it’s in the family - finley structures · finley structures was established in 2000 by john...

Issue 8, Summer 2014Finley Structures Newsletter

It’s InTheFamily...

Family-run firm established 2000: www.finleystructures.co.uk

Three generations of the Finley familytake centre stage at steel ceremonyon historic Hitach site...

Finley Structures Newsletter Issue 8, Summer 2014

Welcome to the summer 2014 issue of

our company newsletter.

As you will no doubt know, we’re currently

constructing the steel frame for Hitachi Rail

Europe’s new train-building facility in Newton

Aycliffe, on behalf of main contractor Shepherd

Construction.

We were recently privileged and very honoured

to take part in a steel ceremony hosted by

Hitachi and Merchant Place Developments

recently, where I was given the opportunity to

address guests.

It was a very special moment for the Finley

family, with my daughter Grace and father John

in attendance, it made up three generations of

our family.

Finley Structures was established in 2000 by

my father, John. However, my mother Valerie

also played a major part, and very rarely gets a

mention. But, as they say, behind every good

man, is a good woman.

John's ambition was to build a company that

would create sustainable employment, while

delivering top quality products and service.

The company has grown immeasurably over

the years, slowly increasing the workforce,

picking up bigger, high-profile contracts and

increasing turnover year-on-year.

To us, this project is more than just a contract.

It's an historic one.

It will bring train-building back to the birthplace

of the railways. It will bring hundreds of jobs to

the area and then thousands more in the supply

chain.

It will help to create prosperity and, for Aycliffe

Business Park, it will raise the profile.

There’s lots of other news and up-to-date

projects in this newsletter.

I hope you enjoy it.

Julie

Managing DirectorFinley Structures Ltd

Whinbank Way

Aycliffe Business Park

Newton Aycliffe

Co. Durham

DL5 6AY

T: 01325 328120

E: [email protected]

W: www.finleystructures.co.uk

Newsletter produced by Mantis Media

T: 01325 728024

E: [email protected]

W: www.mantis-media.com

Proud moment forFinley family at Hitachisteel ceremony

Welcome

www.finleystructures.co.uk

We’re a family-owned

company providing

structural steelwork to the

construction industry.

Our premises are based on

Aycliffe Business Park, in County

Durham, providing a central

location and flexibility to supply the

whole of the UK.

Whilst providing a wide range of

structural solutions, the company

specialises in the production of

portals, trusses, beams and

columns.

We’re determined to ensure that

customers’ requirements are met at

all times with quality and cost being

at the forefront.

As a team we guarantee that

delivery is timely and strive to

achieve a first class reputation to

be at the leading edge within the

construction industry.

We are continuously investing to

ensure we have the latest

technology and software.

Finley Structures was established

in 2000 by John Finley and, since

then, we have grown significantly.

We’ve increased our workforce

and worked on high-profile projects

up and down the country.

We have reinforced our position is

one of the market-leading steel

fabricating firms in the country.

About us...

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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.

News



Economics graduate joins us as newSenior Quantity Surveyor

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.”

Uni students learn about steel fabrication

● Eddie Pitchers gives the Durham University

students a tour around our factory.

Finley Structures Newsletter

History...

PICTURES...

Below (top left): John Finley with daughter Julie and grandaughter

Grace during the ceremony.

Below (top right): Phil Wilson MP on site with John and Julie Finley.

Below (bottom left): Shepherd Construction’s Regional Managing

Director Andrew Constantine with John and Julie Finley.

Below (bottom right): John and Julie Finley with Geoff Hunton from

Merchant Place Developments.

News


Issue 8, Summer 2014

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!”

...in the making

Right: 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.

Holy TrinityMain Contractor: Shepherd

Construction Ltd

Tonnage: 350

Site Date: June 2014

Burton BoroughMain Contractor: Shepherd

Construction Ltd

Tonnage: 162

Site Date: May 2014

Lakeside AcademyMain Contractor: Shepherd

Construction Ltd

Tonnage: 336

Site Date: June 2014

Middlesbrough

Sport VillageMain Contractor: Willmott Dixon

Tonnage: 500

Site Date: July 2014

National Biologics

Centre, DarlingtonMain Contractor: Interserve Ltd

Tonnage: 305

Site Date: July 2014

Poniel Warehouse

17 & 18Main Contractor: Muir Construction

Ltd

Tonnage: 278 + 278

Site Date: August and October 2014

Teesside UniversityMain Contractor: Bam Construction

Ltd

Tonnage: 516

Site Date: September 2014

Victoria Gate,

LeedsMain Contractor: Sir Robert

McAlpine

Tonnage: 1895

Site Date: November 2014

Finley Structures Newsletter

Some of our current & future projects...

We recently completed a 1,400-tonne contract to build the steel frame for Nissan’snew car manufacturing facility in Washington, on behalf of Sir Robert McAlpine.

Projects


Issue 8, Summer 2014

Our 300-tonne HebburnCommunity Hub contract

for Willmott Dixon.

