Tow Professional Podcast
Tow Professional Podcast
From Pharmacists to Towing Legends: The Remarkable Story of Marilyn Rogers
Step into the world of towing excellence as DJ Harrington and Darian Weaver explore the remarkable stories featured in the latest issue of Tow Professional Magazine.
At the heart of this episode is an inspiring profile of 92-year-young Marilyn Rogers, whose journey from aspiring pharmacist's wife to towing industry pioneer began during a 1957 blizzard. After witnessing tragedy, Marilyn and husband Dewey purchased their first wrecker and launched what would become a towering legacy. Her story showcases true resilience – from dispatching calls and driving trucks to becoming the Wisconsin Towing Association's second female president and cleverly talking her family out of a hostage situation.
Join Darian as he shares exclusive insights from his recent tour of Towmate's manufacturing compound in Bentonville, Arkansas. What looks like a single facility from the outside reveals itself as an impressive multi-building operation where innovation happens daily. Witness how Brian Anderson transformed wireless towing lights over 40 years, creating manufacturing capabilities that can take products from concept to production in just three days.
The hosts also highlight cutting-edge equipment developments from Warrior Winch, whose T1000 series compact winch pulls 25,000 pounds while remaining lightweight. Learn about their Armortech synthetic rope that delivers steel-equivalent strength at a fraction of the weight – technology Darian has personally relied on when stuck in four feet of mud.
Discover how towing operators can generate additional revenue through EV charging stations, a diversification strategy that proved critical during pandemic slowdowns. The episode provides actionable insights about maintenance, facility outfitting, and preparing for industry evolution.
Ready to enhance your towing business with expert guidance? Subscribe, download, and share the Tow Professional Podcast – the authentic voice of towing and recovery professionals who serve with heart.
Welcome one and all to Tow Professional Podcast. Remember, this is your podcast. It's for the pros that have a need to know, that are on the go. This is truly the voice of the towing and recovery industry. I'm DJ Harrington, your co-host, better known as the Tow Doctor. But the real man and the real host of the program is the president and publisher of Tow Professional Magazine, a very good friend of the industry and a dear friend of mine, darren Weaver. Darren, I have to tell you here in Atlanta, blue skies, big puppy clouds and everything's wonderful. How about over there in Alabama?
Speaker 2:Well, let me tell you, DJ, I don't want to shoot you hopes down, but we're about to start on our 95,000th day of rain today. So I've got half the art built out and we're working on the rest of it. I think we're above Washington State on rainfall this year so far in Birmingham, Alabama. So, hey, it's a great state to be a frog in, I can tell you that much.
Speaker 1:Hey Darren, everybody who watches the Braves. My family says when we watch the Braves we know it's going to rain right before the game starts.
Speaker 1:And they hope they finish it by the time the game ends. It just has rained four days in a row at nighttime, but the game has gone on. So, like last night, the game went on. Of course they didn't win, but that's it. But we got this. I love the podcasts that we do together and that way it's almost like it's the biggest tease about the magazine coming out. So a lot of people are getting the magazine now in the mail and and this, this will definitely be a tease that they'll all be opening it and passing it to all their fellow members.
Speaker 2:Yes, this, this is a good one, dj, and I'm I'm excited about this show Cause we've got one of my, the host. I'm really starting to like here the older I get, and that's myself, so you'll be interviewing me today and this will be a good look at the upcoming issue, because we've got some great stuff in there and some great things happening the last couple of weeks as well.
Speaker 1:Well, we have a great writer in Michelle Succo and a lot of people when she does her woman's column. It is excellent. She's got a lot of reviews from it and I want to tell all our listeners, if you don't look at the magazine for this column itself, this column is always intriguing, filled with a lot of great information. So, darren, let's do this. So, darren, let's do this. Let's start off by us talking about Michelle Succo's edit in the latest issue of Toe Professional Magazine. It was on a 92-year-young Marilyn Rogers of Dewey Service Inc. How about you tell our listeners a little bit about it?
