Managing editor
For the Unruhs of Galva, owners of Auto House Towing and Recovery, their business and how it is conducted is all about family and the golden rule: “Treat others how you want to be treated.”
Those two key elements have made their wrecker and recovery business successful in other communities. Now they are bringing their business and philosophies to Marion.
Galen and Sharon Unruh started a wrecker service in 1984. They found treating customers and employees like family made their work enjoyable for themselves and their customers.
“We have a very low turnover of employees,” Galen said.
Some of their employees actually are family.
Son Chris Unruh and son-in-law Micah Wenger manage the five locations in Galva, Newton, Salina, Hutchinson, and Marion.
The Newton business was established in 1998, followed by Salina in 2001, and Hutchinson and Marion, about the same time, September 2008.
They decided to come to Marion because they had been taking calls from this area for some time.
“People asked us to come here,” Galen said.
When the company contacted Marion officials, they found the city easy to get along with and eager to bring them here.
“We received a lot of assistance from the city,” Galen said. “David Mayfield and Doug Kjellin have been a real pleasure to work with.”
The family’s relationship with Marion began when Mike Ottensmeier was a trooper with Kansas Highway Patrol. During that time, the trooper worked highway accidents and Auto House was among the wrecker services utilized.
When the decision was made to look into opening an office and offering a wrecker service to Marion County, location was a consideration.
Marion is located near U.S.-56, U.S.-77, U.S.-50, and K-150, and the family appreciated the city’s willingness to work with them.
The Unruhs’ business started as a towing service for passenger vehicles. In 2000, they began serving semi-trucks and have expanded their tow trucks to include rigs designed to accommodate commercial semis.
Annually the company responds to 70-80 semi accidents or provides roadside assistance.
At their five locations, there are 18 trucks and 15 employees.
Since beginning operations in Marion last fall, business has been good.
“We’re happy with business so far,” Galen said. “We’ve had quite a few calls.”
Attitudes of the business owners and managers are the same.
“We treat every vehicle as our own,” Chris said. “Whether it’s a Pinto or a Cadillac, we have high expectations of our drivers to take care of vehicles.”
“Customers don’t have to worry about us tearing up their vehicles or equipment,” Micah said.
Keeping their fleet of wrecker drivers trained is important. They get together on a regular basis to discuss safety issues and discuss ways to better serve customers.
“We’ve met a lot of really nice people out there who are broke down or in an accident,” Sharon said.
“We meet people by accident,” Galen said with a smile.
He continued that this business is demanding.
“This business is not for the weak-kneed. We’re on call around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Galen said.
They consider themselves public servants, available when someone needs assistance.
“We enjoy the challenge. No two calls are the same,” Galen said. “Money cannot buy the rewarding experience of helping other people.”
There are two trucks located at the Marion business located between Trace of Copper and Pit Stop 56/The Hair Company.
David and Laura Yates previously owned the lot where the wrecker service is located. The lot became available to the Unruhs for the service, and David drives for Auto House, serving Marion County.
“We have really enjoyed this community,” Sharon said. “Marion is a great community of friendly people. This community has a lot of character.”
The Marion community also appreciated the new business by calling and offering services.
“We had banks calling us, asking to help,” Galen said. “We wanted local contractors and local people building this.”
Understanding the importance of supporting each other, particularly in a small community, the Unruhs used only local contractors for the construction of their business.
“That’s what keeps a small community going,” Micah said, “by supporting each other.”
“We also had great response from our neighbors,” Chris said, referring to the Yates and others in the business park. “They were very helpful in getting things started.”