Southwest Car Wash Association - Advantage 3rd Quarter 2015 by Southwest Car Wash Association ADVANTAGE

ADVANTAGE Publication of the Southwest Car Wash Association

Third Quarter 2015

On the Road Again with SCWA in Colorado Springs!

Next Stop

on the

SCWA Car Wash Tour

Houston â&#x20AC;&#x201C; November 10, 2015 Register at www.swcarwash.org

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Introducing TunnelWatch® 4.0 New software that provides a modern user interface and powerful new capabilities

See Your Tunnel in a New Light • A new graphical interface allows

precious relay functions, but will you to change tunnel services on help assure that you are getting your iPad or other tablet – while each car as clean and with as in the tunnel or even off-site little risk of damage as possible. (with password protection, of • “Live Invoke” features means course!). No more running back that changes take effect and forth to the office when immediately on all cars in the testing new tunnel changes. Just tunnel. So, on that busy day, load the new TunnelWatch 4.0 on you don’t need to wait until the your tablet, make changes while tunnel clears to invoke changes – at or near the tunnel and watch they happen immediately. them take effect! Perfect for fine • tuning your car wash into maximum Tunnel activity can be monitored efficiency and cost savings. on your phone, tablet or any Internet-connected computer. • A new concept called “Traits” This includes the ability to make allows you to define given types configuration changes remotely. of cars (or recognize them TunnelWatch 4.0 improves your through our Vehicle Profile ability to control and monitor the Detection product) and efficiently site for tighter security and more control all tunnel devices as a efficient operations. result. This not only can save you USING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE YOUR CUSTOMER’S EXPERIENCE

• Paired with the SiteWatch®

CarPics® product, TunnelWatch 4.0 shows actual photos of the car as it progresses through the tunnel. For example, you’ll be able to see the white pickup truck progress down the tunnel and observe all the services they receive as they are activated.

What’s Next? Visit www.drbsystems.com/tunnelwatch for an online demonstration, call us at 1-800-336-6338 for more information or see it live at The Car Wash Show booth 2610 TunnelWatch 4.0 Creating a Smarter Tunnel

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President’s Message SCWA – On the Road Again – in Colorado Springs. More than 150 car wash owners and suppliers came together for the most recent SCWA car wash tour and round table discussions. It was a great time of being with so many successful car wash operators and industry professionals. The more I participate in SCWA – Eric Warden I realize how valuable my memSCWA President bership is to both my personal and professional development. The key is the word “participation.” It is amazing how often I hear people question the value of association membership. Questions such as, “What am I going to get out of being a member?” or “How can it help me if I’m not in the industry yet?” come up all the time. The answer is “you will never really know until you become a part of the family and experience the benefits.” The value of association membership and participation is so great that I wonder how these questions come up at all. I’m personally involved in several different associations including SCWA. Every association I have had the pleasure of being involved with has, in some way, shaped my life; improved my business and saved me money. Through my SCWA membership I have experienced the benefits of belonging; having the resources available; the network to call on when needed; the foundation to be more successful than I could be on my own. SCWA was formed to: • Provide a large network of industry professionals to support of each other in our common car care interest. • Educate members; provide industry trends and benchmarks. • Serve and protect members and the industry from unfair regulatory and legislative measures. • Learn how to increase profits. It is comforting to belong to a group like SCWA that is willing to stand up against political interests who want to implement laws that would greatly affect operations, income or the cost of doing business. Becoming a member of an association helps protect your business. Too often, it is during a crisis that membership experiences a growth spurt over concern for an immediate situation. Associations are proactive groups of people who are educated and trained to identify threats and develop the means to remove or significantly diminish those threats. And only through larger membership numbers and the forging of new partnerships are they able to have the desired impact and accomplish great things.

I encourage you to not only support SCWA but to participate. Every hour spent with other association members can provide you with opportunities to share information, exchange ideas and gain knowledge, resulting in you becoming the best operator you can be. My experience at the SCWA Car Wash Tour & Round Table discussions in Colorado Springs was a perfect example of my membership paying big dividends. Thanks to everyone who attended; who shared their car washes on the tour. Plus a big thanks to our sponsors of the Colorado Springs event. Please check out the pictures and sponsors on pages 24-25. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW:

Houston Car Wash Tour – November 10, 2015 2016 SCWA Convention & Car Wash EXPO – February 28 - March 1, 2016

More information and registration is on the SCWA website: www.swcarwash.org

Industry Briefs Quick Quack Car Wash Houston customers received free carwashes for 10 days in celebration of the company’s newest wash, according to a press release. The free washes were available April 28 through May 7. The new exterior-only, express wash is the chain’s second location in the Houston area and its 19th overall. The wash is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. “This new location, and the three or four more we plan to open within the next year, help us to better realize our goal to provide more convenience to our existing customers in northwest Houston and allow new customers to discover the Quick Quack experience,” says Jason Johnson, president of Quick Quack.“We are especially excited to provide a watersaving and environmentally friendly alternative to driveway washing to even more members of the community,” he adds. Dave Edwards, Houston’s regional development partner, notes the wash can serve as many as 100 cars per hour. MARK VII EXPANDS KEY ACCOUNTS TEAM. Mark VII Equipment Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany, has announced the addition of Mark Glaser to its key accounts “Category Captain” team. Based in Dallas, TX, Glaser is responsible for sales and support to one of the largest divisions of a global convenience-store chain. Glaser has over 24 years of experience in operations at a car wash/lube center chain. Mister Car Wash Expands. Mister Car Wash has announced the acquisition of Four Seasons Car 3

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Advantage Wash & Lube in Abilene, TX. The company already operates two express car washes there and will now offer its customers a complete range of services by adding this third, full-service location to its holdings. Mister Car Wash also serves customers in Houston, Mesquite, Austin, El Paso, and Lubbock, TX. With this acquisition, the company now operates 151 car washes and 32 lube centers in 16 states. NEW PRESIDENT AT DRB. DRB Systems has announced the appointment of Bill Morgenstern as its new president. He assumed responsibilities on April 1, 2015 and succeeds co-founder Dale Brott. Brott continues to serve on the board of directors and as a strategic advisor. Morgenstern joined the company’s board of directors in November of 2014 and has worked as a consultant for the company for several months. He has a successful track record of accomplishments as an entrepreneur, senior executive, and organizational leader. CARWASH SUPERSTORE HIRES GENERAL MANAGER. CarWash Superstore has hired Jennifer Bender as general manager and director of sales, according to a press release. The move comes 18 months after National Pride Equipment (NPE) purchased the company, noted the release. With Bender

in place, NPE CEO Eric Bilton will resume his role as CFO. Bender will oversee sales and operations including account services, sales training, purchasing and inventory control, reported the release. She’ll also supervise the company’s new distributor program. “This is an exciting move for me,” said Bender in the release. “I am very excited National Pride and CarWash Superstore chose me to be part of their growing team. I have always been impressed with the Superstore’s commitment to excellence. They are driven to truly helping customers achieve success in their carwashes and they make work fun. I fit right in.” Bender has been part of the carwash industry for seven years, stated the release. She previously served as sales manager for an industry equipment manufacturer. MACNEIL APPOINTS SALES MANAGER. MacNeil Wash Systems has hired Anthony DiGioia as regional sales manager for the Southwest United States, according to a press release. DiGioia has 16 years of experience in the industry, noted the release. He has worked with Arizona Car Wash systems and Cleaning Systems Inc. “Anthony is well-known and respected in the industry, and his integrity and relationshipbuilding skills make him the perfect fit for our organization,” said Jim Belanger, vice president of tunnel

