Laying the Groundwork

Tomlinson Group
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Join us as we dive into the real challenges shaping our operations! From on site trade-offs and emerging trends, to hard-won leadership lessons that actually move us forward - delivered through straightforward conversations grounded in decades of hands- on work. ​ ​ Whether you're in the field, leading teams, or navigating the industry, join us for insights that inform, challenge, and get things done.

  1. 12h ago

    Below the Surface: What Makes a Great Road?

    Welcome to Laying the Groundwork! In this episode, Francis Brazeau is joined by Asphalt Superintendent Robert Enright and Tristan Brunt from our Quality Control team for a behind-the-scenes look at the asphalt industry. From mix designs and quality testing to road construction, recycling, and emerging technologies, the conversation explores what it takes to build the roads we rely on every day. Rob and Tristan share insights into the planning, teamwork, and craftsmanship that go into building safe, durable, and high-quality roads. Episode Highlights: Rob shares his journey from grading operations to leading Tomlinson's asphalt paving crews. Tristan explains the critical role quality control plays in ensuring asphalt meets specifications and performs over the long term. A look at specialized asphalt mixes, including porous asphalt and its potential environmental benefits. The team discusses why potholes form and the importance of building a strong road foundation. Behind the scenes of a road construction project, bidding and permits to mix approvals and paving operations. How weather impacts paving schedules and the daily coordination required to keep projects moving. An overview of asphalt testing, compaction requirements, and the science behind producing a quality roadway. The role of recycled asphalt in modern road construction and how the industry continues to improve sustainability. Safety challenges faced by paving crews working around live traffic and construction zones. The future of the industry, including automation, GPS-guided equipment, workforce development, and emerging technology. Key Takeaways: "A lot of people don't realize how much hand work and physical labour goes into paving operations." "Anything can happen between the quarry, the asphalt plant, the truck, the paver, and the finished roadway. Quality control is critical every step of the way." "Asphalt is one of the most recycled products in the world." "Recruiting and retaining skilled people remains one of the biggest challenges facing the industry." "When you drive on a smooth road, there's a tremendous amount of planning, craftsmanship, and teamwork behind that finished product."

  2. Jul 29

    Inside the Boardroom: Growth, Expansion and What's Next

    In this episode of Laying the Groundwork, Francis Brazeau is joined by Ron Tomlinson, Michael Clement, and Rob Pierce for a candid discussion about growth, acquisitions, and the relationships that help drive Tomlinson forward. The conversation explores how strategic acquisitions, long-standing partnerships, and a commitment to employees, customers, and communities have shaped Tomlinson's evolution over the years. From Environmental Services expansion and Great Lakes opportunities to the importance of cultural fit and vertical integration, the group shares insights into how Tomlinson continues to grow while staying true to its values. Episode Highlights:Ron reflects on some of the defining moments in Tomlinson's history, from early equipment investments to major acquisitions and industry-changing projects.The group discusses how strong relationships often serve as the foundation for successful acquisitions and long-term growth.Michael shares insights into Environmental Services' expansion across the Ottawa Valley, including the acquisitions of Franklin Disposal and Barron Disposal Systems Inc.A look at Harbour's soil treatment and processing capabilities and how innovation is creating more environmentally responsible solutions.Rob discusses Marquette Minerals and the strategic importance of expanding Tomlinson's presence throughout the Great Lakes region.The team explores how marine transportation, terminals, aggregates, and environmental services work together through vertical integration.A discussion on maintaining culture during growth and why employee engagement is critical during acquisitions.The importance of customer relationships, community connections, and building businesses for the long term.Real-world examples of how cross-divisional collaboration helps Tomlinson solve complex challenges and deliver better outcomes. Key Takeaways:"The majority of the acquisitions we did were looking for the best private operator in an area or discipline that could help vertically integrate our operations.""Growth is really about finding the people and helping them grow within the organization.""Even slight differences in culture can cause challenges. A strong cultural fit is critical.""It's not just about acquiring businesses. It's about building relationships over years and years.""The whole can be stronger than the individual pieces.""When people aren't getting answers, they create their own realities. Communication has to happen quickly and honestly.""We're hard to compete with when we come in as one team.""Growth, integration, and collaboration continue to create new opportunities across the business."

