Disrupting the Towing Industry with Big D Fabrication

American Towing and Recovery Institute onThe Go

Oct 19 2023 • 37 mins

Have you ever wondered how principles of Japanese philosophy could revolutionize business practices in the towing and recovery industry? Join us as we embark on a fascinating journey through the lens of Kaizen, the Japanese concept of constant, never-ending improvement. Drawing inspiration from a powerful keynote speech at an auto recyclers convention and our own experiences, we discuss the transformative power of shifting perspectives and empowering employees to become business partners.

Our special guest is none other than Darrell Henninger, the ingenious mind behind Big D Fabrication. Darrell, a towing industry veteran since the 1970s, regales us with captivating tales from his early days in the business to the creation of Big D Fabrication's innovative dolly product. His relentless pursuit of improvement led him from a 14,000-pound capacity dolly all the way to a groundbreaking 44,000-pound capacity model, changing the game for towing large vehicles like garbage trucks, concrete trucks, and semi-trailers. Make no mistake, this is a story of audacity, innovation, and determination that you wouldn't want to miss!

Our conversation takes a dive into the value of hands-on education and vocational training, an often overlooked yet essential part of our industry. No theory can replace the gritty experience of shop classes in high schools as they guide the future stars of our business. We also delve into the story behind Big D Fabrication's online inception thanks to a simple social media post by Darrell's son. Tune in for an illuminating dialogue about the marriage of traditional hands-on work and modern digital media, and how it shapes our industry's future. This is not just another podcast episode; it's a glimpse into the heart of an industry on the cusp of change.