SCH Site Services, a division of Finley Structures, has invested £450,000 on a new state-of-the-art crane.

The company, also based on Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe, has received delivery of the new Terex Challenger 3160, manufactured and shipped from Germany, boasting the first of its kind operating in the UK.

Terex say the Challenger 3160 is the first 55-tonne crane to boast a 50-metre main boom, giving SCH Site Services a lead in the market.

SCH Site Services undertake structural and secondary steelwork packages inclusive of installation. They moved into new £500,000 premises in October 2011, creating 10 new jobs and boosting its workforce to 32.

Construction Manager Andy Braid said: “The Challenger is a significant investment for SCH Site Services and will enable us to be more versatile on site.

“It allows us to do a lot more in tighter spaces, and it has brilliant lifting capabilities, so we’re expecting to go to the higher market of work.

“The investment will pay off by enabling us to be more self-sufficient by increasing our portfolio of plant and equipment. The last purchase was a Tadano Faun ATF 65G-4 early 2011.

Terex field service engineer Ryan Gibbard familiarised SCH staff with the new challenger 3160.

He said: “It’s the first 55-tonne crane to have a 50-metre boom operating in the UK, so it should give SCH Site Services an advantage over their competitors.”

Foreman and driver of the new challenger Jeff Lawrence added: “I am excited to have been given the opportunity to be the designated operator of the new crane.

“I have found the new crane steadier and smoother to operate and the increased lifting capabilities far exceed my expectations.”

● Pictured is SCH Site Services construction manager Andy Braid (left) with Terex field service engineer Ryan Gibbard.

Finley Structures has won a £1.9m contract to fabricate and erect the steel frame for the wind turbines built in the region.

Shepherd Construction has secured a framework contract with the National Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC), based in Northumberland, to build three new facilities to house test rigs for full scale wind and marine prototype devices.

NAREC won consent from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to construct and operate a 99.9MW offshore wind demonstration site at Blyth, comprising 15 turbines.

And County Durham-based Finley Structures have been contracted to work on 28 huge columns which will support the testing facility’s roof.

Managing director John Finley says the contract is further testament to the firm’s growing capabilities.

“Contracts like this are becoming run of the mill to us now,” said John, pictured with his son and daughter, Julie and Gary Finley, next to some of the steelwork which will form the 31-metre high columns as part of the construction.

“With a turnover now approaching £12m, we have recently increased our workforce to 49 and are winning contracts from 50-tonne to 2000-tonne nationwide.

“The company’s strength and position in the market is thanks to significant investments over the last two-to-three years and the dedication of the team who continue to strive in order to be the best in the business.

“We have had a good start to the year, partnering with Shepherd Construction on several new builds.”

Shepherd project manager Neil Matthias said: “Finley’s adopted a collaborative approach to the resolution of the technical difficulties that the project presented and are on programme to deliver the project on time and within the set budget.

“The on-site and off-site management and support teams provide a well managed, safe working environment together with technical support that are co-ordinated with great efficiency.

“As the site at NAREC is a challenging confined site which requires strategic co-ordination with other trades, and although still in its infancy, Finley’s have adopted a team can-do approach.”

John has just promoted his daughter Julie as Finley Structures joint-managing director, while son Gary has been promoted to joint-MD of Finley’s sister company, SCH Site Services.

A state-of-the-art recycling facility in Darlington is nearing completion.

The two-year wait for Total Recycling Services’ £1.3m waste transfer station is due to be finished and open for business in the summer.

Newton Aycliffe firm Finley Structures, contracted to erect the structural steelwork for the new facility, have almost completed their work on the site, next to Orange on Lingfield Way in Darlington.

And Total Recycling managing director Alex Foreman, pictured at the firm’s new plant, says it’s an exciting development for the firm.

The station will create six new full-time jobs, including a chemist to examine hazardous waste, taking the total number of employees to 36, and is expected to increase Total’s annual turnover by £1.2m to £6.3m a year.

