Our industry is definitely in a serious transition period and where it will end at is almost anyone's guess. I think part of the reason is a change in the demands customers make on the wash. I think the standard back then was more superficial than substantive. The big push was to satisfy a motorist's perception of what they should expect at a wash rather than dealing with the results of a wash. I remember back in the late 80's and early 90's when I traveled all around the country in most major cities you would see three or four automatics on a busy intersection corner. Today there may not be any. The oil company/c-store industry created a false heyday in our industry and like many other "innovations" they made they ran with it hard for a while then moved on to other "trends" like providing fast food and expanding grocery items. Tunnel washes seemed to want to put on a show more than anything else. I remember one rather large chain in a big city that put our very mediocre results yet was very successful. They dressed up their employees, built nice looking washes and created an aura of cleanliness almost to the point of an obsession when in reality their results were not that good. Self service started introducing more than just soap and water options at their washes and began using more color and fragrances in their chemicals. When I think back I realize that while many talked about "clean, dry cars" in reality they were more interested in putting on a show. Perhaps that was so successful because that is what the motorists expected at their wash. I believe that is no longer the case.
I also remember some oil company/c-store washes turning out terrible results yet doing some decent business. Perhaps that is why many now are gone - motorists expect a cleaner, drier vehicle than in the past. As Robert and Mac suggest, some operators are not willing to go the extra mile as far as their equipment and chemicals to produce good results and settle for less than optimum performance and low profit. There is probably no more a competitive industry in this country than fast food. Even when their sales and profits grow the giants of this industry continue to upgrade their facilities and menu offerings. When customer tastes change, they react by changing their offerings. The ones that don't start to decline and eventually are sold off or disappear.
I think there is a lesson to be learned that while large operators like Mister Car Wash continue to expand and grow many washes are either being sold or closed. Mister not only buys a wash, they invest in new or upgraded equipment and "dress the place up" and improve wash results. While at the same time in most cases increase the volume and profitability. I know some will say they can't afford to do that with their wash but to those I would say they may not be able to afford not to.
At the recent ICA Show it appears that tunnel manufacturers are moving toward short or mini tunnels with enhanced on line service offerings while automatics are moving toward more attractive looking models with better cleaning ability and self service manufacturers are looking to expand the number of offerings in the bay. I think many operators in general are looking at ways to increase the revenue potential at their sites with expanded
vending or other wash related profit centers. Hopefully the economy will soon improve, loans will be easier to obtain and consumer spending will grow. These are all important elements for renewed growth and prosperity in our industry. I don't know what where our industry's transition will end up or what wash format will become popular but I think that we must recognize and meet the needs of the changing habits and requirements of motorists and their expectations. Until then many will struggle to survive.
it's boom cable is a completely different design, and it doesn't have any L-Arms. It's gantry is also a LOT different. I know its a monarch because it says "YKO" MONA" on it, some letters have obviously peeled off. Any idea if its a Monarch I?
