Interview with Ashton Sandilands ; Regional Manager Australasia
Hello Ashton, tell us about your career journey and how long you have worked with Alimak Group ?
My journey started with a company called EW Cox in ’98 as an electrical apprentice, I started in the factory and moving across to the service department in my early years. I then accepted a number of opportunities to be part of, and also lead some international BMU installations and projects such as Taipei 101, Shanghai World Finance Centre and Burj Kalifa in Dubai are some that I look back on fondly.
As the groups international growth really started to take shape I relocated to the USA. I spent the best part of 14 years there with a short stint back in Australia during the 2008 GFC . My initial task was to establish and develop a service business, and as the business continued to grow I returned there in 2011 and assumed the GM position and further developed the region into a key market for the Group. At the end of the US stint, and a couple of years after Alimak Group had acquired the Facade Access business I spent 2 years in Dubai in a Sales focused role. I have since moved back to Australia with the responsibility of the Australian Facade Access & Height Safety & Productivity Solutions businesses.
What job are you currently in, and what does this entail ?
My current role has me responsible for both the divisions Facade Access & Height Safety & Productivity Solutions business in Australia. I have Sales and Profit &Loss responsibilities, which includes new equipment projects and quite a mature service business along with the sales and development for the Height Safety & Productivity Solutions division which I’m looking forward to transitioning its profit and loss over to Australia in 2025.
What have been the biggest challenges and successes so far ?
The biggest challenge in my many roles really relate to the delivery of our new projects. We have taken on a number of high-profile projects over the years, and some with very demanding customers. Working to deliver these efficiently and profitably takes an enormous amount of effort and alignment from the whole team. Many we have done really well, which has been very rewarding on reflection, and others we’ve learnt from, and then been diligent to ensure we do not repeat them.
What keeps you at Alimak Group ? What do you like most about working for the company ?
I think I have been quite fortunate to have been part of this business, and I would like to hope, part of the success story of what is the Facade Access Division today. Although the Division may not be where it could be just yet, there is a great story that I’ve been part of, and behind the small, and larger companies of late, that through acquisitions make our division what it is today. No doubt there will be more to play out in the future, and that’s exciting to know we will not stand still.
Do you have any leaders you’ve admired? If so can you tell me why?
I’m not sure I can pick out one in particular as there have been a few in different stages of my career. The owner of EW Cox Hartmut Hoffman I think is one I really took some inspiration from in my early years. Knowing the challenges he had navigating his company through some really tough times be it market challenges, financial struggles, union challenges, and I guess seeing that now through more “mature eyes” is really one to commend and be respected. Although a long and tough journey, I think it paid off for him in the end too.