February 2008 Table of Contents

Features

• 10Cover Story: ‘It’s a Pride Thing’
  2007 Classy Truck contest winner stresses that a good-looking rig reflects a well-run business.
• 16Special Feature: Kenny Comes to America
  Australian film focusing on an upbeat portable sanitation worker will debut during the Pumper & Cleaner Expo.
• 20Building the Business: Can We Talk?
  Bosses who say they want honest feedback should look for ways to get employees to open up ... and then listen to what the workers have to say.
• 30Rules and Regs: North Carolina Bill Would Have Required Two Technicians per Truck on Some Jobs
  Association’s rapid action in the state legislature delayed a decision on an amendment to a bill that pumpers opposed.
• 38Profile: The Buck Stops Here
  The thrill of calling the shots draws entrepreneurial Oregon couple into septic service ownership as a second career.
• 46Interview: Protecting Systems and Customer Base
  Pennsylvania contractor turns to a maintenance contract program to ensure proper care of systems it installs, as well as to lock in long-term profits.
• 54Profile: Old Name, New Ideas
  Fresh marketing tools and inventive disposal solutions build on a solid 60-year foundation for Michigan pumping firm.
• 64Overheard Online: Weighty Issues
  Posters want to know how heavy septage is, what drivers are paid and how to enhance customer education about onsite systems.
• 80Special Feature: Check Your Vacuum Relief Valve
  Richard Davis sent in these photos of his 2000 GMC Topkick vacuum truck, which suffered a collapsed tank while performing emergency service.
• 140Special Feature: What Happened to Loyalty?
  Use these strategies to encourage your best customers to come back again and again.

Columns

• 100Money Manager: Prodding Deadbeats
  Consider your options when faced with a ‘tough customer’ who seems completely unwilling to pay.
• 110Reader Pipelines: The Route to Profitability
  Workload and efficiency with ‘old-school’ practices will dictate when you adopt automated scheduling.
• 122Septic System Answer Man: Basic Training II: Mound Systems & Beyond
  A newly minted onsite system inspector gets more advice on how to work effectively with installers.
• 130Classy Trucks: Classy Truck of February
  This month we feature Goodwin Septic Cleaning of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
• 152NAWT: NAWT Sponsors Pumper & Cleaner Expo Education Day Seminar Track
  The six seminars will help pumpers expand their businesses, understand current federal regulations and gain valuable tools for advancing the land application of biosolids.
• 160Product Spotlight: FMI Service Trailer
  Businesses that can’t afford a nicely outfitted service truck have another option from FMI Trucks Sales & Service.
• 170Industry News: News From the Industry
  J&J Chemical Expands National Sales Team; Obituary: ?Jack Hoskins Sr. Founded Bay State Truck & Trailer; AlturnaMats Acquires Mobile Matts; JAG Names Senecal Director of Customer Development; Werts Promotes Anderson to Tank Truck Division Manager; Ditch Witch Redesigns Web Site; and Federal Signal Opens Long Beach Solutions Center.
• 193Association News: Association News, Training and Education, and Calendar of Events
  Your one-stop resource for all industry related events and education.

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• 72Lighter Side: Signature Service
  Portable restroom with a backstage pass is covered with autographs of country music luminaries.