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I DA U N I V E R S A L M ay -J u n e 2 0 1 6 13 enough, the company also began offering a daily version that was mailed—and later faxed—throughout the country five days per week. On Aug. 8, 1968, the company became incorporated and changed its name to Contractors Hot Line, Inc. Over the next few years, the small and agile business started new trade and consumer maga- zines and guidebooks in various niches, a pattern that has continued to this day. In 1976, Joe Peed was elected chair- man by Hot Line's board. Joe is one of founders John and Dolores Peed's seven children and was raised on a farm south of Fort Dodge, where he cultivated his characteristic work ethic, self-discipline, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Under Joe's leadership, Hot Line flour- ished, changing its name to Heartland Communications Group, Inc., in 1988 to reflect the company's Midwestern roots and its breadth of services. Heartland has published many print and digital titles throughout its history. Besides Contractors Hot Line, some key magazines in Heartland's current portfo- lio are: Acreage Life, American Cattlemen, American Dairymen, Aviators Hot Line, Business Air, Crane Hot Line, Industrial Machine Trader, Fabricators Hot Line, Farmers Hot Line, Lift and Access, Lift & Hoist International and Parts Connec- tion. !e company also publishes several annual reference guidebooks. Heartland's Greatest Asset Besides supporting community and industry organizations, Heartland also has invested heavily in its employees. Heart- land now has 26 employees with 20 or more years of service at the company. "One of Heartland's greatest assets has been its employees, past and present," Joe Peed says. "I have expected as much out of them as I demanded of myself. It has taken years of hard work and dedication from countless Heartland employees for us to achieve what we have. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together over the past 50 years." Maureen Anderson, Heartland's lon- gest-term employee, started at Contractors Hot Line in July 1970 and continues to work as a sales representative for that pub- lication. "Joe saw something in me that he liked and wanted me to fit into a future vision he had planned," she says. "I initially resisted for less-than-smart reasons. I thank him for persisting and leading me through the quagmire of my incorrect assumptions to finally agree. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made." Jody Donahe, who is a sales represen- tative for Contractors Hot Line and is in her 36th year with Heartland, says work- ing at the company has made her more resilient. "One thing I've gained is perse- verance—to keep trying," she says. "I'm also proud of the rapport I've built with my customers over the years that will last a lifetime. Many of my customers are dear friends and practically family." Contractors Hot Line Today Besides Contractors Hot Line, Heart- land's Construction Group also publishes the monthly Par t s C onne ction and the annual Attachment Connection in addition to digital titles TruckerZine, MyEquipAuctions.com and Construc- tion E-Update, which are resources for the transportation industry and those seeking heavy equipment auctions and auction results, respectively. The group also offers the annual Construction Equipment Guide, Material Handling Guide and Transportation Dimension Guide, which are resources for prices, serial numbers and specifications from leading equipment manufacturers. Dustin Hector, publisher of Contrac- tors Hot Line, attributes the magazines' success to his staff 's professionalism, the relationships they have built and nurtured over the past 50 years, and the results the magazines have delivered to clients. "We're always looking out for our cust- omers, finding the best ways to serve them and help their businesses grow," he says. "We've been in business for 50 years for a reason. Our customers continue to do business with us because they trust our team and our products. We get to know them personally and have built lasting relationships." Strong Past, Promising Future For 50 years, Heartland Communica- tions Group has traversed the peaks and valleys of varying economic eras, showing resilience and growth despite operating in occasional down markets. "We are grateful for our thousands of customers who have trusted and relied upon our services to disseminate their messages to their target markets, even when times were tough," says CEO McK- inney. "Their partnerships have helped us develop compelling products to better meet their needs. We value the personal relationships we have cultivated through the years and look forward to reaching new customers as we continue to grow." Heartland Communications Group and its employees have built a success- ful company that, over the past 50 years, has helped numerous clients market to their customers and ultimately improve their businesses. As it always has done, Heartland will continue to search for new and innovative ways to bring buyers and sellers together. Q Contractors Hot Line 800-247-2000 www.contractorshotline.com CONNECTION® Parts HOT LINE ® FOR ALL YOUR CONSTRUCTION AND CRANE PARTS NEEDS MONTHLY ION ION ARTICLE ON PAGE 14 THE FIRST. THE BEST. SINCE 1994. "We're always looking out for our customers, finding the best ways to serve them and help their businesses grow. We've been in business for 50 years for a reason. Our customers continue to do business with us because they trust our team and our products. We get to know them personally and have built lasting relationships." — Dustin Hector, publisher of Contractors Hot Line