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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020
McDOUGALL ENERGY:
THREE GENERATIONS OF GROWTH & SUCCESS
HUSKY:
PROUDLY
CANADIAN
PAGE 30
COVID-19:
STOPPING
THE SPREAD
PAGE 35
BLUEPRINT TO
FOODSERVICE:
NEW NORMAL
PAGE 08
URE’S COUNTRY
KITCHEN:
RECIPE FOR
SUCCESS
PAGE 49
CARWASH
BRUSHES:
QUALITY
PRODUCTS
PAGE 11
WOMEN IN
CARWASH:
CONFERENCE
SET FOR
JANUARY
PAGE 07
PM41670539
50 th
CANADA’S
VEHICLE
WASHING
CHEMICAL &
EQUIPMENT
SUPPLIER
Protecting The Environment
TAP & WASH
INDUSTRY LEADING:
• Touchless products
• Packaging
• Car Wash Equipment
• Chemical Monitoring
• Service
PAYMENT
WWW.MONDO-PRODUCTS.COM
695 Westney Road South, Unit #1 Ajax, ON L1S 6M9
905-426-9339 / 1-800-465-5676
Cover Story Petroleum and Carwash Industry News Instore and Nutrition
38 11 07 08
McDougall Energy
Three Generations of
Growth & Success
04
Publisher’s Message
What a Summer
05
Editor’s Message
Prepare for a Second Wave
Carwash Brushes
Quality Products
16
Forecourt Insights
High-Volume Fueling
55
WashTalk
VIP Carwash
Women in Carwash
2021 Conference Set for
January
19
Convenience
Acknowledging Our Freedoms
35
Covid-19
Stopping the Spread
46
Slips, Trips & Crashes
Be Prepared
Blueprint to Foodservice
New Normal
25
Banff – Husky’s New Site
30
Husky – Proudly Canadian
44
Signage
Point-Of-Sale
49
Ure’s Country Kitchen
Recipe for Success
61
What’s New
Upcoming Events January 18 – 20, 2021
October 20 – 22, 2020
Atlantic Convenience Expo
hammoud@conveniencestores.ca
Women in
carwash
3 rd Women in
Carwash Conference
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.womenincarwash.com
Brenda Johnstone
204-489-4215
Andrew Klukas
778-772-3057
Register
Now!
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 3
Publisher’s
Message
What A Summer
Wow, what a summer! The changes across the country have been crazy! How have you and your
businesses fared? We at Convenience & Carwash Canada are doing just fine and we bring to you a wide
assortment of great editorials to keep you and your team apprised of changes that have and will be done
over the next few months. From the changes that retailers offering foodservice at their stores will incur
to keep their staff and customers safe to what you can do to ensure that your signage portrays what you
think and hope it is.
If you have enjoyed a Canadian staycation this summer and happened to have visited Banff, you might have
enjoyed a visit to the recently opened Husky Market. This is a site that is certainly worth the trip.
If you’re in the Toronto area, you might like to take your dirty car down to the VIP Exposure to experience this
wash. Read all about this in the WashTalk feature article.
Lighting to impulse buys, carwash brushes to increasing ROI at your high-volume fueling sites, this edition of
Convenience & Carwash Canada magazine offers readers a wide range of topics sure to keep you interested and
up-to-date on many different topics.
We hope that you enjoy this edition and as always, your success is my business, thus my open door policy to
your valuable feedback remains not only intact, but stronger than ever. I invite you to email me with questions,
comments and story ideas for upcoming issues. bjjohnstone@convenienceandcarwash.com
I wish you all a healthy and prosperous Fall season and until next time, keep well.
Brenda Jane Johnstone
Publisher
Women in
carwash
Register
Now!
www.womenincarwash.com
We invite you to join us in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida for the 3 rd Women in Carwash conference.
January 18 – 20, 2021 at the beautiful B Ocean Resort.
In the ever-changing
carwash industry,
women are rapidly
emerging as some
of the most forwardthinking
leaders.
What is also exciting is that a growing number of men are
welcoming and actively supporting this change.
The first two Women in Carwash conferences recognized
and celebrated this exciting development to the delight of our
guests who found it very valuable, informative, ground-breaking,
and surprisingly intimate. One thing everyone could agree on is
that a healthy, happy industry that is getting better for women is an
industry that is getting better for everyone, and this will be a driving
theme of the upcoming conference.
Come and join us for this, our 3 rd conference!
For more information and to register please contact:
Andrew Klukas
phone: 1-778-772-3057
email: andrew@womenincarwash.com
Brenda Jane Johnstone
phone: 1-204-489-4215
email: bjj@womenincarwash.com
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
4 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
wCanadian Online Publishing A
Editor’s
Message
Prepare for a Second Wave
As I write this, I do not know what the second wave of the
COVID-19 virus will look like but, along with everyone else, I am
hoping for a best-case scenario.
I have been somewhat in denial that summer is coming to an
end because, to me, without many of the festivals and events we
are used to, summer didn’t actually seem to start yet.
Teachers and students are facing the reality of going back
to school and while some people continue to work from
home, others are returning to a daily commute. Convenience
stores might see an increase in business as this happens. It is
imperative that everyone remembers to follow the guidelines
from health officials and do our utmost to avoid, or lessen, the
ominous second wave that we keep hearing about.
Many of the articles in this issue of Convenience & Carwash
Canada include references to COVID-19 as well as helpful tips
about dealing with the pandemic. Be sure to read through each
article to find these gems of knowledge. This issue’s Blueprint
to Foodservice article, for example, offers information and
experiences shared by owners and operators as they maneuver
through the new normal.
If you are like me, you are weary of hearing about COVID-19,
but the pandemic doesn’t care if you are fed up of it, and it is
far from over, so we have to dig deep and maintain our spirits
as we continue to take all of the necessary precautions: wearing
PPE, washing our hands, social distancing – you know the drill
by now.
As Canadians, we can take pride in how we have tackled this
foe so far, especially when compared to some other countries. So,
let’s stay the course, and keep those C0VID-19 numbers down
during the flu season and let’s be as prepared as possible for any
second wave.
We will continue to do our part and provide you with the best
information we can in regard to the pandemic as well as other
issues and concerns facing the industry.
Stay safe and well and keeping smiling behind those masks.
PUBLISHER
Brenda Jane Johnstone
bjjohnstone@convenienceandcarwash.com
SALES
Cody Johnstone Vice President, Sales
416-838-4674
codyj@convenienceandcarwash.com
Brenda Jane Johnstone
204-489-4215
bjjohnstone@convenienceandcarwash.com
Diana Signorile
National Sales Media Solutions
403-607-8133
diana@convenienceandcarwash.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Angela Altass
editor@convenienceandcarwash.com
DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA
Cody Johnstone
codyj@convenienceandcarwash.com
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Doug Coates, Edge Advertising
Keith House, Production
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Angela Altass
Bob Chrismas
Meline Beach
Dave Bowen
Jennifer Henderson
Keith Johnson
Ed Kammerer
Tania Moffat
CIRCULATION
James Gordon
subscriptions@convenienceandcarwash.com
WEBSITE
www.womenincarwash.com
PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT
No: 41670539
Return Undeliverable
Canadian addresses to:
Circulation Department
543 Borebank Street
Winnipeg, MB R3N 1E8
Angela Altass
Managing Editor
ards
Gold/Or 2019
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 5
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6 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Women in
carwash
Register
Now!
Women working within the carwashing industry are becoming the norm and no
longer an anomaly. This is a good thing. Women can be more organized, more able
to multi-task, deal with many age groups of employees, all without breaking a sweat.
Don’t miss the 2021 Women in Carwash Conference
The third Women in Carwash conference is scheduled for January 18-20, 2021 at the B
Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and anyone who is involved with or working
in the carwash industry will want to be there.
Conference organizers are so excited about the upcoming event, they are running a
contest, sponsored by Transchem Group, that will see one woman win an expense-paid
trip for two that includes flights, hotel and two full conference passes. To have a chance
to win this great prize, visit the website www.womenincarwash.com, fill in the entry
form and submit an essay that talks about your story within the industry.
“The third Women in Carwash conference will be an exciting event that brings
together women, (and men), from across North America to engage and learn from
not only our great speaker lineup but also from each other,” says conference organizer
Brenda Jane Johnstone. “Registrants gather to exchange ideas, share experiences and
learn. We can’t wait to see everyone in January!”
Attendees will also have a chance to meet and mingle during networking events, a
cocktail reception and dinner as well as being able to fit in some free time to enjoy the
beautiful Florida resort.
While this conference is geared towards celebrating how women are emerging as
some of the most forward-thinking leaders in the carwash industry, the information
that will come out of the conference will be of interest to men in the industry as well
and organizers say men shouldn’t be shy about attending.
Zak Hemphill of Zips Car Wash attended the second Women in Carwash conference,
in Arlington, Texas, and was not deterred by the event’s name.
“I would encourage other men in the industry to not be intimidated to experience
something like this and to seek to be involved in taking part in altering where we are
as an industry” Hemphill said after the 2020 conference. “The focus on the challenges
that women face in not only our industry but any industry is always great to talk about
and seek solutions for.”
To find out more about the contest, sponsorship opportunities and other details on
the conference, visit the Women in Carwash website or reach out by e-mail to
bjj@womenincarwash.com or andrew@womenincarwash.com with any questions.
Sessions at the 2021
conference in Florida
include:
• Sex Trafficking – the problem
of sexual exploitation,
human trafficking and how it
intersects with the modern-day
convenience industry.
• The 21st Century Demand for
Women Leaders
• DiSC Profiling
• Leaders as Role Models
Stepping Beyond the
Limitations of Management
• Applying a Data Lens to Your
Operations
• Damage Claims/Insurance
Claims – how to handle them
from a legal and a business
perspective in the carwash
arena
• Harnessing the Power of Social
Media for Professional Growth.
LinkedIn for Companies and
Individuals
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 7
Blueprint to Foodservice
By Meline Beach
Foodservice in
‘New Normal’ Times
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the C&G
industry like all others. Many locations have had to
close for a period of time, some stayed open, but all have
to adjust and modify their practices now that we’re in
the midst of reopening our economy across Canada.
Convenience & Carwash Canada spoke with various
owners and operators to learn of their experiences
and share their practices on how they’ve changed their
foodservice programs in response to this pandemic. We
covered areas related to food offerings, seating, personal
protection and customer service to assist others on how
to apply the right changes at a local level in order to
maintain compliance and achieve foodservice success.
No more self-serve – more takeout and delivery
“Lunches are not like they used to be,” says Lynne
Beaudry, restaurant manager of the Pointe Au Baril
Shell Station. The popular c-store gas station along the
Trans Canada Highway has stayed open during this
pandemic as thankful highway travellers appreciated
a place to stop for a break between Barrie and Sudbury,
Ontario. “We were fortunate to stay open and serve
food on a takeout basis.”
C-store hot tables and mini-buffet items openly
accessible to customers have ceased. Any items that
used to sit on countertops on plates or in glass domes
are now individually wrapped and offered behind the
counter.
