Market Focus: NuVinAir hires former AutoNation executive to lead operations - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Market Focus: NuVinAir hires former AutoNation executive to lead operations

This week, we cover a new hire, an acquisition, a company milestone, charity events and a grand opening.

This week, we cover a new hire at NuVinAir, an acquisition, a company milestone, charity events and a grand opening.

NuVinAir® Global hires former AutoNation executive, Troy Blackwell, to lead operations 

DALLAS— NuVinAir Global, a privately held company offering patented vehicle-cleanliness solutions and revenue-generating platforms to automotive dealerships across the U.S., has announced Troy Blackwell as its senior vice president of global operations, according to a press release.

Reporting to the company’s CEO and founder, Kyle Bailey, he is responsible for providing leadership and vision for the company’s customer programs, operational controls and franchise distributor success, the release continued.

“As we continue to rapidly expand our brand, adding top-notch, seasoned industry veterans to our leadership team will help take our company to the next level,” Bailey said. “With a career-long commitment to team development at industry-leading companies, Troy will be instrumental in our success, especially with his deep relationships with dealerships throughout the United States.”

With nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the automotive industry, Blackwell joins NuVinAir Global from AutoNation, where he worked as a senior director, spearheading a major brand extension for the largest automotive group in the nation, the release added. 

During his tenure, he helped launch a chain of stand-alone used-car dealerships called AutoNation USA, which streamlines the car-buying process with new technology and a no-haggle strategy, the release stated.

Prior to AutoNation, Blackwell worked for more than a decade at CarMax, the country’s largest used-car retailer and a Fortune 500 company, where he served as both regional sales development leader and general manager, the release added.

He started his leadership career at Target, where he developed strong teams to help fuel results-driven company growth, the release noted. 

Blackwell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in human resource management from California State University at Sacramento, which he credits to his success in developing and motivating hard-working teams, the release continued.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of holding leadership roles at numerous nationally renowned organizations, where I’ve proudly led some of the highest-performing teams in the automotive industry,” said Blackwell. “I’m excited to leverage my passion for team development at NuVinAir Global, another industry-leading innovator, which is dominating the automotive space with its patented technology and proprietary products.”

Professional Carwashing & Detailing (PC&D) took the opportunity to ask Blackwell a few questions about his upcoming role at NuVinAir.

PC&D | What are your goals for NuVinAir’s future as you assume the position of SVP of Global Operations?

TB | While NuVinAir continues to expand rapidly, the company is establishing next-level leadership and executive structure. As senior vice president of global operations, I’ll collaborate with the corporate team and distributors to build relationships and establish value propositions. As we approach Q4 and head into 2020, I’ll be laser-focused on protecting brand integrity and driving brand awareness while developing strong teams. My initial goals will be to establish a 30-day to-do list while reviewing overall progress. Moving forward, I’ll keep a close eye on strategic objectives, celebrate early wins and recognize those that have helped achieve them. Lastly, I’ll initiate a formalized performance-review process to effectively evaluate progress. Driving NuVinAir’s mission, I’ll help ensure healthier commutes across the world by arming the automotive industry with world-class support.

With the rising demand for product, I’m committed to scaling the company with talent and resources without diluting the brand. As new companies (dealerships, rental cars, carwashes and detail shops) sign up, NuVinAir will be there to support, train and market them throughout the customer journey. Offering nearly 20 years of automotive-retail experience, I understand dealerships’ pain points, ranging from optimizing the customer experience to driving store profitability. Should they encounter objections, I can serve as another expert resource for distributors.

PC&D | How do you think your experience at AutoNation will serve you now in the car care sector?

TB | Throughout my 25-year career, having a background in human resources has served me well. Business is about people, and I have been fortunate to have built incredible teams comprised of amazing talent. The experience I bring to the car-care sector will be similar, empowering me to manage and develop multi-disciplinary leadership teams, including multi-site and remote management, and I’m excited to see what the future brings.

American Changer purchases assets of Triad Design Group Inc.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — American Changer Corp. has announced the finalization of an asset purchase agreement with Triad Design Group Inc., a manufacturer of self-serve money changers servicing a variety of industries, according to a press release.

Triad’s culture of providing high quality products and services, along with developing long-term relationships with customers, supports American Changer’s continued growth plan and accelerates innovative product development, the release continued.

This strategic asset purchase agreement allows customers to benefit from increased resources and shared knowledge, the release stated.

Products and parts for TRIAD changers will continue to be sold under the Triad tradename, which has been associated with developing products to meet customer needs and filling gaps in the marketplace, the release noted.

Triad’s principal owner, Chuck White, will join the American Changer team as national accounts manager following a brief transitional period, the release added.

In his role as national accounts manager, White will focus on several projects, which include ensuring relationship continuity with Triad customers, sales growth in new and existing markets, and product development, the release stated.

Products and services will be provided from American Changer’s manufacturing and corporate center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the release continued.

The absorption of Triad’s product line into American Changer’s expanding portfolio will be supported by American Changer’s dedicated and experienced team members, the release added.

The acquisition unites three of the most reputable brands of money changers in the world — Triad, Rowe and American Changer — and reinforces American Changer’s vision to remain at the forefront of ingenuity, the release concluded.

Aqua Bio Technologies announces Now Mart is first vehicle wash in Minnesota to utilize its water restoration system

DARIEN, Ill. — Aqua Bio Technologies LLC announced that Now Mart in New Hope, Minnesota, is the first vehicle wash in the state to use the combination of recycled used wash water and rain water to wash vehicles, according to a press release.

Aqua Bio installed its Bio Complete 15000 water restoration system and Pro Rain Water Harvest system at the Minnesota vehicle wash, the release continued.

