Features

Leadership at the headquarters of a car wash chain was entertaining succession planning. What started out as an exercise turned into a sweeping new protocol for transitioning managers into leaders. »

In 1975, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a largely overlooked ruling that allowed earth-orbiting antennas — satellites — to be used for broadcasting television over large areas.  »

Today’s customers are exceptionally responsive to added convenience. It seems that some customers are won over when I can find some way to make the vehicle delivery process easier »

Lately I’ve had a strange feeling that my son considers me a car wash supplier first and a dad second. »

Over time, most man-made things become obsolete. MP3 players once required ear-bud headphones connected by thin wires. Now, you can buy them with Bluetooth and wireless ear buds. This is technical obsolescence. »

Now is the time to take your customer service to the next level. I have spoken with many operators who have cut back on their marketing budgets due to slow or declining sales growth but continue to look for ways to increase sales. »

The 28th annual Northeast Regional Carwash Convention was held October 2-4 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. »

Since the top operating expenses in many car washes, besides labor, are chemical and water costs, it is imperative to ensure that the fluid handling system is in optimal shape. If using a direct-inject, boosted pressure system,  »

It is no secret that many self-serve wand-bay car washes are experiencing challenging times. These wash facilities typically consist of multiple bays and, in many cases, some of those bays are not generating the revenue they... »

Full service tunnels were the industry standard for many years. With the ever-increasing costs for land and labor, many businesses are migrating to flex or express tunnels with free self-serve vacuums. »

Why invest in a wastewater reclaim or restoration system? »

Sometimes I learn a lot about car washing by talking with people not in the industry. For example, one of my friends has a condo in South Dakota they visit in the summer. I asked how he cleans his car and motorcycle there because... »

Making decisions is always difficult. It is hard enough when the decision needs to be made by a group of like-minded peers; but the hardest type of decisions to make are those in which there are multiple generations involved in... »

Advances in innovative car wash equipment enable cleaner vehicles, decreases the reliance on labor, and turns casual customers into loyal clientele. »

As you read this column, we are entering yet another fall season. For many detailers across the country, business starts to wind down. »