“We have removed our tongs so people are not
touching everything,” says Beaudry. “Where cookies,
breads and pizza used to sit on a tray and be available
for self-serve is now behind the counter and served by
a staff member.”
The same goes for Leslieville Pumps. “We closed
our after-hours hot table to avoid any risk of crosscontamination,”
says Judson Flom, co-owner and
8 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
operator of the downtown Toronto gas station, c-store and
restaurant. “While walk-in traffic decreased dramatically, we
tapped into Uber Eats, which continues to serve us well during
this pandemic. The well-known app promotes our takeout
menu straight to people’s smartphones.”
Another option for fuel and foodservice, as takeout, drive-thru
and grab-and-go, during this pandemic has been ONroute’s
23 locations across Ontario.
“We were, and remain, prepared and ready to temporarily
close any plaza if it were to have a confirmed case of COVID-19
either through a customer or staff member,” says Melanie Teed-
Murch, CEO of ONroute Service Centres. “With a dedicated
task-force, we’ve been nimble in addressing regional measures
and local bylaws.”
Frequent cleaning, sanitization and personal protection
From masks and plexi-glass shields to enhanced cleaning and
sanitization schedules, c-stores are implementing a number of
changes to protect the health and safety of staff and customers.
“We immediately enhanced our cleaning and sanitization
measures, including increasing the frequency of our disinfection
routines to every 15 minutes,” says Teed-Murch. “We also
installed plexi-glass shields at our point-of-sale systems, as well
as temporarily moved to cashless transactions in an effort to
reduce any chance of cross-contamination.”
As an added safety measure, ONroute
also supplies their staff proper personal
protective equipment (PPE), including
nitrile gloves for employees who serve
customers. Regular temperature checks
and screening questions are now the new
norm before every shift to ensure ONroute
employees are well enough to work. With a
large number of staff working in their plazas,
ONroute is able to divide employees by
task – separating those who handle transactions
from those who handle food and
beverage. Any employees who work across
those areas of responsibility are required to
change gloves between tasks.
Both Flom and Beaudry also commented
WE’RE ALWAYS WIPING
DOWN AND SANITIZING
SURFACES,” SAYS
BEAUDRY. “WE WERE
ALWAYS PROUD OF OUR
STORE’S CLEANLINESS
AND ARE EXTRA CAREFUL
NOWADAYS.
on their increased frequency in cleaning routines – cleaning
everything from gas pumps and buttons, squeegee handles,
picnic tables, cooler doors, bathrooms and other commonly
touched areas. As indoor dining is now allowed, sanitization
of tables and chairs are also required.
“We’re always wiping down and sanitizing surfaces,” says
Beaudry. “We were always proud of our store’s cleanliness and
are extra careful nowadays.”
Changes in layout, signage and inventory
While limited indoor seating is now permitted, many c-stores
have either removed or spaced out their tables and chairs to
accommodate safe physical distancing. Other safety measures
include the removal of any shared items, like condiment
stations, coffee stations and open buffet areas. Individual
condiment packets, including salt and pepper, are easier to
manage from a health and safety perspective.
Signs and floor decals serve as reminders and help indicate
appropriate safe distancing in lines and direct traffic
flow. Instructions on proper handwashing practices posted
in washrooms also inform and educate customers on proper
safety measures.
“We also closed every other sink in washrooms and removed
cream/sugar stations,” says Teed-Murch. “In addition, we continue
to ensure there’s always a staff member at the entrance of
our plazas to monitor for both face coverings/masks and how
many customers enter/exit the plaza.”
Inventory of supplies and foodservice ingredients have also
greatly fluctuated. While the pandemic has created challenges
in some instances, it has also created opportunity.
Open 24 hours a day, Leslieville Pumps has experienced an
increase in sales of milk, eggs and bread. As grocery stores face
low inventory and long line ups, many customers are purchasing
groceries from local c-stores.
Beaudry has had to be resourceful in ordering supplies and
modifying her menu from time to time due to limited availability
of ingredients. Between flour, yeast, butter and deli meats,
many manufacturers and distribution channels have struggled
to keep up with demand.
“If I’m short of ingredients for a particular menu item one
week, I’ll change it up and wait for the order to come in,” says
Beaudry, who’s had to exercise a high degree of flexibility since
the pandemic.
Enhanced customer service
These new normal conditions have heightened feelings
of frustration and anxiety among many
customers.
In an effort to better manage these situations,
ONroute employees have undergone
extensive training on proper handwashing
protocols, how to implement and handle
mandatory face coverings and various customer
service situations that can result
in some tense interactions. The company,
which has decided to keep its indoor dining
areas closed in order to more efficiently
service customers, reopened outdoor dining
areas when phase two came into effect.
ONroute has implemented contact tracing
procedures for customers who choose to eat
outside as per government protocol. They
also leverage their website and social media
channels as a means of communicating any changes in policies
and protocol with customers.
Beaudry, who has managed the restaurant at the Shell station
for over 21 years has noticed a change in people’s demeanour
since Covid-19. “Unfortunately, there isn’t the usual chatter
there once was and fewer people are smiling, socializing or
even making eye contact.”
While we are facing this pandemic together, the experience
is individually unique on jobs, relationships, social interactions
and lives.
“This reality demands extra respect and kindness towards
each other,” says Teed-Murch. “We are accountable for creating
safe and clean places for customers and employees where
they should be treated with understanding, patience, respect
and kindness, especially during this difficult time.”
Meline Beach is a Toronto-based communications practitioner
and frequent contributor to Convenience & Carwash
Canada. In addition to freelance writing, Meline provides
communications and public relations support to businesses
across Canada. She can be reached at www.mlbcomms.ca.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 9
Office
403.266.5558
CONTACT: JIM YELLE
Cell
403.589.3121
jyelle@mipetro.com
MAPLE RIDGE, BC • LETHBRIDGE, AB • CALGARY, AB • STOUFFVILLE, ON
The most trusted resource for news and information about Canada’s convenience, retail petroleum, and carwash industry.
10 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Get social, join our community.
By Del Williams
Carwash Design and
Retrofit Firms Expect
Stellar Support and
Quality Products from
Brush Manufacturers
Specialized brush experience, simplified ordering,
and quick response are a competitive advantage
With new carwashes being built across North America joining the approximately
80,000 professional carwash locations already in existence, according to estimates
from the International Carwash Association, consulting firms that design and remodel
carwashes are in demand.
These companies essentially serve as resellers for carwash
tunnel equipment. But on top of that, they provide expert consultation
services for owners building new carwashes as well
as necessary installation and maintenance for existing locations.
This includes helping to implement best practices and
designs involving architects, engineers, and other industry
professionals.
To do this, the consulting firms not only design and specify
the original equipment in new construction, but also the
equipment for remodels and upgrades. In this regard, they
often work with specific manufacturers of tunnel wash equipment
as well as suppliers of replacements parts such as dedicated
manufacturers of the brushes – cloth, foam, tire/wheel
brushes and detailing brushes.
Spurring interest in such services is the fact that many existing
locations, built decades ago, are aging and in need of
upgrade. Failing to keep up with technology and industry advances
inevitably means falling further behind the competition.
“Owners of established washes are competing with a growing
number of new competitors so they need to refresh their operations
and sometimes even rebrand,” says Dennis O’Connell,
president of Hoffman Services, a company that builds and
remodels carwashes. “Tunnel wash technology has also improved
dramatically so cars can get cleaner, shinier, and drier
than previously possible.”
O’Connell adds that a major factor in the carwash industry
is the current trend toward promoting club memberships,
which often drive retrofits and the implementation of modern
technology.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 11
The extent of a remodel depends on
the age of the equipment, number of carwashes,
and the budget. In some cases,
small incremental improvements can be
made. In others, all new equipment may
be required.
However, since providing a good, efficient
cleaning is the heart of any carwash
operation, “one of the first things
that gets replaced are the brushes, such
as cloth or foam, which is very noticeable
to customers,” says O’Connell.
“Changing out the cloth or foam is one
of the easiest ways to spruce up the look
of a carwash.”
The visual upgrade is all the more
striking when all the items are changed
at the same time, which can give customers
the impression that you have
invested in brand new equipment to
enhance the wash. Even if this means
switching out some materials before
they are fully worn out, the cost is nominal
in comparison to the benefits which
can include new customers, return visits
and more club memberships.
When this is the case, the choice is to
purchase cloth and foam from the manufacturer
of the tunnel wash equipment,
or to purchase it from dedicated brush
suppliers in the industry.
In selecting a dedicated brush supplier,
O’Connell looks for deep industry knowledge,
quality, ample options, reasonable
costs, and quick response.
“We need a brush manufacturer who
understands the equipment, how the
brushes fit the equipment. We rely on
them to get it right because we are not
necessarily the cloth experts. So, they
need to be available to look at the installation
even if through photos because
sometimes these are very old units. And
they need to make it simple for us to order,”
says O’Connell.
In this regard, Hoffman Services works
with Erie Brush, a supplier to the carwash
industry since 1948. The brush manufacturer
provides carwash consultants
and owners with a variety of supplies for
conveyor tunnels, rollover, express drivethrough,
and self-service washes for all
major equipment OEMs. This includes
cloth, foam, hog’s hair brushes, tire/
wheel brushes, detailing brushes, etc.
Although standard brushes, cloth and
foam are offered, the manufacturer is
also known in the industry for providing
customized brushes and a broad assortment
of materials, designs, and colors.
Erie Brush was run by carwash legend
Dan Pecora, who was inducted into the
EXPO
Save the Date!
February 16-18, 2021
KEYNOTE: TREY GOWDY
Four-term Congressman from South Carolina and Fox News contributor
Trey Gowdy served eight years in the US Congress, participating in some of our country’s
most significant and high-profile investigations. While in Congress he served on
the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence, Ethics and Education
and Workforce Committees. He ended his political career in 2018, returning to his home
state to practice law and speak on legal issues he considers important to our country.
He is currently serving as a FOX News contributor.
12 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Come and join us at The Mirage to hear Keynote Trey Gowdy
speak on the issues of the day!
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web: eriebrush.com
e-mail: sales@eriebrush.com
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 13
2020 International Carwash Association
(ICA) Hall of Fame shortly before his
passing. Now the company is run by his
son, Robert Pecora, who is continuing
the family tradition of innovating some
of the industry’s highest quality brushes
as company president.
“Robert is modernizing the way Erie is
operating to make it easier for his distribution
partners to do business with
him,” says O’Connell. “He is simplifying
the ordering process, revising his pricing
for distributors, and stocking the
more commonly sold cloth to expedite
delivery.”
Because the carwash equipment and
consumable supply industry continues
to innovate and evolve, O’Connell looks
for deep product expertise in a brush
partner than can help to improve cleaning
and operational efficiency.
