This week, we cover new distributors for D&S Carwash Equipment, a charity drive, a business relationship, a new product, a grand opening, new construction and a renovation.

D&S adds two new distributors

HIGH RIDGE, Mo. — D&S Carwash Equipment announced the addition of two new firms to its nationwide network of factory authorized distributors, according to a press release.

Central Service Inc. of Bend, Oregon, and Air & Lube Systems Inc., based in Sacramento, California, with facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles and Tulare, California, will provide sales, installation, maintenance and service functions for much of the West Coast, the release continued.

Central Service is a leader in the construction and service industry for retail petroleum clients in the northwest U.S., the release noted.

Air & Lube Systems Inc.’s core business is sales, installation and service of automotive maintenance equipment throughout California, the release added, and their clients include auto dealers, truck and auto fleet firms and government agencies.

D&S Western Regional Manager Brian Merz stated, “We’re very pleased to partner with two reputable firms with excellent track records serving two of our core market industries, c-stores and auto dealers. In addition, we have gained a much stronger position in terms of geographic coverage in the western U.S.”

For more information about Central Service Inc., visit its website here.

For more information about Air & Lube Systems Inc., visit its website here.

Flying Ace Express Car Wash Donates $7,400 to Dayton Children’s Hospital

DAYTON, Ohio — Flying Ace Express Car Wash has announced the donation of $7,400.87 to Dayton Children’s Hospital in conjunction with the K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon, according to a press release.

The donations were collected Nov.1-3, 2019 at six Greater Dayton Flying Ace Express Car Wash locations, with all proceeds used to support new life-saving and life-changing equipment and technology for the 350,000 kids cared for each year, the release continued.

Throughout the Dayton Children’s Hospital donation weekend, Flying Ace Express offered a free “Flying Ace” carwash ($15 value) to customers in exchange for a $5 monetary donation. At the campaign’s conclusion, Flying Ace Express gave away more than 1,445 free car washes, totaling $21,675 at full retail value. In addition, Flying Ace Express sponsored a “Power Hour” during the K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon held at Dayton Children’s Hospital November 6-8, 2019. During the Power Hour, Flying Ace Express donated a $25 gift card to patrons pledging a minimum monthly monetary donation to the hospital, and a stuffed duck and $25 gift card to a current Dayton Children’s patient and their family.

“This year, the K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon celebrated a record-breaking donation total of more than $344,000,” said Dan Eisenhauer, Flying Ace Express Car Wash partner and Express Wash Concepts vice president of operations. “It’s an amazing experience to contribute to that overall total by bringing together our customers and Flying Ace Express team to support Greater Dayton kids and families.”

K99.1FM began airing the Cares for Kids Radiothon in 1998 and has raised more than $3.5 million over the last 20 years for Dayton Children’s Hospital, the region’s only medical facility dedicated to children, the release concluded.

BendPak retains Simpson Communications as PR agency of record

SANTA PAULA, Calif. — BendPak Inc. has named Simpson Communications LLC, public relations agency of record for its BendPak, Ranger and Autostacker brands of car lifts, parking lifts, wheel service and shop equipment, according to a press release.

BendPak collectively is a producer of automotive lifts, pipe benders, air compressors and shop equipment, the release continued. 

Simpson Communications specializes in business-to-business communications for the automotive, work truck and trucking industries, and has been active in the vehicle lift and shop equipment market since 2004, the release noted.

“Simpson Communications offers strong PR expertise and unmatched knowledge and experience in the automotive lift industry,” said Jeff Kritzer, executive vice president, BendPak. “We’re confident that experience will help us increase brand visibility and awareness of the benefits our products offer to car dealers, repair shops and parking operations of all sizes.”

As agency of record, Simpson Communications is responsible for BendPak, Ranger and Autostacker public relations in the U.S., the release noted.

“BendPak has built its reputation on quality, and we’re honored to join its excellent marketing team,” said Kristen Simpson, president of Simpson Communications. “We embrace the opportunity to put our expertise to work to help BendPak reach its target audiences and achieve its goals.”

For more information about BendPak, call (805) 933-9970, visit bendpak.com, or connect through Twitter, twitter.com/bendpak, Instagram, Instagram.com/bendpak or YouTube youtube.com/user/BendPakRanger.

Connect with Simpson Communications on Facebook at Facebook.com/SimpsonCommunications or call (216) 991-4297.

Mobile Tech RX launches first-ever analytics product for auto reconditioning professionals

AUSTIN, Texas — Mobile Tech RX, software for auto reconditioning technicians, announced its release of the industry’s first analytics product, according to a press release.

