Schoolchildren have left a lasting legacy on a major new sporting venue in the region which is being constructed by Finley Structures.

Budding athletes from Easterside Academy in Middlesbrough have seen their signatures immortalised in the structure of the main sports building at the new £18 million Middlesbrough Sports Village.

We are constructing the steel frame of the building on behalf of main contractors Willmott Dixon.

And 12 pupils from Easterside signed one of the last sections of steel to form part of the new Hub building.

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity for the children to come along, see how the building is coming on and also to put their names on to the structure,” said Easterside teacher Delyth Linacre who accompanied the youngsters.

“When completed the Sports Village will create lots of wonderful opportunities for our children and their families.”

Easterside Academy is also one of the local primary schools benefiting from free running coaching provided by Willmott Dixon through a donation.

Willmott Dixon Project Manager David Dixon said: “As the key contractor to the Sports Village we feel it is extremely important to benefit and work with the local community.

“We are committed to working with local schools and colleges on all sorts of projects.

“We’d also like to inspire young people to think more about construction when they leave school and the exciting opportunities and variety of career paths they have available to them.”

Key elements of the new sports village include an athletics field and stadium with a 400m track and spectator seating, a full-size artificial pitch along with grass football pitches and a fitness gym and sports hall. Work on a new £1 million velodrome is also due to start next year.

The new track is due to open for use later this month, with work on the new Sports Hub building, associated external sports facilities and sports car parking scheduled for completion in the spring.

The family steel firm which is helping to bring train-building back to the North-East is on course to smash its record turnover after celebrating a string of multi-million pound contract wins.

Finley Structures has recently completed 1,600 tonnes of a 2,000-tonne project to fabricate and erect the steel for Hitachi Rail Europe’s £82m train-building factory in Newton Aycliffe for main contractors Shepherd Construction.

Finley has also recently completed a 1,400-tonne project for Nissan, constructing the steel frame for the Japanese car manufacturer’s new facility in Washington, and is currently working on a 300-tonne contract for the National Biologics Centre in Darlington for contractors Interserve.

In addition, Finley has just started work on Middlesbrough Council’s state-of-the-art Sports Village, erecting 500 tonnes of steel for main contractor Willmott Dixon.

And the Aycliffe company has now won a 500-tonne contract for Bam Construction at Teesside University, due to start in September, as well as a 1,900-tonne project for Sir Robert McAlpine at the £650m Victoria Gate retail development in Leeds, which is planned to open in late 2016.

At the same time, Finley is working on several projects simultaneously for Shepherd Construction as well as two 280-tonne projects for the Poniel Warehouses in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, for Muir Construction.

It represents a strong first half year for the company, with orders in the current financial year, beginning in April, currently totalling £13.8m, meaning it’s already on course to smash its current record turnover of £13.1m.

The firm’s managing director Julie Finley, pictured above at the Hitachi site, said: “We’re currently working on six major contracts, with more than 2,000 tonnes of steel going through our factory over the next 10 weeks, which demonstrates our capabilities to take on and deliver multiple, complex projects.

“Significant investments have also been made recently and now we’re looking to make the next step and keep investing to ensure we’re always improving and increasing capacity.

“As we are trying to be more efficient rather than just chasing turnover, we are currently introducing a more efficient method within the paint area by introducing dual pumping for the painting of the steelwork.

“Bolstering the management team and investing in new kit is all geared towards increasing the firm’s production and capacity to be able to take on more.”

Finley’s currently have between 180 and 200 tonnes of steel going through the factory every week but the ambition is to get that up to around the 300-tonne mark.

Founded by John Finley in 2000, Finley Structures has increased its workforce in the last year to cope with a strong order book, up to 60 full-time employees, while its sister company, SCH Site Services, currently employs 34 people, making a total of 94 staff combined.

They are now looking to take on extra platers and welders in the coming weeks and months to help their buoyant shop floor deal with the extra work along with the implementation of new ideas.

Inquisitive primary school children were given a tour of the factory which is fabricating steel for Hitachi Rail Europe’s train-building facility in County Durham as part of a special project.

Thirty year 2 pupils from Heighington Primary, the nearest school to Hitachi’s £82m site on Aycliffe Business Park, have been learning about the history of trains and visited the Railway Museum in Shildon before studying modern day industry.

They were then given a tour around Newton Aycliffe firm Finley Structures, which is currently busy erecting 2,000 tonnes of steel for main contractor Shepherd Construction on behalf of Hitachi, and were told about the various jobs and roles that exist within a major construction company.

They rounded the trip off with a visit to the Hitachi site, where the youngsters could see real-life construction in action as steel and cladding was being erected.

Heighington Primary School teacher Carly Spence says the youngsters will now use the experience to work on a design project back in the classroom.