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Advantage sales for MacNeil. “I am very happy to be joining MacNeil,” DiGioia shared in the release. “I’m looking forward to helping our distributors and customers with their businesses, and turning their visions into profitable realities.” CSI Continues To Grow Team. Cleaning Systems Inc. (CSI) has promoted Larry Taylor to assistant vice president – Texas, according to a press release. Taylor has spent seven years with Lustra Car Care Products, a division of CSI. He has been involved in the carwash industry for more than 13 years. In his new role Taylor will oversee territories across Texas and work with CSI’s distributor partners in the area. CHAIN CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FREE WASHES IN AMARILLO. Quick Quack Car Wash will celebrate 15 years in business with free carwashes during its Customer Appreciation Days April 1-5 at the original Coulter Street location, according to a press release. Customers viewed building improvements designed to enhance the wash experience. Enhancements include a light show and free towel drying. Readers of Amarillo.com and the Amarillo Globe News have recognized Quick Quack as the “Best of Amarillo” five years in a row.

Compliance

Member Highlight Be sure to read the article on Brian Campbell – Car Washings #1 Fan in the June 2015 issue of Professional Car Washing & Detailing magazine. The article begins, “A memorable moment occurred in a room filled with mostly car wash professionals. Standing at the front, where all eyes were directed, was Paul Fazio, CEO of Sonny’s The Car Wash Factory and co- leader of a state of the industry presentation at the Southwest Car Wash Association’s Convention & EXPO, held earlier this year in Arlington, Texas. “I had a bit of the butterflies this morning heading into this room until I saw Brian Campbell in the hall who gave me a big hug and smile – that always calms me down,” said Fazio. On the other side of that compliment toward the back of the room where eyes were promptly redirected stood 33 year old Brian Campbell, “The car wash industry’s #1 fan.” Flanked by his parents, Dale and Valerie, at the other car wash show, Brian was in attendance serving as an inspiration to an industry that has been almost equally important to him and his family since before he learned to read – a cognitive skill that was partially acquired by his sheer passion for our industry and one that defied all medical prognoses”.

New OSHA Rules Liability Danger Zone

All private sector employers in the United States with one or more employees are covered by the standards (regulations) promulgated pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Those standards are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That coverage includes reporting certain events to OSHA within prescribed time limits. Failing to report these incidents within the defined time limits will garner a $5,000 penalty. Note that reporting an incident does not assign fault, does not prove the violation of an OSHA rule, and does not establish an em-ployee’s eligibility for workers’ compensation or other benefits.

DUTY TO REPORT

Effective January 1, 2015 OSHA greatly expanded employers’ reporting duties. Now, all employers must report the following events to OSHA: • All work-related fatalities • All work-related in-patient hospitalizations of one or more employees Continued on pg. 9

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Advantage • All work-related amputations • All work-related losses of an eye Employers must report: • Work-related fatalities within eight hours of finding out about them • Any in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss within 24 hours of learning about it Note that, based on state law, employers in California, Oregon, and Washington must report all of the above within eight hours of learning about them. However, since in-patient hospitalization involves being admitted to a hospital for more than 24 hours, reporting a hospitalization can take place within 24 hours of the employer learning about it. Only report overnight hospitalization for medical treatment; do not report hospitalization for observation or for treatment in an emergency room.

• Description of accident and whether the accident scene or instrumentality has been altered

LIABILITY DANGER ZONE

Note carefully that the last reporting element, namely describing the incident and whether the accident scene or instrumentality has been altered, is fraught with legal danger. Whoever undertakes the reporting duty should not make definitive, declaratory statements as to exactly what happened. Why? Because within eight or 24 hours of an incident you simply don’t really know what happened. Unless and until you (the employer) have investigated the incident you will not know what truly caused the event to occur. If you make definitive statements like, “the guard on the machine failed and the employee’s finger was cut off,” you have just made an admission against your own interest and have established “a fact.” Let’s say that an investigation reveals that the machine guard was in perfect working order, however, the injured employee actually removed the guard to increase his or her throughput rate in violation of their training and your organization’s rules. You will now have a difficult time convincing OSHA that this later discovered set of facts is what actually happened as opposed to “the fact” that your organization violated OSHA’s machine guarding standard. In reporting what happened to OSHA you are far, far better off using phrases like:

EXCEPTIONS

Employers do not have to report: • A fatality or multiple hospitalization incident resulting from a motor vehicle accident if the motor vehicle accident occurs on a public street or highway, and does not occur in a construction work zone • A fatality or multiple hospitalization incident that occurs on a commercial or public transportation system, e.g., incident if it involves a commercial airplane, train, subway, or bus accident. • A fatality or catastrophe that occurs more than 30 days after an incident.

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REPORTING OPTIONS

Employers must report using one of three options: • By telephone to the OSHA Office nearest to the site of the incident • By telephone to the 24-hour OSHA hotline at (800) 321-OSHA (6742) • On the OSHA website at www.osha.gov

INFORMATION TO REPORT

The employer must provide OSHA the following information when reporting: • Time and date of accident • Employer’s name, address, and telephone number • Name and job title, or badge number of person reporting the accident • Address of site of accident or event • Name of person to contact at site of accident • Name and address of injured employee(s) • Nature of injury • Location where injured employee(s) was (were) moved to • List and identity of other law enforcement agencies present at the site of accident

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SCWA CAR WASH TOUR & ROUND TABLE Houston, Texas • November 10, 2015

REGISTER TODAY! www.swcarwash.org Marriott North – Houston 255 N. Sam Houston Pkwy East, Houston, Texas 1-281-875-4000 For more information on the SCWA Car Wash Tour & Round Table Discussion or to register please visit www.swcarwash.org or call the SCWA Headquarters at 800-440-0644. ON THE ROAD AGAIN

SCWA Car Wash Tour & Regional Round Table

Advantage • “We aren’t really sure. We’ve just started our investigation.” • “We really don’t know right now. What we’ve been told is that XYZ happened. But, again, we really don’t know right now.” • “What we’ve been told is XYZ. However, I’m not saying that is what actually happened. We just found out about it and need to investigate.” Am I an attorney who is advising you to lie? Not at all. I’m advising you to tell the truth. Unless and until you’ve investigated an incident you really, truly, no kidding, don’t know what actually happened. For example, in my machine-guard example, when I stated that the employee purposely removed the guard you, dear reader, may have immediately assumed that the employer would now be “off the hook.” Not necessarily. As an investigation progresses facts come out that, taken alone or in small pieces-and-parts, will constantly seem to shift “blame” back and forth between the employer and the employee. Imagine, if you will, that you discover: • The employee had been trained to never remove a machine guard, but did it anyway (employee at fault).

