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International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum press release: The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced it will induct nine new members into its Hall of Fame this fall. The inductees, including one posthumous honoree, hail from the United States, France and Australia. The 2024 honorees are, in alphabetical order: • William Clayton of Nambour, Queensland, Australia, who has over 50 years of experience in the towing industry and is director of Clayton’s Towing Service, which is the largest towing company in Australia, employing over 170 workers in 16 locations. “Bill Clayton has not only elevated the towing industry to new heights, but also has become a beloved figure,” according to his nomination. • Francis D. Coady of Seabrook, NH, is founder and president of Coady’s Garage and Towing Service, of Lawrence, MA, and was one of the first towing operators in the nation to pass the National Driver Certification Test of the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA). “For over 50 years Frank Coady has been an innovator, proven his exemplary dedication to the towing industry, exuded leadership to everyone, and has certainly had a lasting effect on the towing Industry and thousands of professionals with whom he has crossed paths.” • Jean Georges, Menil-aux-Bois, France, is founder of Jige, the most recognized brand of towing and recovery equipment in Europe. Georges grew the company to be the largest manufacturer in Europe, and has invented ground-breaking technology including the Simple, Solematic, Beaver-Tail, Mid-City Eurotow and Mega. “Georges has spent his life dedicated to the towing and recovery industry, creating products that were more reliable and more safe to operate.” • Jeffrey Godwin of Longview, TX, serves on the board of directors of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, dedicating time and money to the organization. Most important, Godwin is co-chair of the towing museum’s Survivor Fund, which helps the families of towing operators who have died in the line of service to the motoring public. “Jeffrey’s foresight and vision are a gift to any organization he participates in. His single most important contribution is his commitment to, and growth of, the Survivor Fund.” • Kevin Goodyear, Enterprise, AL, took over the family business at age 19, and built the largest towing company in the Wiregrass area with multiple locations in Alabama and Florida. He has worked with the Alabama legislature to improve the state’s lien and Move Over laws. “We need towing operators who are striving to make a difference day in and day out. Kevin is just such a man, a leader who has and continues to positively impact this industry.” • Joseph R. Haines, Jr., of Columbus, NJ, is a second-generation towing operator who was a founding member of the Garden State Towing Association, holding several vice-president positions over the years. “He has given every part of himself to serve this industry, his community and his business, and in doing so has created a legacy for his family.” • Walter R. Mayer, Brookhaven, GA, has played a pivotal role in shaping and elevating the towing industry and profession in Atlanta and beyond. He successfully sued the city of Atlanta, alleging the city’s impound process hindered federal trade commerce. The legal victory set a precedent for fair practices in the towing industry. In addition, Mayer has been involved in many civic and community projects. “Ronnie Mayer’s remarkable career, marked by expertise, leadership and commitment to service, makes him an asset to the towing and recovery community.” • William G. Miller II, Ooltewah, TN, leads Miller Industries as CEO, helping to modernize and expand its production facilities. He played an integral part in creating the Wall of the Fallen, which honors towing operators who have lost their lives in the line of service. Miller has supported state and federal lobbying efforts in favor of the towing and recovery industry. As president of the Miller Family Foundation, he has been a major fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research. “He has guided not only Miller Industries, but also the industry to be more professionally recognized.” • Jack Wendell Richards (posthumous), Alberta, Canada, drove his first tow truck in 1949 at age 14, and was passionate about the betterment of the towing industry in Alberta and Canada for 70-plus years. “His razor-sharp focus on service and professionalism at every level was the backbone of the company he built, and it stood as an inspiration to others.” The Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame was launched in 1986 to recognize individuals who have made substantial contributions to the towing and recovery industry. “The industry realized it was time to display the roots of the profession,” according to the museum. Over 300 towing professionals have entered the Hall of Fame to date. The inductees will be officially recognized at a formal ceremony on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Westin Hotel Chattanooga during the organization’s annual Museum Weekend scheduled for September 27 – 29, 2024. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

The 2024 Survivor Fund Golf Classic was held Thursday, April 18, at the Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, Fla. The day offered plenty of sunshine and clear skies as approximately 140 golfers participated in the event which included team photos, a driving range, lunch and a putting contest. At the end of play were happy hour festivities, an awards ceremony and raffle drawings. All proceeds from the event go to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund which provides immediate financial support to families of towing operators who lose their lives in the line of service. Look for full coverage of the Classic in an upcoming issue of Tow Times magazine. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

