Tow Professional - Volume: 8 Issue: 6

Volume 8 • Issue 6 • 2019

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2019

Wall of the Fallen Amsden, Phillip F. Buffington, Michael Charles Cisneros, Patrick Cline, Garold L. Davenport, Jerry E. Dean, Ernest Linden Eldridge, Steven E. Geremillo, Erwin Mendoza Haas, Trevor A. Hernandez, Richard Arturo Hettmann, Jesse Holt,Sr., Keith Humphries, Elwood Allan

Jones Jr., Clarence C. McGough, Charles C. Morga, Juan Manuel Morris, James Robert Passmore, Jr., Willie J. Pilon, Edgar Arthur Raasch, Kevin B. Souther, Jr.,Clarence Hugh Sprinkle, Benny G. Stewart, John L. Taylor, Jr., Paul Wayne Throne, Jason Stuart White, Michael R.

Name Unveiling Ceremony October 12, 2019 - 10 a.m.

BECAUSE THE WORK DEMANDS IT.

TOW PROFESSIONAL

CONTENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Volume 8 • Issue 6 WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

FEATURES:

TOWING & RECOVERY

6| 8| 10 | 12 | 14 |

Jerr-Dan Hino Trucks TRAA TLC Truck and Equipment

WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT

GEICO

INSIGHTFUL TALK

BY DAN MESSINA ///

16 |

26 | 30 | 34 |

Jerr-Dan Hide-A-Lift Dynamic

Competitor/ Pricing

an expert Witness

42 |

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

20 |

& Beach Bash

Leading By Example

COMPANY Spotlight ///

22 |

Surburban Towing 50th Anniversary

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Editor’s Letter

38 | 2

56 | 63 | 64 |

Pitts & Sons Wrecker Service

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Dealers Place Market Place Ad Index

EDITOR’S

LETTER Volume 8 • Issue 6 WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

“REMEMBERING THE FALLEN”

In

this issue, we are honoring those towers who have lost their lives in the line of public service. The Wall of the Fallen, a memorial wall located at the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame Museum (ITRHFM) in Chattanooga, TN, is dedicated to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to assist those in need on the side of the road. The mission statement printed on the wall itself and listed on the museum’s website (https:// internationaltowingmuseum.org/wall-of-thefallen/) is: “To honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to generate public awareness of the dangers involved in the towing and recovery industry, and to permanently record and Tow Professional petitioned commemorate those involved in fatalities in the Kay Ivey, our Governor of towing and recovery industry.”

Alabama, and had the month of As Tow Professional goes out to tow company August declared “Slow Down, owners all over the US, we want to extend a deep Move Over” Awareness Month. respect for those who have lost their lives and a compassionate concern for their surviving families.

For those of you who want to donate to help the families who have lost income because of their unexpected tragedy, you can donate directly from the ITRHFM’s website to the museum’s “Survivors Fund” which gives immediate financial help to the suffering families.

Also, in this issue, we want to extend a big thanks to all the attendees and exhibitors for another successful show, our 2019 Southern Tow Expo and Beach Bash in Orange Beach, AL! From 100 presidents, vice presidents, and key members from towing associations across the Southeast, Midwest, and farther including local first responders, we booked our meeting room for our Association Dinner to capacity! If you were not able to attend the show, we have included in this issue a play-by-play for you on all the events that happened.

Finally, we are excited to announce that Tow Professional was able to get our Governor, Kay Ivey, to declare August “Slow Down, Move Over” Awareness Month. If you are interested in getting the same done in your state if you have not done so already, then feel free to contact me here at gene@towprofessional. com, and I will send you the exact process we went through, so we can heighten awareness even more across the nation!

Keep Reading and Stay Safe!

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 8 • Issue 6

Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com Butch Cole National Sales butch@towprofessional.com

PRODUCTION Gene Eudy Editor gene@towprofessional.com Clint Cabiness Creative Director clint@dialedinmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS James E. Lewis Dan Messina Darian Weaver - Tow Professional

Executive and Advertising Offices 2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B Birmingham, AL 35244 Toll free: 888-802-8544 Fax: 205-978-1550 www.towprofessional.com Tow Professional is published nine times a year by Over The Mountain Media, Inc., 2007 Old Montgomery Hwy., Suite B, Birmingham, Alabama, 35244, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices.

Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Recovery’s Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.

For a new free subscription, address changes or corrections, please visit www.towprofessional.com and click on the “subscribe” tab.

Gene Eudy Editor, Tow Professional 4

PUBLISHER

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INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH TRUX ACCESSORIES, AN INNOVATOR IN THE TRUCK ACCESSORY MARKET Trux™ Brand Now Offering Assortment of Headlights, Dual LED, and Worklights to Jerr-Dan

4X40-Trio

TLED-H100

TLED-H104

TLED-U120

TLED-U103 6

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Hagerstown, MD (August 13, 2019) – Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK) and a single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, announces a new partnership with Trux Accessories to begin selling its assortment of Headlights, Dual LED, and Worklights to Jerr-Dan distributors at a competitive price. Trux Accessories is a leading manufacturer and innovator in aftermarket LED lighting, chrome and stainless accessories offering original accessories with detailed design and quality for the trucking industry.

“We are very excited to work with Trux Accessories on tthis new business partnership. With more than 19 years of industry experience in the accessory trucking industry, T Trux is one of the leading companies in their category and will be a key partner for us as we look to expand our Aftermarket parts,” said Maria Mestre, parts manager A at Jerr-Dan. “Our goal is to be an assortment one-stop source for our customers.”

This brand-new assortment of Trux lights includes easy to install and retrofit Worklights and Headlights; direct light replacement into any brand of truck as well as the Dual LED Lights (additional installation required) allows for truck light customization.

“We are honored to partner with a leader in the towing and recovery business such as Jerr-Dan, known for their innovative towing equipment and commitment to excel in customer service. Our company has built a reputation the most unique and innovative accessories on providing prov for the ttrucking industry, and we feel this partnership is a perfect fit for us,” said Ian Fodor, senior director business development for Trux Accessories. “Customer service develop and atte attention to design and detail is what has made us pioneers in the industry of chrome and LED lighting.” pioneer JerrJerr-Dan and Trux Accessories has a committed team off product, prod pricing, purchasing, and customer support profess professionals ready to assist with any parts needs. To take advanta advantage of this new business partnership, customers are encouraged enc to contact their local distributor. To purchas purchase and take advantage of this new parts offering, locate a Jerr-Dan distributor at www.jerrdan.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

HINO CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY

Novi, MI – Hino ushered in a new era of manufacturing capability during a Grand Opening Ceremony that was attended by Governor Justice, Senators Manchin and Capito, Congressman McKinley, local government officials, dealers, customers, suppliers and media. The attendees took part in a tour of Hino’s nearly 1,000,000 sq. ft. facility in Mineral Wells, WV, a tree planting tradition and a Kagami-Wari ceremony to consummate Hino’s growth commitment to the U.S. Hino Motors Ltd. President and CEO, Yoshio Shimo, attended the event and commented, “Hino is committed to building its trucks and products in the market it operates in. We have committed $100 million in capital investment into our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, generating 250 new jobs. Today, I am excited to announce an additional commitment of $40M in investment to meet increased demand and product configurations, creating an additional 250 new jobs, totaling 800 team members.”

“Hino has been a tremendous partner to the State of West Virginia since 2007,” stated Governor Justice. “With 800 West Virginians planned to be employed by Hino, they continue to be one of West Virginia’s biggest employers.

