Company Performance Metrics
- Robin St Martin: Founder & PresidentPast Role: Dealco Investigations, General Manager
Iron Horse Security is one of the largest security organizations in Canada. Originally founded by Robin St. Martin in 1994 with minimal startup capital, Iron Horse Security has since grown into one of the most well-known security companies today. The company has been recognized for its focus on technologically advanced, cutting-edge security
solutions.
In addition, Iron Horse Security has been credited with helping to transform the image of the security industry as a whole. Founder Robin St. Martin has stated that from the very beginning, he wanted Iron Horse to push back against militaristic, “thuggish” security industry stereotypes in favor of a more friendly, approachable philosophy. This overall approach has been compared to the guest experience strategy taught at the Disney Institute. Iron Horse employees often state that they are heavily trained in matters related to customer service in addition to their security training.
Today, Iron Horse Security has won more awards than any other security company in Canada. These include 14 consecutive Consumers Choice Awards, 9 Consecutive listings on the Profit 500 and Profit 100 lists of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Businesses, a Top Choice Award, and countless others.
Since its inception, Iron Horse Security has expanded its services considerably. The company now offers not just traditional private security services, but also guard training, government security, investigation services, concierge services, alarm response, mobile patrols, and many others.
Iron Horse Security has been praised for giving back to its community. As of 2021, the company employs well over 2,000 team members in the Ottowa area. After 26 years of sustainable growth, the company emerged as the sixth-largest private employer in the province - narrowly trailing Nokia.
The company’s community service initiative ensures that all of its team members are fully compensated for up to 8 hours of community service per week. This means that Iron Horse Security is responsible for providing more than 15,000 hours of service to its community each year.
Iron Horse Security was founded in 1994 by Robin St. Martin. After receiving a small amount of funding from local banks, St. Martin started Iron Horse Security and initially ran the company from a single office. The company focused on a customer-first approach and took advantage of technological security solutions. This approach helped Iron Horse grow over the next few decades into a much more substantial organization.
Iron Horse’s philosophy is to hire team members that share their philosophy and then train them as needed. Because of this approach, Iron Horse Security has invested heavily into its own training academy. Candidates can receive a wide range of training certifications through Iron Horse, including advanced security guard duties, first aid, C.G.S.B. Guard training, non-violent crisis intervention, and cultural sensitivity training. Within days of completing these courses, successful candidates can find permanent work through Iron Horse Security.
Over the years, Iron Horse Security has developed a number of focus areas in terms of its security services. These areas often require a highly specialized approach to deliver security solutions.
For example, Cannabis retail establishments in Canada can be especially vulnerable to security concerns, and Iron Horse Security has targeted this niche with a wide range of specialized services. In addition, the rise of Covid-19 has prompted this security company to explore a number of additional services. These include the manufacture and distribution of hand sanitizer dispensing stations for its client base. During the pandemic, Iron Horse Security also altered its policies to promote and provide social distancing, temperature screening, PPE, and access control for its clients. How Robin St. Martin turned Iron Horse Security into one of Canada’s Largest Employers
The story behind Iron Horse Security is a truly inspiring one. Today, the company is one of the largest security companies in all of Canada, and it employs thousands of hard-working team members. It is one of the largest private employers in Ottowa, rivalling tech giants like Nokia for supremacy when it comes to hiring Canadian. So how did it all happen? Rewind a few decades, and you’d find Robin St. Martin working in a small office with a handful of employees.
Back when Iron Horse Security was still striving to make a name for itself, St. Martin knew that there was something missing from the typical security company most companies relied on. These companies all seemed the same. They employed “thuggish” military types, and they seemed to embrace this tough, aggressive brand image all too eagerly. Robin knew that this type of branding wasn’t sustainable, and he decided to go in a completely different direction with his own company.
Today, Iron Horse Security has carved out a unique identity due to its unwavering focus on customer service. As Robin will tell you, this company is all about the customer. This meant abandoning the traditional militaristic image of typical security companies and embracing something totally different; a friendlier, approachable aesthetic. In the end, this strategy made Iron Horse a much more attractive and professional option compared to many of its competitors.
One of St. Martin’s most often-repeated quotes is “Surround yourself with good people, and good things will happen.” It’s easy to see how this simple idea has become an important foundation of Iron Horse Security. Robin has built an impressive leadership team over the years. Robin St. Martin also focused on another key area when building this security company from the ground up. He knew that there were many opportunities to improve existing security methods with innovative technology, and he made sure that Iron Horse was always using modern technological solutions when providing services to its customers. This was another key decision that allowed Robin to set Iron Horse apart from the crowd from the very beginning.
Today, Iron Horse Security is the most heavily decorated security company in the nation, having won more awards and accolades than any other. These include 14 consecutive Consumers Choice Awards, a Top Choice Award, and a Business of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce. The company has also been listed on the Honor Roll of the Better Business Bureau for 26 years in a row. In addition, Iron Horse Security was listed nine consecutive times on Profit 500’s list of “Canada’s Fastest-Growing Businesses.”
The company has also adapted and evolved based on Canada’s changing economy and national marketplace. For example, the decision to legalize cannabis in Canada led to an entirely new line of business for Iron Horse Security, one that the company quickly seized upon. Today, Iron Horse Security specializes in providing advanced security solutions for Cannabis retail establishments. Iron Horse helps these establishments deal with many of the unique security concerns associated with this new industry.
As Iron Horse Security emerged as an industry leader, it assumed the responsibility of training the next generation of security professionals. Today, many individuals who want to pursue a career in the security industry turn to Iron Horse Security for training and guidance. Iron Horse’s training academy helps candidates earn a wide variety of certifications. These include advanced security guard duties, first aid training, non-violent crisis intervention, and cultural sensitivity training. Iron Horse Security also helps students achieve CGSB (Canadian General Standards Board) certification. This level of certification allows prospective security workers to apply for a number of different jobs, including opportunities offered by the federal government.