WashTec Cleaning Technology GmbH
Argonstraße 7
86153 Augsburg
Telephone +49 821 5584 0
WashTec Best Practice:
We wanted to offer something that is a sure-fire success and where customers can help themselves.
A concrete filling station combined with a car wash: that sure generates curiosity and makes for a good reason to drive to Altensteig in the Black Forrest to see what Joachim and Anja Lang have created here. After all, it´s not everyday that concrete is refueled and cars are washed on one site. So the first question to Anja Lang was: „How did you decide on building a car wash here?“ Her answer was: „We had the space, as we operate a concrete filling station here, and wanted to offer something that is running on its own and where customers can help themselves.“ Previously, customers could only fill up concrete or diesel; since March 2023, they have also been able to wash their vehicles on the site.
But before the new operators got into the washing business, they asked customers and colleagues and the idea of building a car wash centre was born. As a concrete manufacturer, it was natural for them to carry out the concrete work on site themselves. Before deciding on the car wash technology, they looked at numerous plants and spoke to operators. In the end, they opted for WashTec for the entire technology because they found the advice and support they received when selecting the washing system to be very good. The WashTec-representatives were always available by e-mail and telephone.
It was very important for the newcomers that the system runs automatically so they did not need to hire extra employees. The WashTec SoftCare Pro Classic with a special height of 2.90 meters and a width of 2.58 meters was chosen for the gantry system. This means that even large vans such as package delivery vehicles can be washed. Customers can pay at the automatic pay stations with DKV, UTA, EC and credit cards.
Five washing programs are currently in use. Anja Lang likes the fact that customers are shown exactly what cleaning services the different programs offer. The facility also has three self-service bays and a wash bay with a platform ladder for cleaning the roofs of caravans. In the outdoor area, customers can use four vacuum cleaner stations including manual mat beaters and automatic mat cleaners after washing. Joachim & Anja Lang also rely on WashTec for their washing chemicals and use the highly effective washing chemicals from the subsidiary AUWA.
The gantry wash is open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the self-service laundry even from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The facility and hall cleaning is carried out by the operators themselves. The area is cleaned three times a day and garbage such as cigarette butts are removed. The newcomers are satisfied with the response so far. "We advertise the car wash centre on social media. But many people also find out about it through word of mouth," says Anja Lang. "Facebook and Instagram are very helpful; we use them to reach young customers. They then post pictures of themselves at the car wash so that their followers also find out about it and visit the car wash."
Although there is no staff at the facility, customers get on very well with the service and also help each other. "It's a really great atmosphere," says the operator, describing everyday life. If necessary, she steps in when older people have questions or don't know what to do. "It's a completely different clientele to selling heating oil," she continues. There she sometimes loses an order over two or three euros - with an order value of 2,000 euros. With car washing, on the other hand, Anja Lang says that money is not an issue. The vehicles that come in for washing are often tuned, very high-quality cars that are almost never dirty. Sometimes whole cliques come with three or four cars. "And if someone brings their own wheel cleaner," she says, "we don't mind."
As a newcomer to the car wash industry, she has noticed that for many men, the car is their sanctuary. While they take care of the car, their wives stand by uninvolved. In this respect, Anja Lang sees potential for further services and is thinking about offering coffee. She would also like to offer leisure activities for the children. So far, the operators are satisfied with the washing frequency. It is now becoming apparent that customers usually opt for either the most expensive or the cheapest program. Another project is a petrol station, construction of which has already begun and which is due to open in 2024.