We thank Hino for their continued investment in the great state of West Virginia.”

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Hino’s first truck rolled off the assembly line at the new plant in June where it will continue to assemble all class 6, 7 and 8 conventional trucks, including its newly released class 7 and 8 XL Series. The new facility can produce 15,000 trucks a year on one shift, providing Hino the capacity it needs to continue to grow in the U.S. Hino continues to be the fastest growing commercial truck brand in the U.S. in its competitive class.

About Hino Motors Manufacturing and Hino Trucks. Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. (HMM) headquartered in Novi, MI, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hino Motors, Ltd., and sister company to Hino Motors Sales, Inc., (Hino Trucks) also headquartered in Novi, MI. Together, HMM and Hino Trucks manufacture and distribute America’s fastest growing premier truck brand in both the medium and heavy duty commercial truck markets. With a national network surpassing 240 dealerships, and a combined seven facilities spanning five states supporting manufacturing, R&D, Sales and Parts Distribution, the two companies employ over 1,450 people.

Learn more about HMM at http://hmmusa.com. Learn more about Hino Trucks at http://www.hino.com

• • • • •

Towing (LD, HD) Lot Management Recovery HD Repair Transport / Heavy Hauling • Relocation/ Private Property

SIMPLER: Easier to Use • Streamlined data entry (and easy reuse) • Pre-set account pricing or “on-the-fly” • Integrated Credit Card processing, with pre-authorization

SMARTER: More Effective • Visual Dispatch - ALL open jobs, ALL available trucks, on ONE screen: drag, drop >> assigned = better deployment • Pinpointing of incidents by Dispatch = shorter driver ETA’s • Locating “lost” customers using their cell phone

TEAMWORK: Faster • Drivers input Extras, customer email, and signatures for damage and charges • Mobile app calculates correct pricing for on-scene payments • Streamlined accounting with link to QB

MORE

PER DR CALLS

IVER

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Getting More Involved Q & A With Elizabeth Martineau-Dupuis, Director of Education The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) has been a hot topic of conversation recently, Darian Weaver sat down with Elizabeth Martineau-Dupuis, TRAA’s Director of Education, to learn more about the organization and how members can get involved:

DARIAN: Let’s talk about members, who’s your membership?

Elizabeth: TRAA is a membership organization first and foremost.

As with most towing associations, our membership includes towing companies, manufacturers, industry associates, and even individual towers. Legislative representation is a primary goal for us. And only by working together and forming a united front, can we get anything done politically.

DARIAN: How does someone get more involved in TRAA? Elizabeth: It’s actually very easy for a member to get more involved with TRAA. They can come to an event, whether our Legislative Action Workshop in DC or one of the several events we host in conjunction with tow shows across the country. Member representatives can also volunteer for one of TRAA’s many committees. Most of our standing committees reset biennially with the election cycle. When that happens, we solicit our membership for qualified volunteers. If a member has an expertise in a certain area, they’re encouraged to apply for that committee. This year we had a bunch of new volunteers for committees, so that’s great.

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DARIAN: Is the process the same for the TRAA Legislative Advocacy Network® (TRAA LAN®)?

Elizabeth: Because of the slow nature of legislative change and the political process, the TRAA LAN® has a slightly different procedure.

First, their terms are for six years instead of two. Second, each LAN representative’s application is reviewed and voted-in by a majority of the TRAA Executive Cabinet. It’s a check and balance really, the TRAA LAN® makes legislative recommendations, but they can’t take any action on behalf of TRAA without the Executive Cabinet’s permission.

DARIAN: Why is volunteering so important?

Elizabeth: There are so many reasons why volunteering is important!

TRAA is “the voice of America’s towing industry.” In order for that to work, we need everyone to work cooperatively towards solutions.

Especially politically where strength comes from numbers. Our other incident management disciplines know this and do a great job of getting their voices heard because of it. TRAA has a federal lobbyist now, which has been fantastic in opening doors, making connections, and furthering our goals, but we still need the input, expertise, and activism of members to get this critical work done. Help us help you; engage and get involved!

To learn more about the Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA), please visit traaonline.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

TLC Truck & Equipment Products Spotlight

PETERBILT 337 LOADED WITH JERR-DAN 22FT X 102 INCHES WIDE XLP LOW PRO CARRIER/ ROLLBACK • 260HP PX-7 CUMMINS 6.7L ENGINE • ALLISON 2200RDS AUTO TRANS WITH PARK GEAR AND PUSH BUTTON SELECTOR ON DASH • AIR BRAKES, AIR RIDE SUSPENSION • 22.5 LP TIRES, ALUMINUM WHEELS • STAINLESS STEEL WHEEL HUB AND LUG COVERS • CUSTOM 20” CHROME BUMPER • CHROME HEATED & POWER MIRRORS • CHROME DROP VISOR • CHROME DEF TANK COVER • LOGO SHIELD ROUND AIR HORNS • ALUMINUM FUEL TANK • AIR RIDE DRIVER SEAT, 2 PERSON PASS SEAT • 26000GVWR. 10,000LB FRONT, 20,000LB REAR

JERR-DAN BED • 22FTXLP (LCG) 6TON CAPACITY ALUMINUM BED 102 INCHES WIDE • 5- FUNCTION WIRELESS REMOTE FOR BED FUNCTIONS • 3,500LB WHEEL LIFT WITH L-ARMS 12

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• METALLIC PAINTED COLOR OF CHOICE CROSSBAR • METALLIC PAINTED COLOR OF CHOICE SIDES AND HEADBOARD • FIXED ALUMINUM BLADE RAILS • CUSTOM STAINLESS-STEEL HEADBOARD SIDE COVERS • CUSTOM STAINLESS TAILLIGHT BUCKETS • 2- 96 INCH X 24 INCH TOOLBOXES WITH PAINTED DOORS • CUSTOM STAINLESS STEEL SIDESTEPS • CUSTOM REAR FENDERS OR FLARED FENDERS • 50FT HOSE REAL ON DRIVERS SIDE • REMOVABLE TRASH CAN MOUNTED ON PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE TOOLBOX • 8K RAMSEY WINCH WITH MANUAL DUAL FREE SPOOL • •2 HEAD FEDERAL LED LIGHT BAR | ** STROBE AND LIGHT PACKAGES AVAILABLE** • STEPSIDE CONFIGURATION CAN BE UPFITED ON A VARIETY OF CHASSIS WITH A JERRDAN BODY 6 TON XLP CARRIER To find your next truck visit: www.tlctruckandequipment.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

GEICO / Wreck-A-Mended and Recycled Rides Car Donation On August 10 at the Southern Tow show held at the Orange Beach Event Center in Orange Beach, Alabama, GEICO and Wreck-A-Mended Collision through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides™ program donated a vehicle to Eye Heart World.

Eye Heart World was founded to take action against human trafficking. Through its work in Northeast Wisconsin and South Alabama, Eye Heart World’s programs provide aftercare resources for trafficking victims, prevention for at-risk youth, and training for professionals and community members.

GEICO, the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S.,

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insures more than 28 million vehicles. For more than 80 years, the company has worked to make people’s lives better by protecting policyholders against unexpected events. GEICO is on pace to donate 200 vehicles to the NABC’s Recycled Rides™ program to help individuals, families, or organizations in need of a hand.

Wreck-A-Mended Collision and its employees have volunteered their time and labor to refurbish the vehicle to a like-new condition. This is the collision center’s 6th repair with GEICO. Click the following links for additional information on GEICO, Wreck-A-Mended Collision, Eye Heart World, and the NABC Recycled Rides™ program.

