North East & Yorkshire

Finley Structures – a firm on the up

Finley Structures- John Finley - Durham- Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson

 While many firms in the construction industry struggle, County Durham-based Finley Structures goes from strength-to-strength.

 With a turnover now approaching £12 million, the family-run outfit, based on Aycliffe Business Park, boasts a client base that includes major contractors such as Balfour Beatty, Howard Russell, Shepherd Construction, Carillion, Willmott Dixon and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Managing director John Finley – pictured with Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who led Hitachi’s campaign to bring its Intercity Express Programme to the North-East– says the company’s strength in the market can only be described as a testimonial to the hard work and dedication of his team, who continue to strive in order to be the best in the business.

“We continue to build on our recent success with a string of contract wins and positive developments,” says Mr Finley, who last year supported his local Northern League football club, Newton Aycliffe, by erecting a new stand for the first division club.

“This further underlines our strong position in the market, thanks largely to significant investments over the last two-to-three years. We are completing jobs within the agreed time scales and the majority of contracts within budget, this enhancing our reputation and giving our clients the confidence that we can deliver and providing us the opportunity to work on much larger contracts.”

Finley Structures was formed by Mr Finley in August 2000. Whilst providing a wide range of structural solutions, the company specialises in the production of portals, trusses, beams and columns. They invested more than £1 million in their production facility in 2008, with a second saw and drill line and robotic coping line as well as an SA2.5 shot blast facility.

The decision to invest by the board of directors has paid dividends – while some firms in the industry struggle to survive, Finley Structures hasn’t looked back.

“It remains a very difficult and gloomy time for some people,” added Mr Finley. “We’re in a strong position, but the market is becoming increasingly competitive and we have to work even harder to win contracts.

“We’re doing more than just keeping our head above water, and if we can do that during this current climate, then that can only bode well for the future.”

More details about Finley Structures can be found at www.finleystructures.com

Finley Structures Durham

Award-winning

Finley Structures has been awarded a Values Award by building corporation Carillion Plc for its community engagement.

Carillion operations director David Kennedy praised the family-run firm, saying:

“More than 130 children have visited Finley Structures to see their schools being built and they make sure it’s a fantastic experience for the youngsters. We take the young people to see the steel being made and we’re also taking them to see the bricks being produced, so they get a real insight into how it all comes together, so when it’s completed they’ll feel they’ve been involved in it every step of the way.”

John Finley added:

“It’s a pleasure to see youngsters come to our factory to get an insight into the world of work as well as seeing their own new school being built almost from scratch. It’s always nice to involve young people wherever we can and it’s rewarding to see them come in and learn so much about our operations. Our door is always open.”

Finley Structures

Innovative

Finley Structures has completed the steel framework for the Vertical Pier, due to open later this year as part of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s multi-million pound redevelopment programme. The company was selected to complete the steel fabrication and installation work by major construction firm Willmot Dixon Group.

More than £290 million is being spent in the Borough to regenerate the area, while an estimated £4.5 billion of private investment is expected to create around 14,000 new jobs and 600 new businesses.

A total of £40 million is being spent on Redcar seafront, including £30 million on new sea defences and enhanced landscaping, and £8.3 million on ‘The Hub’, a Creative Industries Centre on the site of the old Palace Theatre.

Andy Braid, construction manager for Finleys, said:

“It was a pleasure to work on an exciting project which will have such an obvious impact on Redcar seafront. It’s also further testament to our versatility and the diverse range of projects we’re capable of delivering to high standards.

About the author

Roma Publications