“The children have been working on their local area and history that’s pertinent to us, and of course railways is huge in this area,” she said.

“They’ve been finding out about George Stephenson and the Rocket, how trains were made and what kind of jobs there were back then, and how difficult conditions people were working in.

“We started to look at how rail production is returning to the area and they’ll have taken a huge amount out of this visit.

“They’ve been able to link it back to history and see how things have changed. They’ve also been able to look at other things like estimation and product design that they’ve never looked at before.

“It’s also really exciting for them to come to a building site and to see what’s going on.

“They’ll write a report on their visit, linking it to the work they’ve done on the history of the railway, and they’ll also look at the jobs that people do in the modern day and see how they can apply that in their next design project.”

One of the youngsters visiting was eight-year-old Grace – daughter of Finley Structures managing director Julie Finley – who later revealed she’d prefer to work for Hitachi than her Mum’s company.

“I enjoyed going to Hitachi and seeing all the cranes!” she said. “It was really interesting. We found out that the factory my Mam is building weighs 2,000 tonnes.”

Another pupil, Alex, said he enjoyed visiting the Finley site, adding: “I quite enjoyed looking on the computers at how they keep the metal together so it doesn’t fall down.

“I liked seeing the big machines as well, they picked up all the steel because it was too heavy for the men to lift.”

Eight-year-old Maddie added: “I enjoyed it at Finley Structures and seeing all the stuff inside. One of the jobs I think I’d like to do here is to build it.”

Staff at Finley Structures regularly welcome school children and college students to their premises as part of a commitment to increasing the awareness of the construction industry in the classroom.

Julie said: “We think it’s important to bring young people in like this for all sorts of reasons.

“We see a skills gap, and it’s very hard to find trained and qualified people these days and we’ll soon be losing experienced, time-served people.

“It will take a while for our younger staff, and Apprentices, to reach that level of ability and expertise, so we feel it’s important to let young people see the world of construction at first hand and what types of jobs that are available.

“One girl showed an interest in working on the shop floor. But my daughter, Grace, says she wants to work for Hitachi!”

Students from Durham University enjoyed a tour of Finley Structures recently.

Eleven first year engineering students, who are all 19, were given a tour at our factory on Aycliffe Business Park as part of their “hands on” week with nearby training provider South West Durham Training (SWDT).

The week forms an essential part of their studies, giving them a “real life” insight into their industry, before they continue their academic work at University.

Finley Structures regularly welcomes students and local schools into its factory.

Managing Director Julie Finley said: “It’s important for young people to see for themselves the modern workplace and we’re always keen to welcome students into our factory whenever we can.

“For engineering students, in particular, the workforce of tomorrow, it will hopefully prove to be a useful part of their studies.”

Durham student Magnus Pierre, who visited the Finley site, said: “I found it very interesting and useful.

“Seeing something practical in the workshop is invaluable to our studies and it gives us a great indication as to the scale of some of the projects local companies are working on every day.”

SWDT’s Business Development Manager Kate Chapman added: “As part of our ongoing partnership with Durham University, 150 students come to us for a week to get practical experience in the workplace.

“They spend a lot of time in our state-of-the-art workshops and get to see the world of work at close hand during site visits to various companies in the area.

“It’s essential for students to go out there and complement their academic studies with real experience.”

● Pic: Eddie Pitchers gives the Durham University students a tour around our factory.

The Finley family which is constructing the steel for Newton Aycliffe’s iconic train-building factory presented key people with special mementos during a steel ceremony.

The Japanese firm hosted a special steel ceremony on site to celebrate a large bulk of the steel going up.

Managing Director John Finley watched on, a very proud man, as his daughter Julie addressed guests with a touching speech, before her daughter, seven-year-old Grace, presented commemorative podgers – specialist spanners used in the construction industry – to mark the occasion.

Grace presented the podgers on behalf of developers Merchant Place Developments to MP Phil Wilson, Hitachi Rail Europe’s managing director Keith Jordan, Shepherd Construction’s regional managing director Andrew Constantine and her Mum, Julie.

Julie said: “This represents a lot of hard work from John and Val, my Mam and Dad.

“I remember years ago when I was a child, our Sunday afternoon drive always involved looking at various sites, looking at where his next job was going to be.

“We didn’t appreciate it then, but this just makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s huge for the area. There was a lot of empty factory space on Aycliffe Business Park, but now there’s very, very little left.

“So it just shows how much potential this project can bring to the park.”

Hitachi Rail Europe Managing Director Keith Jordan was impressed to see three generations of the Finley family present at last week’s steel ceremony.

“Finley Structures being local, within a mile of this facility, it couldn’t be better than that,” he added.

“It’s quite a big contract that they’ve won and to have a local company that has been here for a long time, three generations, and to see the young daughter make those presentations was very good – and we hope she’ll become one of our first apprentices!”