TRAA press release: Following a successful Hill Day where TRAA members conducted meetings with over 100 Members of Congress and their staff, TRAA has continued to lead Congressional efforts to oppose FMCSA’s baseless suggestion that the FTC include “predatory towing fees” as part of the rulemaking on Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices. During our meetings, TRAA articulated why regulation of the towing industry and/or fees are outside the FTC’s jurisdiction. These reasons included: Congress has already delegated regulation of towing practices and pricing – and it is not to the FTC. Under PL 113-159, Congress set all non-consent towing regulation to state and localities, and consensual towing [the vast majority of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) towing] to the FMCSA. The FTC’s junk fee rule is aimed at protecting consumers, not the commercial trucking industry, and the FTC does not have the authority to regulate transportation policy. An FTC rulemaking under 15 U.S.C. § 57 that includes fees for towing, consensual or non-consensual, would subvert the will of Congress, which has already delegated to the states and FMCSA. Most importantly, TRAA communicated that FMCSA’s suggestion to include all fees upfront is unrealistic given how a tow works. Requiring multiple towing operators to respond to the scene and provide competing quotes goes directly against Quick Clearance by significantly increasing the amount of time and number of responders on-scene. The unintended consequence would be a significant risk to public safety and to the lives of the responders required to stand on the side of the road while quotes are negotiated. Congressional offices were very much in agreement with these points and agreed that direct dialogue between the towing industry and FMCSA is the best approach to addressing the concerns of FMCSA over transparency in towing fees. Accordingly, TRAA has asked Congress to include the below language in the FY25 appropriations bill, which the House and Senate will begin drafting later this month. The Committee is aware of the Federal Trade Commission’s Proposed Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees. The Committee is also aware of recent efforts to include certain towing fees for commercial motor vehicles in this rule. Given the lack of evidence obtained by the Agency prior to publishing its draft Rule and the focus of the Rule on the individual consumer rather than commercial consumers, the Committee is concerned that the inclusion of towing fees in the Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees would be outside the scope of the Rule as submitted to Congress for review. The Committee instead supports the creation of a Department of Transportation-led task force to address transparency in towing fees as the agency with legislatively mandated authority to address the issue and industry expertise. In addition, we are actively working with FMCSA on the proposed Tow Services Transparency Task Force and anticipate further updates on this effort in the not-too-distant future. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

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The Tow Times April issue is packed with information and insight including electric vehicle (EV) towing and recovery considerations, how networking can boost your company, and moving large mechanic’s toolboxes. This issue also features an expanded Recovery Review with eight pages of rotator recoveries, along with recovery tips from the featured companies in our “Rotator/Recovery Tips” article. Find all this and much more in the Tow Times April issue. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Geri Roskopf I came across an article in the Milwaukee Biz Times Magazine highlighting surrounding area businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries from five years to 125 years. My own business is celebrating our 40th year in business this year. The author of the article stated: “Starting a business is hard work. It requires courage and a good idea, a great team and even better execution day in and day out, month after month, year after year. To grow and sustain that business for one, two or several generations, it requires innovation, teamwork and determination.” The owner of a landscaping business, now celebrating 65 years in operation, said he started mowing lawns in his neighborhood and when he purchased land and built a combined office, garage and shop, he and his wife lived in a camper in the parking lot for the next seven years. Another company, celebrating 40 years, started selling entry hall rugs out of their home. They purchased an old bread truck, piled it high with floor mats and uniform samples and the owner traveled business to business soliciting sales. His wife, a self-taught artist, hand traced designs from a small desk in their basement of company logos to detailed images of machinery. These two stories hit home for me, as my husband and I started out pretty much the same as these two companies. Basically, building our first tow truck, taking a second mortgage on our home for start-up money and putting trust in each other through all of the good and not-so-good times. I know many of you can tell your own start-up stories for your businesses. While my husband and I are the mom-and-pop owners of the business, we could not have reached our 40th anniversary without the best employees and the support of our families, towing community and our hometown community. Congratulations to all industry companies celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Source: Vehicle Management Solutions LLC press release Vehicle