Category: Company News

CIF Safety Week 2020

Tandem held a very successful week of events in October 2020 to coincide with the Construction Industry Federation’s Safety Week.

The topics covered included mental health and wellbeing in construction, plant and pedestrian safety, occupational health in construction, working safely at height and emergency preparedness.

Tandem’s mental health and wellbeing presentation centered on destigmatising issues around mental health. It focussed on the stresses that occur in the construction industry that may affect mental health and how to look after your mental health in the workplace and in life.

According to the HSA the greatest risk to pedestrians on construction sites is from vehicles & mobile plant. Tandem focussed on Construction Plant Blind Spots.  Safety around mobile plant is upheld by adhering to pedestrian routes, paying close attention to signage, wearing Hi Vis PPE, using the Thumbs Up communication method when approaching plant operators, coaching & mentoring behaviours in others & looking out for each other.

To demonstrate occupational health in construction participants were shown a video emphasising how easily Silica dust particles are formed & their long-term damage to lungs. Damage can be avoided by using dust suppression methods & wearing Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE). Briefings were also delivered on Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) & resulting damage, manual handling injuries & consequences, contact dermatitis & other skin conditions caused by cement. 

Working at height continues to be the greatest causal factor for fatal workplace injuries in construction. In the year to date, 45% of construction workplace fatalities have been related to falling from height. Tandem’s activities included the importance of correctly securing your harnesses when working at heights, emphasising safety around Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, which are regularly in use on site.

The finale of safety week was emergency preparedness and what better way to demonstrate preparedness than a practical fire alarm drill. The drill was successful, each person knew their responsibilities upon the alarm sounding, they acted accordingly and everyone on site was accounted for. Planning and preparedness are key to ensure the safety of all team members in a real emergency.

Tandem believes that the key to a successful and safe workplace is a TEAM effort – Together Everyone Achieves More!

The Future of Engineering

When Tandem meets with students, undergraduates and graduates interested in pursuing a career in engineering, we are always impressed with the technical ability, drive and enthusiasm that we see in budding young engineers.

As part of our CSR programme, Tandem engages with The Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award, STEM South West, and i-Wish. Tandem also hosts TY students annually and employs undergraduate interns and graduates through our Advance graduate programme.

Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme encourages primary school children to see the world of engineering that exists everywhere in their environment, in their home, on their street and in their community. Tandem actively engages with the STEPS Young Engineers Award, visiting schools, explaining to children what it is like to work as an engineer and encouraging them with their engineering projects. We always see a spark of inspiration in 3rd and 4th class primary school children when they are introduced to engineering through the Young Engineers award.

STEM South West and i-Wish are opportunities to meet with secondary school students, provide encouragement and to answer all of their questions regarding engineering as a career.

Our goal is to give our graduates rounded, cross discipline, full lifecycle training and experience, and in return we see inspirational young men and women contribute fully, enthusiastically and purposefully to the world of work. Working with young engineers is wholly beneficial to our entire operation.

This year’s graduate fairs have been moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions. This has not affected our ability to engage with potential candidates for the Advance programme. UCC’s first virtual fair took place recently and was found to be targeted and seamless, producing great results for our graduate recruitment campaign.

The Future of Engineering

Tandem’s current graduate engineers have a lot of say about the Advance Graduate Programme:

“The support I have received from Tandem has made the transition from college to the work place an easy journey and I anticipate the experience will only get better as the years go on.”  Evan O’Donovan.

“The experience I am gaining on the programme will no doubt be invaluable to my career as a process engineer.” Maria Costello

“The Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has given me vital hands-on experience working in the Pharmaceutical industry.” Gary O’Leary

Tandem is delighted to play a significant role in helping shape the careers of these young engineers and recognise very clearly the benefits we receive from their being part of our company. In Ireland, the Future of Engineering is strong and its potential is immense.

Pharma Supplier of the Year Award Nomination

Tandem was shortlisted in the 2020 Pharma Industry Awards, Pharma Supplier of the Year category. Receiving a finalist nomination is a proud achievement for Tandem.

Our award submission centered on our company culture of results, collaboration, flexibility, developing our people and maintaining strong relationships with our clients. Our submission described our proven innovation in solving complex engineering issues, demonstratable repeat business from clients and evidence of our clients’ satisfaction levels through customer survey results.

Each member of the team contributes daily to Tandem’s success. Tandem wishes to extend thanks to them for their dedication to maintaining high levels of productivity and quality of services for its clients, especially during the pandemic. Tandem recognise that it is the work of our team that has occasioned this award nomination.

Tandem also wishes to thank its clients for their support during our ten years in business. One of the highlights for Tandem has been to help our clients deliver successful and fulfilling projects that ultimately improve peoples lives.

Tandem is delighted to have been a finalist among very strong contenders for this award. Congratulations to everyone involved in organising and producing this virtual awards event and many congratulations to all of this year’s Pharma Industry Awards winners!

Advance Graduate Programme Update

In 2019 Tandem welcomed Maria Costello, Gary O’Leary and Evan O Donovan to our Advance Graduate Programme. Advance is a three year programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure graduates achieve as broad an experience as possible, on both a professional and personal level in these crucial first years of their career. By the end of the programme, graduates will not only have gained significant experience in their chosen discipline, but have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle which will equip them best with driving their careers further in the direction of their choice, while further building on the knowledge gained to date.

