Association News
Registration opens for Car Wash Show Europe
CHICAGO — Visitors can now register for Car Wash Show Europe, which will be held in the Amsterdam RAI convention center from Oct. 5-7, according to the International Carwash Association (ICA).
ICA members who attend the event will receive two free, three-day trade show-only passes. Premium and Century Club Members can take advantage of additional benefits.
“Bogdan Manta, European director of sales for Car Wash Show Europe, says in the article, “The recently announced partnership with the Dutch and German carwash associations BOVAG and BTG and their [decisions] to join us at Car Wash Show Europe illustrates the fact that more and more carwash associations are endorsing this event and recognizing its value to the sector.’’
The show includes education seminars, networking events, carwash tours, and product and service displays. Carwash professionals from around the world will be attendance to share their ideas.
Go to Carwash.org for more information.
SEMA opens booth reservations for 2015 show
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — Exhibitors can now reserve booth space for the 2015 SEMA Show, according to a press release.
The annual show will be held Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. It brings together more than 140,000 individuals to view the latest in automotive accessories.
"The SEMA Show is where the industry comes to do business," says Peter MacGillivray, SEMA Vice president of events and communications, in the release. "It’s where manufacturers promote their products and meet face-to-face with buyers."
Sixty percent of attendees are buyers. Nearly 25 percent of them are from outside the U.S.
Exhibitors can participate in the New Products Showcase at no additional cost.
For more information or to secure a booth, go to SEMAshow.com.
Simoniz CEO speaks on trends at CWONJ meeting
HAMILTON, N.J. — Simoniz USA CEO Bill Gorra spoke at the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) Winter Membership Meeting, according to a press release.
Gorra grew up in the industry, and he spoke about his company’s emphasis on branding. “It’s important to take your brand seriously,” he says in the release. “It is what sets you apart.”
Gorra also spoke about the evolution of the industry. “I think the industry is in good shape,” he shares in the release. “I think the financial community is looking more favorably on our industry, and the young kids and women today are not washing their cars themselves. That, and more leased vehicles and lower gas prices will help us wash more cars.”
The growth of the unlimited program, Gorra states in the release, is one of the most positive trends in the industry. “That and the growth of express exterior washes [have] put new energy into the business.”
Nearly 50 people attended the meeting. Outgoing CWONJ board member Bill Howell “received a plaque for his years of service to the board,” adds the release.
IDA recognizes first woman with Skills Validation certification
RICHMOND, Va. — Gina Budhai, managing partner of Car Pool Detail, earned her Skills Validation certification at the 14th Annual International Mobile Tech Auto Recon Expo 2015 & Detail’s Form in Orlando, Florida, according to a press release.
Budhai is the first woman to receive the designation. She is one of nine International Detailing Association- (IDA) certified detailers. Budhai received the designation of CD SV (IDA-certified Detailer and Skills Verified).
The program includes a skills assessment test that qualifies detailers beyond the written exam. Budhai and other detailers were faced with challenging scenarios they had to address with IDA-approved techniques.
“There are not a lot of women in the detailing industry,” says Budhai in the release. “I am deeply committed to continuing education opportunities that keep me up to date on new products, equipment and automotive technology.”
Budhai has managed Car Pool for 10 years. The facility is one of eight locations part of Car Pool Professional Car Wash & Detailing Services.
Detailer wins Lifetime Achievement Award and Detailing Person of the Year
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. — Detailer Renny Doyle has become the first person to ever win Detailing Person of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the same time, according to a press release.
A master-level auto and aircraft detailer, Doyle received the awards at the 14th Annual International Mobile Tech Auto Recon Expo 2015 (MTE) in Orlando, Florida.
Doyle was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award by peers around the U.S. The honor is given to someone who is either retired and still contributes to the industry or who is still active is the field and stands out due to ongoing excellence in detailing.
Doyle is author of How to Start a Home-based Car Detailing Business. He has also led the Air Force Detailing Team for the past decade. He has detailed more than 4,000 airplanes over 25 years in the industry.
“It’s an honor to be recognized this way by so many great people in the detailing industry,” Doyle says in the release. “I know so many of these guys because we work across state lines on shared projects, spend time together at trade shows and seminars. All of these guys work hard to be the best at what they do, and they are all deserving of the same recognition.”
MTE is the largest international show for appearance and repair-reconditioning professionals in the country.
Company News
Wash recognized for resource management excellence
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Autobell Car Wash Inc. was named the 2015 Conservation Business of the Year by the North Carolina Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), according to a press release.