Speaker 2:Man, I tell you this is uh. Now michelle does a tremendous job on our women of towing stories, but this is one of my favorites and uh, it shows you uh from back many, many decades ago in the industry. And uh, marilyn rogers she was 22 years old when her, after her and dewey were married that they leased a mobile gas station. Um, so from that they ran that gas station for a while and then in 1957 a blizzard hit uh there in Wisconsin and a local towler was doing a winch out andJ lost his life while doing the winch out. And the local police chief there asked Dewey about buying the tow truck. He said man, you really need to buy this. It's a great opportunity because we don't have anybody else that can do this in the area. So Dewey wanted to be a pharmacist.
Speaker 2:Maryland was kind of long on the idea of that and things changed. It was, you know, after the recession. Things were tight and Dewey decided, and Maryland decided, to purchase this 1956 Chevrolet powered pre-war Holmes W35 heavy duty record and that was the start of the company that was established. They established it in 1958 as Dewey's Service Inc. And that was the starting of the company. So from that, looking to go in to be a pharmacist and their life was permanently changed after seeing that's how we're trying to help somebody and lose their life. And Dewey and his wife said hey, this is what we want to do. We've got an artist service and we want to help the industry.
Speaker 1:So that's when they started Boy oh boy, and it goes all the way back. How people think. Let me ask you this one what role did Marilyn fill in that company at the time?
Speaker 2:Oh, my goodness, man. Well, these the women are telling are going to be shaking their head right now, going yeah, yeah, because she did a little bit of everything. Now Marilyn was. She took part in dispatching, she, she did a little bit of everything. Now Marilyn was. She took part in dispatching, she did bookkeeping, she ran the gas station counter. She even got behind the wheel when Dewey needed her when they were going on longer hauls.
Speaker 2:And this is interesting, they attended the first first towing association meeting for wisconsin towing association in 1967 and dj maryland said when she walked in, uh, when dewey walked in there, it was a room, nothing but the man of towing in there and they were all smoking. It was a smoke-filled room. So, uh, dewey turned her, spun around, grabbed Marilyn by the hand, they walked out and when they came to the next one, dewey had to chase Marilyn in there because she grabbed a kid, walked straight in and that changed a little bit of the culture in the association meetings, from the smoking at the events and so on started to change it. And you know, later on she became involved with the Wisconsin Towing Association. She was so passionate about it and became the second ever female president of WTA. Yeah, so I mean, I listen, she was a go getter. Oh, yeah, so I mean, I listen, she was a go getter and to this point she pushed and pushed and got a woman's luncheon done for the woman the Wisconsin Towing Association.
Speaker 2:So you're talking about two people, dewey and Marilyn, that were going to take a different path in life, maybe be a pharmacist, maybe Marilyn's going to be a housewife, you never know at the time. But they got into towing and what they've been able to do as most people refer to her as just a legend in the industry that has been here for many years and that just loves the market and everybody knows her. So this is one, listeners, you get.
Speaker 2:Volume 14, issue 4 of Tow Professional. Make sure you take a look at that. It's a phenomenal story and to this day Marilyn is still involved in the company at some point. Now she's not out there wearing the trucks out on the road or or shoveling, shoveling up the wrecks anymore, but she is still involved in it and active in the industry and still loves it very much. So that was a very touching story that Michelle S suko uh was able to to bring to us, and it was uh, and this next part seemed better dj hey, before we take our first break, let me ask you one final question about maryland.
Speaker 1:All right, and this is what tell us one wild story for maryland's years in towing. Just do that one, and then we'll take a fast break all right.
Speaker 2:Well, this one got me dj. It kind of blew me away. They, they towed a car. They towed a car for a suspect that was involved in an arrest.
Speaker 2:Oh boy, and somehow the suspect got back around, stole maryland's purse and after her was stolen, they broke into her house one time and stole some things. And then the second time when they broke in the house, the whole family was there. So they went to take the family hostage and Marilyn told them, said hey, listen, we just got a call before you guys came barging in here, and when we don't show up at a call, the police come directly to the house to get us. And those guys ran out the door and they were. They were free of it. So that tells you how deep her ingenuity goes. So something is as wild and crazy as that. And her fast thinking saved the family, kept them from getting robbed and sent the suspects running. So definitely a legend and a monarch of the industry.
