Ongoing training, continuous improvement, and industry advocacy remain important as owner Chris Logan’s career and company evolve.
by Pat Rediger
A lot can happen in 35 years, and that’s been the case at Roadway Towing Ltd. in Delta, B.C. The company started when longtime operator Dave Dickison decided to purchase two trucks and launch his own tow service. It was based out of his house, and his wife Christine served as the dispatcher.
Fast forward to today, and Dave’s son-in-law, Chris Logan, now heads the company, which has two dozen employees. Logan also purchased DNR Towing to expand Roadway Towing’s geographic scope and increase its market share for heavy towing. Logan is also a WreckMaster of the Year Award recipient and a veteran of the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) Towing and Recovery Division.
“I became involved in 2007 as the manager with the potential to purchase the business,” explained Logan. “I did that from 2007 until 2010 when I purchased it from David and Christine.”
Dickison built the company until it had about 13 employees and upwards of 15 trucks. He was already semi-retired when Logan began taking the reigns, and then when he completed the purchase, Dickison moved full-time into retirement.
September-October 2024
"Chris Logan and his team are dedicated
to continuous improvement.”
“If I recall correctly, he was around the office for about a week and then he said, ‘I’m out of here. If you need anything, just call me,’” said Logan.
One of the first initiatives that Logan embarked upon was transitioning from a manual, paper-based dispatch system to a digital dispatch. Not only did it make the process more efficient, but it also reduced the number of errors.
Another highlight for the company was the purchase of a permanent tandem-axle wrecker in 2014, which is still being used by the company today. Dickison had purchased tandem axles in the past, but they didn’t last long at the shop.
Perhaps the biggest change came in 2020 when the company acquired DNR Towing. Logan became interested in the company in 2014, but an agreement wasn’t reached until six years later. The acquisition brought a half dozen new pieces of equipment, mainly on the heavy duty side of towing, and an existing client list and qualified personnel. It was a strategic fit.
“We’re still running them as DNR,” said Logan. “But it’s all under one umbrella as Roadway Towing. Some of the equipment that we purchased from DNR we’ve traded and replaced.”
Chris Logan and his team are dedicated to continuous improvement. They stay abreast of industry advancements, ensuring that their WreckMaster operators receive ongoing training. Whether it’s traffic management, site cleanup, or handling complex towing scenarios, Roadway Towing’s operators are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for success.
“Back in 2010, I took my first two Wreckmaster classes,” said Logan. “I took a Level 2/3 and a Level 4/5. After taking those classes, I brought some of those skill sets back to the business and implemented them within our business.”
He added that the training is extremely important to ensure qualified people are working in the industry. Other professionals, such as forklift operators and crane operators, require certifications, so Logan said it was natural that tow truck operators receiving training and certification.
Logan continued with his WreckMaster training over the years, taking Levels 6/7 and Level 8 during 2016–17. Later that year he was named a Top 10 WreckMaster, and then in 2019, he was ranked WreckMaster of the Year.
“It’s obviously a pretty prestigious award, and they give you a gold ring, but it also kind of sets you apart from everybody else,” he said. “There’s a lot of good people in our industry who get the training and do all the right things, but the award goes to show you that we’re on the right track. Being recognized by your peers means that you are doing a good job.”
As a WreckMaster proponent, Logan has assisted with the training programs, provided casualties, and helped obtain classroom space. For the last four years, he has also spent considerable time travelling with Bruce Campbell, one of WreckMaster’s senior instructors, and has assisted him in delivering his classes.
Logan has also been involved with the ARA since 2008 after attending a meeting and being encouraged to join the Towing and Recovery Division. He’s remained with the division ever since and is a strong advocate for fair rates.
“The biggest obstacle that our industry faces is the rates that we get from our insurance corporation,” he said. “Our rates are on the lower side of the pay scale, so it has been a battle trying to get rates where they should be, and it’s an uphill battle. Back in 2010 you could buy a one-ton wrecker for about $95,000. If you buy the same truck now, it’s $200,000 to $250,000, but the rates are still somewhat similar to what they were in 2010. So, our expenses keep going up, but our revenue is not going up at the same rate.”
The training and industry issues remain important to Logan as he looks back on his career. He said that it’s important to be remembered for doing the right things in business and working with people who have a similar mindset. Although Logan assumed the company from his father-in-law, it appears that the company is not likely to remain in the family when he’s ready to retire. His two daughters have not expressed any interest in the company, but that’s fine with him.
“My wife is not involved in the business, so it’s just myself, which makes it a bit more enjoyable at the end of the day when I go home because that’s not the topic of conversation. I don’t know what the exit strategy will be, whatever day that comes.” 🍁