“It’s a really exciting development which will be two years in the making by the time it’s finished,” said Mr Foreman.

“The new waste transfer station will be a state-of-the-art facility which will enhance our growing business and increase our reputation as one of the market leaders in recycling and waste management.”

Total Recycling was established in August 2009, born out of a desire to provide a one-stop-shop waste management services for companies throughout the UK.

Its team combines 25 years’ experience in both the hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal industries.

MD Mr Foreman has a wealth of experience in waste management, having previously been operations director and commercial director with another large North-East waste management company.

Total Recycling now boasts an experienced sales team fully trained in site audits, while waste requirements analysis are supported by an administration team. They also have a large team of waste management operatives working from our recycling depot and head office in Darlington.

Mr Foreman added: “Unlike many other waste management companies who tend to specialise in either hazardous or non-hazardous wastes, we have considerable experience in both having brought together directors, managers and key personnel from both industries.

“We therefore have an in depth understanding of the waste management industry as a whole. By combining this experience with expert knowledge of environmental best practice, we are able to provide a professional approach to waste management and recycling services.

“We assist our customers in applying the correct waste hierarchy of waste prevention, minimisation, reuse and recycling.

“As a service organisation we place particular emphasis upon customer requirements, producing cost-effective custom solutions based upon compliance and results.

“We strive to deliver more innovative cost effective solutions using our experience in service development by improving working processes and developing open relationships with our customers.”

SCH Site Services has moved into its new £500,000 premises in the region.

The firm, a division of Finley Structures, and has just moved into its new factory on Aycliffe Business Park.

The stand-alone firm works alongside Finley Structures, focusing on structural steel installation and secondary steelwork packages, as well as working for other external clients.

The new site, adjacent to the Finley site in Aycliffe, is a £500,000 investment which created 10 new jobs and boosted SCH’s workforce to 27.

Andy Braid, construction manager for SCH, said: “We have developed the secondary steel work side of our operations in recent months and this new site is a natural progression for SCH.

“It makes sense to segregate the secondary steel work into the new premises in order to maintain our specialised workforce in the separate areas of the business.

“Our range of secondary steelwork includes barriers, bollards, flooring, handrails, railings and staircases, while we also supply and install balustrades and canopies.”

● Pictured is SCH contract managers Andy Davies (left) and Steve Rowley with construction manager Andy Braid (centre).

A stunning new pier which will dominate the skyline of a North-East seaside resort is starting to take shape.

County Durham firm Finley Structures have 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.

More than £290m 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 £40m is being spent on Redcar seafront, including £30m on new sea defences and enhanced landscaping, and £8.3m on ‘The Hub’, a Creative Industries Centre on the site of the old Palace Theatre.

The new Vertical Pier, costing £1.8m, will stand at an amazing 80ft high and will provide spectacular views up and down the coast.

Construction firm Willmot Dixon Group sub-contracted the steel fabrication and installation work to Finley Structures, who have recently completed the job.

Construction manager for Finleys Andy Braid, pictured next to the pier, said: “It’s a pleasure to be working 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.

“The artist’s drawings of the Vertical Pier look absolutely stunning and it promises to provide the focal point of what is a major regeneration programme in the town.”

The seafront’s new beacon will provide Redcar with a new icon. The ground floor will be used primarily as café space with indoor and outdoor seating areas. This will also be used as an exhibition space as well as providing the location for public toilet facilities.

A series of unique studios and workspaces that can be leased by the creative industries sector will be on the six levels above the ground floor.

Each level of the Vertical Pier will be accessible by lift or stairs and open to the public free of charge.

The building has been designed to create a dynamic experience on the journey to the top of the building, with views of local landmarks framed by the outer foils wrapped around the tower.

At roof level, with its open air viewing platform, there will be a panoramic view across the dramatic seascape and surrounding landscape.

The building will be open seven days a week between 9am and 10pm during peak season. There will be constantly changing exhibitions housed within the building.

