If you actively follow the trends of professional carwashing — and reading this magazine is a great start — then you know by now that the industry has changed quite drastically since its inception over 100 years ago.
Simply put, this is not your father’s — or grandfather’s — carwash industry.
Over the years working at Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine, I have had the great privilege to speak with some carwash professionals who were around in the early days of automatic carwashing. As supported in this month’s cover story, authored by our Assistant Editor Meagan Kusek, our industry has a rich history of providing a service to customers in need.
And, over the years, as technologies improved, automatic carwashes have gone from hoping not to rip off customers’ bumpers during early conveyor processes to wowing customers with memorable experiences — in a much more positive way — today.
If you were not able to attend any of the industry trade shows or events this year, you surely missed out on new ways to create customer loyalty and deliver a positive carwash experience. New products keep your business relevant in the face of emerging competition.
Additionally, learning at these industry events can help ease concerns about such business pain points as marketing. Today’s carwash equipment and chemical manufacturers as well as suppliers can help your wash create excitement and 24/7 marketing packages for you to use in order to get ahead of the competition.
Each month in Professional Carwashing & Detailing and on Carwash.com, we offer a snapshot of some of the most intriguing products and services to enter the market. This month, we also offer a special print-edition Buyers Guide that can help you operate your business more effectively all year-round. This effective industry resource reference guide features a multitude of manufacturers and distributors as well as their associated product categories in one comprehensive issue.
We hope that 2017 was a good year for your carwash. The staff of Professional Carwashing & Detailing wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year.