“There are a lot of new products out
there. With a company like Erie Brush
with decades of expertise, we can talk
about the different types of cloth, different
patterns and
“IF I NEED SOMETHING, I PLACE A CALL, SEND AN EMAIL OR TEXT,
I WANT MY SUPPLIER TO GET BACK TO ME QUICKLY. WE ARE
COMPETING FOR BUSINESS, SO IF IT TAKES US THREE DAYS TO
GET BACK TO A CUSTOMER INSTEAD OF ONE DAY, WE COULD
LOSE THE SALE.
material compositions
that
result in better
performance for
our carwash customers.
That is
the kind of support
we need,” says O’Connell.
Of course, cost plays an important
role in any decision.
“If you examine the costs, you also
have to figure in your time. If I call a
brush supplier, give them an equipment
model, and ask for the appropriate
cloth and they say, ‘this is what you
need and this is the cost,’ I’m finished. I
want a quick, simple transaction,” says
O’Connell. “On the other hand, if I have
to make the same call and spend time
working with the supplier to figure out
exactly the right type of cloth that is
much more costly than a single phone
call transaction.”
Finally, O’Connell seeks immediate
responsiveness in a supplier so he
can respond in kind to his carwash
customers.
“If I need something, I place a call,
send an email or text, I want my supplier
to get back to me quickly. We are
competing for business, so if it takes
us three days to get back to a customer
instead of one day, we could lose the
sale. So, working with a supplier that
responds quickly is a competitive advantage
that can win us more business,”
concludes O’Connell.
Del Williams is a technical writer
based in Torrance, California. For more
information, e-mail sales@eriebrush.
com or visit www.eriebrush.com.
MEET THE SMOOTHEST TASTE
Acqua Panna Trademarks are owned by Sanpellegrino S.P.A., San Pellegrino Terme (BG), Italy and used under licence. © 2020 Sanpellegrino
14 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Register
Now!
Women in
carwash
We invite you to join us in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the
3 rd Women in Carwash conference
January 18 – 20, 2021 at the beautiful B Ocean Resort.
In the ever-changing carwash industry, women are rapidly emerging as
some of the most forward-thinking leaders.
What is also exciting is that a growing number of men are welcoming and actively supporting this change.
The first two Women in Carwash conferences recognized and celebrated this exciting
development to the delight of our guests who found it very valuable, informative, ground-breaking, and
surprisingly intimate. One thing everyone could agree on is that a healthy, happy industry that is getting
better for women is an industry that is getting better for everyone, and this will be a driving theme of the
upcoming conference.
Come and join us for this, our 3 rd conference!
For more information and to register please contact:
Andrew Klukas
phone: 1-778-772-3057
email: andrew@womenincarwash.com
Brenda Jane Johnstone
phone: 1-204-489-4215
email: bjj@womenincarwash.com
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behave as they do so you can meet in the middle
and communicate clearly.
Women In Carwash: The 21st Century
Demand for Woman Leaders.
This presentation specially for the January 2020
Arlington conference and will build on the theme for
this coming June. This uplifting, funny presentation
gets right at the heart of great opportunities while
insightfully demonstrating that the path forward lifts
everyone – both men and women.
Leaders as Role Models: Stepping
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This session ties us back to our Keynote
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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 15
Forecourt Insight
By Ed Kammerer
Turning Increased Speed
at High-Volume Fueling
Sites into a Quicker ROI
YOU CAN FORGIVE THE DRIVER OF A LONG-HAUL 18-WHEELER IF, AS HE
WAITS FOR HIS 120- TO 170-GALLON FUEL TANKS to be refilled at a service
station, he channels his inner fighter pilot. You know: “I feel the need, the need for speed.”
Unfortunately, other than watching Top Gun for the umpteenth time, that request will
likely go unheeded if he is refueling at a truck stop or large hybrid convenience store that
has been outfitted with truck lanes, but features a fueling system that caters first and
foremost to the refilling rates of automobiles.
16 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
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Watching from inside the store, the
site operator can sympathize in many
ways with the driver. When he looks
out his window and sees a line of trucks
waiting at the fuel island, he’d probably
wish that they could be refueled faster,
which would increase throughput while
lessening the frustration that comes with
waiting in line, which, in turn, would lead
to higher revenues for his site.
In the end, both the driver and the
fueling-site operator have the same
goal: optimize their return on investment
(ROI). For the driver – whether
an owner-operator of his rig or an employee
of an over-the-road trucking
company – this means spending as little
time as possible idled and more of it on
the road, which will let him satisfy the
strict demands of his delivery schedules,
resulting in a better ROI for him and his
clients. For the site operator, a fueling
site that reliably and efficiently meets
the needs of its customers will attract
more of them, which will shorten the
time needed for the operator to experience
a true ROI for his efforts.
The Need For Speed
As mentioned, speed can play a major
role in aiding both parties. Specifically, it
can do so in three areas:
• Installation: A fueling system that can
be installed quickly and with little to
no need of in-the-field fabrication in
the form of drilling, installation of entry
fittings, preparing fiberglass joints,
connecting, welding and gluing means
less downtime and lost revenue for the
site operator
• Fueling: Trucks that sit at a fueling
island for an extended period of time
are not on the road making deliveries;
getting drivers into and out of the fueling
station quicker enables them to
do their job more efficiently and costeffectively,
which should be a priority
for the station operator
• Maintenance: Fueling systems are
fine-tuned operational ecosystems
that have most of their critical components
buried out of sight; identifying
a system that allows easy access
to underground equipment will make
maintenance, inspection, repair and
part replacement, if necessary, easier
to perform
If the fueling site is able to optimize
the speed of installation, fueling and
maintenance, the operation will be able
to satisfy the basic needs of the operator
and the drivers that frequent the site
– with an optimized ROI the ultimate
reward.
To The Rescue
In 2008, OPW, Smithfield, NC, changed
the retail-fueling business with the
introduction of the FlexWorks Loop
System. The loop system consists of a
collection of pre-fabricated underground
fueling equipment that needed little, if no,
in-the-field construction before it could
be installed into the ground, with all postinstallation
inspections, maintenance,
repair and parts replacement able to be
performed aboveground.
Specifically, the system offered the following
benefits to its users:
• All sumps are pre-assembled and
tested at the factory, eliminating field
fabrication and potential installation
errors
• All piping connections are accessible
through shallow sumps that can be
reached from the surface, meaning no
concrete needs to be broken, removed
and repoured when component repair
or replacement is needed
• Continuous piping runs eliminate connection
points buried in the ground
• Double-wall couplers have builtin,
permanent test ports for easier
monitoring
• Piping is installed in access pipe and
can be removed, checked and replaced
through the sump opening without
removing the dispenser or breaking
concrete
All told, the loop system was a revolutionary
innovation – the fueling industry’s
first true plug-and-play fuel-delivery
system, one that combined hassle-free
component inspection with streamlined
installation, maintenance and repair.
Since the introduction of the loop
system, the retail fueling landscape has
evolved, with a noticeable increase in the
number of high-volume fueling sites that
are now in operation. Namely, these sites
are the large truck stops that can feature
10 to 20 fueling lanes and hybrid c-stores
that offer a combination of traditional
automobile fueling islands and trucksonly
fueling lanes
To meet the needs of these locations,
in 2019 OPW launched the HiFlo Loop
System, which takes the components
of the original variation and supersizes
them so they can deliver higher flow
rates – all while maintaining the original
system’s streamlined installation, operation,
monitoring, maintenance, repair
and replacement capabilities.
The upgraded components in the new
High-Flow Loop System include:
• Pre-fabricated loop sumps that accommodate
high-speed dispenser
footprints, which allow high-volume
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 17
flow rates while enabling fuel dispensing
on both sides of trucks, including
a satellite lane
• two-inch 10 Plus Shear Valve that
matches up with high speed two-inch
dispenser inlets while offering all the
benefits of the traditional OPW 10
Plus Shear Valve
• three x six-inch double-sided hybrid
entry fittings (HEF) that provide double
containment protection to prevent
fuel contamination and groundwater
intrusion
• three-inch UL971-listed coaxial double-wall
pipe that is easy to install,
requires no adhesive or welding, and
eliminates leak points, exposed joints
and fittings buried directly in the
ground with no protection
• three-inch double-wall, stainless-steel
pipe couplings (DPC) that eliminate
the need for rubber test boots and
the trimming back of secondary jackets,
while allowing for continuous
monitoring
• six-inch access pipe that resists crushing
and allows easy access and pipe
retraction for maintenance, repair, removal
and replacement without ever
breaking concrete or the need to remove
a dispenser from the island
All of these components are pre-fabricated
and pre-assembled at the factory,
which makes them ready to be placed
in the ground when they arrive at the
fueling site. This eliminates the need
for labor-intensive drilling, connecting,
welding and gluing of the system components,
meaning that an installation operation
that used to take upwards of two
weeks can now typically be completed in
one full day – which is the truest definition
of optimized speed in applications
like these.
Conclusion
Audiences around the world have been
thrilled by the exploits of Maverick,
Goose and Iceman and their “need for
speed” in the 34 years – can it really be
that long ago? – since the original Top
Gun was released. With the introduction
of the HiFlo Loop System from OPW
Retail Fueling, high-volume fuel-site
operators and the long-haul drivers who
• 3" high-volume FlexWorks
flexible pipe with a new
double-wall stainless steel coupling
and integrated test fixture
• 2" 10Plus emergency valve
patronize their sites are now able to fill a
similar speed need at the fueling island,
with a quicker ROI the desired payoff.
Ed Kammerer is the director of global
product management for OPW, based
in Cincinnati, OH, USA. He can be
reached at ed.kammerer@opwglobal.
com. For more information on OPW, go to
OPWGlobal.com.
The Loop
System
delivers
cost-savings
and high
performance
• 6" access pipe to allow easy
retractability of a larger diameter
primary pipe
• A new loop sump design to
accommodate high flow dispensers
and satellite applications
opwglobal.com/loopsystem
18 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Soweto, by B. Christmas, 2011
By Bob Chrismas
The
Freedom of
Convenience
Have you ever stopped to think
about how much freedom we
Canadians have, in relation to other
countries, but also in the context of
our own history? At any moment,
in any developed area of Canada,
we can choose to pop down to the
corner store with no thought of
being arrested by corrupt soldiers
and police, stepping on a landmine,
being attacked by marauding
criminals, or poisoned by poorly
regulated products. This is not the
case in many other places in the
world. Reflecting back on my own
life, having been born and raised
in Canada, I’ve had an interest in
justice and protecting peoples
rights; I’ve worked my entire adult
life in peace-keeping and law
enforcement, first for several years
as a soldier, then five years as a
sheriff, and now in my 31st year of
policing. I’ve seen a lot of change,
and completing my PhD in peace
and conflict studies as well as some
of my travels have given me some
perspective on how fortunate we
are in Canada. At the same time, it is
difficult to acknowledge that there
are still people living in many places
without clean running water or the
living standards that are enjoyed
by most Canadians. In the case of
many of Canada’s isolated reserves
it is still not worked out how to
get healthy reasonably priced
foods in to them. Many people are
forced to pay exorbitant prices for
food and the overall desperation
of poverty and hopelessness
plays a significant part in high
suicide rates and violence. I saw
similar effects of colonization and
settlement in 2011, when I had
the transformative experience of
travelling across South Africa.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 19
Dharavi slum, Mumbai, by B. Christmas, 2011
Millions of people still live in the South
African townships. The picture I took
in Soweto (South West Township),
Johannesburg, where one million
people live mainly in tin shanties
that flood whenever it rains. When
work colleagues smell smoke on you,
they know you live in a shanty with a
small firepit for cooking. When I was
in Cape Town, several xenophobic
killings occurred; these involve attacks
on people who migrate from poorer
parts of Africa, sometimes starving,
and are viewed as threatening to take
work from people who already live in
South Africa – so they are attacked and
sometimes killed. Undoing the impacts
of colonization has many similarities
from South Africa to Canada, but there
are also many differences. In Canada
a growing community of immigrants
from England and France eventually
marginalized the relatively small
Indigenous population. In South Africa
the opposite occurred as a small white
community tried, through extreme
violence, to oppress a much larger
black Indigenous population. In both
countries, however, the Europeans were
motivated to stay and keep reaping the
natural resources for export.
