In this edition of Market Focus, we cover a new NCS partnership, expansion, a charity cause, a new hire, a grand opening and new construction.

National Carwash Solutions adds NuLook Car Care to its family of companies

GRIMES, Iowa — National Carwash Solutions (NCS) announced a partnership with Independence, Missouri-based carwash distributor NuLook Car Care Inc., effective Sept. 20, 2017, according to a press release.

NuLook Car Care Inc. is a MacNeil Wash Systems distributor and has been in business for 34 years, serving carwash owners and operators in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, the release continued.

NuLook will continue to provide service, sales and support of the MacNeil tunnel system and expand offerings to include Ryko in-bay carwash systems and the full line of CleanTouch chemicals, the release added.

“We are thrilled to have NuLook Car Care join the NCS family,” said Michael Gillen, CEO of National Carwash Solutions. “NuLook is the perfect complement to our family of brands because of its exceptional customer service and entrepreneurial spirit. We couldn’t be happier to have them represent MacNeil, Ryko, CleanTouch and CleanWash in the Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa markets.”

“NuLook is excited to be joining the NCS family,” said Jeff Stowell, CEO and owner of NuLook. “NCS is the market leader in the carwash industry. We look forward to this strategic partnership that will allow us to grow a stronger offering. In the end, it will be our customers who benefit the most.”

A definitive agreement has been signed and the closing is subject to HSR and standard closing conditions; financial terms will not be disclosed, the release concluded.

Zips Car Wash undergoes active week of expansion

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Zips Car Wash recently acquired its sixth and seventh facilities in Central Arkansas: Splash Car Wash, located at 9500 North Rodney Parham Rd. in Little Rock, and Ultimate Express Car Wash, located at 1900 N. Reynolds Rd. in Bryant, Arkansas, according separate press releases.

The acquisition of Splash Car Wash was finalized on Sept. 13th, and Zips will soon start a “Zips Way” face-lift on the entire site, one release noted; Zips will add self-serve vacuum stations and make other necessary updates to bring the existing site into the Zips standard of care and service.

“Following a major remolding, we will soon be providing clean, shiny, dry cars to local residents with our four levels of carwash options, our Unlimited Memberships and free self-serve vacuums — a new service for this site,” Brett Overman, Zips Car Wash founder and chairman, added. “We’re hearing from customers all over the country that our Unlimited Memberships allow them to care for their vehicles regularly, helping extend the life and look of their investment.”

Zips Car Wash will also work to bring the Ultimate Express Car Wash team into the Zips family with training on the “Zips Way” culture and other educational opportunities for the staff, stated a separate company press release.

“Our recent growth in this region is really representative of our company’s goal to get involved in the communities we serve and improve on the existing services in our area,” said Harrison Hemphill, chief operations officer of Zips Car Wash. “As a company, we want to invest in our teams, our customers and local organizations to make for a better future for all of us.”

According to a third press release, on Sept. 21st, Zips Car Wash also acquired three locations from Car Wash Clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee.

This acquisition means Zips will now operate 12 stores within a 50-mile radius — a first for the company, the release noted.

According to the release, the following stores were acquired from Car Wash Clinic:

• 6643 Clinton Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37912
• 7365 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
• 7229 Maynardville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

“We’re excited to add to our existing portfolio in the Knoxville area,” said Gil Castro, director of operations for Zips Car Wash. “This means eight convenient locations all over the city for our Unlimited Wash Club members, plus four locations in the surrounding areas,” he added.

“Our Knoxville teams are looking forward to welcoming their newest teammates, and we look forward to training them in the ‘Zips Way’ culture,” said Castro. “Our company’s dynamics, as well as our goals, are evolving, and with each acquisition, we feel like we are truly adding to our family,” added Castro.

Zips Car Wash now operates 87 locations in nine states; the company has plans for continued growth in the future months, the release noted.

All new Zips locations will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and customers will be able to use their Unlimited Wash Club memberships at all locations, the releases concluded.