INSIGHTFUL TALK

BY DAN MESSINA ///

COMPETITOR/PRICING

If

I asked you what the biggest problem is that you have with your competitors, you would probably tell me they charge too low to get the business. You then think that you have to charge a lower price to compete.

You don’t, and if you do, you are going to lose money.

The towing business is a service business, and the best service always wins. In 2003, I started a towing company with one truck and no accounts. Eight years later, I sold the company that had 14 trucks, 1250 accounts, and was the largest private-property towing company in the Southwest.

I also started one of the largest towing associations in the U.S. It runs with its own office with four full-time people and a budget of over $200,000 a year. That’s unheard of for a towing association. I am now starting another company, TowTrax, that will get tow companies tows they never had before. These businesses are or will be successful; all will be competitive, and pricing will play a big role in their success. In any of the businesses I was involved in, performance and service were the

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driving factors. I made my competition compete with me by providing a good service. I worked very hard to do the right things that provided the service necessary to outdo my competition. At the end of the day, it’s all about good service, and when it comes to service, I win. That’s where you need to get to.

The first thing I did when I started these businesses was find out who was going to be my competition.

Things I wanted to know were: 1. What services did they offer?

2. Did they provide a service I should be providing?

3. What services could I offer that they did not?

4. Who were their best employees?

5. Did they have anyone I might be interested in?

6. Who were their best accounts?

7. What problems have they had in the past?

8. What did they charge?

9. How many locations did they have?

All the companies I am competing with are driven by the price of the product. Some of the hardest questions you face are: What will I charge for the service I perform?

Will I be competitive? Will I make a profit? If you are going to get into a bidding war with your competitor over the lowest fee for service to get the business, you are not going to make a profit. Price is the key. You don’t have to be the lowest bidder to get the business. There many other things you can address that will allow you to grow your business. As you read this article, I haven’t mentioned price once. The reason is that it’s all about service, and service wins out at the end.

Ten years ago, I talked to tow companies nationwide, and they all complained about that one company that has no insurance, does not know how to tow, and charges the lowest price. Here I am ten years later talking to tow companies, and it still the same story. I was with a group of towers at a tow show recently, and one tower pointed out another tower that was making it hard in his area because that tower low balled all the other companies.

My answer was simple, let him have that business, he will be out of business soon. You can’t afford to do a tow at a low-ball price.

I’ve discovered over the years that towers are their own worst enemy. One tow company comes in at one price for the tow, and their competition comes in lower.

After they go back and forth a few times getting the price so low they can’t make a profit, one of them will give up.

I am working with a lot of motor clubs right now, and you all know how they low ball the price. What I’ve learned at the end of the day is that price does not matter. Towing is a service business, and the best provider wins the business.

If you want to win over new customers, try a few of the following things that worked for me: We let our customers know about us (honesty, moral, and ethical). We let our customers know every day how we operate our business.

1.

We developed a staff and sold them on our way of doing business. We let our customers know that we hired the best people, trained them, drug tested them, and ran criminal background checks. (The key is to not give them the results if they don’t ask.)

2.

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Sales: Sa ales: 86 866-437-6653 66-437-6 6653 |

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INSIGHTFUL TALK

BY DAN MESSINA ///

3.

I joined the right organizations.

My customers or potential customers saw me at various social meetings, and in some cases, I would sponsor lunch for the meeting. Customers or potential customers saw me everywhere they went because I joined the right organizations. It was important

to join industry organizations or associations to stay on top of any changes or to see what my competition was doing.

in the industry. Once I knew who to follow, I learned from them. Surround yourself with people smarter than you and learn from them.

4.

5.

I subscribed to industry magazines and other industry subscriptions. This informed me on all the experts or people who were strong

I purchased state-of-the-art equipment (new trucks, GPS, cameras and some bling) I believed in looking good. I had a competitor once tell me that he bought different colored trucks so his customers knew he had more than one truck.

In my marketing brochures, I used technology to show as many trucks as I wanted. When I started, I showed 5 trucks when I only had 3.

6.

Let’s talk about personal awards: founder of the largest towing association in the U.S., “2009 Towman of the Year,” largest private-property towing company in the Southwest. A week did not go by that I did not let my customers know about my successes. You might get the impression that I am bragging, but I just looked at it as good marketing. I use to read about a fellow tower all the time in a magazine. I asked him how he was so successful to which he replied, “Marketing-it’s all in how you spin it.”

He spun stories to make him stand out in the industry emphasizing the positives of his business, not the negatives. He has a successful tow company because he knows how to market himself. He never once complained to me about price wars.

I hope 10 years from now I am not writing about the competition and how they low ball their price. I love the towing industry, and it can be fun and very rewarding if you run the business right. Know your competition, but don’t let them get in the way of how you run your business.

“Good service is king!”

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an expert Witness

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

YOUR WORDS ACCOUNT FOR YOUR INTEGRITY

T

aylor Swift--why is an expert witness and training guy in the towing industry opening an article with Taylor Swift? Because when Taylor Swift has a bad breakup or a problem with someone, she’ll write a song about it – and she’s been very successful with that approach. I’m going to follow suit. When I hear about or witness a bad situation, I’m going to write an article about it or maybe even a book--it’s what I do. I’ll preface with the idea that I don’t want people to stop talking to me. I keep things confidential, but I allow just enough information to get out, so people can learn from other’s mistakes. I’m going to lay out a few scenarios where I had a “delayed epiphany,” and perhaps you can see the same things I did. This all involves leadership, ethics, and integrity.

My most recent scenario occurred during and right after I gave a seminar built around my new book, “The Psychology of Staying in Business.” I had a great class, learned some things, decided to make a few adjustments in my presentation, and got great interaction from several of the audience members. When I started talking about how gossiping and complaining impacts your bottom line, one guy gave me great feedback about how he runs his business and how tightly he controls things like that.

After that class, we talked some more, and he told me about the standards he holds his guys to and how he follows up with Facebook photos taken by the 20

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public to ensure his people do proper securement and adhere to road laws.

Fast forward to the next day, and we’re talking again – this time, we talked about heading home and the routes we’d take. He explained that he knew lots of backroads and how to bypass all the scales on the main roads. He explained that he’d bought several used trucks from quite a few states away from his home state (three, four, five states); he did the “backroad shuffle” to avoid scales and didn’t buy permits for moving an unlicensed truck on each occasion and didn’t use his DOT number or plate the truck ahead of time in at least three trips from as many as five states away. I shook my www.towprofessional.com

head a bit as I wouldn’t handle things like that, but I also noted this guy’s penchant for excessive talking and “over-sharing.”

The epiphany hit me the next morning at about 5:00 a.m.--in fact, it woke me up. For all this guy’s training, follow-up, demands, employee handbook signing, and holding employees accountable, I knew darn good and well that he’d told his guys this same story; I could tell that it was a practiced speech. He was bragging, and he was proud of himself for “running outlaw.”

Epiphany: Despite all that good talk, time, and effort with his crew, once he told them that story (as many as three times), his people knew that he wasn’t sincere about anything--not a thing! In fact, his unintentional message was “you don’t have to do anything I say, since I don’t care about state laws, registration regulations, insurance requirements, or DOT rules” especially since he’d bragged about running straight through from five states over.

You can’t do 1,400 miles straight legally, no matter what!

