In this week’s Market Focus, we cover Stenner Pump’s anniversary, a licensing program, a new hire, an award, a new opening and a charitable act.
Stenner celebrates 60 years as a manufacturer of peristaltic metering pumps
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Stenner Pump Company proudly marks its 60th year as a manufacturer of peristaltic metering pumps for the water industry, according to a company press release.
The company has evolved dramatically since 1957 when it was originally founded by Gustav Stenner as a post retirement interest, the release continued.
Privately owned by Tim Ware since 1995, the release noted, Ware joined the company with a vision and has driven the company to expand its product line and market reach.
The growth has resulted in four locations, the release stated: two in Jacksonville, Florida (headquarters) and one each in Kansas and New York.
The “Inspired by Our Customers” anniversary logo credits Stenner’s success to the relationship with its customers, the release added; Stenner’s philosophy is to maintain a total commitment to customer satisfaction while manufacturing high quality reliable products.
Of course, loyal and dedicated employees are a huge contributing factor to success, the release continued, as evidenced by the fact that 31 percent of Stenner’s employees have been with the company over 10 years and 49 percent of the company is employee-owned.
The progress and growth over these 60 years would have made the founder proud, the release concluded.
Rust-Oleum and Dubois Chemicals announce licensing program
VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Rust-Oleum Corporation announced that it has formed a licensing program with Dubois Chemicals, according to a press release.
Company leaders say the move will further strengthen consumer confidence in the Dubois line of carwash products, the release continued.
A global leader in manufacturing paints and coatings since 1921, Rust-Oleum executives say the agreement is a win-win for both businesses, the release noted.
“Our brand has been associated with quality, innovation and corrosion prevention for nearly 100 years,” said Michael Vitucci, vice president for business development at Rust-Oleum. “We’re honored to add our name as a symbol of confidence to an already strong brand.”
As the licensor, Rust-Oleum ensures that Dubois’ products have been extensively tested for quality and contain the most effective protection properties available, the release noted.
Based in Ohio, DuBois manufactures a full line of the highest quality detergents, polishes and protectants and auxiliary car care products sold under the names Blendco Systems, C.A.R. Products, Red Rhino and Bullet Proof, the release stated.
According to the release, Dubois leaders say they see value in capitalizing Rust-Oleum’s brand awareness, especially in the world of preventative coatings.
“We work tirelessly to innovate new products that provide real benefits to carwash consumers worldwide,” said Brent McCurdy, president of the transportation group at Dubois. “The new Rust-Oleum line of products represents the highest quality and protection ever offered by DuBois and sets a new higher standard for the industry.”
The deal was brokered by The Valen Group, a strategic brand licensing, consulting and innovation firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the release concluded.
Kim Supply names Stephen Craig new GM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Citing his extensive retail management experience and working with customers in a high traffic environment, Stephen Craig II has been hired as general manager for Kim Supply, the carwash division of automotive aftermarket provider Service Champ, according to a press release.
He reports to Dave Everett, vice president of Car Wash and National Sales & Training Director, the release added.
Craig joins Kim Supply after a 16-year run in the Kansas City market with Bed Bath & Beyond, the release noted; he most recently served as assistant store manager for the high-profile retailer after earning several promotions from department and salesforce manager positions to operations.
Moving from store to store in the district, the release continued, he helped elevate standards and analyzed trends to order merchandise and maximize sales, the release stated; Craig also had direct interaction with hiring and training, traits that led Kim Supply to hiring him.
“His management experience with a major company like Bed Bath & Beyond was very impressive. So was his 20-plus years of experience in the retail world,” said Mr. Everett. “Stephen’s ability to interact with customers, coupled with his inventory and employee management skills, also factored into the decision to bring him on board as our General Manager.”
For over 50 years, the release noted, Kim Supply has served as a distributor to the carwash industry.
Craig will be responsible for the operations side of the business, managing carwash, counter and repair shop sales as well as overseeing the warehouse, the release noted.
He believes his retail experience will pay dividends, according to the release.
“At Bed Bath & Beyond, you ran the store as if it was your name on the store. I’m treating Kim Supply the same way,” he indicated. “Our customers come first. When they are taken care of, they grow and so do we. I learned a term during my time at BBB — ‘Build relationships to build the business’ — and we will build relationships with customers so they know they can count on us.”