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• The employee is paid a significant bonus if he/ she produces more than X number of widgets a month (employer at fault. The employer’s incentive program puts productivity ahead of safety and encourages employees to “do whatever it takes”). • The employee’s supervisor has periodically admonished the employee not to remove machine guard (employee at fault). • The supervisor has directly observed the employee remove the machine guard a number of times, but only periodically admonishes the worker not to do that and has never actually disciplined the person for their actions (employer at fault). • And so forth… The point? When reporting a death, in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss, don’t create liability for yourself by making definitive, declaratory statements about what happened. Tell the truth — you really aren’t sure at that point. Max Muller, attorney, consultant, and OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer, is the author of The Manager’s Guide to HR: Hiring, Firing, Performance Evaluations, Documentation, Benefits, and Everything Else You Need to Know, 2d Edition; and The Legal Side of HR Practice.

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WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED COAST-TO-COAST Increased our staff by 74% in the last 3 years to help your car wash succeed Extended Customer Service Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30AM to 11:00PM EST Saturday: 8:00AM to 10:00PM EST and Sunday: 8:00AM to 8:00PM EST Broaden our presence with the addition of a 2,850 ft2 West Coast Office Expanded our Production Facility with a 20,000 ft2 Manufacturing Warehouse Renovated our 25,000 ft2 Corporate Office to better serve your expectations

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Operations Stick To The List Opening and Closing Routines

“Goodnight Mama.” “Goodnight Ben.” “Goodnight Jim Bob.” “Goodnight Daddy.” “Goodnight children.” “Goodnight John Boy.” Many of you remember this sequence of goodnight banter from the television show, “The Waltons.” It was an important part of their family’s end-of-day routine. Each show ended with a similar routine and the fans expected the sequence each time they tuned in. The show last aired in 1981, yet I still remember it vividly to this day. Much like the goodnight routine of “The Waltons,” your car wash business needs an opening and closing routine to help keep it successful. One of the most important aspects of any successful business is a trusting but professional relationship between you, the owner, and your employees. One of the best ways to establish this relationship is through opening and closing checklists and procedures. These checklists and procedures set out the owner’s wishes, desired procedures, and expectations, thus clearing up any possible confusion and avoiding future issues. They also create a structured process, which any employee can follow to successfully open and close the car wash for daily business.

DEVELOPING OPENING PROCEDURES

Every car wash will have it’s own unique set of opening and closing procedures based on the type of wash, location, climate, technology, etc. Here are a few categories to consider when developing your opening checklist.

Safety

The safety of your employees and customers is one of the most important aspects of your opening checklist. An injury to an employee or customer could ruin many lives and result in the end of your business operations. I have my managers conduct a daily walkthrough at each location, checking for out-of the-ordinary items that could create a safety issue in both employee and customer areas. For example, I once had an employee leave a ladder on the backside of one of the wraps in one of my tunnels. Imagine what could have happened if the wrap had turned on and “gently” placed the ladder on an unsuspecting customer’s windshield. It wouldn’t have been a good day. An even more disconcerting incident, which another operator shared with me, involved a “bolt-infused paint stripper.” A disgruntled ex-employee decided to break into the operator’s tunnel after hours and tie nuts and bolts to the wraps. The manager didn’t complete a morning walkthrough of the tunnel and the first six cars that went through the next morning were completely destroyed Continued on pg. 17

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Sure, our equipment is reliable, easy to maintain, and affordable, but that’s only a small part of why Sonny’s is the bestselling conveyorized car wash equipment in the world. When you choose Sonny’s, you’re getting a partner that has been washing cars since 1949 with the hands-on operating experience to guide you every step of the way.

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site layout engineering team that creates over 13,000 site-specific drawings each year for many of the most profitable car washes on the planet.

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Foundation Frame architecture. You’re able to mount additional components to increase wash throughput and retrofit new technologies as your site matures.

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Advantage before the employees figured out what was going on. Ouch! Fortunately, no bodily injury was suffered.

Site Appearance

The Methodist Reverend John Wesley said it best back in 1778, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” We run car washes. If your location is dirty and in disarray, how do potential customers perceive you? A few examples of items that I have my managers check daily include: landscaping, trash areas, building appearance,interior and exterior walls/ceiling cleanliness, lighting, etc.

Uniforms

If you don’t have employee uniforms, I suggest you at least have a dress code. I pulled up to one of my locations recently and one of my employees had so many holes in his uniform pants that a customer would have mistaken him for a hobo from the movies in the 1920s. I nicely asked him to go home and change his pants. According to the movies from the 20s, hobos attract other hobos. The last time I checked, hobos ask for money; they don’t dole it out for car washes. On a serious note, refer back to the John Wesley quote about cleanliness.

Equipment Operation

If your equipment doesn’t operate properly you lose money. As part of their morning opening routine, I have my employees check the basic functionality of each piece of equipment to make sure it is working properly. They also check things such as water softness and TDS levels of the spot-free water. After they go through their equipment checklist they wash their personal car as a test. If they see anything out of the ordinary they make the necessary adjustments before opening up the wash. Each equipment manufacturer will have a recommended daily checklist for equipment operation. I suggest you incorporate their recommendations into your daily opening routine.

Supplies

I have established a recommended inventory for each one of my locations. As part of their morning routines, the location managers check items in four different categories. Operational, employee use, customer use, and retail. • Operational – A partial list of items checked on a daily basis include chemical levels, salt for water softeners, etc. • Employee use – A partial list of items checked on a daily basis are towels, hand cleaners, bathroom toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. • Customer use – This category varies at each location. Example: If you have a customer-use bathroom, I would recommend checking paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, etc. • Retail – In this category I establish a recommended level of retail inventory for each location. Managers

place orders for retail items as needed. Retail items are defined as any item for sale to customers.

Customer Areas

This part of the morning opening routine varies by location. Basically all areas where customers will visit through the operating hours are checked to make sure they are satisfactory.

Entrances and Driveways

Are customers able to get on and off of your lot? If not, remove the obstacle and open up for business.

DEVELOPING CLOSING PROCEDURES

As stated earlier, each car wash will have it’s own unique set of opening and closing procedures based on the type of wash, location, climate, technology, etc. Here are a few categories to consider when developing your closing checklist.

Site Appearance

I like to have the majority of the cleaning and light mechanical jobs completed at the end of the day. Items vary at each location based on layout and equipment setup. Examples: Wash down bay walls, floors, and ceilings. Blow off or sweep parking areas and driveways. Clean vacuum dustbins. Empty trash. Clean customer areas, etc. Once again, refer back to the quote from John Wesley.

