 2017 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has won a 1,100-tonne project which will help to rejuvenate Durham city.

The family-run business was awarded a contract from Sir Robert McAlpine to work on a retail and entertainment complex as part of the multi-million pound Durham Gates redevelopment.

And the contract win has come as a personal victory for Finley’s Managing Director John Finley, as it’s the first project he has won in his home city after nearly 40 years in the construction industry.

Finley, who’s originally from Esh Winning, just outside Durham city, says he’s personally delighted to have won it.

He said: “Even going back to my original steel erecting days in the late 1970s I’d never worked on a project in the city.

“And since starting out in business in 1981 that pattern has continued, despite many student accommodation projects being carried out around the city in recent years.

“So to have finally won a contract in Durham city is very much a personal victory for me and the company and we’re naturally delighted.”

Finley Structures started on-site at Durham earlier this year and expect to be finished this summer. Their part of the project is to fabricate and erect 1,100 tonnes of steel on top of an existing concrete structure.

The steel project is supporting at least 30 local jobs, including a local drawing office and labourers,

John added: “It’s a transfer structure, with a new steel frame that sits on top of that, so it’s quite a challenge.

“Building up into fresh air is straight forward, but fixing down into existing concrete structures is always much more complex.

“But it’s a good local project we’re all excited to be involved with, and we’re working with main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, with whom we have a long-standing partnership.”

With a 445-bed student accommodation unit, a six-screen Odeon cinema and half a dozen bars and restaurants, the riverside area will be transformed by 2018.

It’s part of three major contracts across the city which represent a total £195m of investment.

The developments will bring a huge range of choice for County Durham foodies, with restaurants including Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, Handmade Burger Co and Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay all set to open there eventually.

The two-storey glass fronted building will take in views across the river wear of the castle and the Cathedral.

Riverwalk is set to open in two stages in 2018 and be completed by that summer.

 

New Contracts Manager joins us from Severfield

Posted on: May 29th, 2017 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has recruited a new contracts manager from a major national firm.

Fred Searle has joined the Finley management team after 29 years with Thirsk-based Severfield.

Fred, from Harrogate, says the move was made easy because of his longstanding association with a number of key staff already at Finley Structures.

He knows the firm’s Managing Director and founder, John Finley, from his days as a Severfield director.

He also worked with Finley’s current Operations Manager Jim Graham and Commercial Director Diane Ruston during their time with the North Yorkshire-headquartered company.

Fred joined Finley from Severfield in October 2013 and Ruston followed him North in May 2014.

“There’s a 25-year history between me and some of the key personnel here at Finley Structures,” said Fred.

“What attracted me to join Finley’s was the working environment and the family-run ethos it has at the heart of the company.

“I’ve also been impressed by the work ethic of the people here. It’s a very forward-thinking business and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”

Jim added: “Fred and I go way back and we’re delighted to have him on board as part of the management team.

“He’ll be an extremely useful addition to the workforce as we continue to grow.”

 

We’re working on £36m multi-use venue as part of Hull’s City of Culture

Posted on: April 25th, 2017 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has been awarded a prestigious contract to help build a new £36m entertainment venue in Hull.

Finley has been handed a 960-tonne project to fabricate and erect the steel frame for Hull Venue, on behalf of main contractor Bam Construction.

Hull Venue is a state-of-the-art, music and events complex with up to 3,500 seats that will enable the city to attract large corporate conferences, exhibitions and trade tours as well as major touring concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows and sporting events.

As well as fabricating and erecting the steel for the multi-use complex, Finley Structures is also installing pre-cast concrete stairs, lift shafts and terrace units as part of the project.

The Aycliffe firm is already on site in Hull, while working on another redevelopment project closer to home in Durham city, on the multi-million pound Riverwalk development.

“This is another phoenix from the flames type of project,” said Finley Structures Operations Manager Jim Graham.

“There’s a lot of redevelopment going on in Hull at the moment, as part of its 2017 City of Culture programme, and it’s another good example of how we’re helping to transform an old site into a state-of-the-art venue.”

The 1,100 tonne Durham Gates and Hull Venue contracts are two of several major projects won by Finley Structures in the first part of 2017.

They also include a 283-tonne project to build a new Hilton Hotel in Lincoln for main contractor Manorcrest, a 300-tonne warehouse in Leicester for A&H Construction and a 614-tonne project for Carillion Construction in Sunderland.

The education sector has also been a significant area of growth for Finley Structures in the last 12 months.

Recent projects have included Roundhay School in Leeds for Interserve Construction, Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight for Sir Robert McAlpine, Doncaster Sixth Form College for BAM Construction, George Mitchell School in London for Bowmer and Kirkland, and SEMH School in Seacroft, East Leeds, also for Interserve.