Although he is new to the carwash business, the release added, Craig said he’s not new to running a business built around customer service and has several objectives he wants to accomplish this year.
“I’m working with a seasoned team of veterans who each have 20 or more years of experience, so I’m pretty lucky,” he said. “One of the first things to do will be moving into a new facility that has more room for us to expand. That should happen in the next few months. And I want to help my staff grow the business so we are the first place customers think of when they need carwash and pressure wash supplies.”
Virtual Assistant by ISTOBAL earns award at Innovation Gallery of Motortec Automechanika
VALENCIA, Spain — ISTOBAL has earned an award at the Gallery of Innovation of Motortec Automechanika for its innovative Virtual Assistant for wash program selection, according to a press release.
The organizers of the International Exhibition for the Automotive Industry in Spain — to be held on March 18th in Madrid — have made public the list of Gallery of Innovation winners, the release continued; the awards acknowledge the sector’s technological breakthroughs.
In the carwash category, ISTOBAL has received an award for its Virtual Assistant, intended to facilitate wash program selection to customers and reduce selection time by 50 percent, the release noted.
Thanks to a user-centered design (UCD) and an algorithm, Kate and Robert — the virtual assistants — help customers choose the wash program that best suits their needs based on the vehicle’s condition, the release stated.
This system also improves fluidity at the carwash station, the release added, enhancing business profitability.
At Motortec’s Hall 2 (stand no. 2C01), ISTOBAL will present its latest developments to the national market with a focus on quality, effectiveness and user experience, the release continued.
The Spanish company is committed to Motortec as a launching pad for their latest solutions, which include the new M’NEX32 rollover — with more features and innovative optional extras — and the Multi-disk wheelwash brush, the release noted.
ISTOBAL will also present other technologies, including new products, the release noted.
At the Technical Service area, the IW-Manager, a computer program for the remote control and management of carwash facilities, will be demonstrated, the release stated.
The Car Keeper announces opening of new auto spa and detailing center in Phoenix
PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Car Keeper announced the opening of a state-of-the-art auto spa and detailing facility to meet the growing need for automotive exterior and interior care, according to a press release.
“Auto detailing is normally practiced all throughout the world, and it involves polishing the outer appearance only,” explained Kenneth Marquis. “Though we extend this to the interiors of the cars also as we will wax, polish and do a thorough cleaning of your automobiles essentially to make it look sleek and beautiful. We will correct the paint defects and ensure that the scratches and other marks on the exterior of the automobile are polished completely.”
The Car Keeper auto spa and detailing services are handled meticulously by professionals to ensure the beauty of vehicles are restored and people’s investment is protected, the release noted.
Also, they are experts at preparing vehicles to make sure car owners get paid the most on their used vehicle whenever they want to sell, the release stated.
The Car Keeper will detail vehicles before they get appraised, and they know what appraisers are looking for and will maximize the price of vehicles in their care, the release added.
“Maintenance of the car not only keeps it in good condition, but it also protects the vehicle for years to come, thus enhancing its value as it ages,” the Car Keeper team stated.
The Car Keeper’s experienced staff provides every customer with the high-quality service he or she deserves while paying close attention to their individual needs, the release noted; they do not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
The Car Keeper is dedicated to providing each of their customers with the perfect solution that suits their needs, the release concluded.
Blessing Box debuts at carwash
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — According to www.thepostsearchlight.com, a wooden box on legs, called a Blessing Box, appeared next to the Super Clean Car Wash on Dorthan Rd.
An inscription, the article continued, on the front of the box reads, “Take what you need. Bring what you can, above all, be blessed.”
The box contains canned goods and non-perishable items for the needy and hungry, the article stated.
Patricia Anderson of Someone Cares Sharing Center is the brainchild behind the box, the article noted.
Anderson and her volunteers originally ran a soup kitchen and then a charity give-away at the fairgrounds in a building owned by the county government, the article stated.
Markise Jones, who owns the carwash, has been monitoring the Blessing Box during the day since Feb. 27th as he details cars, the article continued.
Anderson stated that some food has been taken and some replaced anonymously, the article noted, but she checks the Blessing Box daily and replenishes it as needed.
“I want people to know that they are welcome to the food,” she explains. “It’s free and is there to be a blessing to anyone in need. If they take all the food, that is fine too.”
Anderson hopes to pass along the word about the Blessing Box and perhaps build more boxes to place around the community as needed, the article concluded.
