Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 41 | Page 14

14 | Aycliffe Today Business
Finley Structures production manager Phil Metcalfe (centre) and
production controller Alex Sutherby (left) with production control
assistant Liam Gamsby – all three have worked their way from the
shop floor to the office.
By Martin Walker
Production manager Phil
sets positive progression
trend at Finley Structures
P
roduction manager Phil Metcalfe is
setting a positive career progression
trend at family firm Finley Structures.
The 35-year-old was just 20 when he
started working for Finley’s in 2004, starting
out making fittings, before working his
way to the office and now heads a 40-man
production team.
As well as climbing the career ladder with
the firm, Phil has also passed his driving
test, bought his first house, started a young
family with his wife and relocated to Newton
Aycliffe from Darlington during his 15 years
with the firm.
“My time with Finley Structures has seen
me grow on every level,” says Phil.
After leaving school in 2000, Phil studied
an engineering course at Darlington College
and then worked for a couple of small
structural fabricators in Darlington.
An opportunity came up at Finley
Structures, programming fittings in the office
for the machines, while he also worked in
estimating.
“When I joined the company we had six
management staff, now as the company has
grown we have 17,” added Phil.
Finley Structures’ policy of trying to
progress their young staff is clearly paying
dividends, as two
other employees are
following in Phil’s
footsteps.
Production
controller Alex
Sutherby started
as an apprentice
welder with Finley’s
12 years ago but has
been in the office for five years now.
And ambitious young production assistant
Liam Gamsby has recently been appointed
production control assistant – he’s now
working under the guidance of Phil and Alex.
“I’d like to make the same progress Phil
has over the years,” says 19-year-old Liam,
from Bishop.
“Finley Structures have shown they’re
prepared to develop their staff, so there are
genuine good career opportunities if you
want them, regardless of how you enter the
industry.”
Phil added: “I started out making fittings
on the shop floor and then I started
programming in the office, which is what
Liam is already doing now.
“I was also a trainee estimator at the time,
so I’ve worked my way through the office
doing different jobs, which has given me
useful experience of various sides of the
business.”
Finley’s joint-managing director Julie
Finley says it’s important the company
future-proofs the business by promoting
from within as well as recruiting other staff
externally.
She added: “Young people who’ve worked
on the shop floor have a good, thorough
understanding of production and how it
works, which we think gives them valuable
tools for the future if they’re looking to
progress their careers in the office.
“We’re delighted with the progress Liam
has made and, under the expert stewardship
of Phil and Alex, he’ll be given all the help
and guidance he needs to progress his own
skills and experience.”