“I have just completed my first year as a Building Services Engineer in the Tandem Advance Graduate Programme. During the past 12 months, I have worked as a Black Utilities and HVAC CQV Engineer on a new pharma site. The experience has allowed me to work alongside clients and contractors on site and to gain an understanding of what is required when working in a commissioning role. With 2 years still remaining in the programme I look forward to joining the design team and seeing a project through from start to finish through the stages of design, installation and commissioning. The support I have received from Tandem has made the transition from college to the work place an easy journey and I anticipate the experience will only get better as the years go on.” Evan O Donovan

“The Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has given me vital hands-on experience working in the Pharmaceutical industry. During my first year on the program I have been working on site, allowing me to gain a broad range of experience working in a Fill Finish environment. I have participated in executing development trials of new equipment and introducing it into site. I will benefit greatly from the skills I have gained on site when I return to the design office for the next stage of the programme. Gaining on site experience that I can use to improve my design skills is the greatest strength of the Advance Graduate Programme”. Gary O’Leary

“My time on the Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has been excellent. I have had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across multiple sites. I have gained hands on experience in aseptic processing and extensive knowledge of Fill Finish and cleanroom operations. My next rotation is in the design office, where the process knowledge I have gained can be applied to the project design lifecycle. The broad spectrum of experience that the programme offers allows me to not only gain experience as an onsite process engineer, but also allows me to work on projects from the initial design stage through to completion. The experience I am gaining on the programme will no doubt be invaluable to my career as a process engineer.”  Maria Costello

We currently have opportunities for Graduates with qualifications in:

  • Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering

If you are interested in applying for our Advance Graduate Programme or if you require more information please click here.

Advance Grad. Programme

Advance Graduate Programme

Tandem Project Management extends a very warm welcome to Ciara O’Connor who recently joined our 2020 Advance Graduate Programme.

Ciara joined Tandem as a CSA Intern for 5 months in 2019 and excelled in her work. Following her work placement, Ciara was shortlisted for the Joe Gantly Prize in Engineering from University College Cork in conjunction with Cork Chamber of Commerce. Tandem is delighted to welcome Ciara back and wish her every success.

Advance is a three year programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure graduates achieve as broad an experience as possible, on both a professional and personal level in these crucial first years of their career.

At the end of the programme, graduates will not only have gained significant experience in their chosen discipline, but have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle which will equip them best with advancing their careers further in the direction of their choice, while further building on the knowledge they have gained to date.

Recent Project Wins

August 2020

  • Biologics – MSAT and Analytical Laboratory preliminary design
  • Pharmaceutical – Security and ERT building detailed design
  • Pharmaceutical – Compressed air generation building detailed design
  • Biologics – Compressed air generation and distribution concept design
  • Semiconductors – Project Management of Headquarters building fit out
  • Biologics – Project Management of fill finish upgrade
  • Medical device – Large manufacturing expansion detailed design
  • Medical device – Utilities master planning
  • Medical device – Canteen expansion detailed design
  • Pharmaceutical – Office fit out detailed design
  • Industrial – Manufacturing expansion construction management and PSCS
  • Industrial – Manufacturing fit out detailed design
  • Industrial – Cold chain logistics expansion- BCAR services
  • Pharmaceutical – HAZOP, ATEX and other process safety services

Tandem Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary!

10th July 2020 marked Tandem’s 10th Anniversary. Tandem is delighted to reach this milestone in such a strong position to enter into the next decade of its planned growth and expansion.

Thank you to all who have supported Tandem during our 10 years in business. Thank you to our personnel for their hard work and dedication in building Tandem’s reputation for collaboration and delivery.

Thank you to our clients, some of whom have been with Tandem since its inception in 2010. Tandem will continue to deliver a best in class service to its valued clients and look forward to developing existing and new relationships on future projects.

Since 2010, our team has delivered over 800 projects and we enjoy regular, repeat business with over 40 clients from multiple sectors. Looking to the future, Tandem is embracing opportunities to further enhance its services through digitisation and lean methodologies. Our long-term strategy will see the team steadily grow and our activities expand further into Europe.

Tandem’s Response to Covid-19

Tandem’s responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and determined, with the safety of staff, contractors, clients and their extended families to the forefront of Tandem’s concern.

Tandem moved to a remote working model in March 2020 and put in place all necessary requirements for a safe, comfortable home working environment. Tandem improved systems accessibility for all, to ensure that work carried out remotely was to the same high standard and timelines that our clients have come to expect.

Throughout the pandemic, Tandem has provided strong communication and direction regarding government updates, how they affected Tandem, what plans were in place and how work would be managed going forward. This clear and concise information was imperative to a successful transition to remote working.

Tandem staff have shown great dedication to their tasks, working remotely and collaboratively, with each other and our clients, to meet project milestones while delivering the same high-quality work.

Tandem communicated with all contractors and temps on a biweekly basis to ensure that their safety on client sites was adequate, to address any issues they might be facing and to check in on their personal well-being, and that of their families. Connectivity with our wider team at this time was vital to ensure that our people remain safe and have the resources they need to carry out their work effectively. 

Tandem has developed client driven solutions to constraints raised by COVID-19 restrictions. Tandem’s COVID-19 Essential Support Services were designed to assist clients during this time, these services included: Operations Return to Service, Construction Return to Service, Portfolio Management, Concept Design and AutoCAD / Revit support. All services offerings start with safety and government recommendations at their core and ensure that the most time efficient and cost-effective results can be achieved.

As we now plan for a return to our offices nationwide, we do so with safety as our primary concern. Social Distancing measures, a one-way traffic flow, hand sanitizing stations, meeting protocols, an Isolation room, illness, travel & return to work protocols etc. all form part of the new normal at Tandem.

Tandem’s Press Coverage

Tandem is delighted to share links to press coverage received, Tim Mulhall was interviewed by FORA and by The Examiner.  In both interviews Tim speaks of the importance of our team, their continuous development and their unique skill sets that enable our flexible and collaborative approach to the delivery of best results for our clients. Tim also speaks of our methodical and quantitative approach to risk management.  See the full interviews here:

Irish Examiner – Tandem Interview

Fora.ie – Tandem Interview