Speaker 1:Well, let's take a real fast break, listeners, and I want to tell all of you. When you come back, I'm going to have Darren explain to us about his recent trip to Bentonville, and you're going to love when you hear this story. All right, we'll be right back Just a short minute from our sponsor.
Speaker 4:TRAA is the national association representing the US towing and recovery industry. We act as the voice of America's towing industry by offering representation, education and leadership at the federal level. Much of our focus is on representing the interest of the towing and recovery industry on Capitol Hill, including promoting positive legislation and opposing potentially negative legislation. Traa is the industry's watchdog on Capitol Hill.
Speaker 4:There are so many compelling reasons to be a TRAA member. Besides being the right thing to do, membership gives you exclusive member benefits worth thousands of dollars a year, including exclusive TRA member discounts from our featured partners, such as Coast Fuel Cards, ev Clever App, toe Book, wreckmaster, toe Cert, haas Alert Zips. We Buy Key Fobs, auto Data Direct and Fleet Compliance Solutions, free advertising in our national membership directory and online directory, email updates, invitations to exclusive events and scholarship access. But best of all, you are pouring back into the industry to assure we together make it stronger for generations to come. A special thank you to our partner Gay Rochester of INA Towing to assure we together make it stronger for generations to come. A special thank you to our partner Gay Rochester of INA Towing for her continued ongoing support service to TRAA and her commitment to safety for our industry. With one over, lose none. Become a National Association member today at traaonlinecom and give it a try.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. You're listening to Tow Professional On the Go podcast, the number one podcast in the towing recovery industry. Every week, darren and I do our best to give you informative information, like the one we're doing right now. This special edition. Please download and listen. I want to tell all our listeners we're on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, darren, we have a ton of listeners and so recently I know you took a trip to Bentonville, arkansas, and the reason behind your trip. Tell our listeners and we'll go from there and this is a little teaser.
Speaker 2:We had talked a while back to Chris Anderson of Towmate and Chris had hit us with a little tease that hey, coming up in a couple of months we're going to have a 40th anniversary party for Towmate, 40 years in the industry, and a 70-year birthday party for my father, and you know I thought I ought to go up there. I like a good party, only a little way out of the way, it's 10 hours. So, man, I jumped in the Bronco and went up there and his family had it at the Peel Museum, which is right off of Sam Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, arkansas. And let me tell you, dj, it couldn't have went any better.
Speaker 2:I walk around the corner and Brian Anderson did a double take when he saw me because he knew I was out of place. You know, when you know somebody lives in Birmingham and they're standing in Arkansas, it's a little different. So he didn't know the party was going on. He just knew he couldn't come inside the museum until everybody told him. So got to meet him there and they had a wonderful party to, first off, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tow Mate, but secondly, also they wanted to thank and appreciate their employees. That have been a part of that as well. I think they've grown. When I got into market DJ, I think they had maybe 15, 20 employees and I think they're a little over 50 employees currently, and that was a phenomenal trip now.
Speaker 1:Now you had a good time there. Did anything special happen while you were there?
Speaker 2:man, let me tell you, um, you know, I thought about this before I went up there. Um, there's a couple of special things. One is, you know, I thought about the commitment to industry with, uh, wireless towing lights um, where that's come from in the market. It was much prior to me coming into the industry, but I certainly thought I didn't know if anybody else had done this, dj, but I thought it needed to be done. So Tow Professional awarded Brian Anderson a award for a commitment to safety 40 years commitment to safety, for his innovation and dedication to the industry. So that that was something really neat. And Brian tells me that was his first award being in the market and we're so happy that we were able to honor him with that and honor what he has built and the legacy he's built in this industry. So that's the first part of it, which was neat enough. But the second part of it is we were asked to like Charlie from Willy Wonka, so we got a golden ticket. We came back the next morning, met at a coffee shop, had some great coffee and pastries, and then we took a tour of Tomei and DJ.
