Tag: Tandem

Spotlight on Services: Talent Solutions and on-boarding during COVID-19

2020 has been a year of significant changes and challenges posed to the talent management team and recruitment processes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, we have continued to successfully hire into roles by embracing and quickly adapting to a new way of working with both our clients and candidates, albeit virtually!  With the quick migration from the office or site, to remote working or a hybrid of remote/site set ups, this has meant that video conferencing tools have become an integral part of both the hiring and onboarding processes.  

Candidates have seen a shift from face to face interviews to remote video calls along with onboarding from home without meeting other members of their team.  

In response to that, we have seen companies surmount these new challenges by devoting time to ensuring positive experiences for new team members, ensuring equipment has arrived in advance of their first day, planned team introductions, regular virtual meetings, mentoring and formal training programmes being implemented.  

It has been a pivotal year but one that has seen the successful transformation of new hiring and onboarding practices that may very well remain in some form in the future.  It is testament to our ability to adjust to a new reality while continuing to do business in a safe and applicable way.

“Thanks to the help of Tandem and their client, the interview and the onboarding process has been very smooth. In spite of my concerns at the beginning because of this new situation, I feel completely engaged with the values of the company and within a team”.  – Compliance Specialist, Dublin.

Enter the Eurozone – Enterprise Ireland

Tandem has successfully completed the Enterprise Ireland – Enter the Eurozone Programme 2021. Tandem is one of just 20 companies nationwide selected to participate. The programme is designed to assist current Irish exporters in opening further doors in Europe, and to equip companies to take advantage of the dynamic, prosperous and stable market that is the European Union. Europe has many advantages such as a growing and diverse market, it is easy to reach and it operates with the same currency and regulations. Increasing Irish exports to the EU is a key growth strategy of Enterprise Ireland.

The programme is delivered by the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin (ESMT) and supported by IMS Marketing with access to market growth business advisers. The programme incorporates five phases including initial invitations and networking, market intelligence gathering, developing a market specific value proposition, identifying required resources, route to market and the development of a market growth plan.

There is a definite sense of comradery between participants on the programme and a burgeoning support network of Irish exporters at the same phase of their export journey. Participants hail from a multiple industry types with varying market sectors as their targets. This variety creates positivity as there is no competition, only support of each other and the common goal of European market growth.

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!

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

Spotlight on Services: Client Representative Team and Operational Readiness

Tandem’s ethos is one of collaboration, communication and providing our clients with the subject matter expertise they need to reach a successful project completion, which means that clients can be assured of a consistently high level of service throughout the full project life cycle.  

Tandem understands that our client’s project requirements vary, we work collaboratively with our clients to deliver bespoke solutions that meet their needs. At times clients may not have the capacity to coordinate external consultants, vendors, contractors and other stakeholders while they are focussing on managing existing operations.  Tandem will act as the Client Representative Team and manage the full project lifecycle on behalf of our clients, while ensuring that all key stakeholders are engaged and communicated with.

Tandem can deliver a highly experienced project team including engineering consultancy, project management, safety, cost and contract management, procurement, scheduling, document control, construction management, CQV and operational readiness services.

In addition to our Client Representative Team, Tandem offer stand-alone Operational Readiness Services. Tandem assists clients in the operational readiness of their facility for validation batches and subsequent commercial manufacturing. Tandem have developed a coordinated plan methodology, ensuring that client’s schedule to commercial production is expertly managed. Tandem provide expertise in coordination of stakeholders, using effective and open communication, providing governance and operational readiness risk management.