March 2008 Table of Contents

Features

• 10Reading Between the Lines: Who Wins Auto vs. Manual Shift Debate at Your House?
  "I know they say you can lose the MPGs, but it’s just so much nicer to drive."
• 20Building the Business: Corralling Insurance Costs
  Higher deductibles, safety programs and security measures help control rising business insurance costs.
• 30Rules and Regs: Long-Delayed California Rules are Back on Track
  News from California, Alabama, Florida, Illinois and Minnesota.
• 40Cover Story: Man of Steel
  Metalworking Minnesota contractor shares his truck-building and maintenance tips.
• 45Special Feature: Employee Motivation is Job One
  Follow these four steps to raise the level of enthusiasm and feeling of job satisfaction among your workforce.
• 70Interview: Onsite Systems Get a Bad Rap in Georgia
  A theory that septic systems contribute to reservoir drawdown is flawed, according to industry leaders.
• 80Profile: Foot Soldiers Wanted
  Virginia company looks for hardworking employees to aid in expansion effort.
• 90Overheard Online: Supporting the Vacuum Tank
  Shopping for a new pump truck, a poster wonders about the best way to support the weight of the tank barrel.

Columns

• 95Association News: Association News, Events Calendar, and Training & Education
  Everything you need to know about industry news and events can be found here.
• 110Money Manager: Nurturing the Nest Egg
  Market watchers warn of retirement investment pitfalls that can stall or drain funds earmarked for the golden years.
• 116NAWT: NAWT Training Benefits Pumpers and the Environment
  Several training opportunities are available.
• 120Reader Pipelines: We Need to Fix What?
  How do you convince cost-conscious customers to move forward with necessary septic tank repairs?
• 124Product Spotlight: Biodiesel Processor Turns Waste Oil into Fuel
  “This product is aimed at mom-and-pop outfits all the way to large corporations. Everyone is interested in an environmentally safe product that you can use in your vehicles, as well as reducing disposal costs.”
• 126Septic System Answer Man: Go With the Flow
  For the most accurate picture of sewage treatment capacity in a home, you have to crunch some numbers and make good guesses.
• 130Industry News: News From the Industry
  Vermeer Acquires Maxi Drill Manufacturer; Ameri-Can Appoints Andrews Sales Administrator; TOICO Acquires GMF Co., Expands Sales Staff; and RIDGID Presents Video Contest.
• 138Classy Trucks: Classy Truck of the Month
  This month we feature Steve 'O' Septic of Monticello, Minn.

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• 100Lighter Side: A Helping Hand
  Arizona’s Palmer’s Benjamin Franklin Plumbing donates time and supplies for various local charitable causes.