Speaker 2:I'm going to tell you a lot of people might think it's just one small building. You know they just throwing a bunch of wires in a box and sending it out. But let me tell you couldn't be further from the truth. First building is about 11,000 square foot, has a lot of the assembly inside that building, but there are several other outbuildings, I'll say, on the compound in the area and those go from everything from the 3D design of the parts and we're not talking about 3D printers like you're used to seeing. We're talking about on a molecular level where they take the, you pour in the virgin powder into this and it forms the mold and molds these 3D parts. They've done this to make the handles and various parts of the products stronger. And then they got to a point where their vendor could not keep up actual mold of the boxes that the equipment goes in. So they've got the manufacturing equipment in-house and they produce them there.
Speaker 2:So when you looked at the entire place, they have the ability to hydro dip the wireless lights to put anything from you know skulls on the light to carbon fiber. Look, you name it. All the custom looks on the lights. Plus they've got the machines and I'm talking about $200,000 plus machines. $200,000 plus machines I'd say more than I could count that are in the different facilities for every stage of putting the lights together, and even their wiring, harnesses and assemblies are just over the top. The attention to detail on just the wiring, fittings and even the steps they go through to make sure that there's, even after the finishing process, that there's no moisture in any of those products that would affect use in the future.
Speaker 2:So, uh, but between the trip up there and the, the beautiful scenery, and then you, you back that up and they, they got the award for, uh, 40 years commitment to safety and the plant tour. And it really opens your eyes, dj, into how much manufacturing goes into this, how much innovation he's had to go through for these processes. When other companies couldn't keep up making the products for him, brian and his son Chris, they just went forged ahead, got the machines they needed and started doing the processes themselves. So they were a true, I'd say, not only a leader but a trail maker in the industry when it came to producing these lights. And with that, dj, I say it's probably best let's take another commercial break. Let's hear from some of our, our great sponsors here and listeners. We'll be back in just a moment with more questions here for your favorite, darren weaver, and the number one host, dj harrison. We'll be back in just a moment attention.
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Speaker 1:Wilbert Innovation Elevated. Welcome back listeners. You're listening to Toad Professional On-The-Go Podcast with Darren Weaver and DJ Harrington, the Toad Doctor. I want to thank all of you. Remember to like, review and share everywhere. If you want to hear an industry expert or you're an association that wants information posted on the podcast, dial the hotline number here at the podcast center, 706-409-5603, and let Darren and I know that you would like to be on the podcast or your association has some information you want to distribute through all of our listeners.
Speaker 1:Now, darren, before the break, I wanted to squeeze in one fast question before I ask you about Warrior Winch. When you were up there, if you remember, when you came back, you loved the trip so much with Chris Anderson and his dad and Chris Anderson, all of our listeners love listening to him. He's a real inspiration on the podcast. What were the buildings? Like you were telling me when you came back. You were so excited when you came back of what you saw, everything. And after chris's dad got the award, you sat there and said, dj, the one building. And then all of a sudden you look over, there's another building. And then they look over, there's another building. Oh man, some compound, huh it is something else.
Speaker 2:I mean, he's got the uh, he's I don't know how many acres it is, it's on a on a frontal road and it's right by a lake. And you pull in behind the Tomey building, which is 11,000 square foot, and take a private road over and then cross back over one little bridge. And when he built the property they asked him to put a water line in and so on, or a holding tank. And you know tell you how Brian Anderson is, he's like a holding tank. Well, we'll just put a pool in and then that way the employees can benefit from it. So he put containers on each side, put the pool in the middle, cut the containers out where you've got seating in there, actually got the trussles from Zips AW Direct, put a roof over it and it's got a whole glass front and a glass back and it's right there on the grounds with the Towmate facility, so all the employees are welcome to use it and their families can use it throughout the winter and summer. Also, he's got a couple other areas set up, like very nice modular homes, the double wides that are set up with a full deck on them and everything. And he's actually used some of those for his employees when they needed things. So it's really well thought out.
Speaker 2:And in the buildings, dj, you can go from one building to another and we're talking maybe I want to say 100 by 70 or something, 100 by 50, pretty big buildings every one of them and they would have different machines in there for different processes. One, you know, one facility was for receiving um, one was for uh, they've got a studio set up where they film the, the tomate videos, and then they have a in the back side of that room. They in studio they have where they do a lot of their research and development and try their products out. And it was neat to see, you know, with their capability, the light that they use that's on your traffic cones. That was one of those that they went from concept to finished product in about two days. Oh, wow yeah, in about two days. Oh, wow yeah.
