Market Focus: New executive leadership at Warsaw Chemical - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Market Focus: New executive leadership at Warsaw Chemical

This week, we cover new leadership, an anniversary, an acquisition, a new hire and an upgrade.

This week, we cover new leadership at Warsaw Chemical, an anniversary, an acquisition, a new hire and an upgrade.

New executive leadership for Warsaw Chemical

WARSAW, Ind. — Warsaw Chemical, a leading manufacturer of JanSan and Carwash Cleaners and Polishes, announced a new executive leadership team, naming Kevin Feldman Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and Edward Leon Chief Operating Officer (COO), according to a press release.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the release continued, Feldman has spent his career overseeing and executing the transformation, growth and development of organizations across diverse industry sectors, including manufacturing and distribution, financial services, advertising and marketing.

As a senior-level executive and business owner, Feldman is a proven leader with a strong reputation for building brands, developing people, energizing teams, and accelerating growth and performance, the release noted.

Leon brings over 10 years of industrial management experience, most recently managing Trinity Industries Cryogenics, the release stated.

Leveraging his broad business experience in strategy, the release added, lean manufacturing and operational excellence, Leon has built a reputation for leading complex manufacturing companies to achieve new value creation through expansion efforts; new product development; and alignment of manufacturing, operations and supply chains.

“Today we embark on a new direction for Warsaw Chemical,” stated Ken Bucher, the company’s chief executive officer. “We are excited to welcome these new members to the leadership team, which possess a strong track record of taking customer-centric companies like ours to the next level. We are going to radically transform this business and drastically enhance and improve the customer experience.”

In addition, Bucher announced an ambitious growth plan and strategic direction, the release continued.

The company is making significant investments in technology, implementing new operational and sales initiatives, improving and developing new products and expanding into new markets, the release noted.

These announcements promise exciting changes for Warsaw Chemical’s nationwide customer base, but Bucher stressed the importance of maintaining the company’s 75-year legacy of providing the best customer experience, the release added.

“I am extremely excited about working with this new leadership team to realize a shared vision for Warsaw Chemical, which includes product enhancements, operational improvements and continued expansion into new markets. Although these initiatives will include significant changes to our business, our customers can rest assured that the fundamental principles that have made our company successful will not change,” stated Bucher.

WOW Carwash celebrates one year in business

LITTLETON, Colo. — On July 20, 2018, WOW Carwash celebrated its one-year anniversary with a customer appreciation barbecue, according to a press release.

Gary Messick was the lucky recipient of the free year of unlimited WOW! Carwashes, the release continued.

“We had a great time visiting with all of our wonderful customers,” expressed WOW Co-Owner Julie Petty. “We are so grateful for all the support from our community this past year.”

WOW Carwash is located at 11737 W. Ken Caryl Ave., Littleton, Colorado.  

Waterway® Carwash takes the reins at Crossroads Car Wash

ST. LOUISWaterway® Carwash is pleased to announce it has acquired the Crossroads Soft Cloth Car Wash at 64 Skokie Valley Rd., just north of Lake Cook Rd. in Highland Park, Illinois, according to a press release.

Waterway will be making extensive renovations to the location, operated by Earl Slavin since 1987, the release stated, including:

  • All-new carwash equipment
  • Building modifications
  • Landscape enhancements
  • Modernized and expanded customer area, inside and out
  • Bike fix-it station for users of the Skokie Valley bike path
  • Broader selection of items in the store, including premium coffee.

“We look forward to expanding our presence into Highland Park and providing our brand of services, giving customers the cleanest, friendliest and highest quality carwash experience in town,” said Bob Dubinsky, Waterway President and CEO. “We highly respect Earl Slavin’s operation and wish him a happy retirement. We are committed to continuing what his customers and this community have come to expect.”

Waterway is investing $3 million for improvements to the 50,000 square-foot property, the release added; once improved, the building itself will be 6,600 square feet.

The Highland Park store will be closed for approximately three to four months for construction, the release noted.

Waterway is working to develop a third north shore Chicago location in Skokie inside the triangle bordered by Skokie Blvd., Church St. and Gross Pointe Rd. at the site of the former Piser Funeral Home, the release added.

This new location is scheduled to open by spring 2019, the release concluded.

CSI Announces appointment of new European sales manager

DE PERE, Wis. — Cleaning Systems Inc. (CSI) proudly announced the appointment of Petros Katarelos to the position of European Sales Manager, according to a press release.

Katarelos is a native of Poland and will be based in Warsaw, Poland, the release noted.

He is a graduate of the University of Economics, Warsaw with a Master’s degree in management, the release noted.

He comes to CSI with 10-plus years of professional experience in an export business covering most of Europe and the Middle East, the release added.

Katarelos is fluent in Polish, English and Greek languages, the release stated.

Katarelos will be responsible for the sale and service of all of CSI products and for all customers in Europe, the release added.

Katarelos was quoted as saying, “I am excited about joining the CSI team. They are known to be an innovative leader in cleaning and protection products for automotive and commercial transportation vehicles. CSI has a great reputation and is well-known throughout Europe.”

Bomi Zarolia, vice president of international business for CSI was quoted as saying, “We are excited to have Petros join the CSI Team. His knowledge and experience of the European market will enhance CSI’s position in growing the vehicle wash market in Europe. He will be a great asset to our team and our partners throughout Europe.”

Elkton Car Wash upgrades bay

ELKTON, Md. — According to www.cecildaily.com, Elkton Car Wash at 501 North Bridge St. is upgrading its automated wash bay to replace worn-out brushes that were installed in 2008.

“When it’s time, it’s time,” owner Jim Romanek said. “We’ve been through many changes over 55 years.”

Romanek said that carwash technology has evolved quite a ways since he opened, which was back when five minutes at a self-serve wash cost a quarter, the article noted.

“Everything is computerized now,” he noted, adding that he did not expect the work to be completed until August. “It’s a lot of wiring and plumbing that has to be changed.”

The new in-bay automatic will be more energy- and water-efficient, the article concluded.

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