Management Solutions LLC (“VMS”), a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital LLC, (“Mill Point”) announced the acquisition of Grant Street Companies, LLC (the “Company” or “Grant Street”), a provider of police and private property impound (“PPI”) vehicle storage management and a subsidiary of Summit Vehicle Solutions. The Company operates Peak Auto Storage and Southwest Auto Tow in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area and A Tow Atlanta and A Tow Roswell in the greater Atlanta Metropolitan Area. The acquisition fortifies VMS’ position in vehicle management services in Texas and marks its entry into the Georgia market. The combination with VMS’ current portfolio will further enhance the company’s support of police impounds in two of the largest and fastest growing southern U.S. states. “We are thrilled to welcome Grant Street Companies into the Vehicle Management Solutions family,” said Kevin Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer of VMS. “This acquisition demonstrates our continued success executing our growth strategy of diversifying our operations and geographic footprint. By combining our expertise and resources with Grant Street, we are poised to deliver unparalleled service and support to our customers.” “The Grant Street Companies acquisition is a testament to the success we have had executing highly strategic transactions to accelerate our value creation plan at VMS. Grant Street Companies represents our fourth add-on acquisition since our original investment in July 2022. Kevin, Ann Chiang and the rest of the team have done a phenomenal job sourcing, executing and integrating all acquisitions to date,” commented Sebastian Bustamante, Vice President at Mill Point. “We firmly believe Vehicle Management Solutions is the right partner for Grant Street Companies,” added Trevor Forbes, Chief Executive Officer of Summit Vehicle Solutions. “With a shared commitment to excellence, we are confident that VMS will continue to build on the foundations we have laid and maximize the full potential of the business.” View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

TRAA press release: Again this year, a bipartisan Senate resolution introduced by Senators Braun and Blumenthal to recognize April 15-19, 2024,as National Work Zone Awareness Week (S.Res.613) has been agreed in the Senate. The goal of the resolution is to raise awareness and educate motorist on how to safely move through and operate in work zones and decrease the risk to those working on the nation’s roadways. Thanks to TRAA’s efforts towing and recovery professionals are specifically included in the resolution under Section (3) – Subsection (G) which states, “providing towing and recovery professionals room to facilitate the process of clearing crashes.” While the proposal is specific to work zones or “road construction sites”, the dangers posed are not limited to highway or construction workers. Traffic incident management (TIM) partner disciplines, including towing and recovery professionals, are called to address and clear these crashes in work zones when they occur thereby also putting themselves in danger of being struck. Additionally, TIM partner disciplines are also roadway users in the execution of their duties which puts us at risk for being involved in a crash ourselves. In addition to TRAA, the resolution is endorsed by several other national groups including AAA National, American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Organization, Governors Highway Safety Association, National Safety Council, and more. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Chattanooga Lookouts press release: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts are proud to announce a new alternate identity for the 2024 season. The new alternate identity was chosen to recognize Chattanooga as the birthplace of the wrecker and to honor the past, present, and future of the towing industry. For six games the team will play as the Chattanooga Wreckers, featuring new on-field jerseys and hats in a dark navy and orange color scheme. The primary mark features a vintage wrecker in orange inspired by the inventor of the tow hitch, Ernest Holmes Sr. The team is partnering with Miller Industries and the International Towing and Recovery Museum to help shine the spotlight on the hard-working men and women who work in the towing and recovery industry. “Having the opportunity to tell the story of a homegrown industry, an industry that was born and built right here in Chattanooga, is a unique opportunity” said Lookouts Vice President Andrew Zito. “The Lookouts and the towing industry have been a staple of Chattanooga for more than 100 years. We are super excited to bring this identity to life throughout our 2024 season.” The Chattanooga Wreckers, presented by Miller Industries, will play their first game during the Wreckers Kickoff Extravaganza weekend on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. The remaining dates include Sunday, June 16, Friday July 12, Saturday, August 3, and Thursday, August 29. Both Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 will feature a Wreckers Car Air Freshener Giveaway for the 1st 1,000 fans. Friday, April 26th‘s game will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Wreckers’ games will also feature special entertainment, promotions and yes, tow trucks. “The Towing Museum is incredibly proud to be a community partner with the Chattanooga Lookouts,” said Executive Director of the International Towing Museum, Lauren Colón. “With our industry foundations being here in Chattanooga, we look forward to engaging with our community while spotlighting the towing industry and slow down move over law awareness. We would also like to extend a big thank you to Miller Industries for sponsoring this exciting