GTS reduces vehicle recovery risk thanks to Tele Radio

A specialist in heavy duty recovery vehicles says that new remote-control systems are helping its customers to be safer and more efficient.

August 28, 2025

Global Towing Systems (GTS) is a leading producer of vehicles that recover buses, trucks and military vehicles. It supplies recovery trucks with capacities of up to 30 tonnes. Based in Komló, Hungary, GTS offers standard and bespoke products to meet varying customer needs globally.

The company sought to improve the control systems it offers with its trucks, to enhance safety and reduce risk for operators. GTS had several criteria – the ability to remotely control all aspects of recovering the vehicle onto the truck, flexibility to customise solutions for different scenarios, and above all, extremely precise controls.

“Having reliable and precise equipment is not just important, it is essential,” said Michel Noel, CEO at GTS. “When recovering a crashed truck or bus, every movement needs to be controlled. A mistake can lead to damage, delays or even accidents. “That is why we looked for a remote-control system to allow the operator to work more safely and efficiently. After evaluating different options, we chose Tele Radio.”

GTS built a system that combines Tele Radio’s VersaTEQ and Panther transmitters. VersaTEQ is a multifunctional waist transmitter with ergonomic handlebars which follow the natural curves of the hand. The culmination of 60 years of experience, Tele Radio developed VersaTEQ to cover a broad range of hydraulic, mobile and industrial applications. Features include an active antenna which significantly increases the range, RFID access control, and BUS system compatibility.

“Our customers now control their recovery vehicles from a distance as far as 50 meters,” added Michel. “Operators pull a cable to a damaged vehicle and start their recovery operation on the spot without having to walk back to the built-in control panel on a truck.

“Another key feature we needed was precise control; the ability to smoothly adjust movement makes a big difference in recovery work where sudden shifts can create unnecessary risk. Having this level of precision has helped operators work more safely and efficiently.”

However, if the operator must get underneath the vehicle, Tele Radio’s compact handheld Panther is the ideal choice. “In such a case, they can bring out the smaller Panther handheld remote control and still influence a significant portion of the recovery vehicle’s functions,” said Michel.

GTS chose Tele Radio as its new supplier due to the dedication that Tele Radio demonstrated throughout the process. “Tele Radio visited our factory twice in the first year alone,” said Michel. “They really took the time to understand our proposition and offer remote-control solutions that befit our products.

“Every recovery situation is different so we needed a system that could adapt. The ability to customise the remote-control setup for different truck configurations has been extremely useful for both us and our customers.

“Since switching to Tele Radio we have received positive feedback from our customers. They like the added control and flexibility. For us at GTS, it is important to work with partners who understand our challenges and Tele Radio has certainly demonstrated that.”