For the most part, however, the standard
of living in Canada is high and
people are immigrating here from all
over the world. The Canadian government
is currently expecting one million
people to immigrate to Canada over a
three-year period from 2019 to 2021.
Most will have increased security and
freedom in Canada. Many are highly
educated, with credentials that are unrecognized
when they move; many will
work in the convenience store industry.
Many will experience greater freedom to
participate in democracy than they had
in their country of origin. In Hong Kong,
for instance, people are still fighting for
the right to vote. In 2014 I was there for
a conference, to speak about my first
book on policing, and the protests were
20 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
People gather plastic from all over Mumbai to sell for recycling, and the street
laundry cleans the linen for nearby hospitals and many residents of the city.
going on. The protests were over the
right to vote democratically. Mainland
Chinese government had directed that
only mainland leaders could be elected.
We (my wife Barb and my two daughters
and I) took a train into nearby Shenzhen,
in southeastern mainland China. Many
people from Hong Kong commute to
work in factories in Shenzhen and hundreds
of commuters were carrying large
cans of baby formula under their arms;
at the train platform in Shenzhen hundreds
of people converge on the arriving
commuters and purchased the baby
formula from them. We learned that
people in mainland China did not trust
the baby formula that is supplied by the
government, as there had been a massive
scandal in which baby formula had been
laced with chemicals that made babies
sick. It made us realize how lucky we are
that we have no such concern when we
go to the corner grocery store in Canada.
In a modern world of expedience and
convenience some areas of the world lack
the accessibility to these comforts and
amenities. The Dharavi slum in Mumbai
(picture taken by me in 2017). Over one
million people live in the slum, which is
in the middle of the city. The interesting
thing about Dharavi is the industry that
residents have built around it. People
gather plastic from all over Mumbai to
sell for recycling, and the street laundry
cleans the linen for nearby hospitals and
many residents of the city. Our travels
(my wife Barb and I) in India have driven
home for me the disparity that still exists
in the world, and how fortunate we
are in Canada to live comfortably and,
for the most part, not have to struggle
every day just to survive. In India, one
billion people coexist, many with almost
no money and barely able to make it day
to day. The freedom of convenience is a
foreign concept for many. In a way, convenience
stores are a symbol of our success
in the global north, a trademark of our
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Hong Kong protests, by B. Christmas, 2011
The fact that the convenience industry thrives amongst the continued growth of
giant box store chains proves that it is here to stay, a vital employer, service provider,
and a symbol of our freedom.
high standard of living.
As a child, growing up in central
Canada, I recall scraping up some
change, by collecting bottles to return,
and then going to the local corner store
to buy candy. I could get three jawbreakers
for a penny. There were no massive
box stores and large grocery stores were
pretty scarce over 50 years ago. We got
a lot of our daily staples and drinks at
the corner store, and there was one
within walking distance in most neighborhoods.
Over time it seems the convenience
store has evolved to being the
stores that are open when the large box
stores are closed, and for when it is just
too inconvenient to drive to the larger
store. Cities in north America have developed
with highway systems that require
people to have a car, so getting to
the large box store requires a car, even
if you live close to it. The convenience
store also often fills that gap. Everyone
needs a car in modern Canada; hence
the growth of the carwash industry as
well. So, it seems the convenience store
remains an important part of our social
fabric, just changed slightly over time.
The fact that the convenience industry
thrives amongst the continued growth
of giant box store chains proves that it
is here to stay, a vital employer, service
provider, and a symbol of our freedom.
Perhaps a measure of our successful
reconciliation in the future will be when
the same conveniences are available in
every corner of our great nation.
Bob Chrismas, Ph.D., is an author,
scholar, consultant, passionate speaker
and social justice advocate police
professional with internationally
recognized expertise in community
engagement and crime prevention. An
advocate for social reform, he has
written and speaks extensively on
innovative trends in policing, community
partnership and governance. Visit Bob
at BChrismas.com.
22 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
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24 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
By Angela Altass
HUSKY’S
EXPERIENCED AND
KNOWLEDGEABLE
TEAM PUT THEIR
SKILLS TO WORK
TO CREATE A
UNIQUE, STANDOUT
SITE IN THE ICONIC
RESORT TOWN OF
BANFF, ALBERTA.
New Husky Site
Basks in Banff’s
Beauty
“When we developed Banff, we
decided to stand for a few very important
features,” says Joel Skulsky, Husky’s
director of retail. “We wanted great
washrooms, not just the best gas station
washrooms, but the best washrooms in
Banff. We wanted to offer a fantastic hot
beverage and food service program, and
we wanted to appeal to residents and
visitors alike with a store that has unique
amenities like bike repair stations. And,
there is nothing like warming up next to
our fireplace after cross-country skiing
along the trails that run right to our door.”
Located within Banff National Park,
the development project faced some interesting
challenges, but the Husky team
was up to the task.
“Building in a national park, it took
more time than usual to get the appropriate
development permits in place,”
says Skulsky. “But once everything was
approved to move forward, with a great
project team and great contractors we
broke ground May 2019 and were able
to open relatively quickly in February
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 25
“FROM THE MURALS ON THE WALLS INSIDE,
WHICH WE COMMISSIONED A LOCAL ARTIST
TO CREATE, TO THE BIKE REPAIR STATION
OUTSIDE, THERE IS NO OTHER HUSKY STATION
LIKE THIS ONE,”
2020. Throughout the process, the Town
of Banff and the people at Parks Canada
were all very cooperative. There were no
challenges in the project that the team
couldn’t overcome.”
The project has some interesting design
elements.
“Of course, the Banff location needed
to have that Rocky Mountain theme to
fit with Banff ’s spectacular surroundings,”
says Skulsky. “I think we achieved
our design goal in both the interior and
exterior of the site. There’s a fireplace inside
the seating area that really gives it
that mountain chalet feeling. We made
sure that if people wanted to linger or
rest, there were charging stations, comfortable
seating, free water filling stations
and all the amenities needed to
help customers feel comfortable.”
Husky has owned the property at 601
Banff Avenue for decades and Skulsky
says they wanted to do something
unique that not only represented Husky
but also the beauty of Banff.
“You can’t compete with Banff ’s beauty,
but in our own way, we felt it was important
to complement the surroundings
and welcome people with something
that would make both Banff residents
and Husky proud,” says Skulsky.
“From the murals on the walls inside,
which we commissioned a local artist to
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26 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 27
create, to the bike repair station outside,
there is no other Husky station like this
one,” Skulsky says. “We also partnered
with a great local vendor, Evelyn’s, to
supply our coffee program. We worked
closely with Evelyn’s to ensure we captured
the spirit of their brand offering
inside a Husky store.”
Skulsky says he feels very proud of
what has been accomplished at the Banff
location.
“Through the collaborative efforts of
the contractors, suppliers, and Husky’s
people, we have come up with a tremendous
site in one of the most beautiful
places in the world,” says Skulsky. “Our
retailer, Rajni Chowdhary, was a big part
of the development of the Banff site and
is a valuable member of our network.
Rajni is doing a terrific job representing
the values of Husky to the community of
Banff. She started as a store manager in
Calgary and it was always a dream of hers
to run her own site. That dream became
a reality at Banff and we are proud to
have her as part of our organization.”
Husky has received positive feedback
from customers and Banff locals about
how well the development fits into the
community.
“We are honoured to have kept to
the heritage of the community,” says
Skulsky. “As one of the first businesses
you see as you enter Banff, we wanted to
build something that communicated to
visitors that they have arrived at a very
special place,” says Skulsky. “I think we
achieved that goal.”
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 29
Proudly Canadian
By Angela Altass
Proudly Canadian
Husky Builds on
Reputation
Husky – it’s a proudly Canadian business with a great reputation that is well known
to branded dealers and customers alike.
“Husky is different than a lot of other fuel and convenience retailers,” says Joel Skulsky,
Husky’s director of retail. “We believe in being an important part of, and contributing to,
the communities we serve, and we believe in building strong relationships with our retailers
and branded dealers. Communication is key. Our retailers have a voice and we’re
very proud of the strong business bonds we’ve established with them. We’re Canadian
and we’ve been proudly part of the fabric of Canada for more than 80 years.”
30 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Proudly Canadian
Bayside Travel Centre, Afton Station, Nova Scotia
Many Canadians have fond memories
of family travels across Canada by car
and making a Husky travel centre a destination
stop, says Mike Santry, business
development manager for Husky’s retail
and commercial businesses. Santry recalls
that “here in Canada – it’s Husky,”
was, at one time, the company slogan.
Husky’s team has a reputation as
trusted, knowledgeable advisors to
branded dealers, says Santry. “When the
branded dealer succeeds, we succeed.”
And thanks to a recent agreement
with Imperial, Husky can also represent
the Esso brand, and does so exclusively
in the truck transport business, further
contributing to opportunities.
“We’re proud to represent the Esso
brand, which also has deep roots in
Canada,” says Santry. “The fact that
experienced Husky personnel can support
two major, recognizable brands
provides a level of trust and comfort
that you don’t always find in business
relationships. Potential branded dealers
are aware that there’s strength and opportunity
in either brand.”
Although the world is navigating in
unprecedented times as the COVID-19
pandemic continues to impact lives and
businesses, Husky continues to emphasize
the importance of communication
with its network, even if that means
some adjustments are required.
“First and foremost, health and safety
Silver Creek Travel Centre, Hope, British Columbia – interior.
“We’re proud to represent the Esso
brand, which also has deep roots in
Canada,” says Santry.
is at the forefront of our minds,” says
Skulsky. “As a result, we’ve modified
the way we do business but we’re still
finding effective ways to communicate.
We’ve built a solid reputation with our
branded dealers and we can still be productive
and collaborative with our dealers
even if we can’t meet face-to-face.”
Santry says getting to know people
has been a key element to his personal
success and it has been challenging during
the pandemic to not be able to sit
across a table from people to learn more
about them.
