Category: Company News

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Services

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become an essential part of the project design process as it facilitates smart, efficient and robust designs, reducing environmental impact and overall project costs, whilst providing increased cost certainty. The BIM model can ultimately be adopted post handover by the client for the qualification, maintenance and management of the facility and systems, whilst in operation.

At Tandem Project Management, we specialise in providing Structural, Architectural, Mechanical & Electrical BIM services to the Pharmaceutical, Medical device, Tech and Commercial sectors alike.

We provide BIM services throughout the project life cycle from concept design and visualisation, detailed design and coordination, to simulation, scheduling and constructability reviews. The Revit and 3D software we use help our design teams collaborate, innovate, and connect with clients in more productive ways.

Tandem Project Management uses Building Information Modelled (BIM) on projects to develop a coordinated design solution which align with the architectural design intent of the project. We have the capability to produce design stage BIM models from Level of Development LOD100 (concept) to LOD500 (operation) with accompanying 2D design layouts. The BIM team can produce video clips, walk throughs and renderings of a model to showcase the design intent to the clients key stakeholders.

BIM is an important tool for coordinating services and equipment to facilitate the operation and maintenance requirements of the new or existing building. Tandem adopt a clash avoidance philosophy from the outset, to supplement scheduled clash detection reviews, resulting in a more streamlined design process. A final clash detection operation, incorporating all the approved construction elements, is carried out prior to Issue for Construction, avoiding costly delays and potential site rework.

The BIM model is also used to obtain material and equipment quantities to assist with providing accurate cost estimates, procurement and overall cost control throughout the project.

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.

2020 Success: Six Sigma Green Belt Training

In early 2020 Tandem established a cross-department Lean Team tasked with reviewing our systems and processes and identifying improvement opportunities. This team held workshops with each department and identified several opportunities where minor changes could yield significant efficiency improvements.

In May Tandem partnered with Lean Ireland who developed a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt programme certified in compliance with ISO 13053-1. The customised programme introduced participants to concepts such as DMAIC, SIPOC and A3 planning. All elements, including case studies, workshops and continuous assignments, were delivered virtually.

Tandem had 7 participants complete the programme and one has successfully delivered their Green Belt project, receiving certification in November.

The experience has been hugely beneficial to Tandem for the following reasons:

  • Successful Green Belt projects demonstrate and validate cost saving opportunities
  • Green Belt projects generate an appetite for reducing waste by challenging and improving process performance
  • All efficiencies help Tandem to remain competitive and to offer improved value to our customers
  • Green Belt projects generally comprise of cross-functional members which promotes teamwork within the organisation
  • Individual professional development (CPD) with progression opportunities

As an Engineers Ireland CPD accredited employer Tandem is always seeking to develop our team and we are currently preparing a further programme of Yellow and Green Belt training for 2021.

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.

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