For the first time, auto reconditioning business leaders in dent, detail, interior, glass, paint and wheel repair can capture the data generated from their daily operations, get a holistic view of their businesses and make smarter decisions with Mobile Tech RX Analytics, the release continued. 

According to a global data and analytics survey conducted by PwC, highly data-driven organizations are three times more likely to report significant improvement in decision-making, the release noted; data-driven decisions can drive optimization, operational efficiency and strategic growth. 

Mobile Tech RX’s app has helped technicians who formerly operated their businesses with pen and paper go digital and transformed the auto reconditioning industry to make it more streamlined, professional and efficient, the release noted.

Now, the industry has passed another significant milestone as it gains the ability to capture and analyze important data, the release added. 

“It’s the most valuable tool I’ve seen on the market,” said Matt Moore, owner of EZ Dent in Athens, Georgia, and a PDR technician with over 15 years of industry experience. “This tool is allowing me to trim the fat on things that aren’t working and to double down on the things that are working.”

Until Dec. 2nd, all Mobile Tech RX users can get a 15% discount on the first year of Analytics using code Analytics15, the release stated: 

• Current Mobile Tech RX users can upgrade their subscriptions to the Growing Business plan from the Mobile Tech RX admin portal. Click the “Black Friday Promo” button on the Subscription page of the admin portal to activate the discount. 
• New users can sign up for a free 30-day trial and use code Analytics15 in the pop up box after sign up. The 12-month discount will be activated when a credit card is added.

Learn more about Mobile Tech RX Analytics here.

Living Water Car Wash to join the “On Havana Street” community

AURORA, Colo. — Living Water Car Wash will be opening its second location in early December, just in time to help tackle winter grime, according to a press release.

“We are excited to bring an entirely new carwash experience to this community in Aurora. No long lines. Just cutting-edge technology and an amazing experience,” said Chad Roach, one of the owners of Living Water Car Wash.

The carwash is located on the northwest corner of Havana and Kentucky, just north of Mississippi Ave., the release continued.

With state-of-the-art conveyor technology, Living Water’s extra-wide, flat-belt conveyor system makes loading and unloading simpler and safer, and it can accommodate larger vehicles than a traditional chain system, the release noted; Living Water can wash vehicles up to 7 feet 4 inches tall and 8 feet wide.

Living Water Car Wash was the first in the nation to implement this internationally-recognized technology at its first location in Littleton, Colorado, and now it’s bringing this exclusive technology to the Aurora community, the release noted.

Starting at only $8, express washes are all under three minutes, use biodegradable soap and include free self-serve vacuums and mat cleaners, the release noted.

The carwash also features an unlimited membership program and utilizes license-plate recognition, the release added.

Living Water Car Wash also cares about the environment by recycling more than 60% of the water used for every wash, the release continued.

In addition, the unique design of the passive solar building reduces the need for heat, as it captures heat from Colorado’s many sunny days, and the translucent roof also allows in that sunlight, brightening the wash tunnel as a car is moved through, the release noted.

Chad Roach states, “We put the customer first every time. We hire friendly, caring staff to help brighten up your day and leave you smiling. We also offer fundraising opportunities, because we believe giving back to our communities as a critical part of our success. Customers tell us that we are the Chick-fil-A of the carwash industry, and we take that as a great compliment.”

Free car washes and discounts on unlimited memberships will be offered to all customers who visit during Living Water’s grand opening week Dec. 9-14, 2019, the release concluded.

Find out more information at LivingWaterCarWash.com.

Second Tommy’s Express in Minnesota under construction

ROCHESTER, Minn. — According to www.postbulletin.com, a new 5,100-square-foot Tommy’s Express Car wash is under construction on the corner of 37th St. NE and East River Rd. at 265 Penny Lane NE.

The carwash is expected to be ready for operation in early spring, the article continued.

While there are currently 45 Tommy’s Express Car Washes in 18 states, this will be only the second in Minnesota, with the other one located in New Hope, the article stated.

Building permits estimated the value of the carwash at $2.8 million, the article concluded.

Dirty Dawg buys self-serve carwash

ATHENS, Ohio — According to www.athensmessenger.com, VMW Car Wash at 184 Columbus Rd. was recently sold to Dirty Dawg Express Wash LLC for $212,500.

James Trout, an operator of the Dirty Dawg business on East State St., said he plans to revamp the location, which has had spotty service over the past year or so, the article continued.

Trout plans to renovate the interior to feature a 24-hour automatic, touchless carwash, with plans to open around mid- to late December, the article noted.

Until that time, the self-serve bays will remain open, the article added.

The new business will be renamed Dirty Dawg II, or something similar, Trout stated.

With the Columbus Rd. corridor continuing to develop, Trout said it made sense to open a quality wash on that side of town, adding, “I think this end of town could use one.”