“We’ve adapted with more regular
touchpoints by teleconference
and Skype meetings,” he says. “We’ve
developed a cadence with weekly meetings
with all stakeholders: construction,
operations, training and marketing. And,
for any new branded dealer, we include
Husky’s subject matter experts, for instance,
the manager of our loyalty program
or a category manager specializing
in merchandising, to help with the onboarding
process.”
Santry continues to strongly believe in
the importance of getting to know the
people across the business in order to
leverage their strengths to help branded
dealers succeed.
“I have been with Husky for close to
two decades. I’ve enjoyed many different
roles and maintained close connection
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 31
Proudly Canadian
“The fueling industry
will evolve and
we will continue
to partner with
progressive and
innovative branded
dealers who are also
ready to evolve.”
with those I’ve met along the way,” he
says. “Having such a strong network has
been critically important in this position.
I’ve relied on the expertise and assistance
of others across many channels
to help support our new branded dealers.
Not everyone opening a gas station
has petroleum operations experience,
let alone food service, category management
or point-of-sale experience. We’re
able to offer that assistance from a variety
of resources, up to and including hiring
personnel who were once retailers
within our own network.”
Husky continues to evolve its processes
to ensure a smooth handoff from the
contract stage to operationalizing a site,
says Santry, who foresees continued network
growth in Husky’s future.
“The fueling industry will evolve and we
will continue to partner with progressive
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Proudly Canadian
and innovative branded dealers who are
also ready to evolve,” he says.
Skulsky agrees that the company looks
forward towards continued growth.
“We want to continue to grow our
branded dealer network,” says Skulsky.
“As the industry progresses, so will we.
We see tremendous opportunities to attract
entrepreneurs to our network under
both the Husky and Esso brands.”
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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 33
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34 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
By Dave Bowen
How
Lighting and
Technology
Can Help Stop
Covid Spread
We live in very different
times and circumstances
these days and
unfortunately it appears
this will go on for some
time. It is one thing for
governments and cities etc to
flatten the curve and get back
control but it is another thing to
prevent it from coming back or
re-starting.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 35
Everyone knows about
temperature reading
guns but it is difficult
for small business to
have someone at the
door all day and night
applying the gun or
doing it at the counter
doesn’t work as they
have already entered
the store. Our Thermal
Camera Facial
Recognition device
is slightly larger than
an iPhone and is a
standalone unit that
can be placed right at
the front door.
There is no certain guarantee at the
moment of how to eliminate the virus
short of a vaccine but there are other
technologies that can certainly help
protect you, your family, your customers
and your suppliers delivering your instore
stock.
We all know masks are number one
on the list as well as sanitizer and
hand washing but what good is all this
if someone is already infected but not
showing real symptoms? This is where
technology can help.
Everyone knows about temperature
reading guns but it is difficult for small
business to have someone at the door
all day and night applying the gun or
doing it at the counter doesn’t work as
they have already entered the store. Our
Thermal Camera Facial Recognition device
is slightly larger than an iPhone and
is a standalone unit that can be placed
right at the front door. When a client
enters, they simply step in front of the
TCFR unit which will take their temperature
and facial recognition if needed.
This is wireless Bluetooth technology
so the info automatically goes to the cashier
or manager. They get a temperature
readout and if ok the person is allowed
in. However, if they have a temperature
an alarm will sound and that person is
stopped from entering. Facial recognition
can be used for employees, suppliers
delivering and frequent visitors so they
can safely be tracked over time.
The TCFR can be programed to meet
any of your needs depending on the application
and location and it gives your
customers the confidence that you are
doing as much as you can to protect
them and they will appreciate your
efforts.
Our UV lighting fixture is designed
for quick sanitation of any space big or
small and offers 360 degrees of disinfection
and sterilizing. The UVC has been
used by hospitals and has now been designed
for retail and commercial applications.
It is very portable can be moved
from area to area, your retail space then
back into your product storage area, etc.
The 55-watt UVC effectively eliminates
bacteria, viruses and mites and can cover
an area of up to 196 square feet with
a 14-foot radius and offers settings of
15/30/45 and 60 minutes. You simply set up the UVC in the
centre of the area and switch it on, it has a 10 second delay
warning sound to allow you to vacate the room. Once the unit
has completed the time period you assign you wait for 30 minutes
for the disinfection odour to dissipate and you are back in
business just that quick with a completely sanitized space safe
and ready for business.
The 3rd main item we focus on against COVID is sneeze
shields. A lot of people just go to the local hardware store and
buy a piece of plastic, get out the duct tape and hang it or fasten
it to the counter. However, to properly protect yourself a
Covid manufactured shield is available that offers the ultimate
in protection for you and your client. It is not just having any
old plastic between you and the client but proper thickness is
important, the bottom opening for payment or passing goods
through is key as well to stop transmission. One other feature
overlooked is the fact that certain versions of the shield come
with sides, again very important as droplets go around corners!
Once airborne, they can easily come around the side of the
shield so many customers are going with the side shield.
One other important lighting-based technology is digital see
thru signage for safety and protection. This is an illuminated
sign with graphics that hangs in your store front window, from
the outside it appears as a normal sign, but looking from the inside
out you can see clearly right through the sign to the pumps
and see what everyone is up to. This may not seem like a Covid
related product but it is as you can maintain your ad value but
also see if anyone coming in has a mask on. Do they appear
healthy and safe? As well, studies are now suggesting unfortunately
thefts will be on the rise due to high unemployment
To properly
protect yourself a
Covid manufactured
shield is available that
offers the ultimate in
protection for you
and your client.
36 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
and increased crime so you need every advantage you can get.
All of the above products are long term technology as there is
a feeling that there is going to be a lot of new “norms” and have
these products in place will be for years not months. Canada is
slowly recovering but we’re not there yet and hopes are high we
don’t have second wave. However, until a vaccine is created no
one knows what the future holds so the old adage better safe
than sorry is more important now than ever.
As lighting specialists, we are always looking for other technologies
to compliment what we do with canopy, site and
interior lighting and the technologies above are just a few to
help towards one stop shopping. Naturally masks, face shields,
sanitizer and dividers are all part of what we incorporate with
everything else we do the challenge now is supply and demand
from a changing world, please stay safe everyone.
Digital see thru signage for safety and
protection. This is an illuminated sign
with graphics that hangs in your store front
window, from the outside it appears as a
normal sign, but looking from the inside out
you can see clearly right through the sign to
the pumps and see what everyone is up to.
Dave Bowen is president of Roctan 2000 Ltd with over 40
years in the lighting market and extensive experience in LED
lighting technology and associated products in the retail
petro/c-store and commercial markets. Contact Dave at
db@roctan2000ltd.com or call 548-888-1113.
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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 37
By Meline Beach
McDougall Energy –
Three Generations of
Growth and Success
A new division with the Addition of Edward Fuels
38 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Bryan and Joy McDougall
Bryan McDougall in Truck
McDougall Energy Inc., based out of Sault Ste. Marie, is one of Canada’s
success stories in the petroleum industry. Its roots and loyalty to Imperial
Oil date back to 1949 with Allan McDougall. The privately-owned, family
business, now in its third generation, has been on a growth trajectory
for years and shows no signs of slowing down. Not even a pandemic has
Bryan McDougall and his dad Allan
stopped them from expanding their business.
As one of the largest integrated
distributors of Mobil lubricant products
and Esso fuel in Canada, McDougall
Energy has enhanced its value
proposition with its latest acquisition
of Edward Fuels Limited (“Edward
Fuels.”) The acquired company will
operate under its existing name and
management, and function as a division
of McDougall Energy. Together, they
offer more than 140 years of business
experience.
“We want to continue to grow organically
and through acquisitions,” says
Darren McDougall, Allan’s grandson
and current president of McDougall
Energy. “We are particularly interested
in businesses that help us grow our platform,
extend in new geographic areas
and are the right cultural and strategic
fit.”
These are just some of the factors
behind any merger and acquisition.
Business model and mix, shared knowledge
and experience, brand value and
intellectual capital are other factors.
“In every acquisition, we view the
opportunity from a macro level and
long-term view,” says McDougall, who
has expanded the business across
Ontario, British Columbia and, most recently,
Alberta. “We look at the best ideas,
we learn from them and adopt them as
best practices on both sides of the business.
With regards to Edward Fuels, I’ve
known Don, the president for 25 years
and have the greatest respect for him
and the phenomenally-successful business
he has built.”
Edward Fuels, based out of Goderich,
Ontario, has grown to become one of
the largest independently owned petroleum
distributors and marketers of Shell
branded products in Ontario. With over
70 years of experience in the fuel distribution
industry, Edward Fuels is a household
name in the communities they
serve throughout southwestern Ontario,
as well as Manitoulin Island area with
Manitoulin Fuels. The company, which
also wholesales to both retail and commercial
fuel customers in southwestern
Ontario through Petroline Petroleums,
has demonstrated a level of expertise,
reliability and community engagement,
that McDougall Energy looks forward to
continuing.
McDougall Energy currently operates
in three business segments: Retail
gasoline; business to business, including
agriculture, mining, trucking and manufacturing;
and residential heating with
oil and propane. Through Edward Fuels,
McDougall Energy is now servicing the
aviation sector, including rural airports
with aviation gas and jet fuel. This new
sector supports the company’s diversification
strategy and strengthens its
competitive position in the petroleum
industry.
Part of McDougall’s competitive advantage
is attributed to its proprietary
brand called The Pump, launched 10
years ago. This in-house brand enables
their retail petroleum customers the option
to sell fuel under a custom name.
“We try to give our customers a full
suite of offering across all segments,” says
McDougall. “The Pump option enables
independent petroleum retailers, most
commonly in rural communities, an opportunity
to enter the market, amongst
the big brands, and a carve a name and
reputation for themselves.”
McDougall Energy services a large
number of these independent brands
within its customer base. Many of these
gas stations include carwashes and
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 39
40 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
“The McDougall family is one that we are proud to
partner with, and they’ll honour the family values
that our customers have come to know and trust.”
c-stores, which have an in-house foodservice
program or branded QSR.
While it’s not standard to have two
big brands in one portfolio, referring to
Shell and Esso, McDougall is pleased to
maintain customer relationships that
Edward Fuels has fostered over the years
and kindly welcome over 100 employees
to the team.
As stated in its press release: “This is
an exciting opportunity for us to grow
the McDougall Energy family business
thanks to the support of a great
team and a continued focus on providing
quality products and services. The
teams at Edward Fuels and Manitoulin
Fuels are very dedicated to their communities,
and we will honour their reputation
and continue to foster the business
as it grows.”
The transition should be seamless as
both companies share a similar story.
They’re multi-generational, have strong
family values, are entrepreneurial-spirited
and community-minded.
“As a family-owned business, our values
and pledge to our customers are
engrained in all that we do – this will not
change,” said Don Edward, president
of Edward Fuels, Manitoulin Fuels and
Petroline in its press release. “I am excited
about the future and what it means
for our customers, team members, and
our communities, with McDougall
Energy leading the way. The McDougall
family is one that we are proud to partner
with, and they’ll honour the family
values that our customers have come to
know and trust.”