His time was wasted, his people

lost respect, I’m sure; and more than anything, they now believe that the rules don’t matter since he bragged about not following them. I would say to him, “When one of your guys takes a shortcut, and you ask yourself why, just remind yourself about the time you told that story.”

In 2011 in North Texas, I was training for a small company, and I ran a flatbed for police calls in addition to running a heavy. The company had a Dodge 5500 flatbed, but I preferred the International 4700 although that one was special (I don’t know why.); it was far more capable, and the boss rarely went out in it. With that said, I had a police call one Saturday night with a Nissan Maxima about 125 feet off the road. The Dodge 5500 only had 75 feet of cable. The International had 100 feet plus a 50-foot extra section with loops.

Once I got on scene and saw that I couldn’t get the car with what I had, I called the owner and asked him to bring out the International or the 35-ton heavy; I needed more cable.

The guy showed up and walked directly to me, avoiding the police officer. He asked me to position the International and do the recovery while he went and sat in the Dodge. I thought that was odd, but after the recovery and getting the car loaded, the police officer left, and the owner told me that he’d drank half a bottle of Wild Turkey since 7 p.m. It was 10:30 p.m.

Epiphany: All the hours that guy and I sat and talked about where he wanted his business to go, and how he wanted his people trained, how professional he wanted his company to look, and then he drove a tow truck at probably a .25 or .30 blood alcohol content. I made him get into the truck with me, took him back to the shop, and then drove my SUV out to get the Dodge.

In 2012, I was hired by a guy in Abilene, Texas to come in and run his company, train his people, do some

James E. Lewis is a driver, trainer, and manager in his third decade of experience in the towing industry. He is a published author with works in fiction, self-help, and technical guidance.

Originally from Lake Jackson, Texas, he now calls Missoula, Montana home.

marketing, and get his trucks on police rotation. I jumped on the chance, perhaps a little too quickly, because I love Abilene and know the town well – I used to deliver pizza part-time when I was in the Air Force there back in the late 80s. I relocated my motorhome to Texas from Washington only to find out that instead of 15 trucks in his fleet, there were 7 trucks on his lot, but only 3 ran, and only 2 were licensed. His “crew” consisted of one full-time guy who’d had 8 DUIs and a part-timer who only knew rigging and had no driver’s license.

Of course, I was angry, but tried to make the best out of it. Even after the local Volvo/Mack service manager told me that he wouldn’t let a truck come in on the hook from that guy even if they paid him to do it, I knew there was trouble. I begged the guy, and he finally said he’d give me a try.

I got a call two days later for a loaded tractor/trailer just outside Sweetwater. It had an EGR issue and wouldn’t run. So, at a $250 hookup and $7.50 a loaded mile, it was a $587.00 tow. I went out to start the 35-ton, and it wouldn’t start. I ran back inside the shop to get the jump box, and the owner stopped me. He said he was busy right then but wanted to be there www.towprofessional.com

when I started the truck so he could see if a light was left on or something to make the battery go dead. I explained that I had a call RIGHT NOW and that I’d gotten him back in the door at Volvo.

He made me wait over 30 minutes because wanted to chew on somebody for leaving the lights on or whatever, and that was more important – to teach his guys a lesson!

You have already guessed how it played out. There are three other companies in Abilene, so when Volvo called for an ETA, and the guy said he was waiting for something, Volvo called another company, and we lost the tow blowing our second chance at working with Volvo.

Epiphany: Blaming someone and chewing them out was more important to this guy than reviving his failed business. His leadership skills revolved around blaming and yelling instead of doing what was best for his company.

It takes a great deal to make me give up on someone or something, but there was just no helping this guy.

Even though the following would not make good lyrics to a Taylor Swift song, they will help you grow your business: Having integrity in all the areas of your business fosters employee respect, bolsters morale, and keeps you from replicating double standards in your employees’ work ethics. Keeping the main thing the main thing also keeps your company moving forward not missing business because of misplaced priorities.

Having a desire to grow your business without a desire to grow your own personal life will end up in selfsabotage. Successful tow companies are not just about towing successfully; they are about leadership, ethics and integrity; and your leadership is demonstrated every day in your words and actions. What are you demonstrating?

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“CAN’T ISN’T IN OUR DICTIONARY!” HOW IT ALL STARTED In 1969, with a strong drive to support his family, Irvin Johns established Suburban Wrecker Service with a used 63 Chevy 1-ton wrecker painted orange and white. Irvin started the company under “Suburban Wrecker Service.” He chose to use “Suburban” because: “Another guy started a towing company called Downtown Wrecker Service; I thought, the suburbs are bigger than the downtown, so I named it ‘Suburban Wrecker Service’” says Irvin. “If you know him personally, that’s exactly how his 22

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brain works, always thinking about the bigger picture,” says Gina, his wife. Billy Bogart let Irvin park his truck at his gas station in the early years, and he worked with Billy until he retired in 2017. In the first year, Irvin bought a second truck because of his success, and as the years progressed, Irvin continued to add to his fleet. In 1991, his company moved to a new state-of-the-art facility on 412 acres with a 14,000 sq. ft. and 3,200 sq. ft. office space. Suburban Wrecker Service continued to prosper until March 1997 when the company was acquired in a rollup. During the next 5 1/2 years, Irvin stayed on as terminal manager.

SUBURBAN TOWING WAS BORN On December 3, 2002, Irvin and Gina regained all assets of the company and renamed it “Suburban Towing, Inc.” Now having reclaimed the company and changed the name, the challenge was on to once again build Suburban Towing up to the level of service and quality it had prior to the rollup. Irvin updated the complete fleet by adding new low boys, rotators, and painting all the equipment orange with the new addition of blue. For easy identification in addition to the www.towprofessional.com

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“CAN’T ISN’T IN OUR DICTIONARY!” strong colors, the current fleet number is 194 which includes the support equipment. Today, 50 years later, Suburban Towing is the largest towing company in Kentucky specializing in equipment transport and heavy-duty towing & recovery along with continued light-duty service, air-cushion recovery, heavy hauling, load shifts and transfers, and emergency equipment support. Facing hard challenges head on, Suburban Towing has come out on top. As Irvin says, “Can’t is not in our dictionary.”

KEYS TO THEIR SUCCESS Irvin Johns and Gina, believe the success of their company comes in part from the dedication of their managers, dispatchers, bookkeepers, shop technicians, and drivers.

Finding quality drivers has been a major plus as they take pride in their job by keeping their trucks polished and making sure their trucks are safe for the road. On a personal level, success comes from being kind and have a heart for both their employees and their customers while getting the specialized knowledge to handle the challenging towing and recovery situations that call in. Another major key to the success of the company is “Our team being quick to jump on an opportunity when it arises and to do so in faith,” says Gina.

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE On Suburban Towing’s website it says, “We are committed to offering our customers the quickest response times, trained operators, latest model equipment, expert knowledge, and excess liability insurance to protect your precious cargo!” The reward Suburban Towing receives is the praise of the local police departments when they respond with the proper equipment and highly trained employees to clear the roads and interstates in a professional and timely manner. Customers breathe a sigh of relief when the bright orange trucks show up. Suburban Towing’s motto is, “We are Tow-tally the best!”

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Gina said the only non-orange truck is their pink truck, and she refers to it as hers. Irvin had this wrap made for her in 2014. She is a breast cancer survivor since December 2011. Ironically in September of 2011, she started what she believes was the first “Towing for a Cure” logo/phrase. We had T-shirts printed and sold them with all the money collected split between the American Cancer Society and Susan G Komen, a tradition they still do each year now!

NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE THIS BIG Gina asked Irvin one day if he ever dreamed he’d be this big; his response was “no, I think back to my little old shabby office where mice ran across the floor, and when I told Billy (Bill Bogard), ‘If we can just get three runs a day we’d have it made!’” Irvin hasn’t driven a truck in years, but the long hours he put in when he did drive was a sacrifice he made to support his family! Now Irvin is 75 and does drag racing in NHRA Super Stock including US Nationals. Towing is not only about towing; its about dreaming and dreaming big like Irvin Johns did in 1969-an ironic year for dreams!

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WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT

MPL-NGS VERSATILITY Whether you’re towing low-clearance sports cars or motorcycles, the MPL-NGS’s customizable wheel lift packages let you take on more jobs, faster.

MPL-NGS EFFICIENCY With its 90-degree rotating cross bar and standard adjustable Level Stop Assist System, the MPL-NGS gets you into the perfect position quickly and allows you to tackle tough picks.

MPL-NGS DURABILITY The steel diamond plate painted deck is built for a rugged, long working life and combined with Jerr-Dan’s exclusive NoLube™ technology reduces maintenance, saving time and money.

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FEATURES • Steel body • Steel diamond plate deck • Low-maintenance NoLube™technology • Steel pylon • LED DOT lighting • Remote underlift and winch controls • Winch includes manual free spool and tensioner • Adjustable underlift Level Stop Assist • Back-up alarm • Multiple grid options: - Manual / fixed L-arms - Hydraulic self-loader (including the patented LOCKLINK over-center locking mechanism) - Manual / pivoting L-arms

CHASSIS • Minimum RBM (Resisting Bending Moment) - 460,000 in. -lbs.(230,000 in.-lbs. per frame rail) • Minimum Usable CA (Cab to Axle centerline) - 60” • Minimum GVWR - 11,000 lbs. Max unloaded frame height - 36” • Minimum frame length behind the center of rear axle - 36”

ACCESSORIES • Aluminum 24” tunnel toolbox (84” CA required) • Fifth wheel & gooseneck trailer adapters • Motorcycle towing adapter (hydraulic grid only) • Tow sling • Headboard work lights • Fold-down light bar • Tow dollies & storage brackets • Body stone guards • D-rings • Tow lights • Rubber wheel chocks • Fire extinguisher • Safety triangle kit • LED emergency lighting • Wireless remote control

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WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT

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CAPACITIES • Underlift - 4,000 lbs. fully extended • Winch - 8,000 lbs. - 3/8� x 75’ wire rope

DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN The MPL-NGS has exactly what you need to do your job quicker and more efďŹ ciently, including an unbeatable price. It’s designed to help you get in and out quicker, and features the revolutionary Level Stop Assist System, the same technology found on Jerr- Dan’s top of the line models.

And its Negative Underlift Tilt is perfect for securing vehicles in parking ramps. Best of all, it’s a JerrDan—so it’s built better than any truck in its class to help you get in and out, day in and day out.

No matter what you’re towing, we’re always behind you.

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WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT

HIDE-A-LIFT H

ide-A-Lift was established in 1998 in a small town in the Northwest corner of Iowa. Needing a way to tow cars from place to place, then owner and now salesman, Lee Bomgaars, came up with an idea for the first underlift and things took off from there. Hide-A-Lift, located in Doon, IA., is owned by Roy Van Engen and his four sons. They are not only the owners but also do the welding, testing, assembly, installation, and everything involved in the manufacturing process. Take a look at our lifts, and you will see, no matter what your needs are, we have a solution for you!

VIPER WHEEL LIFT Need a quick and easy unit to tow most consumer vehicles? Viper costs less, quicker than most competitive self-loaders, is easy to mount, and can be working for you in no time.

• Fully hydraulic underlift (in/out and up/down) • Twin 3-½” lift cylinders 30

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• 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity • Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis • Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage) • Self-centering head • Brass bushings on king pin • In-cab 6-function control • Double pump for speed and power • Extra frame stiffening recommended • Unique under-body construction For more information: https://hidealift.com/viper/

COBRA WHEEL LIFT Looking for a tow unit with a little more power?

Check out our COBRA pick-up repo wheel lift for wrecker trucks: • Heavy-duty lifting 6”x 6” main beam • 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity • Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis • 72” reach • Full 90-degree loading (great for www.towprofessional.com

parallel parked cars) • In-cab 8-function control • Quick connect for easy removal • Double pump for speed and power • Twin 3-½” lift cylinders for more speed and power • Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage) • Self-centering head • Brass bushings on king pin • 12,000-lb. winch available • Built-in frame stiffener • Extra frame stiffening recommended More info: https://hidealift.com/cobra/

• T-bar turns and hinges for safe and easy towing • One person operation For more information: https://hidealift.com/raptor/

RAPTOR WHEEL LIFT RAPTOR — A lift that extends with a button instead of manually: • 12-volt power pack with 20-ft. remote control • Power up/down, in/out • All parts made in USA • Wheel receivers use cam locks that adjust to towed vehicle’s width • No lost pins with the cam locks • Easy under-body installation • Lifting point is near rear axle not bumper

• All parts made in USA • Wheel receivers use cam locks that adjust to fit towed vehicle’s width • Cam locks provide fast and easy adjustment – no lost pins • Easy under-body installation, completely retractable to hide under the truck • T-bar turns and hinges for safe and easy turning • Lifting point is near the rear axle, not the rear bumper • Can be re-installed in another pickup truck • One person operation For more information: https://hidealift.com/boa/

BOA WHEEL LIFT BOA — A quick-and-easy unit to tow in tighter spaces with easy to use functions: • 12-volt hydraulic power pack with 10-ft. remote control • Double acting power up – power down hydraulic cylinder

All Hide-A-Lift units are made, sold, installed, or shipped from our 12,000 sq.-ft. facility. As a familyowned business, we take pride in the workmanship and service that goes into every unit that leaves our doors.

Give us a call today! 800-634-9340

BUILDING THE BEST WIRELESS TOW LIGHTS IN THE BUSINESS!

Proudly Made in the USA

Contains Auto-grade circuitry Individually serialized to prevent cross-talk & protect against theft

Toll Free: 800-490-3158 CusterProducts.com www.towprofessional.com

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

2019 Honorees Phillip F. Amsden Michael Charles Buffington Patrick Cisneros Garold L. Cline Jerry E. Davenport Ernest Linden Dean Steven E. Eldridge Erwin Mendoza Geremillo Trevor A. Haas Richard Arturo Hernandez Jesse Hettmann Keith Holt, Sr. Elwood Allan Humphries

Clarence C. Jones, Jr. Charles C. McGough Juan Manuel Morga James Robert Morris Willie J. Passmore, Jr. Edgar Arthur Pilon Kevin B. Raasch Clarence Hugh Souther, Jr. Benny G. Sprinkle John L. Stewart Paul Wayne Taylor, Jr. Jason Stuart Throne Michael R. White

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2019 Michael Cherry Land Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Lakes, Florida

John Coupland Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom

Jamie Davis Hope, British Columbia, Canada

George Kuntz Bismarck, North Dakota

Glenn Landau Daytona Beach, Florida

Quinn Piening Fremont, California

Perry Shusta Antioch, California

Thirty-Fourth Annual Induction Ceremony

2018 Hall of Fame Honorees

WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT

DYNAMIC DYNAMIC 701 Specifications - 5,000 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 75” Underlift Reach