Design ServicesDesign and build contracting forms an integral part of our

activities and it is for this reason that we’ve employed a

chartered structural engineer with over twenty years’

experience in the particular skills that design and build

requires. Working in line with current public policy on

government buildings we are undertaking level three BIM

co-ordination utilising our own 3d design and detailing

software in conjunction with Navisworks and Revit

Architecture.

We recognise and appreciate that engineering decisions

can greatly effect the success of a project, and thus have a

particular skill base and vast knowledge that can benefit

our clients, not only in terms of cost, but program duration.

Our engineer uses the latest analysis software 3D

modeling packages to find the optimum solution to any

structural engineering problem.

Our Design facility is at the forefront of modern industry

techniques, and is able to offer the complete service to the

construction industry, from individual connections on

consultant led projects to full design of the most complex

structures on a ‘design and build’ basis.

All design information is able to be imported directly into

‘3-Dimensional’ CAD systems, providing immeasurable

speed and accuracy.

DetailingOur in house drawing office is equipped with the latest

structural steel CAD draughting software. The main

software packages being used are:

• Ace Cad Strucad

• Auto Cad 2009

• Tekla X-Steel

We also maintain strong commercial relationships with

numerous local drawing offices to pool collective

experience and capacity if beneficial to a project.

Linked to the Fabrication Department, the Drawing Office

are able to download construction and fabrication drawings

direct to the factory CNC machinery for steelwork

preparation.

With certain Sub-Contract elements e.g. Cold Rolled

steelwork, we are able to upload our drawings and CAM

data directly to their machines, enabling the quickest turn

around available.

It is our company policy to use e-mail for the transfer of

drawings and information as much as is practically

possible.

Production

On a 5 acre plot, our 88,000 square foot state of the art

production facility incorporates the most advanced

computer numerically controlled machinery (CNC)

available.

Our experienced workforce can tackle projects from portal

frame and beam and column buildings to the most complex

structures.

All machinery in the factory is linked to the technical

department by a network of fibre optic cables to ensure

speed, efficiency and the elimination of human error. All

processes are completed in one fabrication facility with a

dedicated checker ensuring quality is kept at its highest

level.

A just-in-time manufacturing process is utilised with steel

being supplied from local suppliers in planned 'Lots'.

Fittings and main shafts are identified with part or erection

marks, easily identified after erection for the CE marking

system requirements and tractability. This then ensures the

specification of our product complies with both the

manufacturing standards and the relevant Euro codes for

building and construction.

Within our facility, we use Kaltenbach saw/ drill CNC

machinery and have full shot-blast facilities, which are

controlled by our production control system. This is

complimented with the two “fabrication speed lines", which

are a form of moving conveyor system, each line being

160m long. Over 28 speed line bogies are used in the

transfer of the steel where they end in a 15,000 square foot

paint hall. This area gives us the flexibility to offer a range

of surface finish specifications.

The site has a loyal, trained and highly skilled workforce

that work hand-in-hand with shopfloor management and

contract staff to provide a quality product delivered to

programme requirements.

Site InstallationWe can offer clients the full solution to our structural

steelwork requirements. Our flexible approach allows us to

undertake work ranging from simple beam work to complex

building frames.

We recognise that no matter what is achieved in our

workshop and offices it is our site performance which is

where we are most visible. We share the aims of the Main

Contractors Group (MCG) in pushing for higher levels of

training for site workers. In accordance with the MCG

Charter, 100% of Finley Structures site employees hold

CSCS certification.

Our experienced and fully trained site teams work hand in

hand with an appointed Contract Manager to ensure that

the frame is erected on time, and most importantly in a safe

manner. The Contracts Manager will be empowered to take

decisions on behalf of the company, attending site

meetings and accepting site instructions.

We will work closely with not only the client's professional

team, but also other site trade contractors, to plan and

execute our site activities efficiently. Through our extensive

experience we are able to suggest unique installation

techniques when faced with complex site constraints.

When faced with challenging site issues, we would at all

times search for a solution to minimise any consequential

impact to the project.

Well before we start on site, a Method Statement and Risk

Assessment are developed including a detailed description

of the work procedure including the Crane Lift Plan. All

erectors are fully briefed and committed to the Method

Statement, this commitment is carried through to the site

inductions and once the site is live the same commitment is

reinforced with regular toolbox talks.

We accept no compromises on safety and our SHEQ

Manager Mark Stones carries out routine inspections of all

our sites, a copy of the site report is always sent onto our

clients for discussion.

STOP AND THINK

EQUALS ZERO

HARMAll aspects of the business are working

in line with Zero Harm which has been

achieved coming up to two years. As

the Company philosophy is for every

employee to stop and THINK prior to them

carrying out any task in order for them to ensure they are

working safely.

AccreditationsIISO 9001:2008 & ISO14001:2004

Achilles Supplier Management

Construction Line

Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme

CSCS Certificate of Commitment

Steel Construction Certification Scheme

What we do



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