Finley Structures has also completed a 337-tonne project for Bowmer and Kirkland, to fabricate and erect Avanti School in Stanmore, London, and has also won a third contract with Interserve for another school, this time the SEMH School in South Leeds, which is already on site.

Jim added: “It has already been a hugely positive start to 2017 for Finley Structures which also gives us a strong start to the new financial year from April.

“We’re hoping to secure a lot more work in the coming months to further boost our order book for the year ahead.”

 

Back to school again as we win another education contract

Posted on: February 8th, 2017 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has strengthened its ongoing relationship with major contractor BAM Construction after successfully securing a contract at Doncaster Sixth Form College.

BAM is constructing the £11.1m building and awarded a 640-tonne project to fabricate and erect steel as part of the overall scheme, while also installing approximately 9,000 sqm of pre-cast concrete floor units along with pre-cast concrete lift shafts, pre-cast concrete ground beams and pre-cast concrete stairs.

Doncaster 6th Form College drawing

The sixth form project follows several recent contracts in the education sector for Finley Structures, after working on a 260-tonne contract at Roundhay School in Leeds for Interserve and a 560-tonne project at Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight for Sir Robert McAlpine (read more about that on page 5).

Finley Structures are also working on a 224-tonne project George Mitchell School in London for Bowmer and Kirkland, SEMH School in Seacroft, East Leeds, for Interserve, as well as Krishna Avanti School, which is Britain’s first state-funded Hindu school, in Edgware, London – a 337-tonne contract, also for Bowmer and Kirkland.

 

Two new recruits and two promotions

Posted on: January 25th, 2017 by webmaster.finleystructures

Two new members of staff have joined the Finley Structures – while two have been promoted.

Neil Ryan has joined the firm as Site Supervisor and Crystal Moss-Henry has been appointed Payroll Administrator.

The new recruits have boosted Finley’s staff numbers to 63, with the family’s group of companies – including Finley Structures, SCH Site Services (45) and the ROF 59 activity centre (47) – now employing 155 people in total.

Neil, from Middlesbrough, has been in the steel industry for the past 19 years, progressing from steel erector to site foreman, and now Site Supervisor.

“When the chance of working as a site supervisor for Finley Structures came about it appealed to me straight away,” said Neil.

“I’m excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge.”

Crystal previously worked for Darlington-based plumbing, heating and mechanical services firm R Bland 15 years, progressing through the company before covering all aspects of accounts.

Meanwhile, Diane Ruston and Andrew Workman have both gained new promotions within the company.

Diane, who joined Finley Structures as a Senior Quantity Surveyor in May 2014, is now our new Commercial Director.

She had previously worked for a major national construction company after graduating from Warwick University in 2004 with a degree in economics, before joining Finley Structures almost three years ago.

Andrew, a former Apprentice Welder, has been with the company more than 13 years and has recently been promoted to Estimating Manager.

He completed an Apprenticeship in fabrication and welding with the Army after leaving Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe in 1991.

After leaving the forces, Andrew worked for a number of other firms as a welder or fabricator before joining Finley’s, working his way up from a Welder to a Supervisor’s position and then Workshop Foreman before he moved into the office as an Estimator.

Finley Structures are still looking to appoint a new Quantity Surveyor, a Contracts Manager and an Estimator in the near future.

• Pictured (above, left to right) Andrew Workman, who has been promoted to estimating manager, new payroll administrator Crystal Moss-Henry, new site supervisor Neil Ryan and Diane Ruston, who has been promoted to commercial director.

 

Challenging project at new 92,000 sq ft distribution centre

Posted on: December 20th, 2016 by webmaster.finleystructures

The proximity of major power lines are proving no obstacle for Finley Structures after being awarded a 465-tonne project to construct a new distribution centre in Lancashire.

Road haulage giant Fagan and Whalley is expanding with a multi-million pound development on Burnley Bridge Business Park – a development which is creating at least 25 new jobs.

The transport firm won planning permission to build a 92,000 square foot distribution hub on a 10-acre site at the complex near the M65’s junction nine.

Finley Structures won the contract from Leeds-based GMI Construction to design and build its steel frame on a site which lies next to power lines.

Finley Structures Commercial Director Diane Ruston said: “We’ve had to erect the steel in close proximity to major power lines, and as the building is taller than the lines this is particularly challenging.

“But through the design process, we developed effective solutions to enable the project to be delivered safely and successfully.

“Furthermore, this is the first time we’ve worked with GMI and it’s great to foster another new relationship with a major contractor.”

F&W’s new hub will provide parking for up to 80 trailers, with 10 loading bays and 25,000 pallet locations.

