Partnering For Success Archives - Page 3 of 6

Thrive Q1 Update – 2022

The Thrive Committee is committed to the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of all Tandem’s personnel. The committee met early in January to establish activities and events for 2022.

Popular initiatives from 2021 have been retained, such as walking and running groups, healthy eating recipes, the book club, and the gardening group. Additional initiatives that have been added this year include a fitness group, hillwalking activities are planned for later in the year as well as a Waterford Greenway cycle, paddleboarding and some Ziplining.

Thrive issued challenges to the exercise groups and to reward participation have held a draw for a Fitbit / pair of Apple AirPods, the winner of the draw was Emma Twomey. .

Thrive recently held its first lunch and learn. The speaker was Andrew Burke Hannon, Andrew was a participant on Operation Transformation in 2021. Andrew spoke about his life before Operation Transformation, his journey on the programme and how he maintains his healthy lifestyle now. Andrew is an inspiration, not just for his healthy approach to living but also for his charity work.

Shot of a fitness group working out at the gym

Fill Finish (Aseptic Processing)

Fill Finish operations (Aseptic Processing) are an essential element of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical supply chain. The ability to safely, efficiently and robustly produce some of the world’s leading therapeutics in an aseptic manner is critical to the supply of life changing therapies throughout the world.

At Tandem we have a team of Project Managers and Engineers with extensive Fill Finish experience who specialise in the delivery of Aseptic processing projects.

We provide leading expertise in the areas of Fill Finish Facility and Cleanroom design (including GMP design reviews), Clean and Black utility design, HVAC design including Isolator Technology, Vial, Syringe, and Cartridge Filling and Closing, Lyophilisation, Barrier/Containment Technology (Isolators/RABS), Parts Washing and Autoclaving, Formulation and Compounding, CIP/SIP systems, and Ready to Use Single Use Systems. We also provide expertise in Process Automation systems required within Fill Finish facilities.

Tandem delivers these services throughout the entire project life cycle and can offer a full turnkey package from overall Project Management, Concept Design, Detailed Design, (including process equipment specification and procurement), Construction Management, Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation right through to Operational Readiness.

Biopharma Capabilities

The Biopharma sector accounted for €106 billion in national exports in 2020, that was an increase of 17% on 2019 (CSO). The industry continues to make significant capital investments, with over €100 million invested by just four of Ireland’s established multinational biopharma sites in 2021. Facilities are cutting edge and technologically diverse in manufacturing cell and gene therapies, drug substance and drug product.

Tandem brings our clients a wealth of experience to delivering their key projects. Its team of Project Managers, Design Engineers, Construction Managers and CQV Engineers have extensive drug substance and drug product experience and have worked in some of the top Biopharma companies in the world.
Delivering expertise in the areas of equipment specification and design of facility and cleanroom, clean and black utilities, HVAC, electrical, instrumentation and process automation to ensure consistent controlled manufacturing to the required quality standards.

Tandem offers clients a full life-cycle package from overall project management, concept and basis of design, detailed design, (including process equipment specification and procurement), construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation right through to operational readiness for commercial operations.

CSR Update 2021

Tandem chose three charity partners in 2021, Focus Ireland, Make-A-Wish Ireland, and The Rainbow Club – Centre for Autism. As usual, Tandem’s staff and contractors have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our fundraising efforts and in their event participation. To date, Tandem has raised over €6,000 for its chosen charities and its fundraising efforts continue throughout December. Below is a roundup of Tandem’s activities in 2021.

In March, Tandem participated in the Focus Ireland Camino de Quarantine, a virtual walk covering the distance from Saria to Santiago de Campostela, 114km of the French way of St. James. Tandem also fundraised for Easter Eggs that were delivered to both Focus Ireland and The Rainbow Club, just in time for Easter.

In October Tandem participated in Shine a Light Night, in their fundraising efforts for just one day the team surrendered a comfortable night in bed to experience a fraction of what homeless people endure every day.

Also in March, Tandem ran a competition to fundraise for Make-A-Wish Ireland, we packed a jar full of jellybeans and donators guessed the number of sweets in the jar. The closest guess was just 34 sweets off the total! The sweets were then donated to Temple Street children’s hospital.

Throughout July Tandem participated in Make-A-Wish Ireland’s “Wheels for Wishes” campaign. The challenge was to cycle 250km during the month. Also in July, we ran a Virtual Race Night, a night of horse racing with colleagues and their families that was good fun and for a great cause.

In October Tandem organised a fundraising hike on Carrauntoohil in aid of the Rainbow Club, it was a huge success and was a first for many of the participants. One of the highlights of The Rainbow Club’s year is the upcoming Santa visit, Tandem have also raised money to support the gift giving at that event. Tandem has volunteered some time to assist with clearing land for their expansion and will be back again over the coming weeks to further assist with the expansion and to help setting up their all-important Santa visit.

Throughout 2021 Tandem has also engaged with other charities, groups, and sports clubs, delivering sponsorship, and fundraising to support their work and their events. It has been a hugely successful year to date, we thank all our staff and contractors for their support and their time.

Tandem is delighted to round up a great year of Corporate Social Engagement with a very busy December supporting our charity partners. During December, Tandem raised €610 for the Rainbow Club’s Santa visit, and our personnel volunteered to help with Christmas preparation at the club.

Tandem has supported Focus Ireland by volunteering 24 hours during December at the Remembrance Christmas Tree on Patrick Street in Cork, of which Focus Ireland is one of the recipients this year. Our personnel also donated a collection of gift items to Focus Ireland in time for their Christmas delivery to clients.