  3. Jun 10

    On the Road Towards Carbon Neutral: Canada’s First CNG Ready-Mix Trucks

    Welcome to Laying the Groundwork! In this episode, host Francis Brazeau sits down with Lee Timmins, our Manager of Technology, Landfills and Regulatory Affairs, and internal compressed natural gas expert, along with veteran CNG driver Danny Gagne to discuss a major environmental milestone: putting Canada’s first CNG Ready Mix trucks on the road. From breaking down what compressed natural gas is to overcoming driver skepticism about power and reliability, Lee and Danny pull back the curtain on Tomlinson’s 50-truck alternative-fuel fleet. The conversation is filled with practical operational insights, a closer look at the infrastructure required, and a few highly entertaining stories from the road. Episode Highlights Twenty Years to an Overnight Success: Lee explains the evolution of CNG technology and why it is a cleaner, stably priced Canadian fuel source.Inside the Fleet: Danny breaks down the different trucks running on CNG at Tomlinson, from where it started to the new, historic ready-mix trucks.The Ultimate Driver Perk: Why skipping the freezing-cold, smelly diesel fill-up at the end of a long shift is a massive win for driver retention.Debunking the Power Myth: Danny tackles the ultimate trucker question "What's the power like?"The Magic of Zero Regens: How switching to a cleaner system completely removes the headache of regens.Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) & The Circular Economy: A look into the future of converting landfill waste and organics into carbon-negative fuel.Opened to the Public: How Tomlinson’s Moodie Drive facility is helping smaller local fleets make the green transition with a public fast fuel station. Key Takeaways & Quotes On Driver Perks: “When I come back to the yard and we still have diesel trucks running, and I see the guy standing there and it's raining or minus thirty, I just drive by... grab the nozzle, plug it in... Done.”On the Power Myth: “You can have the fastest car in Ottawa, but there's still a speed limit. There's still potholes.”On Environmental Impact: “You're seeing a twenty to thirty percent reduction in emissions once you move to CNG.”On Fleet Maintenance: “My truck has been down just as much as a diesel truck would have been”On Infrastructure: “That infrastructure can't be understated... we can leverage that existing infrastructure to power our future.”On Future Energy: “Maybe our landfill should be looked at as giant batteries of the future because all the materials in there that we could chemically convert back into an energy source.” Whether you are navigating alternative fuel infrastructure, looking for ways to make your supply chain more sustainable, or just love heavy equipment innovation, this episode delivers a transparent, boots-on-the-ground look at the future of Canadian transit and construction.

  4. May 13

    Mentoring the Next Generation

    Welcome to Laying the Groundwork - the newly rebranded Tomlinson podcast. In this inaugural episode, host Francis Brazeau sits down with two of Tomlinson’s longest-serving team members: Dennis Colautti and Andre (Andy) Michaud. With nearly 100years of combined experience, they share candid stories and hard-earned wisdom on mentoring the next generation in construction. From family legacies and old-school foremen to modern challenges like training younger team members who may lack field experience, Dennis and Andy pull back the curtain on what it really takes to develop strong, capable leaders at Tomlinson. The conversation is filled with practical advice, funny stories, and valuable lessons on patience, integrity, planning, and building relationships that last. Episode Highlights Dennis’s remarkable family story - from his grandfather’s immigration to restarting the family construction business Andy’s journey starting at 18 on an iron crew under the “meanest foreman” in the business The famous “Padding” story - how a $30k–$40k mistake became one of Dennis’s most important teaching tools The 24-Hour Rule: Why patience and calculated responses matter in high-pressure situations Old-school wisdom vs. new realities - the importance of field experience, picking up the phone, and building real relationships Letting young team members “fail safely” and challenging them to think critically Tomlinson’s culture of integrity, customer service, and pride in the work Key Takeaways & Quotes On Patience: “I have a twenty-four hour rule… don’t give the answer right away. Sleep on it overnight. Think about it.” On Learning from Mistakes: “It was a real big learning curve… I learned my lesson and developed so we weren’t going to have it again.” On Mentoring: “Sometimes I’ll let them win one… and let them fail - as long as it doesn’t cost very much money. That way they learn.” On Communication: “You don’t just send an email and wait two weeks. Get on the phone. It takes five minutes.” On Leadership: “Do the hardest thing first in the morning… Don’t run away from anything.” On Tomlinson Culture: “They were never shy about doing the right thing and always supplying the right equipment and the right people.” Whether you’re a seasoned leader, a new team member, or someone considering a career in construction, this episode delivers timeless, practical wisdom rooted in decades of real execution.