The new development will complement the family-run firm’s existing headquarters at Shuttleworth Mead Business Park and satellite centre in Coventry which together employ 300 staff.

Burnley Bridge Business Park is a £50m development near Burnley, providing modern industrial and warehousing accommodation creating 1,400 jobs.

 

Finley completes school project on Isle of Wight and West London

Posted on: November 16th, 2016 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has completed a contract to fabricate and erect 560 tonnes of steel for a school on the Isle of Wight.

Sir Robert McAlpine is working on the £25m new development at Ryde Academy, located near the Northern coast of the island on an existing school site.

Planners gave the green light for the new school building and sports pitches to be constructed to the south of its existing site.

The construction includes a new two and three-storey school building, with a flexible school layout for the consolidated 1,500 place 11-16 year old secondary school.

The existing six blocks will be demolished after the new complex is commissioned, with the majority of that part of the site being turned into a car park.

Sir Robert McAlpine awarded Finley Structures the contract to fabricate and erect 560 tonnes of steel as part of the project.

Finley Operations Manager Jim Graham said: “It always makes things a bit more logistically difficult when there’s water involved.

“We fabricated the steel in Newton Aycliffe and transported to the south coast, and Red Funnel ferries took it across to the island.

“The school is also being built on an existing site, which has made the project a bit more difficult logistically, but we’re progressing well.”

Finley Structures was also given a 500-tonne project to build a new school for Abbotsfield School, in West London, for main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, as well as a 260-tonne contract for Interserve Construction at Roundhay School in Leeds.

It comes just a few months after the Aycliffe firm was awarded a contract to work on a second building at the University of Lincoln for BAM Construction.

Jim added: “A lot of what we’re looking at the moment is education-based. It’s a trend that everyone seems to be focusing on at the moment.

“Everyone was building hospitals, then it was supermarkets, but now the focus seems to be on education – new schools and improving schools.

“It’s another glowing testament that we’ve reacted to the market and continued to pick up major contracts up and down the country.

“We knew it was going to be a peak-and-trough year but we’ve done very well in 2016, and are delighted with the recent positive news on our order book going forward.”

 

Major environmental plaudit for University building

Posted on: September 19th, 2016 by webmaster.finleystructures

A flagship educational building built with Finley Structures steel has received a prestigious environmental award.

The Curve, Teesside University’s £20m teaching building at the heart of its Middlesbrough campus, has been rated ‘Excellent’ by the Building Research Establishment as part of its BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) standard, the world’s longest established method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings.

BREEAM uses scientifically based criteria to evaluate energy and water use, health and wellbeing, pollution, materials, waste, ecology, and management processes to drive greater sustainability and innovation in the built environment.

It is the latest in a series of accolades, after The Curve scooped three architecture awards in April at the 2016 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East Awards. The building landed the Project of the Year, Design Through Innovation, and Regeneration prizes. The project will go forward to the national awards in London in October.

Malcolm Page, Teesside University’s chief operating officer, said: “Achieving the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating is fantastic recognition of the University’s environmental and sustainability credentials. The University is committed to providing the highest quality learning environment for our students and staff.

“The Curve has proven a hugely popular addition to our campus, and we are delighted to see its state-of-the-art design recognised through this string of awards.”

The Curve provides 1,476 square metres of quality teaching and learning space, and includes innovative energy efficiency, water recycling and ventilation features, which reduce CO2 emissions and drive sustainability.

The building was opened in September 2015, the centre-piece of the ambitious £30m Campus Heart development which included the pedestrianisation of Southfield Road and the creation of a living wall with giant LED screen.

Over recent years the University has invested nearly £260m in upgrading its campus.

Other investments include a brand new £2.75m health and fitness centre, The Gym, and a £6m upgrade of science and engineering facilities in both the Orion and Stephenson buildings

A further £6m refurbishment of the University library is currently underway, to improve facilities over the next three summers.

 

Finley Structures wins contract to build second university building for BAM Construction

Posted on: August 31st, 2016 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has won a contract to build a second university building for leading major contractor BAM Construction.

The family-run steel company, based on Aycliffe Business Park in County Durham, has started work on a 400-tonne project to construct the Sarah Swift building at the University of Lincoln.

The new £19m facility will house the university’s Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology, as well as a Professional Development Centre with ongoing training for medical professionals in Lincolnshire.

It will stand on the site of the 19th century Pea Warehouse, which has been demolished to make way for the five-storey building, and is due for completion in May 2017.

The contract win comes after Finley Structures erected 500 tonnes of steel for BAM Construction to help build the £16m Isaac Newton building, which will house the university’s Engineering, Computer Science and Maths and Physics departments.

