County Durham steel firm solidifies growth with seven new contracts

A steel fabrication company based in the North East is set for expansion after securing a raft of new contracts since the first lockdown.

Newton Aycliffe construction specialist Finley Structures has won seven new contracts since March, totalling 2,000 tonnes of steel.

Founded by John Finley in 2000, the firm celebrated its 20 year anniversary in August. John’s daughter Julie Raistrick is currently at the helm of the firm, which has secured work on projects such as the Milburngate regeneration in Durham and the Spark project at Newcastle Helix.

In addition, the firm has won an 800-tonne project at Hexham School for Galliford Try, a 500-tonne job at Leigh Academy in Rainham for Bowmer & Kirkland and were also awarded a 600-tonne contract for BAM Construction at Benton Park School in Leeds.

Julie commented: “Our 20th celebration has been clouded by Covid-19 and the only question I’ve been asked in recent months is how our business has been affected by the pandemic.

“Yes, we have been affected, but I am pleased to say that it’s not all negative. We have been fortunate enough to have work to carry us right through the pandemic, our sites remained open, so we continued to deliver. And our management team have also been hard at it – working on prospective projects and pricing up jobs.

“During lockdown, we have won seven new contracts, and there are others pending for the new year, so it’s working out really well considering, and we remain very confident about the future.”