Principled by family values, McDougall
Energy is true to its word. The company
has achieved a number of industry and
business accolades, including a platinum
member designation with Canada’s Best
Managed Companies for the past nine
years in a row. To achieve and maintain
platinum member designation, the company
must demonstrate a commitment
to strategy, capability and sustainable
growth. McDougall Energy attributes
this recognition to its most valuable resource
– their dedicated employees, who
are committed to their customers and the
communities in which they live and work.
With a “give where you live” mindset,
McDougall Energy and its divisions support
a number of community charities
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 41
Seeing is
believing
DFS Anthem UX
user experience platform
COMING TO CANADA IN 2021
www.doverfuelingsolutions.com/AnthemUX
42 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
© 2020 Dover Fueling Solutions. All rights reserved. DOVER, the DOVER D Design, DOVER FUELING SOLUTIONS, and other
trademarks referenced herein are trademarks of Delaware Capital Formation, Inc./Dover Corporation, Dover Fueling Solutions UK Ltd.
and their affiliated entities, registered or claimed in the United States and various other countries. Not available in all regions. 05Aug20
McDougall Energy and its divisions
support a number of community charities
and give back through contributions inkind
and volunteer time.
Top to bottom: Algoma U Award Gala, Edward Fuels Shell Dealer,
Wikwemikong Food Bank, C-Stores Care
and give back through contributions in-kind and volunteer
time. Through its Community Investment Program, the company
focuses on the following areas: green (environment); education;
health; recreation, arts and culture; and Indigenous
communities.
To customers and communities, McDougall Energy and its
divisions continue to provide essential services and support
during this pandemic. The company’s entrepreneurial spirit,
family values, resilient energy and dedication to service excellence
serve as a great foundation for continued success today
and well into the future.
Meline Beach is a Toronto-based communications practitioner
and frequent contributor to Convenience & Carwash
Canada. In addition to freelance writing, Meline provides
communications and public relations support to businesses
across Canada. She can be reached at www.mlbcomms.ca.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 43
“Sign, sign, everywhere a
sign
Blockin’ out the scenery,
breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that,
can’t you read the sign?”
-Five Man Electrical Band,
Signs
By Jennifer Henderson
THE FOUR Cs OF
Effective Point-Of-Sale Signage
We expect signage, both digital and print, to do a lot of heavy
lifting for us–tell customers what to do (and not do), push
products and services, including upselling and cross-selling,
and reinforce our brand in their mind. Creating high-impact,
memorable, effective signage that spurs action and cuts through
visual clutter is as much a science as it is an art, which means
that it can be broken down into a number of tried and true
principles. To that end, here are the four Cs or key factors to
consider when creating point-of-sale signage that drives results.
Concise
When it comes to content on signage, less is more. To quote
Paul Rand: “A good designer knows how to put information into
the design; a great designer knows which information is not
necessary.” Whether you’re trying to capture people’s eye while
they’re pumping gas, standing in line at a register, or waiting
to use a pay station, you can’t count on having more than a few
seconds of their attention and it may not be undivided. Opt for
clear, bold visuals and minimal text, just enough to get your
message across. Think of the simplicity of a STOP sign, a banner
that reads OPEN draped across the front of a new restaurant
or the image of a cigarette with a red line slashing through it.
They’re all clear, concise and easy to interpret.
Contextual
Signage doesn’t exist and shouldn’t be designed in a vacuum.
What matters equally to the content of the sign is the context
in which it will be viewed. How close will the customer be to
the signage? Will they be looking at it from their car? At what
time of day are they most likely to be seeing the sign? What else
will they be doing at the time? What other signs or objects will
be competing for their attention? Context informs content and
design. For example, the number of legible words you can fit on
a sign that’s going to be read from 10 feet away is greater than
the number you can fit on a sign that’s going to be read from
20 feet away. Signage that is meant to drive an upsell should be
visible as the customer is waiting to pay to give them time to
contemplate modifying their purchase, but it shouldn’t distract
from the purchase process itself. You can’t separate a sign from
its context.
Cohesive
Signage is a key component of overall branding, and as such
influences the brand perception of your customers. Your goal
should be to create a cohesive visual brand and messaging
across all channels on which buyers interact with you. Your
website, social media, digital ads, print collateral and on-site
signage should feel part of a unified whole that is not only
uniquely you, but that gives customers a sense of comfort and
familiarity as they interact with you. Colours, typefaces, visuals
and messaging should all be on-brand and not compete with
each other or other elements around them.
Compelling
Effective POS signage drives the customer to take a single
action, which makes it critical that you identify the goal of
your signage and align its design and content accordingly. Are
you promoting something? Are you trying to prime customers
for a particular behavior? Are you communicating information
to educate them or shape their behavior? No matter what you
want from your customer, you need to create your signage with
that end goal at the forefront of your mind. Remove any and
all extraneous elements. Arrange your information in a clear
hierarchy–your call to action should be unmissable, everything
else can fade into the background. Use high contrast to draw
the eye, but limit typefaces, icons and supplemental visuals to
only those that are absolutely necessary, which is often fewer
than you think. You’re building an urgent, irresistible customer
beacon.
Effective signage doesn’t just look good. It informs, educates,
compels and, most importantly, sells. Creating point-of-sale signage
that shapes customer behavior is often an iterative process
of exploring what works or doesn’t for the audience you’re
trying to reach. By keeping the four Cs in mind, you’re well on
your way to driving results with concise, contextual, cohesive,
compelling signage.
Jennifer Henderson is an account director at Suds Creative, the
only marketing agency dedicated exclusively to data-driven
revenue optimization for carwash industry clients. She can be
reached at jennifer@sudscreative.com
44 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
WIN A
TRIP FOR
TWO TO...
Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
January 18-20, 2021 at the beautiful B Ocean Resort.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Are you a deserving woman working within the Carwashing industry?
Send us your story no later than December 1 st for a chance to win an expense
paid trip for you and a guest to the 3 rd Women in Carwash conference in Fort
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include flight, hotel and two full conference passes. All you have to do is submit
your story in 500 words or less that describes why you deserve to attend the
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The contest winner will be announced and contacted by December 15 th , 2020.
To submit your entry or learn more,
go to www.womenincarwash.com
Deadline for entries is December 1 st , 2020.
EVENT SPONSORED BY
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Transchem Group has over 40 years of experience and strives to deliver superior quality car
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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 45
By Meline Beach
Slips, Trips & Crashes
A crisis in the C&G channel can take
on many forms. As the popular saying
of Murphy’s Law states,
“whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.”
46 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
Though Pandher
was not working
that evening, his
employee followed
the emergency
response plan
provided by Petro
Canada corporate
office, as part of the
company’s health and
safety procedures.
Stuff happens when you least expect it. This
is why it is important to have insurance and an
emergency response plan in the event something
terrible happens on location. Mitigating risk is the
first step. Ensuring you have the right insurance
coverage and knowing who to call to address
any damage is another. This applies to any crisis,
including slips, trips and crashes.
While some situations can be prevented with
proper risk mitigation and proactive safety measures,
there are some incidents that happen by
fluke – completely by surprise and unavoidable.
Just ask Mandeep Pandher, who experienced a
crash at his Neighbours/Petro Canada gas station
in Welland, Ontario. On February 6, 2020, at approximately
8:40 p.m., a local driver accidentally
drove into the store’s front door and window.
Though Pandher was not working that evening,
his employee followed the emergency response
plan provided by Petro Canada corporate office,
as part of the company’s health and safety procedures.
The employee called Pandher and the authorities
immediately, after ensuring that nobody
was physically hurt, including the driver.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived moments
after the incident happened,” says Pandher,
who was thankful he had provided the appropriate
training for his employee to know what to do
in such an emergency situation. The first step is
to turn off the gas pumps. The second is to ensure
that no one is inside the store. The Emergency
Response Protocol binder is kept beside the cash
register for easy reference. “The damage was extensive,
the area was already taped off and the
police, fire fighters and paramedics were on site.”
The c-store was closed for four days after the
incident in order to clean the mess and repair the
damage, however, Pandher kept the gas bar open
in an effort not to lose any further sales. While
the insurance claim is still open and he continues
to deal with issues with the contractor, Pandher
knows the situation could have been a lot worse.
His security cameras showed that two customers
had just walked in front of the uncontrolled vehicle
seconds before it drove into the store.
Between the insurance company and contractor,
Pandher is looking forward to closing the case
and continuing on with his business.
“It has been a long and difficult process to resolve,”
says Pandher, who is hoping to have yellow
concrete pillars installed at the front of the
store to serve as a barrier and prevent this type
of accident from causing so much damage to the
store again.
In terms of lessons learned, Pandher strongly
recommends that retailers have the contact information
of a couple of trusted contractors on
hand so they know who to call to assist with repairs
in an emergency situation rather than just
go with the first one that shows up at the scene.
While crashes are rare, slips and trips are more
common occurrences in high traffic pedestrian
areas.
According to Wawanesa Mutual Insurance
Company, unintentional falls are a common
cause of injury across Canada and pose a significant
liability exposure.
Brad Hartle, senior communications specialist
at The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
states that C&G owners have a legal responsibility
to ensure their premises are safe from any
harm. This duty of care requires that reasonable
precautions are taken to ensure the visitor is safe
while on the premises.
MITIGATE RISK
The goal is to be proactive and mitigate any risk.
Take into account, the following:
1. Conduct regular inspections and walkthroughs,
which keeps you on top of issues
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 47
In the event a claim
is made due to an
accident or incident
on your property, it’s
important to notify
your broker or insurer
right away. A retailer
should expect to
provide a statement
and paperwork
detailing the extent
of damage to their
premises or goods.
as they arise. This includes parking lots,
walkways and entranceways. Things to look
for: potholes, cracks, deteriorating pavement
and damaged floor surfaces, poorly marked
ramps and staircases, inadequate lighting,
loose or missing handrails or slippery stairs.
2. Document your inspections and identify
any hazards, which creates a formal track
record that can be referenced should your
actions in creating a safe environment be
questioned.
3. Implement follow-up procedures and
create an action plan to ensure that any
identified hazards are fixed. Things to do:
repair or replace damaged floor materials,
apply appropriate cleaning solutions to avoid
unwanted residue, apply non-slip flooring
materials such as metal grills or heavy-duty
floor mats, apply slip-resident coating on stairs,
secure loose handrails and place cautionary
signage as needed, e.g. wet floor signs.
Various weather conditions can also create
risk for your location. From heavy rainstorms to
snowstorms, look for puddles or ice buildup on
sidewalks and entranceways and be sure to document
and engage appropriate snow removal and
de-icing services.
“Slips, trips and fall exposures present a unique
challenge in that site conditions can change frequently,”
says Hartle. “By understanding these
exposures and implementing risk mitigation
controls, a reduction in injuries to visitors can be
achieved.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
If you don’t have an emergency response plan, now
is the time to create one. It is important to identify
any risks issues or accidents that could occur
and the appropriate actions to prevent, resolve
and keep your business running in the event of a
disruption. These plans should be reviewed and
updated regularly and communicated with all
staff to confirm awareness and understanding.