Finley Structures is now in negotiations to become a category 1 supplier to BAM, which is based in Hertfordshire but has locations across the UK, and is part of the Dutch-owned Royal BAM Group.

There are currently only 300 category 1 suppliers from BAM’s 14,000-strong database of contractors, and Finley’s operations manager Jim Graham says it would be a huge feather in the cap for the Aycliffe company.

“Just to be in discussions with BAM about becoming a category A supplier is a great achievement,” said Graham.

“It’s not just ticking a box, it’s a formal agreement, a legally-binding contract which is not a very quick process.

“But it’s recognition for your company, its values and performance, and as a family-run business from the North-East we’re delighted to have this recognition.”

After working on a number of projects for BAM in recent years, Graham insists it’s the two company’s shared values which make it a perfect fit.

He added: “They’re quite unique in that BAM isn’t following a UK mode, it’s a Dutch model with a parent company from the Netherlands, where aggression is frowned upon.

“They’re very open and they expect you to be the same, so we have matching values of honesty and fair play.

“They follow our ethos, which is about getting value for money. They want to perform with their clients, their clients like them because of their attitude and they’re finding they’re getting a lot of repeat business because of the way they approach the end-user.

“We’ve now done a number of projects for them which is why we’re standing out to them now.”

The University of Lincoln is investing a total of £19m to create the Sarah Swift Building, named after Dame Sarah Swift, nurse and founder of the College of Nursing (now the Royal College of Nursing), who was born in Kirton Skeldyke, South Lincolnshire.

The building will bring the whole School of Health & Social Care together in one location for the first time, replacing its existing facilities in the Think Tank and Bridge House.

It will include advanced clinical simulation facilities for the School’s Nursing programmes, as well as tutorial, social learning and office space for the School’s students and staff. The building will also collocate the whole School of Psychology for the first time, replacing the School’s existing facilities in the Minerva Building and Bridge House.

Finley Structures has recently completed a 2,600-tonne project for Sir Robert McAlpine at the Victoria Gate retail development in Leeds and is currently working on a 1,900-tonne contract for C Spencer at the Energy Works Power Plant, a new energy-from-waste (EfW) plant, in Hull.

 

Three key new staff boost ranks

Posted on: July 20th, 2016 by webmaster.finleystructures

Finley Structures has boosted its management team with three key appointments as the company goes on a recruitment drive.

The family steel firm has appointed Kelly Vasey in a new role as management accountant, Stuart Baxter as safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) manager and Alan Bailey as welding inspector.

The firm’s joint managing director Julie Raistrick says they are three crucial roles for the firm as it looks to take on more staff this year.

The new arrivals have already boosted numbers to 71, while Finley Structures are still looking to take on another quantity surveyor and a site supervisor.

“It’s an exciting time for the company in terms of new faces coming in,” she said.

“We’re bringing in a new level of expertise and experience which we haven’t had before and it will help to tighten some sides of the business up and make us more streamlined.

“We’ve had a hugely positive three years in terms of turnover and now we’re looking to use that success by building for the future.”

Kelly, 33, (below, left, with Julie) is from Shildon and is fully-qualified through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Julie Finley (right) with Kelly Vasey

She worked in practice from 2002–2006 and qualified in 2008 whilst at Mech-Tool Engineering, becoming management accountant, before holding financial controller roles with Hertel’s oil and gas division at Wynyard and Catterick IT services provider Razorblue before joining Finley Structures.

“The size of the company appealed to me,” said Kelly. “It’s a very similar sized company as one of my previous employers, it’s local and is successful.”

Stuart, 47, from Durham (top picture, right), originally trained in body shop repair but now has several years’ experience in health and safety roles with Hashimoto (now Faltec) in Boldon, De La Rue at Team Valley and SNOP in Washington.

He said: “This is a new challenge for me and a good career move.

“I’ve been in manufacturing production environments for a lot of years, but here they have the site aspect of the business, which is something that’s new to me.

“From a safety point of view, it’s a different environment out on the sites to what I’m used to, but it’s a good role for me because it’s stretching me and is giving me a different level of experience all together.”

Alan, 46, from Shildon, joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) from school and served his time as a metalsmith, spending several years in the forces before joining Evenwood engineering as a team leader.

He then spent a number of years as a welding inspector with a structural steel company and GT Project Engineering in Consett before heading to Aycliffe.

“It’s a new position for Finley Structures so I’m defining the role as it is, which is a great challenge” said Alan.

“I’m looking forward to implementing my ideas. I’m a very lean-thinking sort of person and I like to streamline operations as much as possible, and I’m already enjoying it very much.”