Distinctly Dashing

By George L. Nitti Anybody familiar with the environs of Bergen County, N.J., knows about traffic and congestion; it seems a good precursor to operate a thriving business in towing and auto repair. But it’s not without its challenges, according to Mike Salemme, General Manager of Brookside Auto Body & Towing, a family owned, and operated business in Hackensack and Emerson, N.J. Salemme’s father is the President and his brother, the Operations Manager. 

The company, which employs more than 50 people daily, still struggles to find help. Salemme said, “The labor shortage is real. It’s hard to find qualified tow operators. It was difficult before the pandemic, but it is not nearly as bad as it is now.” 

Add in New Jersey’s strict regulations governing tow operations. “In New Jersey, we are so highly regulated that if you don’t follow certain rotations and guidelines, it creates another issue on its own,” said Salemme. 

Despite common industry challenges, the company continues to grow its sharp looking fleet, recently receiving a 2021 Kenworth T880 with a 35-ton Jerr-Dan for which they waited over a year and a half. 

Like their other 30 units or so, this one is similarly marked, with stand-out lettering and graphics that pop out against a black backdrop, credited in part to the long-standing work of ID Signs & Graphics, a local company that Brookside has worked with for more than 30 years. 

“I think we really worked hard with our designer to create a flowing wave of colors on our truck in order to make it more identifiable,” he added, referring to its sporty lined graphic that jags along the side. “The red and orange evolved. It used to be gold; sometimes we even had pink, blue and green in them, but when our fleet started growing, we decided our trucks needed to have a universal appeal. We went with red, yellow, orange, and black. My father is a big fan of black.”  

Also clearly visible is the Brookside name, made more memorable as it is repeated in other key locations on the truck. 

“Whenever you see our trucks on the road, they are distinct,” said Salemme.  

Add in some other adjectives to include spirited, bouyant, stylish, and - of course - dashing!

Brag @ TIW! Should your truck be featured here? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at georgenitti@gmail.com. You might even be selected to go in print, too, in American Towman magazine!