It’s also equally important for staff to know where
safety equipment and supplies are stored and
how to properly use them, including first aid kits,
fire extinguishers and defibrillators.
INSURANCE
According to Economical Insurance, it’s important
for C&G retailers located across Canada to look
for a protection plan around slips and trips of
customers, and property coverage for damage
to the store, equipment or stock from accidental
crashes. This is commonly covered under a
commercial general liability policy. It’s typical for
coverage to vary between insurance companies
and therefore it’s important to review the details
of your policy with your insurance provider. For
example, gas station proprietors would need to
confirm that fuel pumps are covered under their
policy as this is something that may or may not
be covered by varying insurance providers.
In the event a claim is made due to an accident
or incident on your property, it’s important
to notify your broker or insurer right away. A retailer
should expect to provide a statement and
paperwork detailing the extent of damage to their
premises or goods. If a retailer is also in a position
where they are being sued in regards to the incident,
they will also need to share any legal materials
they’ve received and anything that might help
the insurance company to defend them, such information
from witnesses or surveillance footage.
C&G retailers can expect their insurance provider
to promptly investigate the claim to determine
the best plan of action; following the claim
assessment insurers will resolve the claim or defend
the claim in court if necessary, in the case of
a legal dispute.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends
that policy holders apply risk mitigation strategies
and establish a relationship with your insurance
representative in order to receive the best
advice on having the right coverage for your business
needs and any applicable savings on your
premiums.
Slips, trips and crashes – these types of risks
can be best managed by keeping your premises in
a good state of repair, addressing issues as soon as
they arise, maintaining updated documents and
applying appropriate actions as soon as incidents
occur.
Don’t leave these situations to chance. Keep
Murphy’s law in mind and be prepared.
Meline Beach is a Toronto-based
communications practitioner and frequent
contributor to Convenience & Carwash Canada.
In addition to freelance writing, Meline provides
communications and public relations support to
businesses across Canada. She can be reached at
www.mlbcomms.ca.
48 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
A recipe for Success:
Ure’s
Country
Kitchen
By Tania Moffat
If you combine keen business sense with hard work, add in the
ability to adapt to a rapidly changing retail landscape, one genuinely
innovative idea and a full helping of fun, you have the ingredients for
Ure’s Country Kitchen’s recipe for success.
Located in the heart of Southern
Ontario’s lake country between
Harrow and Amherstburg, Ure’s
Country Kitchen caters to the local
communities, cottagers and tourists.
When Laurie and Randy Ure purchased
the business 32 years ago, it consisted of
a 30-seat restaurant, convenience store,
gas bar, an ice cream scoop parlour and
a home that extended behind and above
the business.
Their three children, Michael, David
and Christina, now adults, grew up with
the store as their playground, and later it
became their first taste at employment.
“I saw how hard my parents worked growing
up, and they instilled that work ethic
within us through their example. They
are why the three of us have gone on to
university and have great careers,” says
daughter Christina.
A taste of history
In addition to their family memories,
the location itself has a history in the
community. “The building we are in
now was erected in 1929 to replace the
previous store, but there has been a
business on this corner for much longer
than that,” says Laurie.
Back in 1988, there were eight small
gas stations located along the lake
over a 15-mile stretch. Today, Ure’s is
the only original business left. “I think
businesses like ours in small communities
are dying out. Gas, lottery tickets
and cigarette sales don’t pay the bills
anymore. Gas margins are tighter, cigarette
sales are declining, and the retail
landscape is changing with the arrival of
big-box stores,” says Randy, who now has
a Walmart, Tim Horton’s and two drug
stores located nearby.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 49
Ure’s Country Kitchen’s sales have
been good, and the couple has always
made a profit. “To stay fluid, you have
to keep a close eye on your numbers because
margins are always changing. You
have to be able to adapt, have the volume
and not be afraid to try new things,”
shares Randy.
One of the benefits of being an independent
is that they can change gears
quickly, capitalizing on new opportunities
as they arise. “As an independent,
you need to play to your strengths,”
explains Randy. Deemed an essential
service, the gas and convenience store
remained open during the quarantine
period of the pandemic. With safety
measures in place, they were able to cater
to people looking to avoid shopping
at big box stores. “Customers could get
in and out with their supplies with minimal
interaction and get exceptional customer
service.”
Over the years, the Ures experimented
with several different sale items,
including selling bedding plants. They
also prefer to work with small or local
businesses, like Scholtens Candy
Company’s Cottage Country branded
candies, nuts and trail mixes. Stocking
nostalgic fare that reminds people of
their childhood like Chunky Bars has
also proven profitable.
Bob Brown from Petroline Fuels has
known the Ures for 30 years. “They
are great people, keen in business and
honest. To them, business is about
Customers appreciate the minigolf
as it allows them to do a safe
outdoor activity with their children
or a small group while still social
distancing. In addition to sanitizing
clubs and balls, the Ures teamed up
with a local tool and dye shop that
designed the Mully Cup to reduce
further points of contact on the course.
50 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 51
Describing their store, Laurie adds, “We don’t fit in any one
category. We are a square peg people keep trying to fit
into a round hole, but we do use several principles from
the c-store format.”
relationships. Petroline supplied their
fuel for 11 years, and it’s now made sense
for them to solidify the relationship by
becoming a branded Petroline station,”
he says.
Standing apart
“We still needed to find a revenue stream
that the chain stores couldn’t compete
with. Something no one else was going
to do, and mini-golf was it,” says Randy.
The revolutionary idea started as a
passing comment from Randy, but the
couple was drawn back to it and began
investigating traffic studies, population
searches and course creators.
“We decided to update the building
and restaurant at the same time. Our
restaurant can now service 50 people,
and we have added a new covered patio
outside for people to sit and enjoy their
ice cream,” adds Laurie. The update also
made Ure’s wheelchair accessible, including
the outside 10 holes of the 18-
hole golf course.
It was an arduous journey that spanned
three-and-a-half years, but it was well
worth the wait even with the opening
delayed until June due to COVID-19.
The 18-hole mini-golf course is like
no other. To ensure the course was “all
Reach Diverse
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52 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
More people gather here now, and we are a big deal on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday nights. In communities like ours, the little
places are essential. If they go under, it makes a big difference in
the community,” says Randy.
about the fun” for their customers, they
spared no expense. It is an experience
comparable to the likes of Vegas, with
a waterfall, five fountains, two running
streams and four ponds. Customers can
practice their trick shots and enjoy the
breaking greens and fairways. The site
is exquisitely landscaped and adorned
with hand-picked antiques. Open seven
days a week from 9 a.m. until dusk, players
can experience one of Canada’s best
courses for under $10 per person.
“The mini-golf is incredible for them
and will revolutionize their business,”
says son David Ure. Customers appreciate
the mini-golf as it allows them to do
a safe outdoor activity with their children
or a small group while still social
distancing. In addition to sanitizing
clubs and balls, the Ures teamed up
with a local tool and dye shop that designed
the Mully Cup to reduce further
points of contact on the course. The
Mully Cup is a disc that slides up and
down the flag. Golfers use their club to
push up the disc, and the ball rolls out
onto the green.
The revenue streams within the Ure’s
business work cohesively. Already famous
for their ice-cream, Ure’s has the
perfect after golf treat in 32 different
flavours. Since opening the course, ice
cream sales have increased by 100 per cent. Their breakfast
menu is also a big draw and Randy and Laurie anticipate restaurant
sales will increase once it reopens this Fall. The couple
plans to open up for dinner service during the summer, offering
burgers, fries and the like for hungry golfers.
More people gather here now, and we are a big deal on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. In communities like ours,
the little places are essential. If they go under, it makes a big
difference in the community,” says Randy.
The Ure’s ingenuity, dedication and strong customer relations
have kept the business thriving and relevant for over
three decades. It was their outside-of-the-box thinking that
led them to invest in a premium mini-golf course that has secured
their longevity and importance within community. Ure’s
Country Kitchen is part of Laurie and Randy’s legacy and will
most likely be around long after they decide to retire.
Tania Moffat is a freelance writer, editor, publisher and
photographer. She has worked in the publishing industry
for the last 16 years on a wide variety of B2B and consumer
publications, both in print and online. You can connect with
her at info@chiccountrylife.com
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 53
www.transchem.com | 1.800.265.9100
The invested partner and supplier for everything car wash.
How can we help your success?
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Established back in 1976, our chemicals include the premium Turtle Wax ® Pro brand, and are used around the
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Experience the Transchem Family difference.
The TURTLE FACING RIGHT
54 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
® design, TURTLE WAX ® word mark, and the TURTLE WAX logo ® are trademarks of Turtle Wax, Inc. and used under license.
Washtalk
By Angela Altass
Toronto’s New VIP Carwash
Attention Torontonians: There is a new state-of-the-art
carwash in town. Located at 3595 Bathurst Street in midtown
Toronto, VIP Carwash is scheduled to open to the
public in mid to late September.
“As a car enthusiast, opening up a
different and unique carwash had
always been in the back of my mind,” says
real estate broker and developer Hoss
Nakhsaz. “This carwash and its’ unique
concept is a result of years researching
and exploring. I am very excited. Starting
Angela construction in the heat of the
pandemic was worrying, also risky at
first, since it is a big investment for me.
But, I now strongly believe that this
carwash model which is completely
contact free and time efficient, if
operated right, is what we actually need,
especially during this time of crisis.”
Car owners who are used to getting
their vehicles washed at this Bathurst
Street location will be excited to see the
changes that new leading-edge technology
brings to their carwash experience.
“VIP Carwash is using the industry
leading Washworld Razor machines with
the Edge package, which has earned the
reputation of a proven system for quality,
dependability and longevity, with
an emphasis on simplicity of use, reduced
maintenance, and stainless steel
throughout,” says Grady Taylor, national
account manager, Canada, equipment
and service division, Transchem Group.
“The Razor is built to last. This system
will keep customers very happy with the
high-quality wash it delivers.”
The new owner of the carwash is focused
on customer experience and has chosen high-end products,
notes Taylor.
“Hoss has put in a pay terminal by ICS (Innovative Control
Systems), which will allow his customers to pay by tap or have
a monthly subscription,” says Taylor. “The carwash also has
stunning black doors by Airlift Doors, which are built for looks
and durability. The owner has also chosen to use Turtle Wax®
Pro chemicals for his entire site, which sets the standard for
the high-end quality wash his customers can come to expect.”
VIP purchased the Razor Edge package to set themselves
apart, says Jim Koch, director of national accounts, Washworld.
“The Razor has all the leading-edge technology needed to
make operators successful while still maintaining a simple design,
which keeps cost of ownership the lowest in the industry,”
says Koch. “It is the fastest overhead machine and is manufactured
with all 304 stainless so operators are getting a machine
that will last for decades.”
The Edge package includes:
• Lumen Arch, which has blue LED lighting on both sides of
the arch creating an eye-catching glow of the spay arch as it
travels around the vehicle.