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Advantage End of Day Accounting

This varies by location and wash type. The money has to balance. I recommend you check this on a daily basis. If there are any issues, you want to know about it immediately.

Equipment Power Down

This varies by location, wash type, climate, etc. Examples: Turn off the “OPEN” sign. Make sure the weep is operating and the floor heat is on in the winter when it is below freezing.

Security Check

Anything with a lock on it needs to be checked. This varies by location and wash type. After all the locks are checked, the alarm is set and the last and final item must be completed. See the next step.

Do the “Happy Dance”

Another successful day has concluded. We are in the best business in the world. Celebrate and do the “Happy Dance.”

SUMMARY

Your car wash business will indeed operate more efficiently if you have a set daily routine with checklists and procedures, and continually update and revise these guidelines as equipment, technology, or business operations shift over time. This structured process will also streamline employee training and empower your staff with the knowledge to best fulfill their duties each day, and, most importantly, ensure that your customers have the best possible experience each time they visit your car wash. Wash on! Bobby Willis has been in the car wash business for over 20 years. He owns and operates Cool Wave Car Washes in Virginia.

Marketing SO MANY ROADS TO GAIN MARKETING IMPACT

Many carwash owners and operators understand how important an advertising and marketing program can be to their businesses. Impulse carwash customers are on the rise, meaning your wash can potentially win business with each and every car that passes by. However, it is the marketing and advertising groundwork ahead of time that helps realize and maximize this impulse buy potential. Carwashes have an opportunity to make each visit memorable, satisfying and fun. From offering quality food services, games for kids and special events to simply providing a good c-store shopping experience and allowing customers to watch their cars being washed, carwashes have plenty of marketing messages to promote.

While an effective marketing and advertising program will vary from location to location and city to city, there are a few consumer buying trends we will like to explore in this article.

Reach Impulse Customers

Before carwash owners can capitalize on impulse buying, they need to know which types of marketing and advertising strategies geared toward these customers work best. Mediascope, a marketing solutions provider that supplies turnkey solutions for companies looking to build sales, offers the following statistics on its website regarding impulse shoppers, including those visiting carwashes: • The single most motivating factor for an impulse buy (88 percent) is a sale price • Younger consumers with higher incomes have a greater percentage of impulse purchases • 90 percent of people make occasional impulsive purchases • Approximately 60 percent of females made an impulse buy within the last year. These statistics not only highlight business potential, but they also provide a snapshot of impulse buyers’ demographics and habits. These buyers are motivated to visit your carwash by a low price, creating a marketing need for coupons, regular sales and loyalty programs. Build momentum and exposure in traditional ways, such as the local newspaper and television channel, and then follow through with large, modern sales promotions on-site.

Increase Web Advertising

The majority of U.S. customers visit a company’s website before visiting the actual store. Today, traditional advertising and marketing just are not enough for carwash owners and operators. Successful carwash professionals know that print, radio and even television advertising only offer a limited impact on their current customers and potential customers, who are increasingly short on attention span and inundated with more information on a daily basis than ever before. As a result, many carwash owners and operators have started to focus their attentions on the World Wide Web, increasing their Internet advertising presence and activities as an extension of their marketing and customer service efforts. Successful carwash owners and operators are making investments in videos, content, social media, website design and functionality, such as responsive design and mobile alerts, as examples. In addition to positioning your carwash in a busy area, ease of access from multiple traffic positions is equally important. Your on-site marketing strategy should include 19

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Advantage attractive, visible and modern signage, sale notices and even entertainment for the buyer and his or her family.

Start a campaign Once you condition customers where to find you and how to get the best deals, such as being a social mediafollower or connection, maintaining a consistent presence should be the easy part. As mentioned in previous articles on carwash.com, focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) and building your content offering are newer ways to add to your customer base. The better you know your customers, the better your marketing and advertising programs will perform. For loyal customers, find out their birthdays and other important information, such as if they have served in the military. On special days let them know your carwash is thinking about them with a text alert for a free or discounted carwash. Regardless of your marketing plans and strategies to appeal to new and existing customers, be sure not to lose focus on what matters most: providing a pristine carwash that will keep all customers coming back for more. By Rich DiPaola, Professional Carwashing & Detailing.

KEEPING CUSTOMERS LOYAL WITH RFID

Carwashes are always looking for opportunities to expand, and constant advancements in wash technology allow for growth opportunities. Many businesses have adapted radio frequency identification, or RFID, over the past several years as a way to establish a consistent repeat customer base. These loyal patrons are often responsible for keeping traffic and profits steady. Automated scanning with RFID speeds customer stacking, provides quick service for members and guarantees fewer headaches for administering programs.

Multiple uses According to Tony Force, software architect with XpresSystems Inc., unlimited programs are by far the most popular way to utilize RFID. “An unlimited program allows an operator to establish a steady revenue stream without the typical seasonal and weather-related peaks and valleys,” he explains. Another use for RFID is fleet programs. Tim Gustafson, lead technical support for WashCard Systems, believes, “The most successful operations allow RFID to be leveraged into fleet and loyalty programs, which in turn can

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Advantage help boost profits across multiple income sources for the business.” Force says fleet programs are often overlooked, but they work well. “RFID allows easy tracking of each vehicle in a fleet account without the need for individual codes,” he notes. RFID can also be effective for customers who would rather not join a loyalty program, states Force. “Pay per use is also an easy way to establish customer loyalty for those customers [who] don’t want to commit to an unlimited program,” he shares. “[Customers] with an RFID tag on their windshield that is linked to their credit card are much more likely to use that carwash again and again.”

Use collected data At a carwash “the RFID reader detects a numeric code stored in a tag via electromagnetic field,” says Lyn Palmer, Mid-Atlantic region sales manager for Unitec. RFID collects lots of customer information, Palmer says. “Names, mailing address, email and phone numbers — anything that is needed to set up an account can — and should — be gathered by the operator in order to build their marketing database,” she states.

According to Force, “RFID excels in tracking usage for individual customers since you aren’t relying on the customer to do anything.” This information can be controlled and used by the carwash operator in whatever way is best for the business. “Frequency of visits, seasonality and peak times can be tracked easily,” Force continues. “Additionally, if an operator collects demographics for their customers, then they can apply [them] to the usage data. With usage data down to the individual customer, the sky is really the limit here. It is a matter of what the RFID software allows and what the operator wants to look at.”

