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 Industry Newsline - August 2002  |
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Industry Newsline
MOTIONS AND PROMOTIONS Dean Ducoing, formerly of Belanger of Michigan, Inc., has become a partner along with Todd Gesund and Fred Noyes in Super Car Wash Systems & Equipment Inc. of Royal Oak, MI. The company is a Select Service Organization Distributorship of Sonny's Equipment Inc. Ducoing will be responsible for all sales of car wash equipment, including full tunnel systems, auto dealer systems, and gas station (rollover) systems, as well as installations, service, and repairs. Hanna Car Wash Systems International has announced several changes in its executive lineup. James Rowe, previously CEO, has been named vice-chairman, effective July 10, 2002. He will focus on strategic initiatives and product development Jim Perris, previously Yoshida Foods' CFO, and a former COO at TRM Inc., has been appointed president/CEO at Hanna and will manage the day-to-day operations. Dan Hanna, Jr., has been named executive vice president of the new Hanna Touchless Car Wash Division. He will be responsible for the development and roll-out of all the new Hanna touchless equipment, including wheel washer, high-pressure arch, and touchless in-bay automatic devices. John Antonis, previously vice president of international sales, has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing responsible for both domestic and international markets. Belanger Inc. has appointed Rich Andreas regional sales manager for the Midwest Region. Andreas' previous experience includes a stint at PDQ Manufacturing where he worked, as a purchasing manager. He left that position to create the partnership known as Belanger of Wisconsin. The company also appointed a regional sales manager for the Great Lakes Region: Dennis Wight. Prior to accepting this position at Belanger, Wight spent 21 years in the petroleum industry, for 17 of which he was with Gilbarco of Greenboro, NC. During the final three years, he was region sales manager ovrseeing four district managers. NECA MOVES The New England Carwash Association has moved. The new address and telephone numbers are as follows: NECA VIOC SPONSORS WALK-A-THON The first annual Big Brothers Big Sisters "Magic Challenge" Walk-A-Thon, recently held at the Detroit Zoo, raised more than $50,000 for Detroit-area youth mentoring programs. Representatives from Walk-A-Thon sponsor Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) joined representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters Metropolitan Detroit (BBBSMD) and local celebrities to kick off the festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
WashUSA spokesperson Mark Curtis has announced that Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of America has been selected as partner for the Second Annual Wash USA effort on November 2, 2002. "Our committee couldn't be happier with our selection and the effort this charity has already put forward to team up with us," said Curtis. Momentum continues to build across the country as more and more regionals and state associations join the WashUSA effort. Most recently, the Western Carwash Association (WCA), with more than 900 members, joined the program. The 2001 charity event, which raised nearly $40,000 for the International Committee of the Red Cross, saw participation by more than 100 car wash operators and manufacturers. The 2002 fundraiser is expected to surpass those numbers significantly. "I hope to get 1,000 washes on board," said Curtis. "The goodwill created for the car washes who participate is a wonderful fringe benefit to raising money for a great cause like Make-A-Wish." For more information on WashUSA, contact Mark Curtis at WashUSA at (888) WASHUSA or Suzanne Stansbury at Media Solutions at (518) 877-6779. CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD Bill's Quick Lube, Oklahoma has been named the winner of Performance
Resources Inc.'s National Award for Excellence in Customer Service
for the second quarter of 2002. Doris Lambert, owner of Bill's Quick
Lube, accepted the award from Performance Resources, Inc. president
Joseph Rosales. MARK VII SAVES WATER Mark VII of Arvada, CO has announced that its new Profiler in-bay automatic uses only 26.5 gallons of fresh water per wash and only 1.5 gallons for clear coat rinse. Furthermore, water usage would be even lower if a reclaim system were used, said Jay Schneiders, COO of the company. Tests comparing the Profiler to Mark VII's own Aquajet showed that fresh water usage in the former was reduced by 35 percent. "More advanced wash technology enabled us to combine several different applications within the same pass. Rocker panel blasters and efficient low-pressure clear coat have been integrated into other passes to completely eliminate two entire gantry sweeps. We've also incorporated side profiling capabilities during the high-pressure wash application," Schneiders said. RALPH STONE DIES AT 88 Ralph Stone, retired chairman of Stone Soap Co. Inc., passed away
June 25, 2002 at 88 years of age. Stone founded Stone Soap Co.,
Inc. in 1932 during the Great Depression. Stone Soap began manufacturing
car wash chemicals for the professional car wash industry in the
early 1950s. Stone Ralph Stone was a fixture at car wash trade shows for over three decades, where he established both business and personal relationships that remained strong over the years. As an advocate for professional car washing, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the industry. Stone is survived by Rosalyn, his wife of 60 years, sons Kenneth Stone (president of Stone Soap Co.), Steven Stone (executive vice-president of Stone Soap Co.), and Jeffrey Stone (president of Sales Plus Inc.). |
