How a 25-year partnership evolved from PSL supplier to Total Talent Solutions provider, delivering MSP, RPO and international resourcing across engineering, technical and professional disciplines.
From 2009, Matchtech took on Ricardo’s Automotive & Industrials temporary workforce as their MSP provider. An experienced Solution Team was assembled to manage implementation and delivery, covering expert workforce planning, supply chain consolidation (from 30 suppliers to a streamlined PSL), contractor delivery, contractor screening, and on-site recruitment expertise.
A dedicated Supply Chain Manager ran a proven programme including supplier briefings, satisfaction surveys, quarterly SLA and KPI reviews, annual compliance audits, and accreditation encouragement including the Supply Chain Sustainability School and SBTi, improving ESG performance in line with Ricardo’s requirements.
Contractor delivery via Matchtech provided engineering, professional and technical skill sets at lower rates than the previous PSL, generating cost savings. The MSP delivered 75 contractors on average per year, rising to c.200 at peak, with 100% fulfilment of temporary talent requirements.
In 2014, following six years of successful MSP delivery, Ricardo engaged Matchtech to encompass permanent recruitment within the solution. Drawing on deep institutional knowledge of Ricardo’s business, Matchtech worked with the permanent TA team to review and consolidate processes, mirroring MSP successes across: overall process management via a Solutions Manager, workforce planning, on-site recruitment expertise, PSL supply chain consolidation, SLA and KPI reporting, and employer branding consultancy to boost Glassdoor scores and EVP via targeted campaigns.
Added value included ESG consultancy via Matchtech’s in-house Head of ESG and Head of ED&I, bid support with candidate provision and market benchmarking, and creation of campaign-specific marketing assets. The RPO delivered up to 200 permanent hires per year, an 18-day reduction in time-to-hire, and raised Ricardo’s Glassdoor score from 2.9 to 4.1 within four months.
As Ricardo looked to grow internationally, Matchtech re-introduced them to international specialist Ben Rogers, who has nearly 10 years’ experience in infrastructure and transportation, with a focus on senior engineering and technology hires across a global portfolio including WSP, Egis, Metrolinx and High-Speed Rail. Ben provided a consultative service drawing on Matchtech’s global office network, covering candidate and client market intelligence in Ricardo’s key target locations.
Matchtech is now Ricardo’s highest-performing permanent and contract supplier across North America, the Middle East and the US. The team identified, scoped and facilitated strategic introductions across 30 bid opportunities, resulting in 2 bid wins and over $11.5m in revenue. Additional support included provision of Canadian office space to assist Ricardo Rail in establishing their own Canadian base of operations, and facilitating CMREA Training for Metrolinx delivered by Damon High (HSRS), free of charge.
Across MSP, RPO and international resourcing, Matchtech’s partnership with Ricardo has delivered sustained and measurable results: 75 contractors delivered on average per year (up to 200 at peak), 100% fulfilment of temporary talent, up to 200 permanent hires per year, an 18-day reduction in time-to-hire, a Glassdoor score improvement from 2.9 to 4.1 within four months, 26 international hires, 30 bid opportunities supported, 2 bid wins, and $11.5m in additional revenue generated through bidding activities. Following multiple contract renewals, Matchtech remains Ricardo’s Total Talent Solutions provider.