Speaker 2:Gunther, one of Chris and Brian's right-hand men helped design the product. They were kicking around what they needed to increase safety in the market. With the, like I said, the machines they have in-house, the abilities they have, they were able to produce this product from concept to finished product and ready for sale within three days. And DJ, when I say they handle everything, they even mix the pigment in to color the boxes that the different tow lights come in. So yeah, a lot of that is done in-house on those wireless lights. So it was really eye-opening to see how big the process, how much room it takes for the process because the equipment and, like I said, the one room they used, the one outbuilding, they used to make those yellow assemblies that the lights go in. Man, that room's hot, it makes three of them every 15 minutes. And I made a joke. I said I know the person that works in here, skinny, because it's a hot room, and it was unbelievable the amount of product that they had turned out there in a day's time and they showed me how they weighed the pigment to get their colors and everything. So, from concept to finished product, to wrapped and at your door they're there and they have the machinery to make sure that if you ever do have a problem they can make it right for you. So that was it really blew me away. It was a phenomenal trip.
Speaker 2:A lot about buildings and a lot of the purpose was to not only spread out for the employees so that they had more comfortable working areas and stations, but also to make it usable for all the employees.
Speaker 2:And they had a mishap about I think it was about a year ago. Brian said that a person left the road, went through the side of his building and he had a 82-model Rolls-Royce up on a rack and that vehicle that ran through the fence, ran through the side of his building, hit about a $200,000 machine that produces parts and killed it and then took on the Rolls-Royce and the two posts left and killed them both. So it did. Brian said he did about $650,000, $700,000 worth of damage to the building just off. Somebody, not paying attention when they were driving, left the road and drove through one of his buildings. But, dj, I tell you, it's really unbelievable to see where they came from, when I say the dedication, the sacrifice he made to build the business, to be out there at all the shows when he had money and when he didn't, and to see how far the companies came. It was a great event to be at.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and they're wonderful people and I want to tell all our listeners, when you get that issue, that Tomeit has a card right inside the shrink wrap Yep, has a card right inside the shrink wrap Yep. So when you get the magazine, towmate's card is right there and it gives you more information about Towmate. So if you need it, it's there. All right, let me ask you this question. Darren, you did a great job in Bentonville, you really did. And since this is the last segment, let me ask you this one we're talking. I want to just ask in this issue you talked a little bit about Warrior Wench in this issue, and what about their wench feature that's on the Warrior Wench in this issue, the T-1000 as it's called? Is that what it is?
Speaker 2:Yeah, let me tell you we did a wench feature in this issue. The T1000 is it called. Is that what it is? Yeah, let me tell you, we did a winch feature in this magazine that just hit and Warrior Winch just basically showcased their brand of winches off and they tried to explain to the market which ones can fit.
Speaker 2:For example, they've got a T1000 series compact winch, but it's powerful, it's an industrial electric winch. It can pull up to 25,000 pounds and, they stress, this is ideal for emergency vehicles, utility trucks and even lightweight recovery rigs. They also have the hydraulic RV series. Also have the hydraulic rv series. Now this series, uh, is engineered for continuous use, extended durability, and it's perfect for tow fleets that are going to operate around the clock. So again, guys, the rv series, that's the one you want continuous use, extended durability, perfect for tow fleets that operate around the clock. And then then they have the YP series, and this is a favorite between operators that are doing fast response work, where time and precision is critical. So, just as critical as the winch is, the line you pull with is very critical as well. So that's why they're using the Armortech synthetic rope on their winches that they've come out with. So it's really a great article and one that'd be very informative for those looking to upgrade or replace their winch at the current time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's on page 3839 of this issue. But you know this Arm armatex synthetic rope. What's it made of?