● Pic: Grace presents podgers on behalf of developers Merchant Place Developments to MP Phil Wilson, Hitachi Rail Europe’s Managing Director Keith Jordan, Shepherd Construction’s Regional Managing Director Andrew Constantine and her Mum, Julie.

We’ve appointed a new Senior Quantity Surveyor – and her first job is to work on the high-profile Hitachi Rail Europe project in Newton Aycliffe.

Diane Ruston is used to working on large-scale construction projects in her previous role for a major national construction company.

The 30-year-old says she jumped at the chance to work for Aycliffe-based family-run firm Finley Structures.

“The attraction was working for a family firm, and working in smaller teams,” says Diane, who graduated from Warwick University in 2004 with a degree in economics.

“I can get more involved in the systems side of jobs and looking at procedures, and the opportunity to work on projects like Hitachi’s train-building factory is fantastic.”

Darlington firm Shepherd Construction, the main contractor for the Hitachi project, handed Finley Structures the task of constructing the steel frame of the main factory on the 42,700sqm site at Aycliffe Business Park earlier this year.

Diane added: Diane added: “At the moment we’re working on the main shed build, so there’s a lot of Hitachi steel going through the factory.

“I look after the financial and legal side of the project, sub-contract orders and working on our contract with Shepherd.

“It’s great to be working on such a high-profile project straight away. The Hitachi development is huge for the area but also for the UK, so naturally we’re keen to do the best job we possibly can.”

Diane joining Finley Structures comes six months after the high-profile appointment of Jim Graham, who joined the Aycliffe firm as operations manager.

Managing director Julie Finley said: “Diane’s appointment is another hugely positive development for the company and is another indicator of the direction in which we’re heading.

“Our team has already showed its capability to work on major projects, but Diane brings more qualities to the table and, as well as working on the Hitachi project, her knowledge and expertise will only enhance all of the projects we’re working on and will continue to win in the future.”

Finley Structures, started by Managing Director John Finley in 2000, has completed a string of high-profile contracts in recent years.

The company has worked with Shepherd Construction on a 1,000-tonne project at Drax Power Station in Selby, North Yorkshire, and the 950-tonne National Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC) in Blyth, as well as a 500-tonne contract at Ercall Wood Technology College in Telford and a 400-tonne job at Daventry Academy, Northampton.

Finley Structures have gone green with a fleet of eco-friendly motors. We’ve invested £85,000 in five Audi A3s, which have reduced omissions and are also more cost-effective.

The cars – from Audi Teesside, Stockton – omit 105 CO2 and cost just £20 a year to tax.

Employees Ken Gray, Steve Walker, John Wayper, Mark Stones and Rob Duncan are the proud new drivers.

Julie Finley said: “Other than it being a conscious, environmentally-friendly move, the cars are cheaper to run than the previous company vehicles and they’re also very comfortable for the driver, so all round it was a no-brainer and a really sound investment.”

As well as the much-publicised Hitachi Rail Europe contract, we’re currently working on quite a complex project for Japanese car manufacturer Nissan.

In late 2013, we won a contract to construct what will eventually be Nissan’s new factory to manufacture its new Infiniti range.

It’s part of Nissan’s £250m investment at Sunderland, which will see the new Infiniti Q30 being made next year.

Our part of the project is to construct two buildings, involving a total of more than 1,300 tonnes of steel.

The body shop extension is approximately 600 tonnes, and the trim shop extension involves about 730 tonnes, with both being made up of long span girders and trusses.

We’re fabricating 200 intricate steel trusses for the job, with 10 of them going through our shop floor every day, peaking at 16 per day.

“Both extensions have to be fixed back to existing buildings,” said Julie Finley.

“It’s another complex project as we are working in close proximity to a live manufacturing environment but it’s another challenge our team is relishing and enjoying.

“We’re getting through on average 50 of these trusses every week, while working on a number of other jobs simultaneously, which is further evidence of our growing capabilities and increasing capacity.”

Nissan’s new facilities will cover 25,000 square metres, and will include space for the Q30’s body and platform to be assembled, plus an area for trim and chassis, which will include a new engine installation facility.

The factory extension is due to be completed in time for the Q30 launch in 2015, with Infiniti claiming that the expansion and investment will create 1,000 jobs, including 280 new jobs at the Sunderland factory, plus more with its UK supplier base.

We’ve been awarded a multi-million pound deal to construct Hitachi Rail Europe’s train-building factory in County Durham.

Shepherd Construction, Darlington Office, the main contractor for the project, has given us the task of constructing the steel frame of the main factory on the 42,700sqm site at Aycliffe Business Park.

We’ve also been handed a secondary steelwork package in a huge contract involving a total of 2,000 tonnes of steel.