  5. Apr 8

    Red Army Radio – Something Big Is Coming

    Red Army Radio has been the place where Tomlinson stories found their voice – a space built on pride, people, and the projects shaping our communities. Now, that legacy is evolving. Red Army Radio is getting a full rebrand. We’re taking everything you already love about the show and moving it into a bigger, bolder direction -one designed to take listeners deeper into the real-world processes that define the construction and environmental services industries. Whether you’re navigating industry trends, tackling operational challenges, or looking to stay sharp in a rapidly evolving field, this new chapter offers informed, authentic dialogue that resonates with professionals like you. We can’t wait to share the new name and the very first episode with you this May! Until then… stay tuned.

  6. 12/10/2025

    Inside the Boardroom: What Leaders Want You to Know in 2025

    Welcome to Red Army Radio — the official Tomlinson Group podcast celebrating the people, projects, and progress driving our business forward. In this year-in-review episode, host Francis Brazeau is joined by Adam Hendriks, Ryan Downing, and Ron Tomlinson to break down the biggest wins, toughest challenges, and most surprising moments in the past year. Together, they reflect on how Tomlinson teams responded to major external pressures — including the February tariff shock and unexpected technology setbacks — while still delivering standout results in construction, materials supply, environmental services, and logistics. The conversation highlights cross-divisional collaboration, frontline resilience, and innovations that are shaping the future of our operations. Ron shares a breakthrough sustainability milestone: producing green asphalt without natural gas or conventional fuels, a major step forward for low-carbon road building. Adam spotlights the Thunder Road project, a standout example of circular construction that used 100% recycled materials while maintaining performance standards. The group also dives into a fun and revealing “Myth vs. Reality” segment, clearing up common misconceptions in the industry — like the idea that Head Office only focuses on strategy, that winter is downtime, or that quality slows production. They also unpack the real story on AI in construction, emphasizing that artificial intelligence is being adopted as a productivity and decision-support tool, not a replacement for skilled people. To close, the team looks ahead to what’s next: expanding the salt business, launching a new conveyor system at Ontario Trap Rock, and exploring opportunities to offer Material Supply and Logistics (MSL) services to external customers. Episode Highlights Tariff Surprise & Industry ImpactHow February tariffs sent shockwaves through operations — and how Tomlinson teams rapidly adjusted forecasting and planning.Green Asphalt InnovationA sustainability win: creating asphalt without natural gas or conventional fuels, reducing emissions while maintaining quality.Thunder Road Recycled Materials A landmark construction project proving recycled materials can deliver top-tier results at full scale.Myth vs. Reality: Construction & Head OfficeDebunking myths about field vs. office roles, winter operations, and the connection between quality and productivity.AI in the Industry (Productivity, Not Replacement)Real examples of how AI supports contract evaluation, tendering, and data analysis to help teams work smarter.The Challenge Coin StoryThe origin of the core values challenge coin and how it reinforces recognition and appreciation across Tomlinson. Key Takeaways & Quotes Resilience in Action“The thing I take away is that the Red Army just jumps right in and gets things done… it doesn't affect our business.”Innovation That Works“We were hoping it was going to work. We were happy when it did work.”Customer Strength Comes from the Field“The field is probably the greatest source of positive interactions with the customer side.”Quality Drives Speed — Not the Other Way Around“Quality does not slow us down. And we've learned that lesson firsthand a few times.”AI as a Competitive Advantage“AI is code for trying to use technology to get better at what we do and make decisions faster.”Always Evolving“We need to constantly change and evolve… and we will just continue to do that.”

