The towing industry relies heavily on grit and heavy machinery. However, it often lacks an elevated customer experience. Standard towing methods fall short for owners of luxury cars, expensive machinery, and delicate freight. These clients need a service that treats their assets with extreme care. They want a blend of rugged capability and refined professionalism. Bridging this gap between blue-collar muscle and white-collar service has become the new standard for premium vehicle transport.
Enter Joe Borg. He is a lifelong industry veteran and the founder of The TowFather. Borg started his career at just 15 years old. Over the decades, he mastered everything from old-school sling techniques to modern flatbed transport. Today, his company redefines the towing experience. The TowFather provides a premium, peace-of-mind service that treats every vehicle like fragile glass. We sat down with Borg to discuss his unique journey, his business evolution, and how he is changing the towing industry for the better.
Q: You started in the towing industry at just 15 years old and learned the ropes before you could legally drive. How did those early, hands-on experiences shape your understanding of the trade?
Joe Borg: It was very helpful starting so young & under the guidance of my father who taught me the basics & i evolved from there. We towed lots of scrap cars so i got to learn the do’s & don’ts without having to pay to fix damages as there is so much that can go wrong & cost you money for damages. Things can bend , break , tear you name it & now there is way more risk of damage with all the sensors , wiring harnesses & other fragile components under the modern day vehicles. I was lucky I had my brother John & sister Michelle who would drive the tow truck & i would do the actual work hooking up the vehicles & negotiating with the customers. At only 15 years old it taught me how to deal with adults from such a young age & made me very confident in handling my own business one day & that i did. My father always supported me & wanted to see me succeed as any good parent would & should want for their kids.
Q: The towing industry has strong blue-collar roots. Yet, your mission with The TowFather is to provide "white-collar service." What does that concept look like in everyday practice for your clients?
Joe Borg: My white collar service is second to none. I have yet to see another tow truck operator do the things I do. I cover the interior with plastic from the seat , steering wheel , floor mat , shifter & E.brake handle (newer cars dont even have e.brake handles but when they do i cover) I will take my gloves off before touching your door handle. I will slide padded cloths between the rim & the Tie down straps if they will rub the rim to prevent any scuffs. If I need to winch the vehicle I will put straps around the point of contact & hook onto them to avoid scratching your suspension components because that will eventually rust. Most guys will take the easy route & just hook onto the control arms or somewhere solid near the front where I prefer to look underneath for the T-hook holes which are usually on the frame rails behind the front wheels. I put a foam padded noodle over the winch cable to avoid any scratching to the bumpers in case it touches while the elevation changes as the vehicle starts to come up onto the deck.
Q: You stepped away from the road in 2014 to launch Rapitow, an Uber-style motor club. What key business skills did you learn from that office venture before returning to the driver's seat?
Joe Borg: I learned how unreliable & unprofessional to many operators & dispatchers are. It was more stressful than sitting in traffic!!! My brother in law Waheed aka DR. Evil was the brains of RAPITOW & I was the one to deal with the tow companies while he dealt with the CEO’s. I can't thank my Brother in law enough for all the knowledge he brought to the table. He's a very smart man. But for myself I can't shine behind a desk I shine behind the wheel.
Q: Family plays a huge role in your story, right down to a memorable road trip to buy a new truck with your father. How does this family foundation influence the core values of your company?
Joe Borg: My father & I flew out from Toronto to Winnipeg to purchase a brand new Flatbed Tow truck & drove it back. We took the USA route home as it was December & the weather was horrible through the Canadian route & the USA route was clear THANK GOD. Passing through Michigan was scary as hell though as there were dead Deers everywhere on the highway. I thought for sure I was gonna hit one at some point but I got lucky & made it home safely. I thrive on making my family proud by keeping up with my reputation & countless 5 star reviews.
Q: As you look to the future, how do you hope your unique business model will change the public perception of the towing industry in the Greater Toronto Area?
Joe Borg: Well the Industry is full of scammers & opportunists. I can only worry about myself & my own reputation. There are plenty of good companies out there but I'd say more bad than good if that makes sense.
This conversation highlights exactly what happens when decades of experience meet a strict commitment to customer care. Borg’s journey from a teenage apprentice to a business trailblazer proves that passion and innovation elevate any field. He prioritizes respect, meticulous handling, and absolute reliability. Through these core values, he has successfully rewritten the rules of a traditionally rugged trade.
Vehicles continue to become more advanced and highly valuable. Because of this, the demand for specialized, high-end transport will only grow. Treating towing as a professional, white-collar service is no longer just a niche. It is a strict necessity to guarantee client peace of mind. The TowFather leads this charge, proving that a blue-collar work ethic and premium service make the perfect match for the road ahead.