The award “recognizes a private business or industry for excellence in industry resource management,” notes the release
“We are very pleased to recognize Autobell for the company’s dedication to water conservation and quality and for the implementation of innovative practices that enhance its business while protecting our state’s natural resources,” says SWCS chapter board member Dawn Williamson, in the release. “Autobell is to be commended for a business management plan that serves the dual role of economic growth and resource conservation.”
The recognition is the 11th environmental award Autobell has received since 2000.
GSP earns ADDY for Stripes branding
CLEARWATER, Fla. — GSP won a 2015 Tampa Bay Gold American Advertising Award (ADDY) for its rebranding of Chick’s convenience store to Stripes, according to a press release.
The company’s design was recognized in the competition’s “sales promotion branded environment” category.
The effort “involved rebranding the 12,000-square-foot Chick’s store in Bryan, Texas, to the Stripes” brand, states the release.
Updates were made to the Laredo Taco Company brand and The Wall fountain area. A Café de la Casa Coffee was also created for the space. A new logo was designed as well as signage, menus and new product images.
“We are pleased that our design work for Stripes has been recognized by the AAF,” says Steven Cohen, GSP’s vice president of design services, in the release. “The end result is a fantastic branded environment that brings the Stripes c-store to life in a larger footprint. All of the rebranded additions create big impact, help to improve visibility of the category destinations and truly communicate the essence of the Stripes brand.”
Griffco Valve receives PED certification
AMHERST, N.Y. — Griffco Valve Inc. has earned a certification for the design and manufacture of pressure relief/safety valves and back pressure valves, according to a press release.
The company also earned certification for CE under the Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC) Category IV Modules B and D.
“This represents a huge milestone in the recognition of Griffco safety valves,” says Colin Black, president of Griffco Valve, in the release. “Our history of manufacturing high-quality, reliable products combined with our comprehensive line of chemical feed accessories enables Griffco to offer the right products, certifications and safety standards to grow and support customers in North America, Europe and worldwide.”
Griffco’s valve “is one of the first diaphragm pressure relief valves certified to this level of CE marking,” which should save customers money, notes the release.
Zep launches program for chemical management
ATLANTA — Zep Vehicle Care has introduced its Assure® Program to provide a more effective way for carwash operators to manage their chemical processes, according to a press release.
The program “combines16 new hyperconcentrated chemistries in convenient 2.5 gallon cubitainers with integrated docking stations,” states the article.
Zep aims to make chemicals easier, safer and better. It uses lightweight packaging that is also fully collapsible for recycling and minimal post-use waste.
The program employs 16 new chemistries and is “up to four times more concentrated than current hyperconcentrated products,” reports the release. It also features sustainable, reclaim-friendly products.
“The new Assure® Program utilizes new chemistry technology that loosens dirt and increases shine and protection to deliver satisfied customers for carwash operators,” says Darrin Baum, vice president and general manager of Zep Vehicle Care, in the release. “We are excited to offer this new program to help wash operators manage their [washes] easier, safer and better.”
People News
New VP of member services joins AIADA
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) has added Dan Barson as vice president of member services, according to a press release.
“Barson will oversee the growth and development of AIADA's member services department,” notes the release. The department currently includes ten corporate partners that provide members with discounts and services.
Before accepting the new position, Barson worked as director of dealer consignment at Dealertrack Technologies. He has also worked with ADEA KAR Auction Services as dealer consignment director of strategic partnerships and services.
Barson was also vice president of membership and industry relations at AIADA from 1993 to 2001.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dan Barson to the AIADA team once again,” says AIADA President Cody Lusk in the release. “His experience in business development and management in the auto industry will be an impressive asset to AIADA's Member Services program.”
Diamond Chemical hires business development manager
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Diamond Chemical has hired Will Shearer as business development manager, according to a press release.
Shearer has ten years of experience in the electrical equipment industry. He also has experience servicing laundries.
Shearer “worked on the development of an electrochemical water reuse system” for use in laundries, states the release. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame.
Hydra-Flex adds new sales director
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Tim Loughrey has joined Hydra-Flex Inc. as the company’s new director of sales, according to a press release.
Loughrey worked previously as senior corporate account manager at EcoLab. He has more than “20 years of sales and sales management experience from the chemical, paper, equipment and food processing industries.”
Loughrey will work out of the company’s headquarters in Burnsville.
“I am very excited to announce that Tim will be filling the new role of director of sales,” says Jaime Harris, Hydra-Flex CEO, in the release. “This is a critical role at Hydra-Flex, and we feel that Tim has the leadership skills and expertise to drive the growth and profitability of the organization.”
Hydra-Flex manufactures innovative fluid-handling equipment including chemical dispensing systems and high-pressure nozzles.