The Bio Complete system removes used chemicals from the water, allowing it to be reused in 90% to 95% of the wash, while the Pro Rain collects rainwater from a roof and/or paved lot and uses a vortex separation unit to remove gravel, sticks, leaves and other solids, the release noted.

“We’re setting the standard in Minnesota for other vehicle washes as we take being environmentally friendly to an entirely new level,” said Chris Robbins, owner of Now Mart. “A busy carwash can guzzle more than 4 million gallons of water a year, but by implementing an Aqua Bio system, we’ll save millions of gallons of water annually. Rainwater from across the property will be captured, filtered and diverted to a system of underground tanks that can hold 100,000 gallons of water. Separate tanks will store water recycled from the carwash tunnel. Our goal is to avoid using city water for most months of the year.”

“We are incredibly proud to have our first-of-kind system at Now Mart in Minnesota, and we hope to provide many more as vehicle wash owners look for ways to protect the environment by drastically reducing their dependence on city water and sewer,” said John P. Gibney, vice president and general manager of Aqua Bio Technologies LLC.

For more information about Now Mart, visit http://www.nowmartgas.com/ or to learn more about Aqua Bio Technologies and its products, visit https://www.aquabio.co/.

Zips Car Wash extends grand opening celebration with school supply drive 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Zips Car Wash is extending its grand opening celebration in Seguin, Texas, with seven additional days of free carwashes in exchange for new school supplies, which will be donated to the Fill the Bus campaign for Seguin’s local school system, according to a press release.

“We feel it’s so important for children to have the supplies they need to succeed in the school year ahead, and that’s why we’re jumping on board with so many others to ‘fill the bus’ for the 2019 school year,” said Fernando Trevino, district manager for Zips Car Wash locations in the San Antonio market. “We’re located in the same area as Walmart, so it should make it very easy for customers to pick up some supplies and bring them by for a free carwash.”

Donations brought to Zips Car Wash at 256 N. Highway 123 Bypass in Seguin will be donated on Sunday, Aug. 18th, the release continued.

Customers can bring a donation anytime from Aug. 12-18, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and put it in the labeled bins on site and receive a free Protect It! carwash from Zips, the release noted.

“We’re offering our best carwash to those who bring in a donation over the next seven days to benefit the children and families in Seguin,” said Brett Overman, founder and CEO of Zips Car Wash. “We’re excited to support the local community in this way, and we can’t wait to see how else we can get involved,” Overman added.

Wild Blue Car Wash raises over $11,000 for local charities

DENVER — After hosting eight fun and successful charity washes, Wild Blue Car Wash was able to help raise a total of $11,477.98 for surrounding schools and non-profits, according to a press release. 

On event days, Wild Blue Car Wash donated 50% of its wash sales to the organizations while the charity volunteers vacuumed and dried vehicles for additional donations, the release continued.

Some groups also sold baked goods and refreshments, the release added.

“We are excited to partner with our local high schools and youth organizations to help them raise money for their activities,” expressed Wild Blue Car Wash President David Begin. “We would not be able to do this without our customers — we have the best customers in the world. We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported these local youth organizations. We thought 2018 was our best charity wash season, but with the support again this year, we were able to raise even more and make 2019 our best charity wash season.”

For more information, please contact Tiffani Sandoval at (719) 793-9012 or [email protected].

The Wash Tub offers back-to-school free carwashes to school faculty

SAN ANTONIO — The Wash Tub offered free full service carwashes to school faculty with a valid employee ID at all locations from Aug. 1-15, according to a press release.

“Teachers’ hard work and dedication to their students is inspiring,” said Matt Vizza, president of The Wash Tub. “Our local teachers and staff do so much for the community that we feel it is The Wash Tub’s responsibility to give back as much as we can. I personally want to say thank you to all teachers for their never-ending care and support of our children.”

The Wash Tub’s full service carwash includes a complete interior vacuum, soft cloth wash, towel dry, complete wipe down of dash and console and all windows cleaned inside and out at a retail value of $17.99, the release concluded.

Bliss opens sixth eco-friendly carwash

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles-based Bliss Car Wash has announced the Moreno Valley launch of its eco-friendly carwash, according to a press release.

The new carwashes are designed to use less water and incorporate environmental sensitivities throughout the cleaning process, the release continued.

With each new Bliss opening, CEO and Founder David Delrahim donates a new fresh-water well to the nonprofit, Wells Bring Hope, the release added.

The Moreno Valley carwash, at 22470 Cactus Ave., is one in a line of many opening under the Bliss brand name in California, the release added.

“Our new carwashes are designed to save freshwater, reusing as much as possible with efficient processes,” said Delrahim. “We are water warriors, and while we are saving water here in California, we’re donating fresh water to people in Africa who badly need access to it.”

Delrahim and the Bliss company have aligned with the nonprofit Wells Bring Hope in its mission to bring safe water to rural villages in Niger, West Africa, the release noted.

“It’s a blessing to work with David Delrahim, because he understands the importance of freshwater access for everyone on the planet,” said Barbara Goldberg, founder and president of Wells Bring Hope. “We applaud his work to conserve water on this continent and to help provide wells to people on the African continent.”

The new Bliss carwashes use technology that constantly monitors freshwater usage, keeping it down to approximately 24 gallons per carwash, and using 70% reclaimed water, the release stated; the company also only uses cleaning products that are biodegradable and utilizes low-energy consuming machinery.

“Providing guests with a high-quality eco-friendly carwash experience is our top priority,” said Delrahim. “We are excited to become a part of the Moreno Valley community, a place that has doubled in size in the last decade while sharing our values about water conservation,” said Delrahim.

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