Gaining traction Ken Brott, vice president of sales and marketing with DRB Systems, says RFID has become an integral part of carwash marketing and customer service. “It’s gotten to the point that RFID products are almost automatically included as part of the sale when we install a new computer system,” explains Brott. “There are a great many carwash operators today who wouldn’t think of opening a site today without RFID, any more than they would consider opening one without credit card clearing.” Continued on pg. 27

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SCWA in Colorado Springs

SCWA was recently “On the Road Again” in Colorado Springs where more than 150 car wash owners and suppliers gathered to tour a variety of outstanding car wash locations. The day began with Rapid Round Tables discussing the Self Serve Car Wash Today; Car Washing in Colorado; OSHA and Car Wash Safety; Credit Card Chips – Myths/Reality; and the popular Mentor’s Table. Following lunch, the afternoon car wash tour visited: All Season’s; Speedy Shine Express; Pit Stop Self Serve/

Automatic; Wild Blue Car Wash and WaterWorks Full Serve and Detail. The final stop was a tour of the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The Reception Finale gave everyone a chance to relax and talk “car washing.” SCWA thanks each of the car wash owners who hosted the tour. For more pictures of the Colorado Springs Tour, please visit www.swcarwash.org. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for the next edition of the SCWA “On the Road Again in Houston” – November 10, 2015. Registration – www.swcarwash.org.

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Existing carwashes also retrofit RFID systems to their facilities. This helps them keep up with the competition. “We’re seeing quite a few older full-service sites convert to flex serve operations with an exterior option,” reports Brott. “When they do, they typically add a self-pay station with RFID capabilities. Older sites that are exterior only are also adding RFID, because they want to offer things like unlimited monthly passes, [and] RFID is a big part of that equation.” Convenience stores have also reaped the benefits from RFID systems. Force says these businesses have “seen [increases] in in-store and fuel revenue with an RFID carwash program. This can be directly attributed to customer loyalty and convenience.” Loyalty programs can encourage customers to spend more money at the location rather than travel to a competitor to finish a shopping list. “Think of it this way, why would a customer make two stops when they can get fuel, a carwash and a gallon of milk all at one location?” queries Force. “Since the customer already has the RFID tag in the windshield for one convenience store, then they will keep going there for all their purchases.”

Easy to use

Carwashes have increasingly focused on an enhanced customer experience, and adding RFID has become a major part of this. They allow customers more convenience and ease of use when visiting carwash facilities. “The reason RFID technology has been so eagerly embraced by carwash operators is because it allows them to offer three of the things customers value most: speed, convenience and simplicity,” states Brott. “Most RFID systems don’t even require the customer to roll down their window,” Force notes. “The customer drives up to the wash entrance, the tag is recognized, preferred wash is activated and they drive right in. For some RFID systems the convenience doesn’t end at the wash though, it continues with online account management and email notifications for use and billing.” According to Gustafson, “RFID systems can instill a sense of membership, as well as offering the ultimate convenience and cost savings. Using appropriate marketing you should be able to reach the [customers] by appealing to what’s most important to them.”

Concerns and solutions

RFID tags can offer more security than other cardbased systems, believes Force. “One often overlooked part of an RFID system is the security of the RFID tag,” Force explains. “When using an unlimited program, it is crucial to eliminate abuse with sharing of an account across multiple vehicles.” Though relatively simple to manage, operators should take steps to ensure loyalty programs are not abused.

Palmer adds, “Do not ever hand a tag to a customer [because] it can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. It is possible to remove a tag after installation, but in 99 percent of all instances, the fragile metal strip transmitting the electromagnetic signal is broken.” Force says that some tags are easier to remove from the windshield than others. If owners choose a less expensive tag when beginning their programs, they could face higher costs in the long run. “It is recommended to choose a system that utilizes a tag that is consistently destroyed when a customer attempts to remove it from the windshield,” continues Force. “Tags that are more tamper-resistant will usually be more expensive, but will lead to less abuse and lower overall wash counts per customer.” Some operators may be concerned about customers abusing the program by washing too frequently and cutting into profits, but Brott says this worry is unfounded. “As carwash operators are discovering, monthly pass customers tend not to abuse the system by over-visiting a site,” he notes. “All customers are interested in is maintaining a clean car, not in seeing how often they can visit a carwash. We have sold roughly three million [tags], almost all for use in monthly pass plans, so we have seen definite patterns emerge; the track record is that the overwhelming majority of unlimited pass customers do not visit their carwash excessively.”

Select, install, manage

RFID systems must be managed by an employee who can keep track of data. “Features like online sign-up for customers, online account management for customers and built-in recurring billing will greatly reduce time involved,” shares Force. “Picking the right system will allow an operator to build a large customer database and a steady revenue stream without adding a lot of overhead to manage it.” Once installed, RFID systems are relatively easy to manage, according to Palmer. Most of the work involved is done during setup. “RFID is labor-intensive on the front end,” she says. “You must have someone present to capture the customer’s information and install the tag properly on a vehicle.” Loyalty and fleet programs supported by RFID systems can help a carwash operate more consistently, but thoughtful planning is still necessary. “Too many operators go into RFID thinking that it is a magic pill, and then fall short on expectations,” believes Gustafson. “RFID is a great tool to enhance profits, but the marketing and management options used by the program chosen, along with time and effort, need to be carefully considered.” No matter the format, every wash depends on loyalty to be successful. With the right mix of planning and mar27

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Advantage keting, the use of an RFID program can help to establish a carwash as a dependable business. “Once the habit of visiting your wash is created, customers will drive by half a dozen other washes to visit you,” concludes Palmer. “By locking them into wash clubs or using an electronic punch card, offering special pricing for multiple wash packages, working with your community by offering fundraisers, you create that top-of-mind notoriety that keeps your business growing.” By Robyn Tucker, Managing Editor, Professional Carwashing & Detailing.

Technology LED Four Steps To The Right Light The reasons to change to LED lighting are now fairly well documented and known throughout the car wash industry. Owner operators understand the higher quality light from LEDs, the elimination of annual maintenance, and the dramatic power savings resulting from LED lighting versus metal halides and fluorescent lighting. If you’ve already made the switch, you likely have already recouped your investment, as the average payback is around two years.

For the rest of the industry that has not upgraded, the question is no longer if you should change or when you should change. It is now “how to select the right LED light.” There are multiple LED lighting manufacturers today and selecting the right light can be difficult and confusing. This article outlines the basic steps to follow when choosing an LED light for your car wash. The following four steps are designed to guide car wash owners and operators in selecting the right LED light for their car wash. The four steps involve: 1) Identifying the light output needed 2) Identifying quality products 3) Comparing costs 4) Considering aesthetics

STEP 1 – DETERMINE HOW MUCH LIGHT YOU NEED The first step is to identify the amount of lumens (a measure of light output) needed for your wash. It’s easy to start with your existing lights as a baseline. If you are happy with the light output you have, find an LED fixture that is within 10 percent of your current lumen output. Use Table 1, below, as a reference to see the amount of lumens at different metal halide and LED wattage levels. If you want more light, increase the LED wattage.

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Advantage Note: Table 1 is based on delivered lumens, not produced lumens. Metal halides produce more light than indicated in Table 1, but most of the light produced is lost and is not delivered to the area being illuminated. Delivered lumens is a measure of light where you want it. For example: A self-serve car wash has two 400W metal halides per bay. Each 400W metal halide delivers 10,000 lumens, so you have 20,000 total lumens per bay. A one-for-one metal halide to LED fixture swap would require finding an LED light in the 87W to 100W range (depending on lumens/watt). To double the light, find a fixture with higher wattage or increase the number of fixtures. Your target total wattage would be 350W to 400W of LED light per bay.

