BUILDING WHAT COMES NEXT
Vision – Finley Structures managing director Julie Raistrick says the firm is working on one of the most technically challenging and prestigious projects in the company ' s history. PICTURE: TOM BANKS
interior inspired by the ancient“ Seed of Life” geometric motif.
Suspended acoustic elements will create a calm and contemplative atmosphere for visitors attending events from across the UK and beyond.
For Finley Structures, the project showcases the advanced engineering and fabrication capabilities that have been developed over decades in the Tees Valley.
Founded more than 25 years ago, the company has built a reputation for delivering complex structural steelwork projects across the UK in sectors ranging from education and industrial developments to commercial and specialist structures.
The Haynes Park arena represents another significant addition to that portfolio.
“ It has taken a long time to get over the line,” said Julie.
“ A lot of work, dedication and technical expertise has gone into it from the whole team.
“ It ' s really rewarding to see it now coming to fruition.”
The steelwork programme alone is expected to take around 25 weeks. The dome will be assembled in stages, with a central support ring and radial trusses gradually constructed to create the enormous roof span.
Alongside major projects such as Haynes Park, Finley Structures continues to invest heavily in developing future talent.
The company currently employs apprentices who are progressing through their training while gaining practical
Futuristic – the multi-faith arena at Haynes Park in Bedfordshire will become the largest clearspan building of its kind in the UK, capable of accommodating 25,000 people under one roof. CGI courtesy of Twelve Architects and Masterplanners.
experience on live projects.
Julie believes nurturing young talent remains essential to the long-term future of manufacturing and engineering.
“ We ' ve got two apprentices on the shop floor – Adam Young and Brandon Walton – who joined us last year and they ' ve done really well,” she said.
“ They ' ve picked things up quickly and are contributing to the workforce. It ' s encouraging to see.”
However, while opportunities remain strong, Julie is concerned about some of the wider pressures facing manufacturers and fabricators.
One of her biggest concerns centres on the government ' s steel strategy and changes to steel import quotas.
The policy, which introduces tighter restrictions and additional tariffs on imported steel beyond set quotas, has already had a significant impact on pricing.
Julie says uncertainty surrounding the changes has increased costs across the sector and risks delaying investment decisions.
“ We had the Iran conflict, which started pushing up material prices, transport costs and paint costs, and then we had the changes to steel import quotas,” she said.
“ That has added a further £ 250 a tonne on section sizes.
“ The damage is already done. Even if there was a change in policy, prices won ' t go back to where they were earlier in the year.”
She believes the industry would have benefited from a more gradual introduction of the measures.
“ The concern isn ' t necessarily that there shouldn ' t be protection for UK steel,” said Julie.
“ It ' s the speed at which it has been introduced. It has created uncertainty and that ' s causing some projects to pause while clients wait to see what happens.”
Julie says the effects are already being felt across the construction sector, with a number of developments being delayed despite strong long-term demand.
Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about the future of the business and the wider manufacturing sector.
Projects such as Haynes Park demonstrate the capability that exists within the UK ' s engineering and steel fabrication industry, while highlighting the important role local businesses continue to play on the national stage.
For Finley Structures, the opportunity to help deliver one of Britain ' s most ambitious new buildings is both a commercial success and a statement of intent.
The Haynes Park arena will stand as a powerful example of how North-East expertise continues to leave its mark on landmark developments across the country.
And when thousands of visitors eventually gather beneath the vast dome for the first time, they will do so under a structure engineered and fabricated by a business proudly based in our region.
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