Speaker 2:oh man, this is something else. Now it's. It's made from uh, this is above my pay grade, but I'm gonna. I'm gonna just read what it is dj. Okay, it's made from an ultra high molecular polyurethane offering equivalent strength of steel at a fraction of the weight. And I'll tell you, I've got this Armortech style synthetic rope that's on my winches. I've got two of their winches, dj, with this Armortech synthetic rope. One of them is the Samurai, 12,500 pound winch. And then I've got their latest addition for the 4x4 market, which is the Gladiator winch, and both of them have that Armatech synthetic rope on it.
Speaker 2:They're phenomenal and, yes, I had to use it. One time I got stuck better than I thought I could be, and let me tell you, these things pull like a champ. You would have thought I was just stuck in a water puddle instead of four foot of mud. But those are the kinds I've used from the company. And let me tell you if you're happy with what they've got on your tow truck. They have applications across the board. Whether you want to use this for your race car trailer, your car hauler trailer, your four by four, your side by side, if you want to put one on your rollback or your rotator. They've got something to fit the market there for you, a to Z, front to back. And if anybody wants more information on them, you can go to warriorwinchescom and find out the latest information on Warrior Winches.
Speaker 1:Well, let me tell you this Of course you didn't tell any of our listeners about the great article DJ Harrington wrote about the Midwest Regional Toe Show.
Speaker 2:No, sir, that's for you to do. Now DJ let me ask you a question.
Speaker 1:Okay, a fuel for thought, yeah, a fuel for thought, which is my column, and I love writing for you, and because the people in the industry read the magazine and I always get stopped all the time. So it's September 25th on that, you got to remember. You got to be at the great off lodge and I'm telling you we're back. That's what the article is all about. We're back and we are. So when you get this edition, open it up, you'll see pictures, you'll see how great it is.
Speaker 1:I like the magazine, this issue, my article is good and guys you know read it, of course. But there's a great article on interstate towing. I've been there twice. Jeremy Prokant is what a great story and it's all written about how he's developed this company and he's done a phenomenal job. The whole magazine, darren, I just think there was great articles about Holly's Towing Dispatch. There was great articles. Now I loved the fact that you had insurance, everything that you're thinking about you had in here and you had worldwide in there. It was perfect. And then I started thinking, you know, phoenix USA had a great add-on there. So, folks, I'm just going to tell you, when you see the magazine, pass it down through the ranks, it goes to the owner and managing principal, but pass it down through the ranks so that all the other people get a chance to look at it. What do you think?
Speaker 2:Yeah, DJ, 100%, and you're right. There's so many good articles in here it's hard to cover it and just a 30, 35 minute podcast. But we had another one. One thing folks make sure you check that out on Holly's Towing and Dispatch. They've been a loyal vendor of ours for 14 years. They are phenomenal people.
Speaker 2:I got to meet them at the Florida show for the first time in 14 years at this past Florida show, and let me tell you, Kathleen Freeman and the rest of them are just a unbelievable group of folks and what they want to do is help you take time off. You work this hard so that you can provide for your family, give them the nice things and be able to provide for them. But if you're not spending that time with them and all you're doing is running a business, let me tell you, running that business can get you some cash in your pocket, but running that family ride will get you right into heaven. So let Holly's Dispatch get you away from the business, get you brownie points, spend some time with the family and let them take care of your business when you're not there.
Speaker 1:Well, I'll tell you something else I want to tell our listeners.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll tell you something else I want to tell our listeners. You know we had Bob Nelson of the market trends and so on, so I'm glad you mentioned that DJ. That's one our listeners really need to pay attention to. And let me tell you this Friend of mine, ron Slodinski, is with EV Hero and let me tell you he does EV charging. Dj we were talking about during COVID.
Speaker 2:You know, when the tows went all the way down, people weren't leaving their homes. It was if you didn't have another revenue stream whether it be storage or something hazmat, you name it something along with just towing, you were in a bad spot. And this whole article Charging Ahead how Tow Operators Can Profit from EV Charging. They offer two things. One are portable EV chargers so you can charge an EV. The other thing is the charging system that you can put in at your facilities, at your different lots or service stations, to charge these EV cars, and that's another stream of income you can create. You can even rent those out to your competitors in the industry. They're trying to send customers over to charge their cars.
