The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act does not make it any easier to stay safe. The towing industry continues to fall between the cracks in almost all instances of labour law and guidelines. by Dennis Roberts, TransCan Service Ctr. Ltd. My previous updates have highlighted numerous examples of just how poorly the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has handled the legislation of the towing and storage industry. This issue I will focus on the SAFETY aspect. As indicated in the title of the legislation, Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), SAFETY should have been ..read more

With its rich 80-year history, Popow & Sons Towing is thriving under the leadership of the third generation exemplified by Wayne Popow, Top 10 WreckMaster of the Year (2023). By Pat Rediger Some people just seem to have towing in their DNA because once they try it, they would never think of a different career. Such is the case for Wayne Popow, who started driving at his father’s company shortly after he obtained his driver’s license at age 16. “I know you hear a lot from long-time tow operators who say that once it gets into your blood, you can’t get rid of it,” laughs Wayne. Today W ..read more

THE AUTOMOTIVE RETAILERS Association (ARA), in partnership with Tow Canada, has released the Out-of-Province Registered Owner Search Guide for the Canadian towing and recovery industry. This informative step-by-step guide is the result of extensive industry research conducted by MNP. It investigates the processes that tow professionals in one province would need to follow to contact a registered owner of a vehicle in a different province, notifying them that their vehicle has been towed or impounded. Many towing companies respond to calls from law enforcement to clear accident scenes, impound ..read more

The Chattanooga Lookouts baseball team is embracing their city’s rich history with a unique twist for the 2024 baseball season. Introducing the “Chattanooga Wreckers” as their alternate identity, the Lookouts will don dark navy and orange jerseys and hats for six special games, paying tribute to Chattanooga’s legacy as the birthplace of the wrecker and to honour the past, present, and future of the towing industry. The primary mark features a vintage wrecker in orange inspired by Ernest Holmes Sr., the inventor of the tow hitch. In collaboration with Miller Industries and the International T ..read more

The Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) is now accepting submissions for the Hero of the Industry award. This award aims to recognize individuals in the towing and recovery industry who go above and beyond the call of duty. All submissions will be reviewed by the Hero of the Industry Selection Committee. Those selected for the award will be notified in advance. The awards will be presented during the Awards Banquet at the Annual Provincial Tow Show on September 14, 2024. Award recipients will receive two complimentary tickets to the Awards Banquet. Criteria: The nominee must b ..read more

text and photos courtesy of Miller Industries In 1974, Century Wrecker hit the roads with a mission: redefine the towing and recovery industry. Now, as we stand on the cusp of 2024, the Century brand proudly celebrates five decades of towing excellence and innovation. From the very beginning, Century has been synonymous with reliability, efficiency, and safety, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs for motorists across the nation. Over the past 50 years, Century has become a symbol of unwavering commitment to service. Through advancements in technology and a relentless pursuit of leg ..read more

For Bob Nelson, vice president and general manager of Jerr-Dan, long-term success means listening to the customer, building products that get the job done, helping people make money, and understanding the opportunities. If your goal is to be in the industry long term, the bottom line is lean forward and plan, plan, plan. by Kara Cunningham Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company, is a leading supplier and manufacturer of towing and recovery products and equipment. The company is 51 years old, and Bob Nelson is the vice president and general manager. He joined the company in November 2019 a ..read more

Cover Photo: Shon Crumley posing with his daughter, Dakota, the inspiration behind the name of his towing company: Dakota Towing Ltd. When you get to the scene of an accident, and a life is at stake, what you have invested in training could be the difference between life and death. by Sarah Bruce Shon Crumley, owner/operator of Dakota Towing Ltd., didn’t plan to give a speech after winning WreckMaster of the Year at the 2023 Baltimore Tow Show, but when a story is this important, it just comes out. “I don’t even know why I told that story, to be honest,” Shon said in an interview later. “I ..read more

Insight into the impact of the Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act from the perspective of a professional tower and 35-year small-business proprietor. by Dennis Roberts, TransCan Service Ctr. Ltd. Over the last few issues, I have penned numerous articles with respect to Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA). The legislation that has been introduced is far from the legislation that I welcomed many months ago as a solution to towing issues in the province. It is so much different than I thought it would be that I offer my deepest apologies to ev ..read more

The second annual Tow Truck Show and Shine in Nisku marks a successful return after a three-year hiatus. by Iva Kestrankova Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku, Alberta, sparked with steel and colour as it hosted the second annual Tow Truck Show and Shine. Organized by the Towing and Recovery Association of Alberta (TRAA), the event made its comeback on September 16, 2023, after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Building on the success of its inaugural launch in 2019, the event brought a fun day for everyone. Following the CAA conference, the event brought together industry professionals ..read more