Moo Moo Express Car Wash Raises $2,000 for Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack®

COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Sept. 8th, Moo Moo Express Car Wash proudly presented two vanloads of donated school supplies and a check for $2,000 to the Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio’s Operation Backpack® campaign, according to a press release.

Operation Backpack provides school supplies and backpacks to thousands of homeless children, the release continued; nationwide, the average cost to fill a backpack is $87 — an expense very few families living in shelters can afford.

This year in Central Ohio, more than 1,400 children will receive donated backpacks and school supplies through Operation Backpack as they head back to the classroom, the release noted.

“Our main goal is to make sure that every homeless child in the Greater Columbus area can return to the classroom with confidence and a fully stocked backpack,” said Stephanie Aubill, communications manager for the Volunteers of America Greater Ohio. “Our incredible corporate partners, including Moo Moo Express, enable us to help prepare these deserving children for school, excited and ready to learn.”

Throughout the month of August, Moo Moo Express offered a free “Fat Free” carwash in exchange for a monetary or school supply donation at all 12 Central Ohio Moo locations, the release stated.

In addition, customers were treated to a free “Crème De La Crème” wash during the company’s week-long grand opening celebration of the Polaris Moo, located at 460 Lazelle Rd. in Columbus, the release noted.

“We appreciate our customers’ generosity and the outpouring of support for Operation Backpack,” said John Roush, founder and managing partner of Moo Moo Express Car Wash. “What started as a donation campaign surrounding our Polaris grand opening quickly expanded to a month-long incentive implemented at all of our locations. Being locally owned and operated, we consider it a privilege to support our local community.”

Moo Moo Express Car Wash is Central Ohio’s leader in the high-end, express carwash market and operates in the following Central Ohio neighborhoods: Clintonville, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview, Grove City, Heath, Hilliard, Lancaster, Pickerington, Polaris, Reynoldsburg and Upper Arlington, the release added.

The company’s 13th location is scheduled to open late September 2017 in Marysville, the release concluded.

Ver-tech Labs hires regional sales manager

ROCKFORD, Minn. — Ver-tech Labs is pleased to announce the hiring of Steve Osborn as its new regional sales manager, according to a press release.

Osborn’s background includes experience in carwashing, truckwashing, sales and product development and it will be invaluable as Ver-tech Labs continues to expand, the release continued.

Osborn commented, “I’m excited to wake up every morning and give 150 percent. In an industry where good ideas are scarce, Ver-tech is working on a profusion.”

CEO Tony Vertin said Osborn “is an exceptional talent with know-how, energy, daring and staying power to implement ideas. He is going to be a great asset to our organization.”

Royal Car Wash opens new location

LANCASTER, N.Y. — According to The Buffalo News, Royal Car Wash, located at 6645 Transit Rd. opened its first location in Lancaster, New York, and is offering unlimited free washes until Oct. 13th.

Over the next five years, Royal Car Wash plans to open four more locations in the Buffalo-Niagara market, the article noted.

Royal Car Wash opened its first location over six years ago in Rochester, New York, the article concluded.

Splash Hopper’s Express Wash under construction

ANDALUSIA, Ala. — According to The Andalusia Star-News, construction is underway for the new Splash Hopper’s Express Wash on Western Bypass.

Telisha Atchison, who is co-developing the business with Rob Martin, is convinced that there is a local need for a more upscale carwash, the article continued.

“Frankly, Andalusia needs it,” Atchison said. “We looked at several spots, but felt like that location would be the best for the traffic. It should be easy in and easy out.”

The conveyor-style carwash will also have a bug prep station that the driver can use to spray or brush bug removal solution onto the vehicle before washing, the article added.

Furthermore, the carwash will feature an automated pay station and 20 free vacuum stations; there will be an attendant on-site to spray down the vehicle with soap before entering the wash, the article noted.

Weather permitting, the business is expected to open within the next few months, the article concluded.