This week, we cover a sales report from ISTOBAL, a brand initiative, a charity event, grand openings and an acquisition.
ISTOBAL generates turnover in excess of €137 million in 2018
VALENCIA, Spain — ISTOBAL generated turnover in excess of 137 million euros in 2018, with sales up 2.2% from the previous year according to the final consolidated figures, according to a press release.
The company remains on its path of growth from recent years, building on the excellent results it has achieved in its primary export areas thanks to the work of its commercial subsidiaries and distributors, the release continued; ISTOBAL exported 78% of its production during 2018, up 3% from 2017.
Spain and France are still the most important markets for the multinational group, accounting for 22% and 18% of the group’s net sales of carwash equipment respectively, the release noted.
Completing the list of the main export markets with the highest turnover for the group are Italy, the U.S. and Denmark, in that order, the release added.
The 2018 balance sheet also highlights growth in some of the top 10 markets for the group, the release added.
In Australia, for instance, turnover from carwash machines more than doubled from the previous year, and in the U.S., the Netherlands and Romania, growth in net sales of carwash equipment stood at around 50%, the release stated.
In terms of product divisions, rollovers are still the highest sellers at ISTOBAL, followed by jet wash systems and tunnels, a wide range of solutions geared towards commercial vehicles, and the company’s chemical product line, the release stated.
Compared to the previous year, there has been notable growth in sales of jet wash systems and tunnels, over 15% in 2018, and sales of chemical products and water treatment systems, which exceeded 10%, the release concluded.
Full Throttle signs Cristy Lee as brand ambassador
LAKELAND, Fla. — Automotive maintenance chemicals brand Full Throttle Products announced it has signed MOTOR TREND TV host Cristy Lee as its brand ambassador to the nation’s instant oil change marketplace, according to a press release.
Introducing the motorsports personality as an exciting new face of the brand, Full Throttle enlisted her to help promote Full Throttle’s products and training initiatives for quick lube operators and their professional installer-technicians, the release continued.
“We are excited to welcome Cristy Lee to the ITW Professional Automotive Products family,” said Joe Farr, distributor channel sales manager for ITW Professional Automotive Products. “Her enthusiasm for motorsports, for cars and restoring their performance exemplifies all the attributes that our brand stands for today. She’s the ideal representative to our customers.”
In her new role, Lee will be instrumental in spreading the word on Full Throttle’s popular Tech U Training & Rewards programs for quick lube service technicians, which includes courses covering fuel systems, oil systems, transmissions, cooling systems, power steering systems and wiper blades, the release noted.
Techs can go online 24/7 using a computer or mobile device, making it the ideal destination for getting a quick lube operator’s crew up to speed on service and maintenance practices, the release stated.
Lee added, “I’m proud to be an ambassador for a company that helps techs become more confident in educating the consumer. Growing up, I got to know a lot about cars. But not everybody has that opportunity in the auto service industry. Now, they can use their training to properly recommend the best services to their customers.”
Chatfield Football program raises over $800 at H2WOW Carwash fundraiser
LITTLETON, Colo. — On June 15, 2019, H2WOW Carwash helped the Chatfield High School Football teamraise a total of $825 at its charity carwash event, according to a press release.
H2WOW donated 50% of its wash sales from the fundraiser’s duration to the group, while team members and volunteers sold refreshments and vacuumed and dried cars for additional donations, the release continued.
The money earned will help offset the team’s 2019 Florida tournament travel expenses, the release noted.
“A huge thank you from Chatfield Football to H2WOW Carwash and the local community for sponsoring and supporting our carwash fundraiser,” expressed fundraising coordinator Sandra Browne. “H2WOW was so organized and helpful. With H2WOW’s generous donation plus donations from the local community, we raised over $800 for our program. We really appreciate H2WOW’s support and hope to make this an annual fundraiser.”
Dash In unveils all-new neighborhood store design, debuts unlimited wash club
LA PLATA, Md. — Dash In, a Wills Group company, announced the grand opening of an all-new neighborhood store concept in Clinton, Maryland, according to a press release.
The fully integrated store sits on 2 acres, hosts 16 fueling positions and features the first-ever tunnel conveyor Splash In ECO Car Wash and Unlimited Car Wash Club, the release continued.
This Prince George’s County Splash In is the first among Splash In’s 42 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region to feature the carwash membership club, the release noted.
“We built this new neighborhood location from the ground up for busy, time-stretched Prince George’s County residents and visitors who are looking to simplify their days,” said Dash In President Julian B. Wills. “Whether a quick bite from our Craveable Menu, fuel for a vehicle or a frequent carwash, this new, fully integrated site provides a one-stop shop to meet everyone’s needs.”
The 85-foot eco tunnel conveyor carwash sits on the new Dash In lot and features a belt conveyor capable of washing low-profile vehicles and dual rear wheel pickup trucks, the release noted.
The 12 free vacuum stalls with weather-resistant canopies and overhead hose arches make vacuuming vehicles fast, easy and comfortable, the release added.
The site also debuted its first-ever carwash membership club, where members can subscribe to three levels of unlimited carwash packages, including The Best, The Boost and The Basic, the release stated.
“The Splash In Unlimited Car Wash Club is an easy and cost-effective way to meet our customers’ total carwash needs, allowing them to wash and vacuum their vehicles every day for the price of essentially two single washes,” said Mike Mulhern, director of Splash In ECO Car Wash.
Four Seasons Power Wash due to open in July
CLINTON, Iowa — According to www.clintonherald.com, Four Seasons Power Wash is set to open around July 4th.
Four Seasons is expected to have a soft opening during the second week of July, during which the carwash will offer free washes to some of its first customers, the article noted.
The 150-foot-long carwash will feature a conveyor belt that can pass up to 100 cars per hour through the building, the article continued.
In addition, the carwash will feature high amounts of natural light and skylights to minimize the dark tunnel effect that some carwashes have on customers, the article added.
Once the carwash is open, it will employ a team of 15 to 20 people, who will undergo a training period to learn the ins and outs of the carwash, the article concluded.
Owner sells 50-year-old carwash
LINCOLN, Neb. — According to www.1011now.com, after five decades in business, the second-generation carwash, Husker Car Wash, has been sold to Rocket Car Wash.
Bill Kasl, owner of Husker Car Wash, said, “I wish that we could stay, but we’ll definitely keep in touch. It’s the relationships and the friendships that we’ve built that mean the most.”
Kasl has worked at the carwash since 1982 and has been the owner for the last few years, the article noted.
He said the decision to sell was not easy, the article stated.
“More than anything I’ve been here for 37 years, so it’s time for me to move on and do something different,” said Kasl.
In its time, Husker Car Wash has served over 2 million cars and had 500 employees, and Kasl said that the friendships made over that time were the highlight of the job, the article added.
“Going to be sad to see that come to an end, but we’re excited about maybe doing something different, and getting passionate about something different,” said Kasl.
Rocket Car Wash took over the business on June 19th; they will keep the Husker Car Wash title for the next six to eight weeks before undergoing renovation to reopen as Rocket Car Wash in mid-November, the article concluded.