DYNAMIC LIGHTNING ONE-PIECE STEEL BODY - Optional Poly Fenders - (2) Oversized Top Loading Tool Compartments - In Cab Wheel Lift Control - Aluminum Rock Guards

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- Light Pylon - Trailer Hitch Receiver - (2) Wheel Lift Straps & Ratchets - Out of Cab Recovery Boom & Winch Control Cord (BSW & BTW Only) - 100’ 3/8” Wire Rope w/ Eye Hook, Cable Tensioner, & Sheave Head (BDW, BSW, & BTW Only) For more info: https://www.dynamicmfg.com/701

PYTHON Specifications - 5,500 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 82” Underlift Reach (Best In Class) - 20º Negative Tilt - *New* Dynamic Ultraweight Transfer Boom - Dynamic Lightning Body w/ Steel Fenders - Optional Poly Fenders - (2) Top Loading Storage Compartments

- In Cab Wheel Lift Control - Out of Cab Wheel Lift Controls (Standard On BSW & BTW Models) - Aluminum Rock Guards - Light Pylon - Trailer Hitch Receiver - Wheel Spacers - (2) Wheel Lift Straps & Ratchets For more information: https://www.dynamicmfg.com/python www.towprofessional.com

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WHEEL LIFT REPO EQUIPMENT 755 Specifications - 5,500 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 85” Underlift Reach - 25º Negative Tilt Standard Features - Dynamic Lightning Body w/ Steel Fenders - Optional Poly Fenders - (2) Top Loading Storage Compartments - In Cab Wheel Lift Control - Out of Cab Wheel Lift Controls (Standard On BSW & BTW Models) - Aluminum Rock Guards - Light Pylon - Trailer Hitch Receiver - Wheel Spacers - (2) Wheel Lift Straps & Ratchets For more information: https://www.dynamicmfg.com/755

FUSION Specifications - 5,500 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 85” Underlift Reach - 25º Negative Tilt Standard Features - Dynamic Fusion Body w/ Top & Side Loading Storage Compartments - Optional Poly Fenders - (6) Top Loading Storage Compartments - (2) Side Loading Storage Compartments - In Cab Wheel Lift Control - Out of Cab Wheel Lift Controls (Standard On BSW & BTW Models) - Aluminum Rock Guards - Light Pylon - Trailer Hitch Receiver - Wheel Spacers - (2) Wheel Lift Straps & Ratchets For more information: https://www.dynamicmfg.com/fusion

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601 SLIDE IN UNIT

701 SLIDE IN UNIT

Specifications : - 4,000 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 72” Under Lift Reach

Specifications : - 5,000 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift - 72” Under Lift Reach

Chassis Recommendations : -10,000 lb GVW - Dual Wheels - Fram Reinforcement

Chassis Recommendations : - 10,000 lb GVW - Dual Wheels - Frame Reinfocement For more information: https:// www.dynamicmfg.com/slide-in-unit

www.towprofessional.com

FORK LIFT ATTACHMENT Specifications Standard Attachment : 4,000 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift Heavy-Duty Attachment : 5,000 lb Self Loading Wheel Lift Manual Wheel Lift : 3,500 lb Capacity Standard Features - Connects to Extra Valve of Fork Lift - Quick & Effortless Set Up On Fork Lift - Hydraulic Controlled Jaws (Standard & Heavy Duty Models) For more information: https://www.dynamicmfg.com/fork-lift

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VTS Systems is a leading North American software company, dedicated to providing products and everyday support for the towing, recovery and vehicle impound industry. www.towprofessional.com

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INTERVIEW with TODD PITTS of

PITTS & SONS

WRECKER SERVICE WHERE IT STARTED Darian- Thanks for the time you have given me to learn more about your company and how you have grown through the years. So, how did Pitts & Sons get started?

Todd- My grandfather, Leon Pitts, started the company in 1948. My grandfather had a heart for people, so he owned a service station and wrecker service--his first truck had a hand crank! Leon had a heart for service and growing the business, so he brought his son (my father), Sammy Pitts, up in the business. Sammy, like his father, instilled the same passion

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for people and for quality service in his own kids, me and my brothers.

Sammy opened a wrecker service in Saraland in 1982, and we grew to 122 trucks and currently are at 95-plus trucks. We have not only grown in the number of trucks, we have also expanded to different locations here in Alabama based in Birmingham, Mobile, and Saraland and even out of state to locations in Memphis TN, and Milton, Florida.

GROWTH DECISIONS Darian- What was a factor that really grew your business?

Todd- In 2007, insurance and driver

www.towprofessional.com

By Darian Weaver Tow Professional

pools were affecting our growth as a company, so we made the decision to scale back and put more emphasis on employee training and retention.

Once dispatched, the driver is the one who interacts with the customer and other first responders, collects key information, performs the tow, making it all happen. Because of that, we put a major focus on enlisting quality drivers. The better your driver, the better your business. We also split towing and heavy hauling right down the middle. So now, between hauling and towing, we are busting out at the seams.

TEAM AS “FAMILY” Darian-So, how would you describe your team at Pitts & Sons Wrecker Service?

Todd-We have a real strong team because when we hire new employees, we tell them that we will treat them like family because we won’t ask them to do anything that we have not already done. This explains why we have such a strong employee retention. Our employee with the longest time has worked with us for 35 years. Other employees have been with us for 20, 18, and 15 years.

People stay when you treat them like family, and that is what we do.

KEYS TO SUCCESS Darian- What would you say are the first key to your success?

Todd- First is a commitment to family. We are a family-owned and family-run business. My grandfather

started the towing business as “Pitts Wrecker Service.” When my oldest brother, Jerry Pitts, came along, the name changed to “Pitts and Son Wrecker Service.” When my youngest brother, Darrell Pitts and I came along, it became, “Pitts and Sons Wrecker Service.” My grandfather was passionate from the beginning about the towing

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business, so he invited us to join him as a family which is reflected in how our business name changed through the years. Second is a commitment to the community. Our company’s purpose is to the serve the city assisting people when times are bad and when they need help picking up the pieces--we want to be there for them. For us, it is more than just

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towing or recovering a vehicle, it’s about helping people. These are the very reasons I personally went into the towing business myself: to carry on the family tradition and serve the community when they are in need.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE Darian- What has been one of your biggest challenges in business?

Todd- One of the biggest challenges has been finding the right drivers that you can count on. You can find truck drivers, but you can’t always find tow truck drivers. When you do find a tow truck driver and he is trained already, you still want to train him on how you do it. Once we do find the right tow truck driver, one of the most important and frequent things we say to train him in how we do it is, “Take care of your equipment and your customers. Because your customers are number one, roll out the red carpet for them!”

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IN-HOUSE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Darian- With 15 light-duty wreckers, 10 medium-duty wreckers, and a 60-ton rotator truck with air cushion recovery, how do you reduce the waiting time for a customer from equipment or truck issues?

Todd- Getting to the customer in the timeliest way with a truck and equipment that is working and ready to go is a premium value for us. Because of that, we employee 3 full-time mechanics to service all our trucks, so breakdowns are less likely because of proactive and proper maintenance. Any issue that arises can be dealt with by a mechanic who knows the trucks and can make any repairs quickly and efficiently that might be needed.

RANGE OF SERVICES Darian- What is the range of services you offer the public?

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Todd- Being HazMat and WreckMaster certified, we offer a wide range of towing services: we have towing and recovery experience in automobiles, 18-wheelers, airplanes, boats, and anything you can drive. So, whether you have a small car that needs towing or have overturned heavy equipment needing air cushion recovery, we offer a 24- hour/seven days a week full-service towing and recovery for any size job.

