Finley Structures, a Newton Aycliffe-based steel structure fabricator, has invested more than £500,000 in a new cutting machine to help it increase production capacity and improve efficiency.
The family-run business has also invested in a new 7,500 sq ft manufacturing space to accommodate the machine, adding to its existing 88,000 sq ft facility on Aycliffe Business Park.
Within months of being installed, the Voortman tool has already recorded efficiencies of more than 10 per cent, with further improvements expected.
Finley’s production controller Philip Metcalfe said: "Our fittings department previously was four men using four machines producing 17.5 tonnes per week – now it’s two men using two machines producing 20 tonnes per week.
"The extra labour created will be used in other areas of the factory, meaning we’ve increased overall output, and we can also potentially provide fittings to other local fabricators."
Finley Structures has been working on a 640-tonne project for main contractor Galliford Try at Durham University’s Maiden Castle sports facility.
It was the second major project to be awarded from Galliford Try, with Finley Structures also working on a 930-tonne contract at the CTAR Building in Leeds.
Finley was also boosted with a triple contract win from BAM Construction towards the end of 2018.