Local businessman recognized

ST. REGIS – One local business was recently recognized by a national trade magazine as one of the most experienced of its kind in the country.

Schober’s Towing and Repair in St. Regis, established in 1977, was ranked by American Towman Magazine on the Towman 500. The Towman 500 recognizes the most experienced tow companies in the country according to the industry’s premier trade publication.

Owner and founder John Schober said he was honored to be recognized for nearly four decades of service to Mineral County. Schober said the job has never ceased to be interesting for him.

“When we first started, we had a smaller area we covered,” Schober said. “Now, we cover all of Mineral County. We were recognized because we’ve been in the business for so long. They choose 500 of the oldest tow companies every year for recognition. I really do appreciate it. It feels really good.”

Schober said he was proud to provide what he considered to be vital services to Mineral County residents. He said most people, who are in a situation where they need his help, are grateful for the assistance his company provides.

“Most people are happy when we get them out of trouble,” Schober said. “They appreciate us coming out and getting them out of the snowbank or the ditch. One out of a hundred might go away thinking it costs too much but they have no idea how much it costs us to maintain this equipment.”

Members of the Towman 500 were invited to attend events in Baltimore, MD and Las Vegas, NV last May to receive an honorary belt buckle in recognition of their time in the towing industry. The buckle, according to a press release, featured a tow hook and an elephant. The statement said the elephant was a symbol of towing in ancient times.

Schober said he was unable to attend either event because this time of year was too busy for a business that is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He said, in his time in the towing business, he has responded to a wide array of calls, some amusing and some not-so amusing.

In his nearly 40 years of business, Schober has dealt with everything from spilled organic material to toxic, hazardous waste.

“Since we went into business, there probably hasn’t been any commodity that has been up and down the highway that we haven’t picked up,” Schober said. “We have dealt with everything imaginable. We picked up a load of baled hops once. We’ve dealt with radioactive equipment. It has been an interesting business.”

Schober said his company, which started with only one truck, now has a fleet that can respond to the public’s needs. He said the towing business has gone through a number of changes over the years.

“Boy has it ever changed,” Schober said. “We used to use a sling but with four-wheel drive vehicles, now we use dollies. Now, all our drivers have a commercial driver’s license. We have to have certified flagmen. The rules and regulations have changed considerably.”

American Towman magazine was established the same year as Schober’s Towing and Repair and is the oldest trade publication in the towing industry.