  7. 11/12/2025

    Great Lakes, Greater Logistics: Inside Tomlinson’s Marine Shipping & Logistics Team

    Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with Rob Pierce and Rory Hughes from Tomlinson’s Marine Shipping and Logistics team. In this episode, we explore the massive world of shipping, dock development, and marine logistics from Ontario Trap Rock’s quarry operations in Bruce Mines to the evolving Universal Terminals site in Morrisburg.  Rory shares how the team is transforming the Morrisburg dock property, remediating soils and preparing the six-acre dock and fifty acres of industrial land for full-scale development. Rob breaks down the complexities of moving thousands of tons of stone across the Great Lakes and the partnerships that make it possible, including Tomlinson’s joint vessel ownership with McKeil Marine.  Together, they reveal what it takes to move millions of tons of material across North America’s waterways, the ingenuity behind new conveyor systems and dock expansions, and how teamwork and readiness turn unexpected opportunities into success stories.  Episode Highlights  Revitalizing the Site: How the team turned a fuel terminal into a modern marine logistics hub ready for large-scale development. The Power of Traprock: Why this dense, durable aggregate is in high demand for highways and rail lines across North America. Owning the Supply Chain: The strategic partnership with McKeil Marine that gives Tomlinson control from quarry to customer. Engineering Ingenuity: Installing a multi-kilometre conveyor under a highway to move material directly from the quarry to ships. Unexpected Opportunities: How the team helped deliver a massive grain dryer too large for road transport - proving readiness pays off. Smart Logistics: Using AI modeling to optimize shipping schedules, dock layouts, and product handling efficiency. Team Dedication: 24/7 coordination between quarry, docks, and marine carriers to keep shipments on schedule.    Key Takeaways  “Sometimes it’s about touching the material less to ensure better quality.” “There’s not a whole bunch of stuff we can’t handle.” “Every time you talk to a grain farmer in eastern Ontario, they’re looking for more outlets for their product—and we want to be part of that solution.” “Never a dull day. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, there’s another curveball that gets thrown your way.”

  8. 10/15/2025

    Building Bank Street with Chadwick Haines and Robin Malyon

    Welcome to Red Army Radio!  Today, Francis sits down with Project Manager Chadwick Haines and Superintendent Robin Malyon to talk about life on one of their larger projects — the reconstruction of Bank Street from Riverside to Heron.  In this episode, we get into what it’s really like managing an integrated road, sewer, and utility project in the heart of the city — where every day brings a new surprise underground. Chadwick and Robin share how their team has kept things running smoothly through unexpected conflicts, deep excavations, and constant pedestrian traffic, all while keeping morale high and the work moving forward.  They also open up about teamwork, learning lessons, and what it means to lead a crew that truly cares. From hidden “duck banks” to late-night concrete pours, this one’s packed with humour, honesty, and heart from two of Tomlinsons team members.  Episode Highlights  How Chadwick and Robin got into the construction industry. A behind-the-scenes look at the Bank Street project When unexpected duck banks forced the team to dig twelve feet deeper than planned. How keeping the same crews on site built communication and trust. Navigating pedestrians, traffic pinball, and unexpected changes.  Shoutitng out all the team members that make this project run so smoothly. The stress of the first change order — and learning to stay calm through daily surprises. Robin’s lessons in patience and mentorship with new team members. The power of collaboration with Robinson Consultants and the City of Ottawa. The Chipotle wrap.  Key Takeaways  “Stuff comes up, we find a solution, we move on.”  “On this job we have over one hundred and ten CRs so far… over one hundred and sixty changes.”  “You can’t ask for more in a superintendent.”  “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had before on a job… I’m gonna be sad when this job ends.”  “I think patience — we deal with a lot of younger people these days and just taking time to sit down with them and explain stuff.”  “We had maybe thirty meters of pipe in… and then there was another duck bank”  “Any problem you need a solution to, we can find it.”

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About

Join us as we dive into the real challenges shaping our operations! From on site trade-offs and emerging trends, to hard-won leadership lessons that actually move us forward - delivered through straightforward conversations grounded in decades of hands- on work. ​ ​ Whether you're in the field, leading teams, or navigating the industry, join us for insights that inform, challenge, and get things done.

Information

  • Creator
    Tomlinson Group
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Tomlinson Group
  • Show Website
    Laying the Groundwork

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