Express Wash Manufacturers - Which do I choose from?

[Looking for a Wash]

I am contemplating opening up a External Express car wash tunnel in my area and I am looking for your input and wisdom on which manufacturer I should choose from and why. I am just new in the business and I want to avoid common pitfalls.

 

[Mr.Aap]

Exterior express wash....???

 

[Earl Weiss]

I am contemplating opening up a External Express car wash tunnel in my area and I am looking for your input and wisdom on which manufacturer I should choose from and why. I am just new in the business and I want to avoid common pitfalls.

I suggest you visit many locations, go to the ICA show and ask them who their suppliers are and how happy they are with the products and service. See if their is a local assoiation like the Chicagoland Car Wash Association and go to their meeting(s).


Stay several miles away from where you plan to open so you can tell them a general area if they ask. I am sure they do not want to help a potential competitor.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

One of the major IBA mfrs. Mark VII is located in your city. I have no experience with their conveyor equipment, but since they are in your backyard you should give them a look.

 

[Looking for a Wash]

Help me focus

I appreciate your suggestions. I am hoping for some non bias thoughts on a manufacturer. I have already spoken to two different distributors. One sold Sonny's and the other Belanger. I am going to be talking to Mark VII either this week or the next. My hope though is to hear the good the bad and the hidden areas that a new investor would like to avoid in a manufacturer.

Both however, seem very capable to help me and I am very happy with the information I have received from them. I find it very wise to speak to those who have been in the field and would be willing to pass on their thoughts.

So I desire to heed your warnings to a new-bee.

Thank you all!

 

[pitzerwm]

As has been said many times here, the equipment should be your 2nd consideration. The people that will be servicing the equipment are the people that can make or break you.

Find out who would be working on the equipment then talk to their customers, and a lot of them. This is what is the most important part.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Both Sonnys and Belanger make good stuff.

When it comes to simplicity and ease of service I like my AVW mitters. The circular motion eliminates slapping noise withut expensive micr fiber.

 

[captain cw]

Bill is right. Who will be servicing your site? How long have they been in business? Get references. How long have they carried the line of equipment? Some bounce around a lot. You want to know that parts will be available.

 

[robert roman]

As a consultant who works with new carwash developers, I’ll offer up a few tips.

As a start-up with no carwash experience (I assume), you face at least a moderate learning curve with express, say, 12 to 18 months.

Recession has led to significant decline in equipment spending which has led to consolidation in supply chain. The weak recovery is contributing further. Today, there are fewer distributors or dealers and more OEM’s have gone direct. As a result, expect a lot of pressure to buy a “price.”

Buying carwash equipment is similar to buying a car. You get what you pay for.

You can learn a lot by physical examination alone. For example, most people who compare Hyundai Elantra and Pontiac G6 believe Elantra is clearly superior in terms of fit and finished quality, typically this correlates with performance.

Like a car, it is either pay $24.95 for full-service oil change throughout the year or pay several thousands of dollars in several years when the engine needs an overhaul. Carwash equipment maintenance is as important as management.

Perhaps most important, choose people/firm that you are comfortable with. For the first year or two, you will be relying on them to learn how to fly. This takes more than folks who you can just tolerate.

 

[carnut2]

Having been in business only a few years myself, I would say the most important thing is service after the sale. Service, service, service until you figure out how to do it yourself. Remember, right after the sale, the golden hour, your rep will be at your beck and call tweaking your new purchase. Then the bottom falls out. And you will have to depend on your witts and your connections.

There is a lot of good equipment but who cares if you can't get anyone to keep it running.

After a while you will find reliable copntacts and will learn how to do some of the stuff yourself. Good luck...it can be a lot of fun!

 

[Let'Er Buck]

We were right where you were 2 years ago. We are about a month from opening or Express Exterior. I am sure we are working with one of the companies you are talking to and would be happy to talk with you about the process we went through to get here today. We are using Sonny's and Vacutech equipment. Message me your number and I will give you a call.

 

[soapy]

I would suggest a look at NS equipment. At the trade shows their equipment looks to be some of the very best out there.

 

[Chris Bateman]

I would suggest talking to veteran owner / operators. In Colorado / Wyoming the biggest players in the express exterior market are "Car Wash Express" and "Breeze Thru".
Both are slightly similar operations but have their own take and style. Both are very good operations. It's better to learn success from others than to learn from your own mistakes.

 

[DixieCarWash]

I personally am really familiar with Sonny's and Tommy. I've worked on Belanger and basically maintenance usually involves dismantling a whole piece of equipment and in the end you'll be shouting every four letter word in the dictionary. Not saying Belanger doesn't make good equipment. Tommy/AVW and Sonny's keep maintenance simple and straight forward. Usually short term maintenance only takes a few minutes and this means if something happens it won't hold up anyone or worse make you shut down for the day. Tommy and sonny's are also good on providing customer appeal. I've seen no problems with either Tommy or Sonny's.

 

[DavidM]

If you have a Macneil distributor in your area, I would talk to them. My experience with their equipment has been excellent.

 

[Chris Bateman]

I am in your area and can be of great assistance. Give me a call or shoot me an email. There are many options for equipment out there but what is truly important is the support you will get from the your local distributor and manufacturer. During the build / rehab development process experienced guidance is highly suggested. Did you know that in Arvada you cannot build a wash within half of a mile of any existing wash including automatics at fuel stations? During the discovery period there are many items to address. Arvada is a tough market but there is a niche if done right and not overbuilt.
- Chris Bateman