Industry Newsline
ISTOBAL PURCHASES MAGIC WAND’s ASSETS
Istobal USA of West Palm Beach, FL has announced that it has purchased the assets of Magic Wand LLC of Bristol, VA. “The addition of the industry-proven Magic Wand self-serve equipment, touch-free rollovers, and conveyor product lines gives Istobal USA and its distribution partners the industry’s most complete product line,” said Istobal USA president, Kevin Collette.
The modern manufacturing facilities of approximately 100,000 square feet in Bristol will allow Istobal to immediately expand its U.S.-based manufacturing and support capabilities, according to Collette. Istobal USA intends to add to the existing Magic Wand staff with new hires from the Bristol area and with Istobal USA personnel from its present West Palm Beach, FL location.
In welcoming Istobal to Bristol, the city council and the economic development committee announced that the company would be investing over $2 million in capital at this location within the next three years.
Magic Wand was formed in 1984 in Bristol, VA and was purchased by Key Bridge Investments in 2008. Istobal USA is a sister company of Istobal SA of Valencia, Spain, founded in 1950.
MACNEIL’S AMBULANCE WASH
A one-of-a-kind ambulance wash, engineered and installed by MacNeil Wash Systems, is up and running in Ontario. MacNeil was commissioned by the York Regional Emergency Medical Services to design a drive-through system that would meet the challenges of washing up to 200 city vehicles per day, ranging in size from sedans to heavy-duty, dual wheel ambulances.
“MacNeil capitalized on the strengths of our existing equipment and custom engineered it to fit the physical size, distinct profile, and dual wheels of the ambulances,” said Brad Laurier, vice president of Canadian sales. “We re-designed our Top Brush and SuperFlex Wrap-Arounds to extend their reach in order to perform safely and efficiently.”
RYKO GOES DIRECT IN TEXAS
Grimes, IA-based Ryko Solutions Inc. has announced that it has acquired and will fully integrate the brand, assets, and operations of Commercial Washing Systems Inc., the company’s largest distributor. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The move extends Ryko’s national direct sales and service support network for customers into the central and southern regions of Texas Commercial Washing Systems has been a component of Ryko’s distribution system for 30 years. Its president, Jody Carroll, will remain with the company as general manager of sales and service for the South/Central Texas Region.
LUSTRA APPOINTS WA REP
De Pere, WI-based Lustra™ Professional Car Care Products has announced the addition of Charter Industrial Supply LLC as an authorized manufacturer’s representative of their car wash products. Based in Seattle, WA, Charter Industrial Supply has been servicing the needs of car wash operators in the northwestern United States including Alaska. Chuck Trester, the company’s president, has over 25 years of industry experience.
IA GOVERNOR VISITS RYKO
Nearly 30 years ago, Ryko Manufacturing Company opened the doors to its new factory in Grimes, IA with the sitting Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad in attendance. He cut the ribbon at the new plant and toured the facility.
Almost three decades later, the company known now as Ryko Solutions, again hosted the sitting Governor of Iowa — Terry Branstad. On this most recent visit, Branstad again toured the factory and again congratulated the company for its success in job growth and expanding economic development to the area. This includes the addition of 100 new jobs over the past 12 months. Today, Ryko employs more than 360 people in 33 states, including the 150 who work in Grimes.
CWONJ PREPS MEMBERS FOR OSHA VISIT
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) prepared its members for an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) audit at its Fall Membership Meeting in Monroe, NJ, November 8, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza. The meeting, which also included an update on the association’s Groupon program by board member Scott Freund, attracted 60 individuals.
The night’s first speaker, Michael Yarnell, began his career with OSHA in 1974 and has conducted more than 200 independent field enforcement investigations at a variety of worksites. His experience as a federal level officer shed light on what will happen when OSHA comes calling, and what recourses an operator will have and how to approach a visit.
Mark Wadiak, the second speaker, is an assistant director in the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development and also a state representative. He is a great resource prior to an OSHA visit. He can assess any issues a site may have and work with the operator on rectifying them.
For more information on both speakers and their programs please visit the association website, cwonj.com.
