What's new

adding a 3rd IBA/friction

Eric H

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
1,243
Reaction score
645
Points
113
Location
Leominster, MA
If someone were to add a Friction machine to a site that already had 2 touchless units that were washing 25,000 CPY combined what would the 3rd friction machine wash?
 

soapy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
2,827
Reaction score
735
Points
113
Location
Rocky Mountains
Very tough question. Most people might say 12,500 or the same as each auto you now have. A friction would no doubt take some of your touchless customers. My opinion would be you would gain between 6 to 8,000 more cars per year.
 

mac

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
3,558
Reaction score
790
Points
113
We have a distributor who had four PDQ touchless units. He replaced one with an Istobal friction. That bay's revenue went up about 40% and his wash cost went down about the same. He proceeded to replace two more PDQ machines and his numbers increased about the same, as his cost per wash went way down. That being said, your location is a big unknown, If you do this, go with a good friction.
 

tdlconceptsllc

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
1,025
Reaction score
346
Points
83
Location
NC
We have a distributor who had four PDQ touchless units. He replaced one with an Istobal friction. That bay's revenue went up about 40% and his wash cost went down about the same. He proceeded to replace two more PDQ machines and his numbers increased about the same, as his cost per wash went way down. That being said, your location is a big unknown, If you do this, go with a good friction.
Mac I would like to get a friction myself is Istobal ever going to come up with a wall mounted system vs a gantry system. My wife told me the other day that it looks too old school & intimidating. I like my local istobal distributor super nice guy but we like a friction that’s a open concept. Talk to me some on gantry.
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,264
Reaction score
774
Points
113
Location
texas
If someone were to add a Friction machine to a site that already had 2 touchless units that were washing 25,000 CPY combined what would the 3rd friction machine wash?
I think you'd do 8,973 cpy in the friction bay
 
Last edited:

mac

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
3,558
Reaction score
790
Points
113
Have not heard if Istobal may do a wall mount, but I kind of doubt it. People's perception of machines is something that's hard to design around. I have started saying when people ask what I do, is that I sell robotic machines, which is really what most automatics are. We just installed a new Flex5 and it really is 21st century technology.
 

BBE

Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2011
Messages
507
Reaction score
2
Points
16
Location
USA
If you're location can support and has the demand for three IBAs why not look at converting site to EE?
 

rph9168

Carwashguy
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
2,663
Reaction score
10
Points
38
Location
Atlanta
Some sites simply do not support an EE layout. They are actually 2 very different operations. One of the most significant is that an automatic can operate 24/7 with almost no attendant. Not so with an EE.
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,264
Reaction score
774
Points
113
Location
texas
If you're location can support and has the demand for three IBAs why not look at converting site to EE?
Because 30% of his biz is when EE is closed + he can easily add a friction but not a tunnel
 

BBE

Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2011
Messages
507
Reaction score
2
Points
16
Location
USA
Because 30% of his biz is when EE is closed + he can easily add a friction but not a tunnel
I hear ya, I operate both. In my experience the revenue potential is certainly higher with an EE than IBA's. Some sites can't support the layout as mentioned, others just prefer the 24/7 no employee operation of IBA's, but as an owner/operator of both, if I had a site that was doing enough volume to justify a third IBA, I would at least look at it.
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,264
Reaction score
774
Points
113
Location
texas
Makes total sense to me. Sometimes guys just want IBAs, & not hassle with a bunch of employees.
 
Top