The project is part funded by the NE ERDF competitiveness programme 2007-13.

A head teacher has added a specially-made Golden Bolt to his new £14.5m school, which is currently being built by Aycliffe firm Finley Structures.

George Harris says pupils at Dene Community School in Peterlee can’t wait for their new building to be opened in October 2012.

And on Monday this week, he added a Golden Bolt to part of the construction.

“We’re all very excited to see the new school beginning to take shape,” said Mr Harris.

“There’s still a long way to go yet, but it’s getting there gradually and we’re delighted that the site hasn’t interfered with our learning flow whatsoever.

“The only snag is that our teachers have had to draw their blinds to keep their pupils concentrated because they can’t take their eyes off it!”

Finley Structures and main contractors Carillion Building have been keen to involve the school in the construction as much as possible.

A couple of months ago they arranged for pupils to visit Finley’s factory on Aycliffe Industrial Park to see how raw steel will form the core of their new building. They also signed a steel plate with their initials, which was welded in permanently and incorporated into the construction.

Finley’s managing director John Finley said: “We’ve had youngsters from Dene School visit us and they hopefully learned a lot about how the raw steel comes to us, is fabricated and then erected.

“It’s always nice to involve the young people wherever we can and it’s rewarding to see them come in and learn about our operations.

“On this occasion, they took a great interest and asked lots of questions which is great to see!”

Carillion’s community liaison manager Jane Braybrook added: “It’s important for the school and the pupils to have ownership of the new school so we’ve been working hard to involve them as much as we possibly can.

“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.”

● Head teacher George Harris is pictured with the Golden Bolt at Dene Community School in Peterlee.

Dozens of youngsters have been given a behind-the-scenes tour of a steel factory to see how their new school is being made.

The youngsters from four different schools in the North-East have been shown around the shop floor at Finley Structures on Aycliffe Business Park, to see how raw steel will form the core of their new building.

They were first given a 3D demonstration by a structural engineer to see a virtual construction on screen, before going on to the shop floor to see the steel being fabricated by the most advanced computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery available.

It gave the pupils – from Glendene School in Easington Colliery, Dene School in Peterlee, Hebburn Primary School near South Shields and SEN1 (Bedewell) – an insight into how their new school will develop and take shape.

The children’s visit is a joint-venture by Carillion Building, the firm responsible for the new school buildings, and one of their major sub-contractors Finley Structures.

John Finley, managing director of the family-run firm, said: “The children really enjoyed themselves and, hopefully, they’ve learned a lot.

“We’re committed to involving the community on our projects and it’s always rewarding to see children come in and learn about our operations.

“They all responded very positively and asked our key staff lots of questions which showed their interest.”

Carillion plc is one of the UK’s leading support services and construction companies.

They’re currently working on a 105-tonne new-build at Hebburn School, a 213-tonne new-build at Dene School, a 50-tonne extension at Glendene School and a 213-tonne new-build at SEN1 in Bedewell, Hebburn.

Pupils from Glendene School saw how their new £3m development will take shape, while they also signed a steel plate with their initials, which will be welded in permanently and incorporated into the construction.

Craig Platt, deputy head teacher at the school who also attended the Finley Structures visit, said: “It provided the children with an amazing social experience.

“It gave them an insight into the world of work but it also gives them a sense of ownership with the new-build that’s currently in the process of being constructed

“They’ve seen the process of the raw steel being fabricated at Finley Structures and how everyone works together as a team.

“They found it thoroughly fascinating and they’ve all benefited hugely from the visit.”

Finley Structures have begun a £500,000 expansion of its County Durham factory.

The firm acquired the 39,000 sq ft unit adjacent to its current premises on Aycliffe Business Park to develop the site for its sister company, SCH Site Services.

SCH Site Services is a stand-alone firm which works alongside Finley Structures, focusing on structural steel installation and secondary steelwork packages.
The new site is a £500,000 investment which will create at least 10 new jobs, boosting SCH’s current 27-strong workforce, on top of the 51 current Finley Structures employees.

