In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, we examine the challenges and trends in the towing industry as we close out 2024. Key topics include scams targeting towing professionals and insights into the Traxero-Autoro merger. We share personal experiences with scams, highlight the necessity for valid information sources, and analyze economic trends affecting the market. We wrap up by celebrating listener engagement and encourage feedback as we finally announce the winner of the Whiskey Set. 

**Tow Business Podcast**: Your Ultimate Source for Towing Industry Insights In this episode, titled "Show 133," co-hosts Jeff and Brad share their thoughts and experiences related to the towing industry, while diving deep into the recently released 2024 State of Towing Annual Report by Traxero. As the longest-running podcast in the towing industry, the Tow Business Podcast aims to deliver crucial information and news to help listeners grow their businesses while promoting professionalism within the field. The episode opens with a conversation highlighting the cold Ohio winter and the anticipation of the upcoming Christmas party organized by Jeff’s company. They discuss the logistics and challenges of hosting a holiday gathering, all while keeping a light-hearted banter that draws listeners in. Brad shares a fun weekend adventure spent at Wind Rock Off Road Park, showcasing the camaraderie between the hosts and how they balance their professional lives with personal interests. As the episode transitions, they pay homage to Irvin Johns, the owner of Suburban Towing who recently passed away. Jeff recounts his memorable interactions with Irvin and how he contributed to the towing industry through innovative practices and exceptional service. The hosts remind listeners of the importance of respecting those who have positively impacted the community. The conversation then shifts to the core topic of the episode—the Traxero 2024 State of Towing Annual Report. Jeff and Brad provide insights from the report, which was collected from a significant number of towing professionals across the United States and Canada. Listeners are encouraged to download and read the report for a comprehensive understanding of its findings, which include data about company sizes, employee statistics, insurance challenges, and insights into operational efficiencies. One key finding discussed is the overwhelming challenge of increasing insurance costs faced by the majority of towers, with 67% of respondents indicating it as their top concern for 2024. The hosts candidly explore the ramifications of this issue on their businesses and emphasize the necessity for effective safety protocols to manage risk. The podcast further discusses the importance of seizing cash calls and growing commercial accounts, as well as optimizing impound operations. The hosts talk about the overlooked potential of impound yards and the importance of maximizing profit from this segment of the business. Hiring and retaining staff remains a pressing challenge within the industry, with various anecdotes illustrating the difficulties associated with finding reliable employees. Jeff and Brad also touch upon the critical role of marketing amid rising competition and economic challenges. They express concern over the lack of investment in marketing efforts by many towing companies, highlighting how this can hinder growth and customer acquisition. The conversation transitions into practical marketing strategies that can help businesses increase their digital presence and effectively capture cash call opportunities. As the episode wraps up, Jeff and Brad summarize various pivotal aspects of the report, reinforcing the idea that adapting business strategies in response to market data is essential for growth. They encourage listeners to remain informed and proactive in an ever-evolving industry landscape, voicing gratitude toward Traxero for producing such significant research and insights. Join Jeff and Brad on this engaging episode of the Tow Business Podcast for a detailed exploration of current challenges and opportunities in the towing industry, as well as valuable advice on enhancing business practices. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and share your thoughts with the hosts for future show ideas!

Miller industries

Traxero

Harbinger Marketing

In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, I team up with co-host Brad to explore the challenges in the towing industry, focusing on leadership and professional growth. We discuss the importance of mentorship for aspiring leaders, the lack of initiative among some employees, and the need to foster accountability within our teams. We also cover effective communication between management and operators, the complexities of safety bonus programs, and the risks of 1099 employment. I encourage listeners to strive for excellence and embrace their leadership responsibilities, aiming to cultivate a new generation of leaders in the towing industry.

Show Partners:

Miller Industries

Traxero

Harbinger Marketing

Unfortunately, there are many topics we feel need to be revisited time and time again. These are a few of those topics.

I stumbled across a few towing news websites I hadn't seen before. Without surprise, the majority of stories were negative but we found one good story about a tower in Georgia. We discuss some of the tops stories we found on these Geocities era websites.

Miller Industries

Traxero

Harbinger Marketing

HAAS Alert Safety Cloud

ERSCA

We talk about the greatest scandal to ever rock the towing industry and several other hot, current tow topics.

Tesla Truck Crash and fire

A 5 state SDMO blitz nabs 1130 violators

Massachusetts truck regulation madness

Mandatory, non-existent tow training in Ottawa

Thank our Show Sponsors:

Miller Industries

Traxero

HAAS Alert Safety Cloud

Harbinger Marketing

The title says it all. We as an industry have been labeled predators. If you start peeling the layers of that onion off how can we be predators? Why are police departments calling predators to the scene of a wreck? They aren't, they are calling professionals to provide necessary services. 

Thankfully The National open Commerce and Safer Highways Coalition is a group that's finally fighting back for us and they need your help. Visit https://www.nocshc.com/ to get the truth. If someone tries to bad mouth or start a rumor about that hard working group call out the person telling it. Ask them what they have done to help our industry.

Miller Industries

Traxero

HAAS Alert

Harbinger Marketing

ERSCA

David Harbin with Harbinger Marketing joins us to discuss creating and maintaining a solid, effective marketing program for your towing company regardless of size. It's no longer a matter of giving your company a name that starts with A so you are first in the phonebook. Our customers come from different places now and digital marketing is how you reach them.

Traxero

Miller Industries

Harbinger Marketing

HAAS Alert Safety Cloud

ERSCA

There may be a new twist to your competition trying to get you to run a fake call at your expense. Are you thinking of adding an outside salesperson? How do you pay them and when is a new customer actually a new customer? We also have a few more problems invoices to talk about. Keep them coming to [email protected]