1. business and industrial

The Region’s Leading Cleaning Industry Magazine
Special
Supplement
CAR WASH &
CAR CARE
APRIL 2015
Car Wash and Car Care
Insight into the steadily evolving
industry in the Middle East
P.O. Box: 80260, Dubai United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 2970512 , Fax. +971 4 2970513
Email: [email protected]
Editor’s Column
Contents
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Car
Wash & Car Care supplement of Clean Middle
East magazine.
The past few months have been really
interesting as I explored the dynamics of the
car wash and car care industry worldwide,
particularly in the Middle East region.
The industry is steadily evolving and has
immense potential for development, especially considering the
tremendous pace at which the automotive sector in this region
continues to grow.
I had the opportunity to interact with a number of international
experts from various segments of the car wash industry. One thing
is clear: the focus of the car wash and car care sector is gradually
shifting towards the environment as various players introduce
sustainable products and solutions. As legislations start to fall in
place and people’s awareness on the significance of professional
car washing in extending the life of their vehicles grows, the car
wash industry offers ample growth opportunities for businesses to
serve this market with innovative solutions.
In this context, Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo which will debut in
this region this November is significant as it will bring in advanced
products and technology to this market. The Show is being held
under the umbrella of the Middle East Cleaning Technology Week
(MECTW) which also includes Gulf Laundrex – Linen Care Expo
and CMEP Expo. We look forward to having you join us for another
successful show!
Swaliha Shanavas
Editor
04 News
08
05 Product
Diary
06 Event
Preview
08 Viewpoint
10
10 Company
Focus
12 Auto Care
14 Cover Story
14
20
18 Business
Matters
20 High
Pressure
Cleaning
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT FOR CAR WASH & CAR CARE 2015
General Management
Publisher
Media Fusion LLC, P.O. Box: 80260
DUBAI, UAE.
Tel : +9714 2970512, Fax : +9714 2970513
Website : www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
Registerd with:
Licence No: RAKIA 92 - MFZ 04 08 1070.
Media Fusion FZE
Editorial
Editor
Swaliha Shanavas
E-mail: [email protected]
Media Representative in KUWAIT
Munawar Zulfikar, + 965 97633511
Marketing Executive
E-mail: [email protected]
Design & Production
Art Director
Mohd.Toufique Mohd. Ebrahim Sulaimani
E-mail: [email protected]
Media Representative in the INDIAN
Subcontinent
Virtual Info Systems
J.P.Nair - Managing Director
Tel.: +9128794695-22-, E-mail: [email protected]
CEO
Dr. Kayyum Ali Bohra
E-mail: [email protected]
Accounts
Sankesh Pandey,
E-mail: [email protected]
Head of Sales & Marketing
Taher Patrawala, mobile: +971 55 1091443
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Designer
Faraz Siraj, E-mail: [email protected]
Sr. Sales and Marketing Executive
Arvah Bohra, mobile: +971 55 1053 443
E-mail: [email protected]
Sales & Marketing Executive
Anjna Nambiar, mobile: +971 52 8781332
E-mail: [email protected]
Clean Middle East is published by
Printing: International Printing Press
Media Representative in Germany and UK
Mr. Reinhard Knittler,
Knittler Medien GmbH
Mittlerer Hubweg 5 - 72227 Egenhausen /
Germany
Phone: + 49 (0) 74 53787 85 93/
Fax: + 49 (0) 74 53797 85 93/
E-mail: [email protected]
Media Representative in Italy, Spain and
Switzerland
Mr. Fabio Potestà,
Mediapoint & Communications Srl
Corte Lambruschini - Corso Buenos Aires, 8
V° piano - interno 7, 16129 Genova - Italy
Tel.: +39 010 5704948,
Fax: +39 010 5530088
e-mail: [email protected]
Reproduction in whole or in part of any matter appearing in Clean Middle East magazine without the prior written permission of the publishers is prohibited by law. Opinions and views expressed in Clean Middle East do not represent the views of the publishers and the editorial
staff of the magazine. The publishers do not guarantee the accuracy of the information; neither will they indemnify any losses arising through the use of the information. All marketing information is subject to approval by clients.
3 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
News
The Car Wash Show 2015 to bring together international car wash owners and operators
The International
Carwash Association,
in partnership with
the Western Carwash
Association, brings
together international
car wash owners
and operators,
equipment and supply
manufacturers, and
potential investors
from many countries
worldwide to The Car
Wash Show 2015, to be
held April 23-25 at the
Las Vegas Convention
Center in Las Vegas.
The event is expected
to draw thousands of
car wash professionals
from around the
world and offers
premier educational
programmes, networking
opportunities, and
the latest products,
technologies and
services available in the
industry, according to
the organisers.
“This year’s education
and networking
programme will bring
together our attendees
from every car wash
segment, and will allow
them to achieve business
success by discussing
shared experiences and
Have you visited the go-to
directory Canadian retailers
rely on every day to find
the best Carwash products,
solutions and services?