STEP 2 – FINDING QUALITY PRODUCTS

Once you identify the target LED wattage and lumen output, start looking for available lights that deliver the lumens needed. Eliminate from consideration lower quality products quickly by scanning for factors that imply lower quality. These factors include efficacy (lumens/watt), thermal management devices, LED chip types, LED rated life, and the product warranties. • Lumens per watt, or efficacy, is critical to achieving the desired light output at a cost savings versus metal halides and fluorescents. For exterior

lights in car washes, 80 lumens per watt should be the minimum threshold. Any less than that and the light will not be efficient to operate, and you will not achieve the cost savings over time. • Thermal management devices (like fans and automated wattage adjustments) sound like a great idea until you understand that these are tools used to maintain the right heat within a fixture. A light that has “thermal controls” means that after 20 to 30 minutes of operation, the light heats up and dims to keep it cool. Fans are not reliable and break, resulting in much less LED life. Be wary of these tricks used be some lights, as you will not get the same light output or longevity of an LED if these are used. • Not all LED chips are created equal. If the LED chip manufacturer is not disclosed, be wary of the light. • Most car washes operate lights from dusk to dawn — a lot of hours. Therefore, you’ll want lights that last. Look for 100,000-plus-hour LED life with five- to 10-year warranties. Anything less than that and you risk having the light stop working just as you pay off the expense.

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STEP 3 – COMPARE FIVE-YEAR, TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP Based on Step 1 and Step 2, you should now have a list of high quality lights that provide the right light output for your car wash needs. Now, how do you choose which light from seemingly comparable options? We recommend comparing lights on a cost per lumen basis to normalize for different factors such as different lumen output, install costs, and long-term operating costs. • Install Costs - Installation cost can vary by light. Do you need to run new conduit, or just one-to-one replacements? Can lights be daisychained together requiring only a single line wire? All these factors will impact your install labor costs. • Product Costs - Product costs should be looked at on a cost per lumen basis. This enables you to compare lights with different lumen outputs and different costs across a common denominator. • Operating Costs - Operating costs need to be looked at to ensure you are taking into account the largest expense with lights — running them. Finding the most efficient light source will future proof your investment and ensure you continue to save money from these lights over the next 10 to 20 years.

Let’s continue with the example from Step 1 and do the math to compare two light options that would provide roughly double the light of two 400W metal halides per bay. Per Table 1, you’d want ~18,000 to 20,000 lumens and 160W to 200W per bay (range based on 100 to 115 lumens/ watt). For the sake of this example, let’s say you found two options that will work and appear to be good quality lights (you eliminated lower quality lights per Step 2). From here, prepare a total cost of ownership analysis of the new lights after five years. The example outlined in Table 2, below, shows Product 1 being the clear winner. It’s easier to install with lower install costs, 7 percent less cost per lumen, 20 percent less operating expenses over five years, and 19 percent less expensive overall.

STEP 4 – AESTHETICS Now, compare how the lights look and if they will improve or detract from the look of your facility. A price premium may be worth it to get the right look and maintain consistency throughout your facility. By following these four steps, you’ll have all the facts to be able to make the right decision for you. Michael Call is an SWCA member and vice president, sales and marketing for Mile High LED Systems LLC.

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Perspective Conversions - Question the Motive, Verify the Viability

When considering a conversion of a wand bay or an in-bay automatic car wash to a conveyorized car wash, the first question that should be addressed is why? Among the possible answers are competition, location, the customers’ needs, and the value of the services currently being offered.

COMPETITION

If the answer is competition, it should first be determined if there is an opportunity to develop a conveyorized car wash on your current site that can satisfy your customers’ needs. You should also find out if there is already too much competition in your area regardless of whether or not a conversion is done. Prior to making a conversion you must decide what you can do to differentiate yourself from the competition if you do decide to convert (speed, pricing, convenience, better service, greater through-put, etc.) and do the customers want what you can provide?

LOCATION

Location is another important factor in the decision to convert a wand bay or in-bay automatic to a conveyorized car wash. The first question to ask is why has

my location lost business? Has the population moved away? If the answer is an element that is within your control then a conversion may not be necessary; just correct the problem. However, if the population has moved away then you will want to sell your current location and find a new location where the population is and build a new conveyorized car wash based on your customers’ needs.

VALUE

In the car wash industry value is extremely important. To achieve value you need to research what your customers find as being valuable to them. Time is often considered valuable to most people; in that case a conversion to a conveyorized car wash is ideal. If your business has been stolen by a conveyorized car wash and your intent is to try and get your customer base back, I believe it is too late. I would highly recommend not making an emotional decision without proving that you can indeed get them back.

ASSESSMENTS

After your research is complete and you have determined that conversion is worthwhile the following assessments need to be made. The selection of an equipment supplier should be made and all research shared and checked by the equipment supplier.

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Advantage Physical Restraints of the Property • Is the physical size of the property large enough to accommodate the appropriate size conveyor? Conveyor length can be determined by a site proforma as conveyor length is extremely important — you need to produce the quantity and quality required to compete. • Once potential volume is determined, is there enough stacking room to support the anticipated volume, both in-bound and out-bound? • Turning radius and ease of customer navigation on the site is also extremely important, as it will help to establish customers’ comfort level — if they feel comfortable, they will continue to return provided the service and price is to their liking. • Sufficient room and quantity of vacuum area is important so as not to make the site look too busy. This can have a negative effect by encouraging competition. • Fire lane — is it necessary and what type? • Dumpster location and possible visibility restrictions on the site. • Landscaping and irrigation requirements. • Ingress and egress on the site. • Building setbacks and easement restrictions and limitations.

• Zoning: does it have to be re-zoned? In some cases, if the facility has been closed for more than six months, re-zoning is required. • Topographic considerations for ease of customer use and surface-water control, especially when it comes to loading and unloading of the conveyor. • Visibility or loss of visibility as it should be easy for the customer to see the facility and recognize it as a car wash. Utility Considerations • Rainwater capture — do you need it — and run off. • Electrical service and size. Does it have to be increased and is the voltage correct? • Waterline supply and size. • Sewer supply and depth. In many cases the sewer discharge elevation is already determined and a lift station may be required. • Internet service for high-speed credit card clearing and/or computer updating. • Natural gas: size and volume. • Telephone service.

CONVERSION PROCESS

A full set of drawings must be created, submitted to the city, and changed if city requires. Once it is determined that any city changes will not negatively impact the busi-

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Advantage ness from a standpoint of profitability and serviceability then you can move forward. The selection of the general contractor and discussions of the project with both the equipment supplier and general contractor should begin so all pricing can be identified. At this point the budgetary numbers you have given your financial institution can be verified and corrected if necessary. Please keep in mind that contingency dollars should be included in financing. Operating capital should also be set aside to include startup inventory needs, office supplies, furniture and fixtures, printing and marketing material, signage, and other miscellaneous expenses. Once the general contractor has been selected, we highly recommend holding a pre-construction meeting with all sub-contractors and suppliers to determine if interpretation of construction documentation is accurate. Then demolition can commence.

