Kieran Walsh returns to Tufcoat with a wealth of expertise and innovation

There aren’t many aspects of shrink-wrap projects that Kieran Walsh hasn’t encountered during his career to date.

After five years working hands-on across many of our jobs around the UK and Europe, Kieran gained further experience at Kaefer, where he was instrumental in establishing a shrink-wrap installation team from scratch, with a focus on the marine and nuclear industries.

Now, equipped with even more insight, leadership ability and knowledge of process optimisation and sector-specific regulations, Kieran returned to Tufcoat in September 2023 in the position of Contracts Manager.

It was a big moment for the business – after working on some high-profile projects such as Hinkley Point with Kaefer, Kieran has become a familiar face in the shrink-wrap industry and will be a big asset for Tufocat as we move forwards. 

After almost a year being back with us, we caught up with him to find out what it’s been like since rejoining the team.  

Why did you decide to come back to Tufcoat?

I had done everything I wanted to do at Kaefer and felt as though I couldn’t go any higher than I was already.

At the same time, Tufcoat and Ewan were wanting to go back to working on some of the big, exciting projects that I loved being a part of the first-time round. He reached out, gave me the assurances I wanted about running the installations team, and here we are now!

What is it like being back? How would you describe the Tufcoat culture of 2024?

The time has flown by – I’m being kept busy!

What has stood out for me is how Ewan and the company really look out for installations teams. Regardless of whether we have a job on, our people are properly looked after because we understand the value of family, and we work like one.

There are five of us in the office and we all chip in and work together. We have our own responsibilities and roles, but will jump on an issue collectively. Nobody moans, we get on with it as a team and I think that attitude is felt by customers.

Tell us a bit more about your new role and responsibilities.

The short answer is that I essentially cover everything there is to do with installs.

For clients I am their point of contact for all types of queries, whether it’s in the planning or delivery stage of the project. For bigger jobs, I will physically be on site at the beginning to show the team how the job has been planned. I am also responsible for the development and welfare of our installation teams and handle any issues they may have.

It’s a wide-reaching role that keeps me on my toes, but that’s what I like about it. No two days are the same. Today I’m on the road visiting a job at Villa Park and tomorrow I will be in the office progressing work for clients.  

What is the most challenging aspect of the job?

Trying to cover all bases can sometimes be a challenge. Some of our clients require us to be very reactive and responsive, so we have to be on the ball to keep those longstanding relationships strong. At the same time, we want to expand our business and win new clients, so it’s about striking the right balance between those priorities.  

We are also a nationwide company, and that involves managing projects across the country, so you can see how this can sometimes lead to crunch points when things hit at once!

How has the perception of shrink-wrap changed during you career?

I started out in 2013. Back then, shrink-wrap was seen as a cheaper solution and there wasn’t a huge amount of money in it for scaffold projects. Now, what we have seen is that clients are better understanding the benefits of using constructions screens – this is allowing us to tap into bigger opportunities and bigger projects. 

We also have a better product, especially when it comes to important features such as being independently audited flame retardant. This is a really important selling point for Tufcoat in the building sector.

Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on?

There are many! However, one of my all-time favourites has to be Big Ben because it was challenging and exciting in equal measure.

It was far from straightforward and required considerable planning and precision during the installation. I also found it rewarding because it allowed us to explore the internal workings of this iconic structure, and to get up close with the clock faces. It really is a feat of engineering.

Tell us a bit about your life outside of Tufcoat.

I am passionate about football and dedicate time to coaching my son’s team. It’s a great way to connect with the community, and I enjoy seeing how the players’ skills, teamwork and sportsmanship is developing.

I also enjoy spending time with both of my boys at the beach. Whether we’re building sandcastles, playing in the waves, or simply enjoying some fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine, these moments are precious opportunities to create lasting memories and strengthen our family bond.