collaboration.” “Miller Industries is thrilled to partner with the Lookouts,” said Miller Industries Vice President of Marketing Kipp Felice. “With Chattanooga being the birthplace of towing, and home of The World’s Largest Manufacturer of Towing and Recovery Equipment, Miller Industries, we knew we needed to be a part of this and are very proud to be the presenting partner of the Chattanooga Wreckers. We look forward to working alongside the International Towing and Recovery Museum and the Lookouts to highlight and share the history of our industry.” The full brand kit and on-field hat and jersey were designed by W. Todd Vaught and Daniel Levey of Confluence Design in Atlanta. Wreckers merchandise, including replica jerseys, fashion caps and shirts are now available for purchase online at Lookouts.com or at the Team Store located at AT&T Field, open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Peterbilt has announced the availability of new mobile PTO functionality with the PACCAR TX-8 automatic transmission in the Models 548, 537 and 536. This new option allows for PTO engagement beyond first gear, increasing vehicle capabilities for vocational applications. “This additional PTO functionality provides the versatility to support Peterbilt customers with the right products and technologies for their unique business needs,” said Jake Montero, Peterbilt assistant general manager, sales and marketing. “The PACCAR TX-8 is a great fit for utility service, tow trucks, and a wide range of other vocational applications.” PACCAR’s 8-speed automatic transmission is designed to work seamlessly with PACCAR PX engines and enhances performance, increases fuel efficiency and lowers cost of operation of Peterbilt’s medium duty and vocational applications with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) up to 57,000 lbs. Visit your nearest Peterbilt dealer or https://paccarpowertrain.com/products/tx-8/ for additional information. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Geri Roskopf Recently, I was in conversation with a tower about a similar situation we were both facing and he used the word “reasonableness.” While I figured it meant to be reasonable, I was curious about the dictionary’s definition. According to the dictionary, reasonableness means sound judgment; fairness. The quality of being based on good sense. That led me to look up “good sense” versus “common sense.” Common sense refers to practical judgment and reasoning that most people possess. It’s the ability to make sensible decisions based on everyday experiences and observations. Good sense refers to cleverness, sound judgment and intelligence in specific situations. Good sense is the regulated and controlled part of common sense. It’s making wise decisions based on a thoughtful analysis. While the word reasonableness doesn’t flow off the tongue like reasonable, I think it’s a great word to use in situations where you need to be level-headed, logical, rational, practical and generally do what’s right. A combination of common and good sense. I was glad I had that conversation with the tower as he really helped put in perspective how I needed to handle the situation we talked about. Reasonableness – a good word to keep posted on my computer. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Garden State Towing Association press release: The Garden State Towing Association (GSTA) established this scholarship fund in honor of our long time executive director, Mary Leigh Barbusin. These scholarships are meant to assist GSTA member children who wish to pursue a college education or technical degree at an accredited technical/vocational school or two-year or four-year college or university. Scholarships are made based on academic potential, financial need and special circumstances without reference to race, creed, gender, disability, religion or national origin. Applicants must be New Jersey residents who are dependent children (naturally and legally adopted children or stepchildren living in the employee’s household or primarily supported by the employee), age 23 and under, offspring of a regular GSTA member or associate member in good standing. The member or member company must have a minimum of one year of membership with the GSTA. There will be three $1,000 scholarships awarded. Awards are for undergraduate study only. Interested students must complete the attached GSTA Scholarship Fund Application for the following academic year, a 500 word essay on the topic, “Who you are and why you deserve this scholarship,”along with a current transcript of grades. Mail all documents to the GSTA, PO Box 162, Morganville, NJ 07751, postmarked no later than Monday, June 3, 2024. Recipients will be notified by the end of July. Awardees will need to make themselves available for an in-person photo. Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applicants are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, it is important to answer all questions as completely as possible. All information received is considered confidential and reviewed by the GSTA scholarship committee, executive board and staff. The candidate selection is made by the GSTA scholarship committee with final approval by the executive board. The committee will evaluate all applicants based on past educational performance, future potential, work experience, statement of career aspirations and goals, leadership and participation in school and community activities and volunteer efforts. Special circumstances and financial need will also be given consideration. Anyone who serves on the scholarship committee agrees their family members will not be eligible to participate in the program. The award check will be mailed directly to the school in the student’s name. To download the GSTA scholarship application click here. To donate to the scholarship fund click here. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

