Top 10 Under 40: Martin Anderton

Martin Anderton, regional manager, Ontario, at Frontline Machinery, has been named as a recipient of Rock to Road’s Top 10 Under 40.

Each year, the Top 10 Under 40 list celebrates the future leaders of the roadbuilding and aggregate industries.

If you’re going to sell and service equipment designed for the aggregate industry, it helps to have first-hand experience with the machines. Martin Anderton gained his experience at one of the most high-profile construction projects in Canada: The Site C Dam.

For more than two years, Martin worked with Peace River Hydro Partners as the production foreman for the construction of the massive hydroelectric dam being built on Peace River near Fort St. John, B.C. He was responsible for daily operations and the organization of assets and personnel through coordination with the site superintendent and construction manager.

The assets Martin managed included the crushers, screeners, and wash plants for the company, as well as management of the aggregate stockpiles. So, it’s no surprise that with this knowledge under his belt that another B.C.-based company specializing in solutions for the aggregate market quickly became interested in Martin’s skillset: Frontline Machinery.

“I was finding ways to make better processes, wear parts and equipment, and had reached out to Daryl Todd (president of Frontline Machinery) for different materials for blow bars. A couple of years later, I met some Frontline sales technicians while installing optical belt scales for the crushing and screening equipment at Site C dam. It was perfect timing because I was looking to move back to the coast from living in Fort St. John, but looking to stay in the same line of work. I got reintroduced to Daryl and Royden Todd (vice-president of operations) and for two months we talked about the possibilities to see if it would work for both of us.”

Marty ended up accepting a position at Frontline Machinery in the role of technical advisor and product support. Over the next two years he used his field experience and knowledge to assist Frontline’s customers.

“During his two-year tenure in this role, he demonstrated sound knowledge of crushing and screening equipment, implemented a variety of processes to improve our business and built excellent relationships with our customer base,” says Crissy Ram, senior director of marketing and business development at Frontline Machinery.

“Marty is still called on a regular basis from our customers here in the west, as they lean on his guidance and support. Marty has a passion for crushing and his field and operator experience allows him to excel in equipment optimization, technical troubleshooting, and equipment training. He has performed and led a variety of audits and training programs for Frontline.”

Martin’s quick success in his role with Frontline led to him being offered a promotion in the form of a new adventure and challenge: the role of regional manager for the company’s recently opened branch in Woodstock, Ont. Martin happily accepted the new role and moved to Ontario with his family in September 2020.

“He has played an instrumental role in leading and growing our Woodstock branch, and servicing the aggregate producers and recyclers in the Ontario market,” Crissy says.

Martin’s leadership has helped the branch grow and flourish in a new market.

“It’s been just over a year in the new role, and I’ve got a growing team, and growing success,” he says.

One key role Martin has been playing is in getting Frontline’s service department up and running.

“We created an on-site, parts-on-demand system. We can have a parts container on site, fully stocked – shovels, wear plates, different belting and components for the machines. Customers can put it together or we can respond. On top of the equipment rentals, we created another level of experience for the customer to reduce unnecessary downtime,” he says.

Martin’s favourite aspect of his role at Frontline is working with his team.

“I don’t think I would here if it wasn’t for the team I’m supported by,” he says. “It’s the team that surrounds me, and I love the industry, it’s evolving every day. Technology is changing every day. I’m in a constant state of learning, instead of sitting in an office staring at a screen five days a week.”

Martin’s current goal is to keep building and growing Frontline’s brand in Ontario and beyond.

“I want to keep on growing. Not only growth in Ontario, but potentially further east,” he says.

Martin’s advice to young people looking to enter the industry: find a mentor.

“I definitely believe that mentors are your biggest avenue to success in this industry,” he says. “When I got into it full-time with Peace River Hydro Partners, I had a few mentors that helped me learn. Find someone that has experience and guidance to give you, and I don’t think you’ll go wrong. Opportunities in this industry are endless. That’s what has allowed me to get to where I am right now.”