CAR WASH Podcasts

Data That Pays: How Branded Chemistry Impacts Customer Behavior

We all know a clean, dry, shiny car isn’t enough anymore. In today’s competitive car wash landscape, the real question is—what makes a customer choose your wash, stay loyal, and spend more? In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Exchange, we dive into new data that answers exactly that. Host James Risley is joined by Laura Moriarty, Creative Director at National Car Wash Solutions, and Bob Klein, Director of Research at ICA, to explore a custom Pulse Intelligence study on branded chemistry—featuring Armor All, Rain-X, and Black Magic. What they found is striking: customers are willing to pay more, drive farther, and even switch car washes based on trusted brands. This isn’t just perception—it’s measurable behavior.  If you’re looking for real ways to differentiate your wash, increase revenue, and strengthen customer loyalty, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Key Takeaways  * 66% of consumers say brand-name chemistry matters  * Customers will pay ~$3 more per wash for branded chemistry  * Drivers are willing to travel up to 10 minutes farther  * 61% of members would upgrade for branded offerings  * 52% of non-members would consider switching washes  *  Branding isn’t just marketing—it directly impacts revenue, retention, and acquisition (1:23) What challenge did NCS have when they reached out to ICA? (2:18) Why was this research important today? (2:52) why did NCS Choose to reach out to ICA? (3:58) Bob gives an overview of the project and what ICA needed to do. (4:35) What did the research look like – Bob lays out the problem and process. (5:44) What stood out in the survey’s results? Laura walks through the numbers.  (10:00) Was there anything that surprised Laura about the results? (11:05) Bob goes deeper into the results. (11:50) What did NCS do with the results – how did they leverage them? (14:02) Bob talks about more of the specifics about how the data was used with Pulse Custom Intelligence. (15:20) Laura talks about the biggest value the study provided. (16:23) What was it about Pulse Custom Intelligence made working with ICA and Bob the right decision? (19:18) James talks more about this study and ICA Pulse Custom Intelligence For more information on NCS go to https://ncswash.com/branded-chemistry/ [https://ncswash.com/branded-chemistry/].  Reach out to Bob Klein at bklein@carwash.org [bklein@carwash.org] for more information on Pulse Custom Intelligence Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026

Champions Car Wash Exchange - Why Car Washes Need a Loyalty Program (and How to Run One Correctly)

In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with sit down with Josh Taylor CMO of OptSpot and Jenny Beadle Marketing Specialist at Micrologic to talk about the opportunity most operators are missing - retail customers who come a few times a year—and then disappear. Together, they break down how a simple, well-executed loyalty program can transform those anonymous transactions into trackable, repeat behavior—and why connecting that program to SMS marketing is the key to making it actually work. They unpack the real purpose of a loyalty program (hint: it’s not discounts), the massive financial upside of increasing visit frequency, and how connecting loyalty with SMS marketing creates a powerful, automated growth engine. From real revenue numbers to common mistakes operators make, this conversation is all about practical, actionable strategies you can implement right away—no matter what tech stack you’re using. Whether you’re running one location or scaling multiple sites, this conversation delivers a clear, practical blueprint to capture more data, drive more visits, and unlock revenue you’re currently leaving on the table. (1:01) Meet Josh Taylor and Jenny Beetle (2:05) What is the conversation that the industry isn’t having about membership and loyalty programs? (3:33) What are the tech things that operators just aren’t using…even though they already have it? (4:30) Loyalty is more than just showing us…Josh explains what operators are really doing. You can’t grow what you can’t see. (7:56) Jenny explains the operator and customer experiences. (9:54) Kendra and Josh talk about the components of a great loyalty program. (12:24) What kind of revenue is actually being left on the table by operators? Josh explains. (14:14) Jenny talks about some of the hurdles operators face when they create a loyalty program. (15:43) Josh walks us through a good loyalty program with attainable goals. (18:15) Jenny talks about why it’s so important to lean into an SMS program. (19:24) Josh shares the stats for text message marketing. 98% are opened! 90% are read in the first three minutes with a 40% redemption rate. (21:40) Josh explains how to maximize a 160-character SMS message. (25:02) What’s a connected system and how does it work? Jenny explains. (27:40) Hear about the creation of the OptSpot and Micrologic partnership. (29:40) Jenny talks about how the Micrologic team reacted to this partnership. (31:34) How does an operator start a relationship with OptSpot and MicroLogis and what should they be thinking about in the conversation with them? Make sure your program is legal and effective!  (34:35) Final thoughts? Jenny says consider going from reactive to proactive. And Josh adds if you do your program right your system will enable you to see more cars and more revenue. Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026