• SpectraRay, which is a series of 4,528 LED lights in red,
green, blue and magenta. These lights are fully programmable
to add splashes of various colours during any or all of the
wash applications to accentuate the entire wash experience.
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 55
Making a world of difference in
VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
Washworld, Inc. manufactures Profile ® MAX and Profile ® ST soft touch
vehicle wash systems and Razor ® , Razor ® XR-7 and Razor ® EDGE
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Profile’s safe, super soft wash media is
soft on cars, but tough on dirt.
Razor has earned the reputation
of a proven system for its quality,
dependability and longevity.
Razor XR-7 has the best of what makes
Razor unique, but at a lower price point.
Razor EDGE includes all of the reliable
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SpectraRay and LumenArch creating an
intense customer experience.
Call us today so we can help make the choice of which system is right for you!
920-338-9278 | 888.315.7253 | www.washworldinc.com
56 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
The Washworld Razor is an innovative, touch-free, in-bay automatic car wash that
continues to transform touch-free car washing. Razor earns its reputation as one
of the hardest-working machines on the market. Built to last, Razor’s corrosionresistant
stainless-steel construction can withstand nearly any condition in any
climate - resulting in fewer maintenance calls and longer up-time. The Razor
combines the mark of quality, the feature-rich experience, and the reputation for
excellence that Washworld is known for around the world.
“Other new features on this fourth generation of the Razor include the
ability to program multiple buy-up options helping to increase revenue
per car,” says Koch. “We also added digital air valves so that each
chemical application can be programed with its optimal air setting to
maximize performance.”
When the wash is idle, these lights
will attract attention to passing traffic
especially at night. To enhance the
customer experience even further the
wash bay lights can be programed
to turn off during the wash process,
which really enhances the light show.
• HyperFlex consists of an overhead
rain bar and foaming pods that can
apply up to four additional wash functions.
This manifold uses less product
than traditional applications and, at
the same time, increases the show and
performance of any protectant type
product. Hyperflex can be used in conjunction
with the Razor’s standard flex
pass manifold to simultaneously apply multiple products on
a single pass, dramatically reducing wash times. Programing
HyperFlex with SpectraRay creates a blanket of colour and
foam for the ultimate wash experience.
“Other new features on this fourth generation of the Razor
include the ability to program multiple buy-up options helping
to increase revenue per car,” says Koch. “We also added digital
air valves so that each chemical application can be programed
with its optimal air setting to maximize performance.”
VIP also purchased the Washview Mobil option.
“This option allows operators to access the Razor’s HMI
screen remotely from their smart phone or tablet using the
Vijeo Design’Air app,” says Koch. “The app provides a mirror
image to the Razor’s onsite HMI screen. Operators can view
wash activity, make wash adjustments and even issue a free
wash remotely. Wash view will send daily wash count reports
via email or text as well as report in real time of any wash fault
or security output activity so operators will be quickly informed
if any issues develop on site. All fault activity is tracked by time
and wash pass so operators can look back and compare to wash
site video or customer calls.”
Washworld is excited to be part of the success of VIP carwash,
states Koch.
“Washworld is fortunate enough to be represented by the
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 57
58 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
The Airlift Doors’ Alaskan Extreme Strapeze Sectional
Door series door-operator setup has been used with great
success in the carwash industry for many years, making it,
Transchem Group in Ontario and we are
confident that with their team of professionals,
VIP will be another successful
Washworld carwash and a great show
site for other operators to learn from,”
says Koch.
Taylor states that Transchem sees this
as a long-term partnership and plans to
be with VIP, not just throughout the renovation
and re-opening stage but for years
to come.
“We are honoured that they chose us
to be part of their carwash project,” says
Taylor. “With our ability to sell, install
and service the equipment, as well as
selling chemicals, we are there for our
customers covering every aspect of their
business.”
VIP Carwash will be using an app that
was designed by Mosaic.
“Our team at Mosaic is focused on providing
carwash operators with the most
innovative digital tools to grow their businesses,”
says Mosaic Sales Representative
Terry McGowan. “Forward-thinking operators
know that customers expect a
premium experience from the time they
enter the site to the time they drive off
with a clean car. We’re proud to work
with Hossein to exceed those expectations
and create lifelong customers. By
launching their VIP-branded Mosaic app
to customers from day one, Hossein and
his team are demonstrating their commitment
to delivering the type of worldclass
customer experience that modern
consumers expect from great brands.”
The Auto Sentry Petro cashless entry
system that is used at the carwash handles
EMV credit card clearing, a debit
card pin pad and tap device with a 15-
inch screen that offers menu selection
and video to assist customers during
the purchase process, says Brad Metcalf,
regional sales manager, Canada and
the northeast, ICS (Innovative Control
Systems).
“These units are very popular in the
Canadian market as there is less cash
being used to purchase wash packages,”
says Metcalf, noting that customers like
the contactless method of payment.
VIP Carwash is using doors from
Airlift Doors’ Alaskan Extreme Strapeze
Sectional Door series that are powered
by a direct drive pneumatic opener.
“This door-operator setup has been
used with great success in the carwash
industry for many years, making it, without
a doubt, the right product for this
very demanding environment,” notes
Martin Castro, sales representative,
Airlift Doors, Inc. “As a carwash door
manufacturer, here at Airlift Doors, we
feel very proud and pleased to have been
Auto Sentry Petro cashless entry system that is used at
the carwash handles EMV credit card clearing, a debit card
pin pad and tap device with a 15-inch screen that offers
menu selection and video to assist customers during the
purchase process.
involved with one of our distributors,
Transchem Group, on this project. They
have used our Alaska Sectional Door series
in a modern and well thought out
way, creating a unique façade appearance,
incorporating black anodizing
finish to the rails of the door sections,
which matches splendidly with the design
intention, giving a very elegant and
clean look to the overall project. We are
very proud and pleased to be a part of
this project and we know that the carwash
owner and users will be satisfied
with our products as we stand 100 per
cent behind them and offer one of the
best warranties in the industry.”
As well as the automated carwash, the
site also includes self-serve bays, which
will include sanitizing stations that can
be used to sanitize car interiors.
“This plan looks complete to me,”
states Nakhsaz. “Technology has been a
very powerful tool. As I grow, I continue
to learn and try to keep up with the latest
trends. My focus has always been to
provide a classy, time efficient and smart
carwash environment by using the safest,
yet newest, innovations in technology.”
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 59
60 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE
wCanadian Online Publishing A
What’s
New
Postponement of UNITI expo to May 2022
The organisers announce the postponement of UNITI
expo
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate economic
and social life, inevitably causing great difficulty to industry
events. The organisers of UNITI expo assume that the virus
will continue to force severe restrictions until next year. If
the situation deteriorates, it could even lead to a short-term
ban on events.
As the leading trade fair for the retail petroleum and carwash
industries in Europe with exhibitors and visitors from
over 120 countries, UNITI expo thrives on encounters, personal
discussions and meetings of industry representatives
from all over the world. Social distancing, travel restrictions
and the fear for the health and safety of the participants
would damage the quality of the event.
“As we give the health and safety of all participants and
the known high quality of the fair in all its components the
highest priority, we have decided with a heavy heart to
postpone UNITI expo to May 2022. According to all serious
forecasts, the pandemic will be defeated by then and normal
economic and social life will be possible again,” says
Elmar Kühn, managing director of UNITI-Kraftstoff GmbH.
With this early decision and the choice of a safe alternative
date, the organisers want to offer all participants maximum
planning security and protect them from further risks. A
final event date is to be announced before the end of
September.
Further, constantly updated information for exhibitors and
visitors can be found at www.uniti-expo.com.
Red Bull Canada serves up it’s latest winter edition flavour –
frostbite not included
TORONTO, CANADA, October 1, 2020 – Red Bull Canada has unveiled
the latest in their Editions series with the launch of its 2020 Red
Bull Winter Edition Frosted Berry. Delivering a refreshing take on the
classic Red Bull Energy Drink, Red Bull Winter Edition Frosted Berry will
begin hitting shelves just in time for the cooler days ahead. Red Bull
Winter Edition Frosted Berry is available across Canada for a limitedtime
only beginning October 1, 2020.
Red Bull Winter Edition Frosted Berry, offers wings for your winter
season. For those unforgettable crisp clear Canadian snow days spent
on top the highest peak partaking in the beauty of your favourite winter
activities. Red Bull Winter Edition Frosted Berry provides the perfect
blend of fruity raspberry notes, with a unique take on the taste of the
classic Red Bull Energy Drink.
Offering wings for every taste, Red Bull Winter Edition will join the line
of Red Bull Editions flavours available in Canada and can be found
alongside Red Bull Green Edition, Red Bull Yellow Edition, Red Bull
Blue Edition, Red Bull Coconut Edition and Red Bull Peach Edition.
This latest limited time seasonal offer can be found in signtures size
250ml, 250ml four-packs and 355ml frosty blue cans that transport
to the icy glaciers of our northern winters. They will be offered for
purchase at various locations across Canada while quantities last. Visit
https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/energydrink to learn more.
REACH TO-ORDER
MADE-
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FOODSERVICE
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PAGE 8 PAGE 19
JANUARY | FEBRUAY 2020
CANADIAN ONLINE PUBLISHING AWARDS 2019
Best Print and
Digital Publication
Gold/Or 2019
ards
Years
PM41670539
For advertising information and rates contact:
Diana Signorile at 403-607-8133 or email: diana@convenienceandcarwash.com
Cody Johnstone at 416-838-4674 or email: codyj@convenienceandcarwash.com
CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA / 61
TM
Ad Index
2020 DSS ......................................................................... 29
Access Cash ATM..............................................................23
Aerodry...........................................................................OBC
AirServ................................................................................37
AifLift Doors....................................................................... 60
Bulloch...............................................................................21
CTM Design...................................................................... 26
Distribution Regitan............................................................51
Erie Brush...........................................................................13
Husky ................................................................................34
Innovative Control Systems................................................58
International Drying Corp...................................................43
Istobal.................................................................................. 6
McCowan Design & Mftg...................................................32
MI Petro............................................................................. 10
Modern Wash.....................................................................24
Mondo Products...............................................................IFC
National Energy Equipment...............................................27
Nestle Waters...............................................................14, 62
OPW Retail Fueling Systems..............................................18
ProtoVest..........................................................................IBC
Quality Foods.....................................................................33
Transchem Group...............................................................54
Washworld Inc................................................................... 56
Wayne Fueling Systems.....................................................42
Western Refrigeration.........................................................28
Women in Carwash............................................4,15,50,45
WPMA.................................................................................12
XpresSystems Inc............................................................. 40
ESSENZA
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OF FL AVOUR
NEW
a new way to add a touch of taste
to your casual meal times.
The Juicy Burst of
Bubbles with fruit
All Trademarks are owned by San Pellegrino S. P. A., San Pellegrino TERME, Italy and are used under licence. ©2020 SanPellegrino
All Trademarks are owned by Nestlé Waters, France and are used under licence. ©2020 Nestlé
62 / JULY AUGUST ISSUE
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64 / SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE