Self Serve Carwash News Fall '19

INNOVATIONS
INTRODUCING NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FOR SELF SERVE CAR WASHES
In-Bay automatic from Belanger
Belanger has unveiled its new Cube® Soft-Touch In-Bay Automatic Wash
System, the industry’s first friction IBA wash system that provides a quieter experience
for the customer while also improving the quality of the wash.
“We couldn’t be happier with the overwhelming response the Cube received
at this year’s PEI-NACS Show,” said Allen Luce, Sales Manager. “Operators in
attendance were impressed by the Cube’s innovative ‘smart’ features that allow
them to choose the best ways to market their sites while delivering better
throughput and cleaner cars. Additionally, the Cube was designed with the idea
that a successful wash operation begins with meeting the needs of the person
behind the wheel, and this new wash system does just that.”
Prior to developing the Cube, Belanger conducted an extensive voice of the
customer (VOC) survey to learn what customers expected from a wash experience.
From this VOC, Belanger engineered a unique wash system that addresses
each of the top requests, such as lower noise, no vehicle damage, and higher
quality of wash. To address these top expectations, the Cube utilizes slow-spinning
friction wheels to lower the overall noise inside the vehicle during the
wash. In order to keep the noise low and the wash quality high, the Cube incorporated
Belanger’s ShineMitt foam media. The design of the media acts as
a wash mitt that thoroughly cleans the vehicle in a gentle and quiet manner. In
addition, the Cube utilizes a host of “smart” technology allowing it to be precise,
intuitive and flexible to provide the best possible cleaning result for each customer.
The Cube’s smart features include:
Mud stoppers from Kleen-Rite
Mud, grime, and grit sometimes builds up in the outer holes of the fiberglass
grating in a car wash bay and it is difficult to clean out this sludge and
it might begin to collect gravel and small pieces of trash. This is unattractive
and potentially unsafe for customers. In addition, this increases the possibility
that brushes will pick up solid particles that can scratch or damage
vehicle surfaces.
Mud Stopper plugs easily and quickly solve this problem. Once you identify
which holes in your grating collect mud, you can clean them out and
insert a plug in each one. This directs the mud and sludge further towards
the center of the grate where it will fall into the pit instead of building up
around the edges. Plugs are easy to insert and perfectly sized for common
car wash grating. Your wash will instantly look cleaner, stay cleaner, and
provide a safer experience for all customers and employees.
● Smart Wheel technology that tilts and adjusts to the
shape of the specific vehicle
● Smart Touch technology utilizes torque-sensing,
radial-driven arms that detects friction levels and
position the wash wheels in optimal geometric proximity
to each vehicle
● Smart Spray manifolds that “know” the position of
each wheel and apply spray at the right time
In addition, the Cube offers remote access capabilities, patented LED-enhanced
wheels and spray arms that cycle through six colors to provide Active
Site Marketing, and an innovative scissor-arm top wheel that precisely lowers
to the vehicle and covers more area along the front, top and rear of the vehicle.
The Cube’s LED lights also provide navigational assistance to load customers in
and out of the bay quickly, increasing throughput.
Car wash monitoring
solution from Unitec
United introduces has announced the launch of its newest service, Uptime
Solutions.
Uptime Solutions employs a team of experts to monitor the status of
car wash equipment and triage any issues. The service increases wash uptime,
and reduces unnecessary service provider site visits. When the Uptime
Solutions team detects an issue at the wash, they will remotely provide a
fix, advise personnel on how to resolve the issue or, if needed, engage the
wash’s service provider for an on-site visit. The team customizes a resolution
process to the store’s staff and company policies and stays on top of
each problem until it is resolved.
50 • FALL 2019