PITFALLS AND CHALLENGES

During the construction phase the following could arise: • Weather delays • Unforeseen underground challenges • Soil conditions • Undocumented utilities or easements • Utility calculations incorrect or by assumption incorrect

• Availability of construction materials and stability of pricing • Municipality can change its mind based solely on the inspectors determination After the construction phase the following could arise: • Delay due to occupancy permit requirements • Lack of training on operations and maintenance and the inability to understand the complexities • Shortage of qualified, trainable staff • Owner underestimated challenges of conveyorized car wash • Owner underestimated time and commitment necessary • Customer education on use of new business model and expectations of it • Human resource regulatory and governmental challenges • Housekeeping challenges — keeping the facility clean I’m sure there are more challenges than listed above. However, hopefully this will provide a guideline to some of the challenges that you may experience in the conversion from one business model to another. Ralph Nasca is an SWCA member and an industry veteranand manager of Lewisville, TX-based Pro-Tech Service Company LLC.

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Security Security Audit Check Your Measures Through the Eyes Of A Professional

If you have built a new car wash in the last few years, you probably spent a lot of hours planning the security measures from every angle and at every critical point where you either expect thefts to happen, or where you wanted to monitor employees and customers more closely. However, at established facilities, it may be time to look at the place with a critical eye to make sure that your facility security measures are well placed and effective, and to see if any of your existing components or systems may have some flaws that you may not be aware of. Performing a security audit every few years is a good idea, but it does not have to be performed by a professional security expert every time. There will come a time when you will need the experts, especially if you just bought the place, or if you are adding security systems for the first time. However, no one knows your facility better than you, and if you know what to look for, there is no reason why you can’t be just as effective as the profession-

als at identifying points where your security may be weak or lacking entirely. As time passes, you may have some areas that are adequately covered, some areas may be lacking, and if you have added new areas or changed up existing areas, you may need to add cameras, locks, or even additional alarm points to protect new equipment or to simply have an additional view of what happens in that area when you are not around. This is all standard stuff. You have probably done this before. What you need for an effective security audit though, is to not only look for coverage in new or existing areas, but to take a closer look at the components and systems you already have in place.

LIKE A PRO

So the purpose of this article is not to rehash all the glaringly obvious places that you have addressed before, but to look at your existing components and systems the same way a security expert would. They’re going to be looking at things you may not think of. They may identify some weaknesses you may not know you had. The key to looking at your existing security systems and components as a security professional would, is to know the secrets they know. They have seen how hun-

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Advantage dreds of businesses get hit, both by employees on the inside and by thieves on the outside. Any security audit worth its salt looks at two elements: • Is the system performing up to the standards you will need when something happens • What can be done to improve things So when security professionals visit your facility, they will be taking a closer look at the systems you have in place, to see if there are any vulnerabilities that may have been overlooked. Here are what the pros look for when it comes to your existing devices and systems:

Door Locks and Padlocks The pros will certainly ask who has keys to doors and locks. When was the last time you took a key inventory? Do the keys you give out have “Do Not Duplicate” written on them? Is it time to replace the lock with a new one because of unexpected key control problems, unauthorized key copying, or because of suspicions concerning an employee that has recently left your employment? Are the shackles of any padlocks exposed enough to make it easy for thieves to use bolt cutters on them? Are they case hardened shackles designed to prevent that from happening?

The pros will certainly ask who has keys to doors and locks. When was the last time you took a key inventory?

Alarm System

Is your existing alarm system professionally monitored, or does it simply sound a siren or activate a strobe light? These days, people are accustomed to alarms going off periodically, and even the closest neighbors will usually ignore them. Make sure your alarm system is professionally monitored, or at the very least, will call your cell phone, and/or your manager. Also, find out when the last time your alarm system itself — and also any monitored doors or areas — have been tested. Alarm professionals will tell you that it is common to find as many as 40 percent of commercial alarm systems to not be working properly and/or not protecting the businesses adequately for various reasons.

Security devices such as door switches and motion detectors are prone to being damaged during the normal course of your operations. Security devices such as door switches and motion detectors are prone to being damaged during the normal course of your operations. Shelving, boxes, and new

What about the brand and models of the locks you are using? Why could that be important? Because the pros know a dirty little secret common to many padlocks. There are a whole slew of locks that are commonly sold at hardware stores that may only have 25 or so different keysets for a particular model. Worse still, your local hardware store may only stock enough locks to have a few different keysets. Thieves know this, and they have been known to buy locks from the local store as well. As few as three or four lock purchases could potentially give them the keys to quite a few businesses in the area. Thieves have even been known to buy a single lock, then stack all the locks with the same key code at the front of the shelf, then see who buys them and follow the buyers back to their business or home. Good quality, industrial-grade locks are not usually found at the local hardware store. Instead, consult a local locksmith or a retailer that specializes in locks for car wash facilities. 43

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Advantage equipment are often placed or stacked in front of motion detectors, blocking or limiting their vision, and many areas are under-protected or not protected at all due to physical premises changes such as expansions and the addition or removal of walls, windows, and/or doors. A complete system inspection and test is the best way to ensure proper operation when you need it. Other capabilities to check include: • Does your alarm system rely solely on a phone line to alert you or the authorities of a break-in? • Does your system also have cellular call-out ability or other similar back-up option? • Can your alarm system simply be unplugged to defeat it, or does it have a battery back-up system connected to it? • Are all zones currently turned on, or has a zone been turned off either by accident or on purpose? Also, if your alarm system is wireless, or has some wireless components, the experts will check the make and model to make sure that your system is not easy to defeat. Many low-quality wireless alarm systems — and even wireless security cameras — can be defeated by simply jamming the signals. Thieves can buy a jammer that will defeat most wireless systems. These inexpensive systems are no larger than a pack of cigarettes and can effectively render many wireless alarm and video systems useless in seconds with a broad spectrum of electromagnetic interference (EMI). These devices block encrypted signals as well. Even if you have a system that interrogates each wireless sensor, it can take as long as 5 minutes or more for that to happen, and many systems don’t sound the alarm right away when a sensor is discovered missing. You may only get an alert when this happens.

Can the camera be reached with a broom or stick? Can it be defeated by whacking it hard enough to turn it away? Can thieves cover it with a towel? Are any cables visible so that they can be cut? Is the camera immune to these types of attacks? What about the recording device? Is it easy to find? Is it easy to simply unplug? Is there a battery back-up system connected to your system? Does it sound a loud alarm if it is unplugged or loses power? Security camera systems are much more subjective than other types of security systems, and should be checked and tested more often. For example, it is surprising how many operators have learned to compensate for under performing cameras or recorders over time. Without even realizing it, you find yourself looking at an alternate camera to more clearly see an event, or simply waiting until someone gets closer to the camera to see if they can be recognized. Even common — and easily fixed — electrical problems, such as unstable images caused by poor equipment grounding, can be ignored in much the same way that a kid can ignore the dirt on their glasses. We tend to look through these problems. So the key here is to not only look at system functionality, but to also take a very close look at performance. Now that you know some of the things that the pros know, it is a lot easier to look at your facility and your systems from a different perspective.