MOST CHALLENGING RECOVERY Darian- What is one of your most challenging recoveries that you have done throughout your time in the business?

Todd- One of the most challenging recoveries we had was a tractor trailer that was carrying sulfuric acid that turned over on top of a bridge.

Part of the trailer was hanging off the bridge touching the ground below while the rest of the trailer

was on the top of the bridge along with the tractor and tank which had a hole punched in it and was pouring acid out on the bridge. It was the extent of the cleanup that was unforgettable. It highlighted the importance of being ready for a very toxic spill cleanup while at the same time recovering a vehicle that was in a very complicated and compromised position.

BEST MEMORIES Darian- Of all the things you have experienced in the towing business, what would say are your best memories?

Todd-I have to say my best memories are the times when I got a new truck, and I would take it over to my grandfather. When he saw it, he would light up every time; it made his day and mine too! We are a family

business, and in the end making that family happy is what counts!

Darian- Thanks for the time you have given me in sharing your story of Pitts and Sons Wrecker Service.

We appreciate your commitment to family and to the community you serve appreciating what you and all our readers do for the public risking your lives to help those in need.

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T

his was a great year for Southern Tow Expo and Beach Bash in Orange Beach, Alabama! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been three years now since Tow Professional magazine, based out of 42

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Birmingham, Alabama, began this national towing trade show. With representatives from 26 different states, we had attendees from Oregon to Pennsylvania, from New Mexico to

An Orange Beach Blast!

Virginia, from New York to Florida, and more representing towers from across the nation!

We want to thank all those who helped us with a great line up of training, events, and fun

crafted for a blast of a trade show in one of the most beautiful places in nation Orange Beach, Alabama! We could not have done it without you! So, here are the details of the show: www.towprofessional.com

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Southern

& Beach Bash

WEDNESDAY: WreckMaster Training We kicked off our Southern Tow Expo with our WreckMaster Training Level 2/3 led by certified instructors Kurt Wilson and Scott Aey. Several of our local towers offered their equipment, trucks, and inventory to make the training sessions a great “hands on” experience for towers wanting to improve their skills: We thank Todd Pitts with Pitts and Sons providing a school bus and two cars, Aubrey Morris from Little Bitty Towing who provided a light-duty truck and a rollback, Mac Fletcher with Fletcher’s Towing who provided medium-duty wrecker, and Tony and Daniel Wade with Tony’s Towing who provided a medium-duty wrecker.

With a full class, the guys got hands-on experience and certification to take their skills to the next level with some of the best towing instructors in the nation.

THURSDAY: WreckMaster Training, DeepSea Fishing Tournament, Association Dinner While the second day of WreckMaster training continued, 44

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Southern Tow Expo also headed out to sea for our Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament Thursday morning with Reel Surprise Charters launching from the SanRoc Cay Marina returning that afternoon. After a day of fishing, wrestling the waves, woozy feelings, feisty fish, and the hot sun, we had vetted tournament winners! Joel Littleton won the “Chumming Award” for the most seasick! Zachary Burghardt from Beacon Funding won “Smallest Fish,” and Todd Wiles from Best Tools won “Largest Fish.” The fishing tournament was held on an impressive 40 x 100 ft. boat called “Weather or Not” which was sponsored by Jerr-Dan. We have grown every year with 35 participants the first year, 42 the second, and 52 this year providing a timely opportunity to do some great fishing while forging and solidifying trusted business relationships for years to come!

We came back just in time to get ready for our 3rd Annual Tow Association Dinner in the largest meeting room the Springhill Suites had-the Canal Room. Booked to capacity with 100 presidents, vice presidents, and

key members from across the nation along with first responders from Orange Beach, Baldwin and surrounding counties, we had one of the largest inter-association and first responder dialogues in the nation!

Ken Grimes, the Orange Beach City Administrator, greeted our crew on behalf of Mayor Tony Kennon and his staff. Chris Litton, the City of Orange Beach Logistics Coordinator, also joined us for dinner representing the city. With D.J. Harrington, the Tow Doctor, emceeing our discussion with leaders from across the Southeast, Midwest and more, the attendees were able to discuss creative ideas on how to grow their associations. From offering healthcare, to discounts books, to golf tournaments, and

other fund raisers, associations are finding ways to grow and increase their streams of revenue. The associations were encouraged to use their associate members to help sponsor training and other association fund-raising events.

Key to the dinner, future issues were highlighted that towers must be aware of, such as the issue of cars that are now reporting directly to insurance companies faster than first responders are getting notified and making it to the scene.

We were privileged have Linda Unruh from the New Mexico Trucking Association join us for our dinner; she is a member of the TRAA Legislative Advocacy Network® (TRAA LAN®), but she also is the first woman and the first native American to own a trucking business in New Mexico. Because of her effort, the “Move Over” law was expedited and passed in her state. She responded to the loss of her own son, Bobby, (37 years old) who was killed while attempting to tow a commercial vehicle by lobbying for the last state in the union to adopt the “Move Over” law, and they did! We were also glad to have Cynthia Martineau, Executive Director of the TRAA, along with TRAA board members, Gay Rochester and Michelle Topel representing national leadership at our dinner.

We thank Auto Data Direct, INA Towing Network, and Jerr-Dan for sponsoring the dinner that was catered by

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Alabama Coastal Catering who provided a delectable beef tenderloin, a perfectly seasoned herb chicken, crunchy almond green beans, a tasty, assorted-veggies medley topped with gourmet deserts with buttercream icing!

Growing from 50 attendees our first year to 70 attendees our second year to 100 attendees our third, we have put to rest the idea that tow associations will not come together, work together, or dialogue together—dinner helps! During the meeting, towers were able to share what they need from police while the police were able to share what they need from towers-a key first responder dialogue. The dinner sponsors who spoke for their companies were: Tom Drake, Towing Services Manager, shared on behalf of Auto Data Direct. Gay Rochester, CEO of INA Towing Network and current president of the WTRAA shared on behalf of INA Towing Network, and Jacob Perron, Jerr-Dan North American Sales Representative, spoke on Jerr-Dan’s behalf.

We enjoyed representatives from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New 46

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York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and the District of Columbia!

Everyone was able to bring something to the table and take something away—and it was more than just the beef tenderloin and chicken!

FRIDAY: Seminars, Beach Bash, Planned TIMS Event Friday morning, we started the day with an outstanding opportunity for business growth, development, and liability awareness with lineup of progressive seminars. We appreciate Jim Lewis (jlewiswrites), Perry Beaty (FlowStop), Michael P. McGovern (Tow Lawyer), Patrick Mobley (Zellner Insurance), Charles Fator (Hanby Environmental), Randy Cook (OMG), Jessica Innocenti (OMG), Dan Messina (TowTrax), D.J. Harrington (Tow Doctor)—all who led informative and practical seminars for attendees wanting cutting-edge information to grow their business and to troubleshoot their challenges. Friday evening, we headed out to the parking lot for the Beach Bash sponsored by Santander and TowMate for some of the best fried shrimp

and pulled BBQ pork and fixings from a local, Brad King with Brad King’s Catering. Brian Chandler also was a hit with his samples of Clyde Mays whiskey which didn’t take long to be history! With good food, good beer, and good whiskey it did not take long to enjoy the good tunes from a local Alabama band, Ruff Water, who played several classic favorites.