Speaker 2:So there's a great story in here on how you can expand this charging ahead. It's a feature on service and maintenance that gets you ideas on that. And then, just like you said, followed from that story, we've got another feature on lithium jump starters how they're safe, smart and effective, and the user tips behind that. A feature on toolboxes and wheel simulators from the guys that do it the right way, phoenix, usa. And, just like you said, zips pops in with a roadside safety section that highlights some of the top products to assist in being safe on the side of the road. And then also, like you said, dj, we do have an article in there from Worldwide that's outfitting your facility for service and maintenance. It kind of goes over the things that you need there and how they can help you with that, the truth that preventive maintenance doesn't need to be complex or expensive. You just have to have the right products and tools, and they break that down in the article.
Speaker 1:So it's a lot of knowledge in this one. Oh yeah, and see, I learned a lot. The article on Austin Hines growing again, that was a great article. Flow Stop had you know explain more about what Flow Stop is all about and what some of the things they have. The magazine really is filled with so many good things. Besides, you know I love the article on outfitting the facility, service and maintenance yes, that was another good article by Worldwide. You know it's making sense. And maintenance yes, that was another good article by Worldwide. You know it's making sense.
Speaker 1:So, folks, if you didn't get the magazine, if they did get it, learn more about it. And of course, there's always you know we have on the back page. I love the Energy Security Agency. Those are real. It's all about EV training. Yes, and the moveover law which everybody's talking about nowadays is all explained right in the page before. So, darren, we'll come to the end of this. What's one nice way everybody always talks about? And you know, one of our sponsors became our sponsor only because of the ending of the podcast. So say no more. Why don't we do the ending that one of our sponsors? Folks joined just because of that. So I think you know we got some great sponsors. I think every one of the companies that sponsors the podcast are wonderful, wonderful people and names in the industry. So we've been blessed there, buddy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we certainly have. So, yeah, without a doubt, I want to make sure me and DJ both. When we, when we started thought about this concept doing a podcast, we said two things that we've got to do Got to be able to allow your mother-in-law to hear the podcast and she's got to cover her ears or cover the grandbaby's ears, and we've got to be able to pray for our industry. And let me tell you, folks, when you put God in it, it's amazing what you can do. As DJ said, it's the number one in the industry and that's not just because of me or DJ's wonderful voice. I think it's because the big man's helped us get out there and get the information to the people that make the decisions in the industry. And that's all we want to do is give you the tools to make the decisions so that you can make a difference and you can grow your business and not have to be set back. But in saying that, listeners, make sure you also, like I said, read that Austin Hines growing again to better serve you. I was able to take part in a new facility and let me tell you guys that have done business with Greg Hines in the past, you know he is quality straight up. He takes care of his folks and now he's got the ability to wear a facility large enough that they can start the assembly process as well. And Greg Hines did this in the Austin Hines family just to make sure they could better serve their customers. So that's a great article and it shows how large this facility is and how they went over the top to make sure they could meet their customers' needs. And with that, dj, I will stop rambling and get to it.
Speaker 2:And as always, dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to talk about this industry that we're so passionate about. We thank you for every one of our listeners, for them tuning in. We thank you for their phenomenal feedback on the show. We thank you for their feedback on things that we can improve on. It's really helped us, father. We thank you for our vendors that are in the industry.
Speaker 2:Toe Professional, lord, you've blessed us with a 96% renewal rate. Our customers have been with us the majority of them 14 years in the industry, and if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the quality product that we have. So we thank every one of them. Dear Lord, we ask that you bless them, increase them, bring them more ideas that will help make our industry safer. And, dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for our tow men and women. We thank you for the tow professionals that go out there every day to take care of others, and do it in lieu of their selves, but do it because they have a servant's heart. And, father, we just ask that you bless them, that you bless their families, you help them through any hard times that they're having and remind them of how precious they are to you because of their heart for service. And, as always, we thank you. We appreciate it and amen. God bless you.
Speaker 2:Listeners, we appreciate you listening and making Tow Professional the top podcast in industry, and we'll be back next week with another great show and a host better than me, I can promise. Thanks again, dj and Chuck, my team here. That's made this a great success. Guys, keep listening. We'll be back again next week for you, you.