Finley Structures managing director John Finley, pictured in the site, said “This is a positive development for the group of companies which will create new jobs in the area and enhance the business significantly.

“We have developed the secondary steel work side of our operations in recent months and this new site is a natural progression for SCH.

“It makes sense to segregate the secondary steel work into the new premises in order to maintain our specialised workforce in the separate areas of the business.”

SCH will be looking to employ Contract Managers, Welders, Platers and Labourers at the new facility.

Finley Structures has just completed high-profile contracts with Tolent Construction at Nifco’s new site near Stockton and BAM Construction at its Sunderland Software Centre.

It is also currently working on jobs at North Shields Metro Station for May Gurney Rail Services Limited, Hebburn Primary School for Carillion Building and Central Walker Primary School in Newcastle for Sir Robert McAlpine.

Finley Structures have completed work on their latest high-profile contract in the region.

The County Durham firm has just finished its 700-tonne construction on a new £8.5m state-of-the-art car production site on Teesside – completing the job within a tight five-week deadline.

Tolent Construction are developing the site near Eaglescliffe for Stockton-based company Nifco, which will produce car parts for the firm and create 120 new jobs.

Newton Aycliffe firm Finley Structures won the £870,000 contract to supply, fabricate and erect the structural steelwork for the factory, which is expected to be fully completed by the end of the year.

Managing director John Finley said: “The Nifco project is another example of how far Finley Structures has come in the last few years.

“We’ve reached a stage where main contractors have recognised us as one of the market leaders, both in the North-East region as well as nationally. Our reputation out on site and in delivering projects within budget and deadline is becoming one of if not the best.

“While feeding the Nifco site, we also had other large-scale contracts on the go around the North-East region, including a 300-tonne site at the Sunderland Software Centre and a 315-tonne site at NETPark in Sedgefield as well as major jobs at Nissan’s new site at Washington and another site at North Shields Metro station, and none of these jobs were adversely affected during our time on them.

“Contracts between 300 and 1,000 tonnes are now run of the mill to us, which is a glowing testament to our highly-skilled and dedicated workforce.”

Nifco is creating 120 jobs and safeguarding a further 180 with the expansion of its site on Durham Lane.

The Japanese car component firm, which makes parts for Nissan, Toyota and Honda, currently operates from a 44-year-old site. The new 11,750m-square injection moulding facility is expected to be completed by November and will start production in the first quarter of 2012.

● The picture shows Finley Structures managing director John Finley outside the Nifco site near Eaglescliffe, Stockton. Click here to view the finished building.

The FA Cup has brought a special cause to celebrate for steel boss John Finley.

The managing director of family-run firm Finley Structures sponsored Newton Aycliffe FC’s latest new stand earlier this year to enable their promotion to the Northern League first division.

And when the world’s most famous trophy paid a visit to Moore Lane Park at Aycliffe Sports Club last week, John took some of his father’s football momentos along for good measure.

John and his son Gary are pictured next to the stand which they supplied steel for, the stand was named after John’s father William.

William Finley played for various clubs at Northern League level in the 1940s and 50s, including Black Hall, Lanchester, Bishop, Ushaw Moor, Brandon and Esh Winning Albion, winning 19 trophies.

John and Gary are pictured with all of the trophies alongside the FA Cup, after the famous old trophy paid a visit at Aycliffe’s ground celebrate their first-ever game in the FA Cup at home to Billingham Synthonia.

John said: “My dad would have been as proud as punch to see his trophy’s alongside the FA Cup and the stand being named in his memory.”

Aycliffe won the Northern League second division title last season, and their FA Cup game against Synners was the first-ever in their 46-year history.

John added: “We’re proud to be involved in supporting the local football club.

“Their progress over the last few seasons has been tremendous and we wish them all the very best of luck – not just in the FA Cup this weekend, but for years to come.”