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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

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