Express Study

[ibspuds]

I currently have a location with 4 Hand Bays and 2 Touchless Automatics. I have started initial research on adding an additional Express Wash. This would be a Autec friction stand alone glass structure detached from the existing wash but on the same property.

The history is a 15 year old well run existing car wash with a fair location. The latest traffic county is around 9,800 cars. There are 5 other washes in town of which 3 have Touchless Automatics. The population is around 25,000 people. The closest friction wash is 40 miles away.

Is there anyone that can share their experiences that had the same senario. More specifically, was new business (customers) obtained with the addition or did history show that you moved your present customers from the Touchless wash to the Friction wash? Also, in regards to lessons learned from this experience, what might you do differently?

Thank you in advance for all your comments....

 

[mac]

It sounds like you are in a saturated market. Is spending150 to 180K really the best thing to do? By the time you get a building and a new automatic you'll have that much into it. I would consider replacing one of your touchless ones.

 

[ibspuds]

Clarification:

There are 4 other Self Serve Washes, of those 2 have Touchfree Washes and there is 1 C-Store Touchfree....

 

[Waxman]

Just get this and put it in place of one IBA and gauge the friction market the cheap (Waxman) way.

http://www.carwashconsignment.com/wiki/CWC/SoftglossXS

 

[robert roman]

“I currently have a location with 4 Hand Bays and 2 Touchless Automatics. I have started initial research on adding an additional Express Wash. This would be an Autec friction stand alone glass structure detached from the existing wash but on the same property.”

Depending on the configuration of glass building, model of Autec and selected options and adding in site work, you are probably looking at investing between $350K and $500K, or more.

Although I am sure to be lambasted for suggesting this, you may want to consider the potential benefits of transforming one of the existing in-bays into an automated express hand wash.

I say this because experience has shown that a good way to differentiate a retail business in a serviced-based economy is to provide a higher level of customer service.

If the in-bay is standard length, say about 38’, you could install a surface mount flat-belt conveyor requiring very little concrete work as well as pre-soak arch, CTA, underbody, mitt tubs, wax/rinse arches, air-dryer, controls and support equipment for under $100,000.

Mike Horn, owner of Safetveyr, has been championing this business model in Australia and Europe and is seeing success; two persons can wash between 25 and 35 cars an hour using as little as 20 gallons of water per car. Moreover, there is a lot less equipment to break down as compared to chain conveyor or in-bay. Mr. Horn recently won ICA’s 2010 Trendsetter of the Year award.

The flat belt allows cleaning of vehicles that won’t fit on a standard chain conveyor or some in-bays. Hand washing produces a better clean, shine and dry than an in-bay and provides the opportunity to command higher price points.

In my market, people are having difficulty finding a job in McDonalds. So, finding and retaining two reliable people shouldn’t be much of an issue in most areas. Moreover, you would still have one in-bay to stay open 24/7.