As the sun went down, the 36,000-lumen light from Ron Pullen of R. P. Recovery Consulting went up along with the anticipated energy for the Planned TIMS Event. Ron’s light started off in a box and then inflated into a 10-foot light bulb illuminating the front area of the event. The Will Burt Company provided the lighting system positioned at the front of the bus that lit the whole scene up. The WreckMaster instructors, Kurt Wilson and Scott Aey, gave a play-by-play of everything that was happening, so those watching could see the decisions being made and understand why they were made. Ironically enough as we were setting up for the event, random cars and trucks drove right through the middle of the event scene just like in a real-life recovery scenario. Thanks goes to Interim Fire Chief Kimmerling and Kevin Lanford, Asst. Chief-Training, who helped to organize the fire and EMS first responders from the Orange Beach Fire Department, and thanks goes to

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Police Chief Fiero from the OB Police Department for their participation in securing the recovery scene. Thanks goes to Todd Pitts at Pitts and Sons Wrecker for providing the school bus and the Honda Civic casualties for the event. The accident scenario was a school bus which had “fallen” on top of a car with a manikin trapped inside the car. Steven Weil from Weil’s Wrecker who was the tower who did the recovery used MatJack airbags to lift the bus off the car. The receiving bags on the opposite side of the bus were inflated to catch the bus as it was returned to an upright position.

Since airbags were used on both sides of the bus, the Air Bag Crew used headsets provided by Sonetics to coordinate the effort without having to yell instructions back and forth adding to the chaos of the situation. After removing the bus off the car, the OBFD used the “jaws of life” to cut the roof off the car. They then removed the “injured” from the car on a backboard to the EMS vehicle and transported it to safety for treatment. The major emphasis for the Planned TIMS Event was to highlight the “Slow Down, Move Over” campaign to raise the public’s awareness, so they will move over one lane anytime they see someone on the side of the road especially first responders which include towers since 48

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their “office” is six inches from the white line. It has been said that every six days a tower is killed on the road here in the US. Let’s all practice “Slow Down, Move Over,” so everyone can go home safely to their families. To give the message of protecting first responders greater reach, Darian Weaver, TP Publisher, and his wife, Holly, petitioned the Alabama governor, Kay Ivey, to make August “Slow Down, Move Over” Awareness Month, and Gov. Ivey approved it. To learn how your state can do the same, email Gene at gene@towprofessional.com, and we will be glad to share the process we went through for approval. To check out the Alabama TIM website, go to: https://alabamatim.org/about. html.

SATURDAY: Car Presentation, Tow Truck Rodeo, Product Demo, Flora-Bama Party On Saturday, we started the morning off with the GEICO and NABC’s Recycled Rides Presentation. They awarded a 2014 Chevy Cruze to “Eye Heart World,” a human-trafficking prevention organization. We appreciate GEICO’S leadership who organized the event: Dwayne Fuller, ERG Zone Manager, J.R. Carter, Auto Damage Adjustor, and Paul

Lorenza, the Regional Event Marketing Coordinator. The car was refurbished by Wreck-A-Mended Collision and received

by Crystal Wood, the representative from Eye-Heart World.

It’s great to see companies giving back to the community!

After the seminars, Jerr-Dan conducted a Tow Truck Rodeo in which towers were able to test their skills of using a rotator’s boom to lift a large water barrel and then progress it through a challenging obstacle course without spilling any water. Jerr-Dan’s goal was to give operators (over 50 of them!) an opportunity to run the controls of their 50/60T Rotator through this challenging obstacle course.

This would include current Jerr-Dan operators, along with operators that run competitive equipment. The course displayed the agility and proportionality of the remote while only allowing the operators to facilitate select functions as part of the challenge. The course also demonstrated Jerr-Dan’s ability to achieve 41 ft. of reach off the side for those hard to reach recovery scenarios. The winners of the men’s competition were: 1st Place-- Patrick Linton of Linton Wrecker Services; 2nd Place--Joel Linton (son of Patrick); 3rd Place--Neil Lee of Hayles Towing, MS. On the heels of the Jerr-Dan Tow Truck Rodeo, the finale party for Southern Tow Expo was held at the worldfamous beach bar-the Flora-Bama! We appreciate Jerr-Dan and Waters Truck and Tractor joining Tow Professional in sponsoring the event for both our towers and exhibitors to enjoy a free drink and great food! With five different bands playing all in one iconic location, there was something for everyone whether it was some of the best drinks in the south, one of the best scenic views of the ocean being right on the beach, or just enjoying some excellent food! The Flora-Bama was also having “Whiskey Jam” while we were there which revved the energy and excitement even more-a great closing event for a great show.

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Custom Ordered through Austin Hinds Motors, 2019 Peterbilt 389, powered by a 605hp Cummins, with an 18-Spd Trans., Century 1150 50 ton Rotator w/ knee boom wheel lift. CHROME, CHROME, CHROME!

50

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TOW TRUCK BEAUTY CONTEST WINNERS

HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 1st Place - Bambarger Wrecker Service

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HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 2nd Place - ABC Towing

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MEDIUM-DUTY CLASS 1st Place Auto Medic Wrecker and Towing

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MEDIUM-DUTY CLASS 2nd Place Parker Wrecker Service

LIGHT-DUTY CLASS 1st Place Auto Medic Wrecker and Towing

LIGHT-DUTY CLASS 2nd Place ABC Towing

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DEALERS PLACE

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DEALERS PLACE

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Advertiser Index COMPANY

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Hino .................................................. BC Holly’s Towing Dispatch .................. 64 INA Towing Network ....................... 45 Insurance Hub .................................. 39 Jerr-Dan ...........................................IFC Kendall Products (Dri-Dek)............. 13 Lodar .................................................. 28 Mach 1 ............................................... 19 Marking Pen Depot .......................... 63 McMahon Truck Centers ................ 61 Mike Keith Insurance ...................... 62 Mobile Create USA ......................... 53 Progressive Insurance .................... 29 Prolift .................................................. 62 PWOF ................................................. 15 Ranger SST ........................................ 9 Recovery Billing ............................... 47 Rick’s Truck ....................................... 59 Robert Young..................................... 62 RP Consulting.................................... 52

Access Tools ....................................... 5 All American ..................................... 61 American Safety & Supply ............. 49 Austin Hinds ...................................... 58 Austin Insurance .............................. 52 Auto Data Direct............................... 41 Beacon Software ............................. 17 Best Tools .......................................... 53 Custer Products................................ 31 Custom Built ...................................... 18 CW Mill .............................................. 64 Don Jackson ..................................... 62 Dynamic ............................................. 59 ECM Performance............................ 49 Florida Wrecker................................ 56 FlowStop ............................................ 13 G.N. Novelties, LLC .......................... 63 Hal Kresser........................................ 63 HardMode Gear................................ 56 Hide-a-Lift.......................................... 63

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COMPANY

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RV Wheel ........................................... 63 Spin Fleet ........................................... 54 Steck Mfg .......................................... 55 The Will-Burt Company .................. 25 TLC Truck & Equipment ................... 60 TOPS................................................... 55 Towbook .............................................. 3 Towing Museum ..........................32-33 TowMate .............................................. 1 TRAA .................................................. 54 TRAO .................................................... 7 United Plastic Fabricating ............IBC VTS Systems ............................... 37, 63 Waters Truck..................................... 57 Weiss Ins ........................................... 63 Winches, Inc ..................................... 10 Wrecker Rentals .............................. 60 XINSURANCE.................................... 11 Zellner Insurance ............................. 56

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