|
A year ago, Russ Gulliford, owner of Illinois Portable Toilets, bought two restroom trailers to upgrade his offerings for special events. With little competition, his business shot up so much that Russ sees a need for more trailers to meet demand. Three factors underscore his company’s special events success: exemplary service, damage waivers and creative marketing. For Russ, service absolutely means everything. Russ started his successful portable sanitation business because he wanted to service a special event. “I 
had been cleaning out a grease trap at a sorority, and a student hung his head out of the window at a fraternity next door and asked if we rented portable toilets,” Russ says. “I told him no, and he said, ‘That’s too bad because in three weeks, we need a dozen of them for a party we are having.’” Russ bought 12 used units to do the job. Thus began Illinois Portable Toilets, based in Urbana. The company, founded in 1987, now has 500 standard restrooms in various colors, the majority PolyJohn units and the balance Satellite. The two restroom trailers — 16- and 24-foot models — are from Advanced Containment Systems Inc.
WIDE VARIETY
Illinois Portable Toilets is one of three businesses Russ and his wife, Lisa, own. Gulliford Septic Service and Quality Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, started in 1994. Gulliford Septic Service was founded by Russ’ grandfather Floyd Gulliford in 1939; Russ restarted it in 1985 with the counsel of his father, Paul, after Floyd passed away in 1982. The restroom company serves a variety of weekend events, from skydiving and farm progress shows to tractor pulls, private parties, festivals and fairs. Forty percent of the restrooms are used for special events, and the others for construction and monthly rentals. Every unit includes, at minimum, a hand sanitizer. Some 200 units have 
hand wash sinks, and 75 are flush units. The trailers, which Russ likes to call comfort stations, have air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, CD player, hot-water sinks and other amenities. The restroom business operates with three trucks built by Lely USA: a 2004 Ford F-550 carrying 650 gallons waste/350 gallons fresh water; a 2002 Ford F-550 (650/300), and a 1999 Ford F-550 (600/300). The company also has a 1990 Ford F-450 (500/250) with a hydraulic lift carrier (built by Coleman), and a 1990 International (300/150) for pickup and delivery with a hydraulic lift gate and 10-unit capacity (built by Prime Industrial Tanks).
If you would like to read more, see our article in Pumper Magazine
