LATHAM, NY — Our readers’ votes have been counted, and the biggest stories of 2012 have been decided.

According to your votes, the top five car care industry stories of 2012 were:

1)    Update: Zep and Ecolab consolidation completed — 35 percent of the votes

2)    Ed O’Hanrahan purchases Jim Coleman Company/Hanna — 21 percent of the votes

3)    Mister moves past 100, acquires four washes — 15 percent of the votes

4)    Australian wash purchased for record price — 9 percent of the votes

5)    Water recycling to be required in new CA washes — 6 percent of the votes

Vote in more polls on carwash.com here.