A FAMILY-RUN steel fabrication firm is helping build a £19m university development.

Finley Structures is working on a 400-tonne project for the University of Lincoln.

The company, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is supporting contractor BAM Construction on the Sarah Swift Building, which will house health, social care and psychology schools and a medical development centre.

The deal reflects another coup for Finley after it erected 500-tonnes of steel for BAM on the university’s £16m Isaac Newton Building, used to teach maths, engineering, computer science and physics.

Jim Graham, Finley’s operations manager, said the Swift contract has given the firm’s order book an extra edge, adding he hopes it will pave the way for the business to forge closer links with BAM.

He confirmed talks are now underway with BAM bosses, with Finley hoping to become one of the company’s top 300 suppliers.

He said: “Just to be in discussions about becoming a category A supplier is a great achievement.

“It’s not just ticking a box, it’s a formal agreement and a legally-binding contract, which is not a very quick process.

“But it’s recognition for your company, its values and performance, and as a family-run business we’re delighted to have this.

“We’ve done a number of projects for them, which is why we’re now standing out to them.”

Earlier this year, Finley revealed contracts worth more than 1,000-tonnes, which comprised a 616-tonne framework for a London business park and a 432-tonne structure at Workington Academy, in Cumbria.

It also took on new staff, including a management accountant and welding inspector, to maintain its momentum.

Known for building the steel frame on the main factory of Hitachi Rail Europe’s £82m Newton Aycliffe train factory, Finley has carried out work for projects across the country.

It supplied well in excess of 2,000 tonnes of steel for the Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds, supported Sunderland-based car maker Nissan’s factory expansion, and is now working on a 1,900-tonne waste-to-energy plant in Hull.

The firm also erected 500-tonnes of steel for the £18m Middlesbrough Sports Village and put up a 380-tonne frame for Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, east Cleveland.