AAA press release: AAA is activating ‘Tow to Go’ for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend, in hopes that partygoers do not press their luck by driving impaired. Tow to Go is active from 6 p.m. Friday, March 15th to 6 a.m. Monday, March 18th. How does it work? When someone calls Tow to Go, AAA dispatches a tow truck to transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Since its inception, this life-saving program has removed more than 30,000 impaired drivers from the road. The service is free for anyone, yet AAA asks that it be treated as a last resort. “We’re proud to be that last line of defense, keeping people from driving impaired,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We also remain committed to educating the public that it’s important to find a safe ride before drinking alcohol or taking drugs. This is critical so motorists are not in the position of having to decide if they’re sober enough to drive.” Sobering Statistics: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on U.S. roadways. In 2020, more than 11,000 people died in drunk-driving crashes. Those deaths could have been avoided if the impaired drivers found a safe ride home instead of driving drunk. (NHTSA) Tow to Go Service Areas: FL, GA, IA, MI, ND, NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte), IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend) Phone number: (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 Guidelines: Provided from 6 p.m. Friday, March 15th to 6 a.m. Monday, March 18th. Free and available to AAA members and non-members. Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating. In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home. Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Kenworth has introduced the new PACCAR TX-12 PRO automated transmission for Class 6-7 and light Class 8 vocational applications. The PACCAR TX-12 PRO builds upon the existing PACCAR TX-12 transmission, which was designed to be one of the most efficient on-highway automated transmissions. The new transmission is available with select Kenworth Class 8 models, including the T680 and T880 equipped with the PACCAR MX-11 or PACCAR PX-9 engines. The transmission will be available for Kenworth Class 6-8 medium duty models, including the T280, T380, and T480 equipped with the PACCAR PX-9 engine later this year. The TX-12 PRO is optimally engineered to operate with all MX-11 and PX-9 engine ratings – up to 445 hp, 1,700 lb.-ft. of torque, and 70,000 pounds of gross combination vehicle weight (GCVW). The PACCAR TX-12 PRO features many of the TX-18 PRO’s enhanced capabilities for vocational and select off-highway applications, including PACCAR’s Extreme Duty clutch for improved low-speed maneuvering, Rock Free mode to help trucks get unstruck in mud or sand, an off-highway calibration tuned for changing soil conditions, and more. The 12-speed gear set provides wide ratio coverage, allowing for excellent maneuverability around job sites. “The new TX-12 PRO transmission is a welcomed addition to the PACCAR transmission family and will be an excellent powertrain component for our vocational medium duty customers and customers operating Class 8 trucks that are in light vocational applications which don’t require the power of the TX-18 PRO,” said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The TX-12 PRO builds off the proven technology of the TX-12 and TX-18 PRO to be an efficient and durable product for on and off-highway applications.” The TX-12 PRO offers dual PTO openings – a bottom mount 8-bolt and 4-bolt rear mount for a combined 95 hp capacity. The transmission is equipped with an internal oil temperature sensor. The sensor shows transmission temperatures on the in-cab 15-inch digital display and provides driver notifications in situations causing excessive temperatures. As with all PACCAR TX-12 and TX-18 transmission models, the TX-12 PRO is standard with Kenworth’s driver-friendly column-mounted, right-hand shifter. The shifter places gear selection and engine brake controls at the driver’s finger tips for enhanced ergonomics, comfort, and overall performance. Oil maintenance intervals for the TX-12 PRO are 250,000 miles, and the clutch is maintenance-free. The TX-12 PRO joins Kenworth’s PACCAR transmissions lineup, which include the PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission for fuel efficient, on-highway applications, TX-18 and TX-18 PRO automated transmissions for high performance on-highway and off-highway applications, and the PACCAR TX-8 automatic transmission standard on Kenworth’s medium duty models. The PACCAR TX-12 and TX-12 PRO will be available for Kenworth Class 6-8 medium duty models equipped with the PACCAR PX-9 engine later this year. More information on the TX-12 PRO is available at https://paccarpowertrain.com/products/tx-12/. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Ronny Mayer, center, was named the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department’s Citizen of the Year. The DeKalb County (Georgia) Fire Rescue Department named Ronnie Mayer, owner of R Mayer Towing of Atlanta, its Citizen of the Year. Mayer, a longtime volunteer and supporter of local community events was quoted: “It took my breath away when I was told I was being honored.” Mayer was honored on March 2 at the Stone Ridge Event Center in Stone Mountain, GA. In addition to DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department officials, DeKalb county commissioners were present at the ceremony. In addition to the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department, Mayer is a supporter of the DeKalb County Police Department and the Brookhaven Police Department. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com