To end our 2021 CSE programme, Tandem’s Christmas Quiz, Raffle and Auction raised €790 for Make-A-Wish Ireland.

The Rainbow Club Centre for Autism, Focus Ireland and Make-A-Wish Ireland perform amazing work in the service of others every day, and it has been a pleasure working with them all throughout this year. Tandem wishes to thank all of its personnel that have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our fundraising efforts and event participation in 2021!

Rotary Tree of Remembrance Focus Ireland

STEPS Young Engineers Award 2021

During November, Tandem’s Engineers have been participating in the Engineers Ireland – STEPS Young Engineers Award Programme. The STEPS Young Engineers Award encourages 3rd and 4th class pupils to explore the world of engineering by developing a project that would help to improve their local community. Students form an engineering team and take on the challenge of using an engineering approach to find solutions.

Tandem’s engineers delivered virtual presentations to participating classes outlining what it is like to work as an engineer, the students then had the opportunity to showcase their projects and to receive feedback. All of the teachers reported that the students were thrilled with the presentations and the feedback they received on their projects.

Tandem’s STEPS visits in numbers:

5 Tandem Engineers
5 Virtual School visits
3 Counties
23 Young Engineers Award Projects
117 Students

Thanks to Engineers Ireland STEPS for delivering this STEM initiative in primary schools nationwide. Tandem wishes all of the participating schools the very best of luck in the competition!

ISEA Solar Ireland Conference 2021

Tandem attended the ISEA Solar Ireland conference on 14^th to 15^th October. Some of the topics covered in the conference included energy policies, future planning, solar finance and zero carbon networks. Case studies on a utility and commercial scale showed some of the challenges and successes of solar projects undertaken in the last few years. Each topic was well presented and generated an engaging Q&A session at the end. Some of the main points highlighted at the conference:

Renewable electricity generation commitment increased from 70% to 80% as outlined in the National Development Plan.
Micro generation support scheme to be rolled out over the next year.
Relaxed glint and glare assessment requirements to be announced for 2022.
Electrification will be the most effective method for meeting commercial renewable energy targets.
Solar arrays should be sized to accommodate future demand which will increase as heat pumps and EV charging is integrated into commercial and residential settings.
Energy storage becoming more viable with potential feed in tariffs and the current high prices of electricity.
Larger PV systems should incorporate smart PV management with battery storage to avail of grid price variations throughout the day.

The conference was an excellent opportunity for networking and showcased some of the leading solar suppliers in the Irish market. Innovative solar systems were discussed along with the challenges involved in their planning and installation. One key positive is that Ireland has World leading renewable grid integration capabilities and there are ample solar projects already in operation around the world that Ireland can replicate and improve upon.

2021 Advance Graduate Programme

Tandem Project Management extends a very warm welcome to Anne-Marie Leahy, Brian Flahive, Matthew Davidson and Daniel Walsh who recently joined our 2021 Advance Graduate Programme.

Anne-Marie graduated from Munster Technological University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Engineering and joins Tandem as a Graduate Process Engineer. Brian graduated from Munster Technological University with a Bachelor of Business Information Systems and is working as a Digital Transformation Graduate. Matthew graduated from National University of Ireland Galway with a Bachelor of Science in Project & Construction Management and joins Tandem as a Graduate Project Controls Assistant. Daniel graduated from University College Cork with a Master of Engineering degree in Energy Engineering and joins Tandem as a Graduate Energy Engineer.

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 they will also have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle. This rounded approach will equip the graduates to advance their careers in the direction of their choice, while building on the knowledge they have gained to date.

CSR Q3 Update

Wheels For Wishes

Throughout July Tandem participated in Make-A-Wish Ireland‘s “Wheels for Wishes” campaign and raised €500. The challenge was to cycle 250km during the month. Our intrepid cyclists braved the heat, battled the wind and endured the rain to raise funding that will help to grant wishes to Irish children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since 1992, Make-A-Wish has granted wishes for more than 2,600 brave children across Ireland!

The Rainbow Club

The Rainbow Club Cork – Centre for Autism held its annual fundraising golf classic early in September, Tandem was delighted to help sponsor this event.

Pharma Industry Awards 2021

Tandem is delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Pharma Supplier of the Year category of the Irish Pharma Industry Awards for the second year in a row.

The Pharma Supplier of the Year award, sponsored by H2 Compliance, recognises the supplier that has provided a ‘best in class’ service, solution, product or goods to Ireland’s Pharmaceutical industry.

Congratulations and best wishes to the shortlisted nominees across all categories of the 2021 awards. Tandem looks forward to the awards ceremony on November 11th and participating in this celebration of excellence in the Irish pharmaceutical industry.

Thrive Q3 Update

Thrive, Tandem’s EHS and Wellbeing initiative undertook a mid-year survey and received an overwhelmingly positive response as well as comments and suggestions of activities for Q3 and Q4. Thrive is delighted with the levels of participation in its wellbeing initiatives to date and look forward to delivering a fulfilling programme to the end of 2021 and beyond.

The positive response means that Thrive retains a lot of the initiatives that it started earlier this year such as our Cycling, Walking and Running Groups, the Book Club will continue to meet, and our lunchtime Pilates classes will resume this month. We will continue to send healthy recipe ideas to help with meal planning and to host lunch and learn events with upcoming topics to include mental health and resilience, ophthalmic health, money matters and more!

New initiatives include a gardening group. Mags Coughlan, Head Gardener in Ballymaloe House will join our gardening group once per quarter to discuss what’s happening in the garden during the coming season and what jobs are required to keep everything growing. Other new initiatives include HITT classes, language groups and a Nature Photography Competition that will run during October.