How to choose the right car wash solution for your site
With the vast array of car wash solutions available in today’s marketplace, the task of choosing the right one for your business can be a minefield. Whether it is for a retail fuel site, car dealership or indeed any suitable business site, it is important to evaluate the benefits of each solution before making an investment. From a complete car wash park (including rollovers) to self-service wash bays with payment, this article explores the options available and helps you to make the right choice for your business.
Why add a car wash solution to your site?
By adding a car wash solution to your site, you will be increasing your service offering, and as a consequence, attracting more customers and creating a new revenue stream.
Both the gantry and self-service wash systems will make a profitable addition to any car dealership, car wash park, workshop, or service station. Furthermore, keeping your own cars or commercial fleet clean will generate a positive impression of your business and preserve the vehicles’ value.
What to consider when investing in a car wash solution?
1. Is there customer demand?
Before investing, you need to know if customers will use your car wash solutions, and this can very much depend on the site location and type. You should perform a thorough market potential analysis to include factors such as the surrounding area, inhabitants, traffic flow and nearby shops. A detailed review of your competitors and their pricing is a must and will help you to make a more informed decision.
2. Is the wash intended for retail customers or company vehicles?
It is important to ascertain the main motivation for investing in a car wash for your business. Do you wish to offer a new service to your existing retail customers and therefore generate additional revenue? Or are you looking to invest in a wash solution for your own fleet? Or do you operate a car dealership and need to keep your stock clean? Finally, garage owners may want to add a complimentary wash to car repairs or services, giving added value to the customer. Deciding on the usage of the car wash will help you to find the right solution.
3. Which car wash fits your business strategy?
In order to be successful, it is important to define the right business strategy for your car wash site. A return on your investment is vital and so careful planning on the wash pricing structure is required, taking into consideration the local competition and consumer habits. What type of vehicles do you want to accommodate? Do you want to be able to offer additional features to enhance the quality of the wash and improve the customer experience? Preparation is key to business success, explore all the options available to you and ask for advice from the experts before making your choice.
TSG UK supplies and installs 4 different categories of wash solutions, all manufactured by Kärcher: car wash rollovers, truck wash rollovers, wash bays and one-bay self-service systems.
Kärcher is the partner of choice for TSG, as the brand is synonymous with quality and durability. Kärcher’s eco-friendly wash solutions deliver perfect cleaning results every time using a minimal amount of water.
Car Wash Rollovers
Car wash rollovers are one of the most popular automatic vehicle wash systems and are suitable for all types of sites, such as fuel stations, car dealerships or commercial fleet operators. Cars can be washed very efficiently in a relatively small space due to the compact nature of the equipment. The vehicle remains stationary throughout the wash, whilst the travelling frame cleans its body and wheels using high-powered water jets, brush rotation and the application of products such as shampoos, foams, and waxes.
The Kärcher Car Wash Rollover – Klean!Star iQ
The new Kärcher CWB3 Klean!Star and CB line gantry washing systems are suitable for locations with everything from low to particularly high washing volumes, comprising basic equipment all the way up to premium systems. They are also flexibly expandable, thanks to a wide range of additional options and equipment components. Designed for fast wash programmes, with a fully customised frame illumination concept.
Truck Wash Rollovers
Quite simply, a truck wash rollover is an automatic wash system specifically designed to accommodate the larger road users, such as lorries and buses. It is typically found on site at transport companies, depot centres and truck stops.
The Kärcher Truck Wash Rollover
For cleaning large vehicles, such as trucks, Kärcher offers the TB-line. Kärcher’s TB-line is designed for automatic exterior cleaning of large commercial vehicles. This 3-brush gantry impresses with a maximum washing height of 5.05 metres and a maximum washing width of 2.90 metres.
Individually selectable washing programs for different degrees of soiling and low maintenance optimise the cost-benefit calculation for users and operators. Furthermore, two photoelectric sensors fitted as standard guarantee safety. This ensures that attachments and accessories (such as spoilers) are reliably identified.
Self-service Wash Bays
Wash bays create a complete self-service car wash, where customers can wash their own cars and experience maximum results from quality wash equipment. With washing bays, users are in full control of the whole process, ensuring all parts of their car are thoroughly cleaned. Customers are able to select the wash time, preventing the waste of water and time if the vehicle is only lightly soiled.
Kärcher’s SB MB is a coin or token-operated self-service washing system that can be supplied as a cabinet version for outdoor installation or as a pre-assembled skid version.
The system is designed for the operation of up to 4 washing stations (further solutions for up to eight bays are also available) and is manufactured in accordance with specific customer needs. Additional wash programmes, such as pre-wash or power foam, maximise the turnover. The well-proven Kärcher technology and high-pressure pumps guarantee the best cleaning performance and quality.
SB OB Kärcher
The SB OB Kärcher is similar to the SB MB but has a smaller footprint and can be configured exactly as needed. In addition to the four standard wash programmes (high pressure, foam, rinse and wax & Power Foam lance), extra programmes for washing the wheel rims and the removal of stubborn dirt are available. So, while having a very compact design, the SB OB still offers the complete vehicle wash, making it ideal for operators with limited space.
Combine Kärcher car wash solutions with TSG's payment systems
Touch-screen payment screen
Our self-service CarwashPay system offers your customers the convenience to start a car wash easily via a touchscreen and pay by cash or contactless via the state-of-the-art payment facility. CarwashPay is designed to be user-friendly, everything can be customised, from the text, layout, prices and timings to the payment methods. Our systems even offer the option for subscription holders to start the car wash via number plate recognition.
For internal use, such as for fleet operators, payment is not necessary, and an identification system (such as tag ID) can be applied.
Interested in our car wash solutions?
TSG and Kärcher have been working closely together for several years. Based on our exclusive partnership, TSG UK can offer to supply and fit your complete car wash solution. From replacement of car, truck and self-service wash equipment and overhauls of car wash parks, to a complete car wash construction project, combined with our payment solutions or vehicle identifier solutions.
We take on the project from A to Z, as we have the relevant expertise and experience in all aspects of design, planning, installation, aftercare, training, service and maintenance.
For more information, visit https://www.tsg-solutions.com/uk/tsg-wash/