How Mitsubishi Electric Helps Car Wash Operators Take Control in 2026

Behind every smooth, efficient car wash is a complex ecosystem of motors, pumps, controls, and data working quietly behind the scenes. In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with Tim Hider of Mitsubishi Electric Automation to unpack how those systems come together—and why control, data, and reliability matter more than ever for today’s car wash operators. From variable frequency drives and internal PLCs to predictive maintenance, networking, and embedded AI, this conversation explores how decades of industrial automation experience are shaping the future of the car wash industry. Tim also shares Mitsubishi Electric’s long history in harsh industrial environments, its deep involvement in the car wash space, and what operators should consider as they plan for growth, efficiency, and uptime in 2026 and beyond. About Mitsubishi Electric Automation Mitsubishi Electric is a global industrial technology leader with more than 100 years of history. Mitsubishi Electric Automation, the industrial automation arm of the company, has operated in North America for over 40 years and has supported the car wash industry for more than two decades. Known for high-quality variable frequency drives, PLCs, HMIs, networking solutions, and motion control technologies, Mitsubishi Electric focuses on durability, precision, and long-term reliability—especially in demanding, wet, and harsh environments like car washes. While the Mitsubishi name spans many industries, Mitsubishi Electric Automation specifically designs and manufactures the industrial components that serve as the “brains and nervous system” behind automated operations. About Tim Hider Tim Hider is Industry Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automation. He brings more than 15 years of experience in automotive automation engineering and has spent the past 10 years with Mitsubishi Electric. His background bridges high-precision automotive manufacturing and the evolving needs of the car wash industry, where automation, data, and uptime are increasingly critical. Tim works closely with OEMs, distributors, and operators to apply proven industrial technologies to real-world car wash challenges. (3:24) Tim explains how all the electronic components come together behind the scenes. (4:41) Tim goes back 100 years to explain Mitsubishi’s history and involvement in the car wash industry where they have been active for more than 20 years. (6:12) Car wash sub-systems? Tim explains what they all are and what they do. (8:55) A carwash is a series of systems. Tim explains several of the technologies that makes this all work together. Learn about internal PLC and PID (11:10) It’s all about giving the operator control – Tim talks about some of the issues related to this and how it helps the team running the car wash. (14:40) What can operators look to do to improve their business in 2026? (16:02) Learn about the history of Mitsubishi’s history in this industry. (17:35) What are the compelling reasons to dive into the Mitsubishi products? (18:58) What impact does AI have? (21:30) What’s IGBT? Tim explains! (23:54) Tim talks about networking and explains why Mitsubishi is a “motion house”! (26:08) What should an operator do with all of the data the get from these systems? Well…it depends! (28:22) What can operators expect from the rare instance of failure? (30:23) Why choose Mitsubishi Electric? Hear the elevator pitch! Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026.

Why Bearings Matter: Extending Equipment Life in the Car Wash Environment

In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with leaders from Solve Industrial Motion Group to tackle one of the most critical — and often overlooked — drivers of uptime and profitability in a car wash: bearings and power transmission components. Guests Rob Schoenherr, VP of Sales, and Ryan Linke, Regional Vice President, break down how the harsh realities of the car wash environment impact component life, why failures happen, and what operators can do to move from reactive fixes to smarter, predictive maintenance strategies. Solve Industrial Motion Group specializes in bearings, power transmission, and motion control solutions, with a strong focus on total cost of ownership and real-world performance. Their approach blends product innovation, such as car-wash-specific bearing designs, with hands-on field service and engineering support aimed at extending component life, reducing maintenance labor, and keeping washes running when it matters most. Drawing on decades of industry experience — including firsthand ownership of tunnel car washes — Rob and Ryan share practical insights, real success stories, and actionable guidance operators can use to protect revenue, avoid downtime, and get more cars through the wash. (3:23 Rob explains what bearing and transmission components play in a car wash…and why they’re important. (5:05) What type of maintenance do bearings require? (6:07) Why do bearings fail? (6:59) What type of unexpected bearing failures have Rob seen? (8:34) How does the car wash environment affect a smooth bearing operation? (9:55) What are common types of bearing failures? (10:59) Are there predictive maintenance items an operator can take to prevent failure? (12:05) What solutions are available to ease bearing operation? (14:15) Rob talks in-depth about the factors that drive bearing R & D and manufacturing. (16:20) Hear about the measurable benefits in a few success stories. (18:09) They talk “lifetime” of use. (18:44) what other products does Solve provide for their customers? (21:37) Learn about the services of the SOLVE field sales/service team. (22:33) Go to www.solveindistrial.com [http://www.solveindistrial.com] for more information. Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026

Reading Between the Headlines: A Data-Driven Look at Today’s Economy

In this episode, ICA CEO Eric Wulf sits down with economist Alex Chausovsky, Director of Analytics at The Bundy Group - a business intelligence and analytics firm that helps organizations anticipate change, manage risk, and identify opportunity through data-driven insights, for a clear-eyed look at the U.S. economy and what business leaders should be paying attention to right now. Alex breaks down today’s uneven economic reality through the lens of a K-shaped economy, where growth, opportunity, and pressure are not being felt equally across industries or income groups. The conversation explores how industrial and consumer sectors are diverging, why spending remains resilient despite inflation fatigue, and what jobs data, consumer debt, housing, and interest rates reveal about where the economy may be headed. From AI-driven infrastructure investment to the challenges facing younger workers and middle-income households, Alex helps translate complex data into practical insights for operators, investors, and leaders trying to make informed decisions in a highly uncertain environment. (:40) How is the US Economy doing right now? Alex breaks this into two parts and talks about a      K-shaped economy. (4:45) Jobs, debt and wages. Alex weighs in on each of these, where things are right now and how they could affect future spending. Alex quotes the Consumer Spending Panel Report and the K-Shaped economy. (12:55) Eric asked about job concerns for recent graduates and their concerns about entering the job market. (16:12) What other consumer events and choices might influence on spending…such as mortgages. (70% are on ARM’s right now). Also learn about the Fed’s different interest rates and how they influence the economy. (20:55) Eric asks if the economy is currently building toward growth.