Winter2024_SSCWN_web
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Whistle Express Car Wash debuts across the<br />
Midwest and Southeast<br />
Magnolia Wash Holdings, of Charlotte, North<br />
Carolina, is now Whistle Express Car Wash, unifying<br />
more than 100 car wash locations from a<br />
variety of local and regional chains and independent<br />
operators under one cohesive brand, offering<br />
customers an elevated wash experience, no matter<br />
where their travels take them within the company’s<br />
nine-state footprint.<br />
According to a December 11 press release,<br />
Whistle Express is currently the 10th largest car<br />
wash brand in the country, but with an aggressive<br />
growth plan that will add up to 50 additional locations<br />
in 2024—funded by a recent investment by<br />
funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management,<br />
L.P.—CEO Jose Costa plans to climb the rankings<br />
quickly. The move to consolidate under one name<br />
stems from a desire to create consistency among<br />
the brand’s extensive network of car washes, many<br />
of which were locally owned and operated with a<br />
very loyal fan base. Costa, who spent time at Bojangles<br />
Restaurants, Inc., and Driven Brands prior<br />
to taking the helm at Magnolia Wash Holdings in<br />
May 2022, said the efficiency and affordable membership<br />
structure appeal to the growing number of<br />
consumers who take pride in meticulously maintaining<br />
one of the largest investments they’ll make<br />
in their lifetime.<br />
Now, all 200,000 of the brand’s Unlimited Wash<br />
Club members can leverage their memberships<br />
at any location, ensuring a consistent, top-notch<br />
wash experience anytime, anywhere. The brand is<br />
committed to reinventing the consumer experience<br />
through technology and innovation that take<br />
the utmost care of our customers’ vehicles. From<br />
a gentle, touchless prep process to top-tier application<br />
of products designed to clean and protect,<br />
each trip through Whistle’s was tunnel leave cars<br />
sparkling and spotless.<br />
“The feeling of driving around in a clean car is<br />
a little win that can brighten any day, and Whistle<br />
Express makes those little wins quick, easy, and<br />
affordable,” Costa said in a press release. “Wherever<br />
they may find themselves, our customers will<br />
come to know that the Whistle Express brand is<br />
synonymous with quality and efficiency.”<br />
In addition to competitive membership pricing,<br />
customers can expect a multi-sensory experience<br />
including in-tunnel lights and uplifting scents that<br />
offer a brief escape from the every day hustle .<br />
Drivers can also take advantage of free self-vacuum<br />
stations, floor mat cleaning machines, towels<br />
and sprays, all of which deliver a seamless wash<br />
experience resulting in high-level shine. Whistle<br />
Express locations will also use state-of-the-art<br />
technology that reclaims 85 percent of the water<br />
used in a wash and uses 91 percent less water<br />
when compared to a home wash.<br />
16 • WINTER 2024<br />
National Carwash Solutions acquires<br />
International Drying Corporation<br />
National Carwash Solutions (NCS), of Grimes,<br />
Iowa, a carwash service and systems provider in<br />
North America, proudly announced the strategic<br />
acquisition of International Drying Corporation<br />
(IDC), a leading manufacturer of proprietary drying<br />
systems, flat belt conveyor systems, and related<br />
components. According to a December 8 press<br />
release, this acquisition reinforces NCS’s commitment<br />
to providing a comprehensive, one-stopshop<br />
solution for carwash operators.<br />
IDC, renowned for its dedication to the quality<br />
and customer-focus of wash owners worldwide,<br />
brings a wealth of expertise to the NCS family.<br />
The addition of IDC’s best-in-class suite of dryer<br />
products, including the Black Widow, Stealth, and<br />
Stealth Predator lines, and its new King Cobra flat<br />
belt conveyor system, enhances NCS’s ability to<br />
offer a differentiated and comprehensive range of<br />
solutions.<br />
Art Stephens, a dynamic leader with a long and<br />
successful history in the car wash industry, joins<br />
NCS as part of the acquisition. His proven track<br />
record in product development, design, and engineering<br />
will contribute to the continued success of<br />
NCS in providing innovative solutions to its customers,<br />
while IDC’s outstanding production team<br />
delivers on this vision from day to day.<br />
“After 42 years in this industry, partnering with<br />
NCS and its incredible team is a tremendous privilege,”<br />
said Arthur D. Stephens, President & CEO of<br />
IDC. “Thanks to the entire NCS team for making<br />
us feel like part of the family. We eagerly anticipate<br />
serving the industry with our new family for<br />
years to come.”<br />
“We are thrilled to welcome International Drying<br />
Corporation into the NCS family,” said Jesse<br />
Wurth, CEO of NCS, in the press release. “This<br />
strategic move allows us to strengthen our business<br />
line and offer an unparalleled bundled solution<br />
to our valued customers. The expertise and<br />
dedication of the IDC team, combined with the<br />
leadership of Art Stephens, will bolster our commitment<br />
to excellence and innovation.”<br />
NCS, founded in 1973, has established the<br />
only direct end-to-end customer service and support<br />
network in the industry. The NCS family of<br />
brands includes well-known names such as Mac-<br />
Neil, Ryko, Vacutech, PurClean, TSS, Baywatch,<br />
Armor All Professional®, Rain-X®, Blue Coral®,<br />
and Black Magic®.<br />
WINTER 2024 • 17