You Modernize,
You win
Our experts explain why
technological updates are vital to
your success and how to direct your
resources this year.
BY: KATE CARR | EDITOR IN CHIEF
If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. This is the quiet mantra of every successful small business owner. He may
not say it out loud, he might not have it
posted on the wall, but his actions and decisions will certainly indicate this philosophy.
Case in point: “Operators who equip themselves to succeed in
today’s market will have a clear advantage over those who buy on
a whim, as well as competitors who settle for ‘business as usual,’”
explained Sean McBride, tunnel product manager for Belanger, Inc.
When it comes to modernizing and updating your carwash
business, many owners fixate on the costs associated with buying
new equipment, freshening the look of the facility and putting
new programs in place. But the experts Professional Carwashing &
Detailing tracked down for this article said that is actually the process in reverse. To be truly forward-thinking, carwash operators
need to first identify the areas that need to be improved, and then
work on finding solutions.
It’s all about efficiency
Improving efficiency is the purpose of almost every new development for the carwash industry in 2010, according to our panel.
From entirely redeveloped systems to smaller updates for the
tunnel or in-bay automatic, the goal is to reduce water, energy and
labor dependency at the carwash.
But that’s not all. Manufacturers are also trying to simultaneously increase throughput, dollars-per-car and encourage simplicity in design. For instance, Econocraft’s new Xeo 8 Conveyorized
Car Wash System will use 1 HP electrical motors with variable
frequency drives (VFDs) to minimize energy use, according to Bob
Schrum, a distributor for the line and president/CEO of Flagstop,
Inc.,
a chain
of six carwashes in
the Richmond, VA, area.
According to Schrum, who is also
president of the Southeastern Car Wash Association, operators who use energy-efficient equipment
coupled with VFDs will not only dramatically reduce their
energy bills, but may also qualify for government subsidies.
McBride agreed with Schrum that VFDs are an easy way to control energy costs, but took the matter a step further by suggesting
operators research and consider electric-drive equipment which
can dramatically increase such savings.
Improving efficiency is
the purpose of almost
every new development
for the carwash industy
in 2010, according to
our panel. From entirely
redeveloped systems
to smaller updates for
the tunnel or in-bay
automatic, the goal is to
reduce water, energy
and labor dependency
at the carwash.