Security camera systems are much more subjective than other types of security systems, and should be checked and tested more often.

A modest amount of exercise still provides substantial benefits? People who got some exercise but not enough to meet the physical activity recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate activity a week were still 20% less likely to die over a 14-year period than people who did not do any physical activity. People who exercised the recommended 150 minutes were 31% less likely to die during the same period. Bird flu is causing an egg shortage? During the 20142015 outbreak, more than 10% of the 300 million egg laying birds in the US had to be killed to control the disease. Result: Fewer eggs, so some stores have raised their prices or limited the number of eggs customers can buy and some restaurants have reduced the number of egg dishes. 36% of women who are having a heart attack don’t call 911? Reason: They probably don’t know. Rather than chest pains, women often experience discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdomen, dizziness, nausea, right arm pain, shortness of breath and sweating or unusual fatigue.

Security Cameras

While you may already have security cameras, and they may be in the right places, what weaknesses may have been overlooked? For example, are the views from your cameras partially hampered or degraded in some way? Does the camera need to be zoomed in more so that it has a better view of what may be happening? Is the camera lens capable of increasing the zoom? Is it in proper focus? Has the glass or dome in front of the camera lens been scaled over with chemicals or obscured by spider webs and needs to be replaced? Is the camera looking at a bright light at night and preventing a good picture?

Allen Spears currently owns four car washes in Texas. He is also the chief engineer at CarWashCameras.com (a division of Rugged CCTV).

Did You Know

Advantage Divorce papers can be served on Facebook? A New York City judge let a woman serve her husband divorce papers vis Facebook because he had no fixed address, no place of employment and could not be found through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Many millennials don’t have credit cards? More than one-third of people ages 18 to 29 have never had one – largely because of the CARD Act of 2009, which strictly limited the marketing and issuance of credit cards to young adults. Car buyers are taking out longer loans. New-car loans with terms of 73 to 84 months represented a record 29.5% of all car loans in the first quarter of this year – up from 25% one year earlier and just 9% fiver years ago. Used-car loans of 73 to 84 months rose to 16% of borrowers – also a record high. Designate a beneficiary for your HSA. Otherwise the health savings account will be included in your estate – and its value will be taxable on your final tax return. If your spouse is the designated beneficiary, the account will be treated as his/her HSA after your death. You can lose Social Security benefits if you own the government money. The IRS can take 15% of your Social Security payments to satisfy a delinquent tax debt. Benefits can also be reduced if you have a delinquent student loan or unpaid child support or alimony or if you default on a federally backed home loan.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President:

President-Elect:

Vice President:

Treasurer:

Past President:

Vendor Vice President:

Eric Warden Southlake, TX (817) 329-8777

Dave Swenson Austin, TX (512) 346-8050

DeWayne Hall Oklahoma City (405) 414-14890

Clayton Clark Houston, TX (832) 678-3031

Don Witt Dallas, TX (214) 358-2575

Tyler Greffin Burnsville, MN (952) 808-3640

Directors

Larry Ayres Wichita Falls, TX (940) 636-3685 Jeff Blansit Dallas, TX (214) 912-1729 Wes Dawson Dallas, TX (972) 986-7239 Robert Duncan

Artesia, NM (575) 308-9248

Centennial, CO (720) 934-7289

Tyler Furney Harker Heights, TX (254) 245-8657

Alan Palermo Houston, TX (713) 946-1600

Troy Kunkel Fort Worth, TX (817) 808-8769

Andrew Zamora Lubbock, TX (806) 543-2775

Brett Meinberg

Executive Director: Chuck Space

4600 Spicewood Springs Rd., Ste. 103 Austin, Texas, 78759 (800) 440-0644

www.swcarwash.org The Advantage is the official publication of the Southwest Car Wash Association. It is published four times each calendar year by SCWA, 4600 Spicewood Springs Rd., #103, Austin, Texas 78759. The officers, directors and members of the Southwest Car Wash Association, as well as The Advantage editors, in accepting advertising for this publication, make no independent investigation concerningthe services or products advertised and neither endorse nor recommend or make any claims as to the accuracy and therefore assume no liability thereof. The opinions expressed in the articles are not necessarily the opinions of SCWA and its publisher and therefore makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for accuracy or completeness of the information herein. (512) 343-9023.

Welcome New Members The SCWA members listed below have joined SCWA since our last issue. We Appreciate your Support! Dominic Ahearn Ahearn Signs Belleville MI

Kep Andrews

Modernwash Bowling Green KY

Anthony LaBarbera

Oceans Car Wash Lewisville TX

Rhino Shield of Central & South TX New Braunfels TX

Travis Francis

Brendan Linehan

River City Car Wash LLC Canadian TX

Peter Hayman

Anzus Capital, LLC Austin TX

Jose Hernandez HHH, Inc. Delta CO

Timothy Hogue

Swish Car Wash Houston TX

James Neutze

Neutze Enterprises, LLC Uvalde TX

Jeff Petrey

BriteZone Express Car Wash Southlake TX

Cuong Pham CP & JV Corp. Houston TX

Vinh Pham

Carwash USA Plano TX

Richard Roos

Venterra Realty Management Houston TX

Zoje Rugovac

A to Z Car Wash, LLC N. Richland Hills TX

Mike Shriver

Peoria Car Wash Denver CO

Kevin Smith

Dallas Car Wash Club Dallas TX

Carl Vincent

Corporate Realty Advisors Tulsa OK

Advantage

Dilution Ratio 630:1

Dilution Ratio 380:1

Dilution Ratio 250:1

Dilution Ratio 270:1 Dilution Ratio 64:1

Scotch Plaid, Inc.

Saving you money, one pail at a time! 800-527-5220 www.scotchplaid.com 214-358-2575 47

Southwest Car Wash Association 4600 Spicewood Springs Road Suite 103 Austin, Texas 78759

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Car Wash Development Since 1984 Ground-up and remodels Car Wash Equipment Sales, Service, Installation and Parts Installation and Service on All Manufacturers Consulting CAD Drawings and Design Services Training (Operational and Maintenance) Site Selection and Evaluation Sell, Supply and Service Chemicals Chemical Evaluations and Cost Controls Marketing and Market Research Ongoing Preventative Maintenance Texas and Surrounding States 24 Hour Service, 7 Days a Week Large Inventory of Parts, Supplies and Chemicals Fleet GPS Monitored for Fast, Efficient Response Times

Pro-Tech Service Company L.L.C. (972) 221-1107 • Fax (972) 434-3036 Email: office@protechsc.com • www.pro-tech-service.com

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