The factory, which will include a research and development centre, is expected to take about 20 months to complete, and will support more than 200 jobs in its construction.

It will then employ 730 people once open by the end of summer 2015, and it’s estimated thousands more in the supply chain.

Neil Matthias, Shepherd’s project manager for the Hitachi factory, says the deal is another example of how the firm is committed to using local companies after appointing Rushyford-based Hall Construction to carry out the groundworks.

Mr Matthias said: “I am pleased to announce we have appointed Finley Structures for the design, manufacture and installation of the steel frame together with secondary steel elements within the building.

“This is great news for the project and for the scheme, and particular John Finley who has been close to the project for a number of years and has worked alongside Shepherd for a number of years within the industry.

“We know Finley Structures will give 100% commitment to the project and look forward to getting started.”

Finley Structures has worked with Shepherd Construction on a 1,000-tonne project at Drax Power Station in Selby, North Yorkshire, and the 950-tonne National Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC) in Blyth, as well as a 500-tonne contract at Ercall Wood Technology College in Telford and a 400-tonne job at Daventry Academy, Northampton.

Mr Finley said: “It goes without saying we’re proud and absolutely delighted to be given this contract.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Shepherd Construction and we’ve worked with them on a number of major contracts over the last few years, so we’re looking forward to working on what is another flagship project.

“Hitachi Rail Europe and Merchant Place Developments have said from the very beginning that they will use local suppliers and contractors as much as possible, and clearly this deal means they’re sticking to their word.

“I would especially like to thank Geoff Hunton from Merchant. Geoff can be credited largely for helping to bring Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe.”

In May last year (2013), Hitachi Rail Europe signed a deal with Newcastle-based developers Merchant Place Developments to construct and fit out the train-building factory, and then in November Shepherd Construction was revealed as the main contractor for the 20-month project during a high-profile ceremony attended by Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Darren Cumner, Manufacturing Plant Manager at Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “The appointment of Finley Structures for the steelworks contract is excellent news for the region.

“For Hitachi, it is most important that our rail vehicle manufacturing facility is built to the highest quality standards and we are delighted that with Finley Structures, a local company, has been able to answer to these requirements and to secure the contract.

“From the day we decided on Newton Aycliffe as the home for our new train factory, we have time and again seen direct confirmation that companies in the region are more than capable of fulfilling our high quality and reliability standards.”

Mr Hunton added: “Merchant Place Developments fully endorse the statement made by Hitachi and are delighted with the appointment of a local North East based company for the steelworks contract which has fully justified our belief in the North East when promoting the benefits of the Newton Aycliffe site.”

The Labour MP for Sedgefield, Phil Wilson, played a big part in paving the way for Hitachi’s successful bid for the £5.8 billion Intercity Express Programme (IEP).

“This is fantastic news for the area and I’m delighted that more local jobs will be supported during the construction of the factory,” said Mr Wilson.

“When you have a company like Hitachi prepared to build an £82m facility here, it proves there is great faith in the area, and to see local companies all coming together to work on the project like this is just wonderful.”

We’ve appointed former Severfield Rowen director Jim Graham as our new operations manager.

Jim, originally from Newton Aycliffe, spent 22 years with leading Thirsk-based steel fabricating group Severfield, latterly as operations director.

Jim admits to getting his “passion” back as he relishes the task of helping fast-growing Finley Structures to “the next level”.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me,” said the 53-year-old. “Finley Structures is a vibrant, growing firm with a glowing reputation in the industry and I want to help them achieve their ambitions.

“What has always struck me about Finley is that it’s a family-run firm, which says a lot these days. There’s a family atmosphere around the place and it’s well run – it’s a nice place to come to work.

“My ambition now is to help Finley Structures to a level where it’s fabricating between 250 and 350 tonnes of steel a week with controlled, structured expansion and establishing the firm as a major market force in the UK.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Severfield Rowen, living through a number of major takeover deals and helping it through several transitional periods to establish it as a UK market-leader.

“But personally I needed a new motivation, and I’ve known John Finley for more than 20 years. I’m from Aycliffe and I’ve been hugely impressed by the strong but steady progress his company has made in recent years, particularly during difficult times.

“It’s an exciting new chapter for me – it has given me my passion for the job back – and it’ll hopefully be a very exciting new chapter for Finley Structures.”

Jim started his career as an Apprentice with Darlington-based Conder Structures, becoming contracts manager, then cladding manager, before joining Severfield as contracts manager in 1992.

He worked his way to contracts director at Severfield after just three years then he became deputy managing director in 2010 before he was appointed operations and contracts director in 2011 to the newly formed Severfield-Watson business.

Jim will sit directly between the Finley’s board of directors – parents John and Valerie and their children Julie and Gary – and the company’s management team.