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When do you decide whether to add a second IBA

APW

Well-known member
Is there a certain Car Per Month that you reach that you then decide to build a second IBA? I seem to always a have a line and I also see customers leave because of the line. This is also my busy time of year. Thoughts?
 
This is a really good question & I want to know what other operators say myself. I have always heard 1,800-2,000+ cars a month consistently every month not pollen/snow months for IBA then add on. On a positive note it won't wear out your other machine as fast for longtivity but that's another machine to maintain even on slow days and you have a backup which is nice. You could shut down and work on the other one which is sweet. The modern day customer is very impatient and will pull off if someone is waiting at paystation. This is just a rule of thumb I have always heard. Everyone's situation is different on this subject also are they buying a brand new 150K IBA or a used one alot of variables.
 
After the fact, it depends on capital cost of improvement.

For example, if capital is $3,000 per month (low side) and gross net is $6.00 per car, that’s 500 more washes a month to break even on improvement.

Another method to consider is solving with waiting line theory.

Either approach requires information such as car counts, take rates, prices, cycle times, traffic count, demography, cost of goods, etc.
 
The fact that you're asking the question should tell you a lot. Now the bigger question is what do you add? Same machine? Offer a friction if you have touchless?
 
2k cars/mo is crazy good! 8 cph for 9 hrs /day! I don't know why anyone would wanna get the exact same IBA? Why would you?
 
I wonder how crazy it would be to pull the high-velocity out and put a razor in there. I am sick of the arch on the high velocity hitting mirrors and shutting down. I am sure the razor could wash more cars per hour also.
 
I wonder how crazy it would be to pull the high-velocity out and put a razor in there. I am sick of the arch on the high velocity hitting mirrors and shutting down. I am sure the razor could wash more cars per hour also.

Tighten your arch a bit and move your impact prox switch out a turn or two. That will give you less impact shutdowns. Also put a sign on your teller and entrance telling people in Fullsize trucks and SUV's to fold mirrors in. Should help a bit, The brighter customers usually figure it out after once or twice in there without getting a complete wash. Then there are those that drive out and rip their mirrors off on the dryer ears and say its our fault!!!
 
Is the wash is configured to wash as fast as it can without compromising quality? If so, and you still "seem to always have a line" I would install a second auto. Other people are looking for an investment and noticing your lines. Years ago, I built a 5/1 that exceeded expectations and had a constant line going through the IBA. I had several washes build in my general area a couple of years later. Two of the owners noted my long lines as getting them interested in the business.
 
how fast does the Razor wash a car, including dryer time?
My LW is 5 minutes 30 secs: UC, 2 step Pre-Soaks, HPR, 3xFoam, HP CC/Wax, SFR, Dryer (40 secs).
 
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