This week, we cover the launch of GO Car Wash, a new express carwash platform; a new hire; a merger; an industry recognition; and a new partnership.

Imperial Capital launches GO Car Wash

PHOENIX — Imperial Capital Group Ltd. has announced the launch of GO Car Wash, the nation’s newest express carwash platform, with a focus on secondary cities across North America, according to a press release.

“We see a tremendous opportunity to deploy our back, buy and build investment strategy within the carwash industry and are excited to build a multi-regional platform of high-quality carwashes,” said Christopher Harris, partner at Imperial Capital. “To launch the platform, we are pleased to be teaming up with Darren Skarecky, CEO, and JT Thomson, COO — two strong industry veterans bringing a wealth of insight and perspective to fortify our foundation for growth.”

GO Car Wash, headquartered in Phoenix, plans to invest heavily in building out its corporate infrastructure to support its future growth, the release continued.

The company expects to deploy a multi-pronged growth strategy focused on acquisitions, partnerships and new site build-outs, the release noted.

It will have a specific emphasis on empowering local owner-operators to develop and grow regional clusters in attractive geographies, the release stated.

“We are passionate about the carwash business,” said Skarecky, who was part of the executive team at one of the nation’s largest carwash consolidators, “and we plan to execute on an aggressive growth plan beginning this quarter. With experienced industry operators such as JT Thomson, we have the core team in place to achieve this growth and offer a differentiated platform to the carwash industry.”

“In aggressively reviewing acquisitions, partnerships and new site build-outs,” said Thomson, “we plan to methodically expand the business through a significant number of acquisitions while maintaining an operational and technological focus.”

“Our flexible acquisition model that benefits potential sellers and partners was designed to ensure that we reach the optimal structure for every deal,” said Skarecky. “By understanding what owner-operators are looking for and by combining Imperial Capital’s strong multi-site experience with our deep industry experience, GO Car Wash is well positioned for future success in the carwash industry.”

Go Car Wash is Imperial Capital’s first investment for Imperial Capital Acquisition Fund VII, the release concluded.

For more information on GO Car Wash and Imperial Capital, visit www.gocarwash.com or www.imperialcap.com.

Kleen-Rite Corp. announces new hire

COLUMBIA, Pa. — Kleen-Rite Corp. has announced the addition of Jay Cogley to the sales team, according to a press release.

Cogley joins Kleen-Rite Corp. after spending 15 years as national sales manager for Trans-Mate Inc., the release continued.

He brings years of experience in distribution and automotive care to the team, the release noted.

“I am pleased to join the Kleen-Rite Corp. team,” Cogley said. “I’m looking forward to sharing my personal relationships, background in business development, marketing and small business.”

American Changer completes acquisition of Rowe from Valley-Dynamo

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — American Changer Corporation has announced the finalization of an asset purchase agreement with Rowe Bill Changers, LLC, who is a U.S. manufacturer of self-serve money changers servicing the commercial carwash, coin-operated laundry, amusement and vending markets, according to a press release.

The acquisition unites two reputable brands and further enhances American Changer Corporation’s mission to remain at the forefront of ingenuity, the release continued.

Products and parts for Rowe changers will continue to be sold under the Rowe tradename and trademark, the release noted.

The Rowe name has been associated with quality and dependability for over 50 years, and moving forward, the dedicated professionals at American Changer aim to effectively serve Rowe’s loyal customer base, which includes some of the premier companies in their industries, the release stated.

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

Rowe’s proud heritage and sector expertise positions American Changer for sustained growth, particularly as the two leverage the best of all technologies and a superb team while continually expanding the company’s product offering, the release concluded.

Orange County detailer selected for SONAX’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum preservation team

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — Orange County Detailer and Paint Correction Specialist, Rigo Santana of Xtreme Xcellence Professional Detailing, has been selected by SONAX from hundreds of detailers nationally for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (IMS) Preservation Team, according to a press release.

From Feb. 21-23, Santana will be working his detailing and paint correction magic on vintage vehicles, some dating back to the early 1900s, that are so rare and unique, they are virtually priceless in monetary terms, the release continued.

The project will ensure these vintage automobiles are in supreme condition for the influx of people to the museum during the Indianapolis 500 on May 26th, the release stated.

Santana is a former Air Force One Detailer at Seattle’s Museum of Flight and McCall’s Motorworks Revival Detailer at Monterey Car Week, the release noted; therefore, he is experienced and proficient at cleaning and maintaining multi-million-dollar cars, aircraft and car collections.

He has a long history of working with SONAX, a leader in high performance car care products and sponsor of the IMS event, the release noted.

Santana is also the founder of the Nueva Generacion de Detalladorese Network (NGDD), which is the only Spanish-language automotive detail training in the U.S., the release added

For more information, contact Rigo Santana at (714) 376-2604 or (714) 472-3001 or public relations representative Kimberly Ballard at (256) 653-4003.

AMSOIL expands partnership with Seehorn Rally Team

SPOKANE, Wash. – Jeff Seehorn and Karen Jankowski of Seehorn Rally Team have announced AMSOIL has expanded its partnership with the team for 2019, according to a press release.

After a rewarding 2018 season together, AMSOIL will be title sponsor for the team this season, the release continued.

Seehorn and Jankowski are the first back-to-back national class champions in the American Rally Association championship (www.americanrallyassociation.org), the release noted.

In the 2018 season, they scored five class wins out of six events and five top-three overall finishes, which placed them both second in the overall championship, the release stated, and they are also the top-placing privateer team two years running.