Register now or contact us for more
information at or visit
www.convenienceandcarwash.com.
If you sell carwash products or
solutions your products should
be listed in Canada’s most
comprehensive Carwash Buyers
Guide.
Our mobile friendly site helps you find
the resources you need, when you
need them.
https://directory.cccmag.ca/Business/
solutions,” said Eric Wulf,
CEO of the International
Carwash Association.
Headlining the show will
be keynote speaker Rick
Pitino, NCAA Basketball
Coach for the University
of Louisville. This year’s
educational programme
will focus on interactive
workshops and round
table discussions,
allowing the attendees to
learn from each other, as
well as industry experts.
Specialized networking
events will also provide
opportunities for
attendees to interact
with colleagues from
all corners of the car
wash industry, say
the organisers. The
International Carwash
Association is the
non-profit trade group
representing the retail
and supply segments
of the professional car
wash industry in North
America and worldwide.
Western Carwash
Association (WCA) is one
of the largest regional
car wash associations
in the United States,
representing operators
and suppliers in 12
Western States.
Fayfa Chemicals to launch
“Gardenia Natural” products at Gulf
Car Wash – Car Care Expo 2015
Dubai-based Fayfa
Chemicals Factory LLC
is shifting its focus to
environment-friendly
solutions from their
conventional cleaning
and disinfecting products.
The move comes in
the wake of changing
customers’ priorities
for products with 100%
natural ingredients.
Fayfa Chemicals Factory
LLC is an ISO 9001, ISO
14001 and ISO 22000
certified company and
one of the pioneers in
personal, institutional
and industrial hygiene
products and industrial
adhesives in the Middle
East region. The company
has been supplying
4 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
quality products across
the region for the last 24
years.
The company is
participating in the Gulf
Car Wash Car Care Expo,
Dubai to showcase its
products and launch
new car cleaning
solutions. Fayfa will give
a fresh impetus to this
technology in the Middle
East and they will launch
their “Gardenia Natural”
innovative eco-friendly
products based on this
advanced technology
in the exhibition, says
the company. They will
also undertake contract
manufacturing for others
using this innovative
technology.
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
Product Diary
Tunnel Car Wash – Evolution
Trade X ME will be presenting one of their trademark technologies including the Evolution Tunnel Car
washing system developed by Christ Carwash at the Gulf Car Wash Expo in November.
The Evolution Tunnel Car washing system is a Semi Express model with a tunnel length of 31.450
mm, and a washing capacity of about 70 cars per hour. Key features of the technology include:
Plastic plate conveyor; LED foam sheet with programme display; Wheel sill washer;
Jetstream – Semi-Express HD; HD -wheel sill washer Tirejet; 4 Evolution side rolls
(EVO -3); 2 Follow-up roof rolls; 2 contours rolls WH 1.100 mm; HD -wheel sill
washer Rotation; LED preservation; Pre-dryer Aeropro (15 kW); Dryer Aero Flex
-1 (30 kW); Evolution 3-roll dryer (EVO -1).
Pre-tensioned Ruville Suspension Springs for independent Aftermarket
Replacing suspensions springs using conventional spring compressors can sometimes cause
damage to the surface coating of the spring. This results in corrosion damage that can lead to
early failure or breaking of the spring.
Under its brand Ruville, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket offers pre-tensioned suspension
springs in OE quality which makes it possible to mount them without using a spring compressor.
It has pre-tensioned suspension springs for passenger cars in its portfolio. This new mounting
solution is currently available for selected models from Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. The
Ruville suspension springs are pre-tensioned to the exact length needed for mounting. This
protects their sensitive surfaces from getting damaged during installation because the use of a
spring compressor is not necessary. The benefits include a 10-year warranty, safe and damagefree mounting, simple to mount, saves times and improves efficiency; and says the company.
PowerClean – Concentrated high foaming detergent for vehicle washing
PowerClean is a highly concentrated blend of surfactants suitable for vehicle washing operations
from Fayfa Chemicals. The detergent can be used manually or in auto car wash systems. Though
PowerClean is concentrated, it dissolves instantly and has excellent properties of removal of dirt,
carbon deposits, oily and greasy deposits from vehicle bodies. The product is perfectly safe on the
vehicle body in all concentrations and dilutions, says the company. The detergent can be used for all
types of manual washing of vehicles and also in auto car wash systems.
easywash365+ foam sets
By introducing the universally applicable easywash365+ foam sets R+M/
Suttner succeeded in enlarging the application possibility of their foam
injector family.
The stainless steel injector with high pressure foam lance which is
installed via a T-piece between the outlet of the high pressure unit and the
original spraying unit is especially designed for the professional cleaning
of cars, trucks of shipping or food companies as well as for applications in
the industrial foam cleaning.
The connection from injector unit to the high pressure foam lance is realised by an optionally high pressure hose of
up to a length of 40 m. The already existing spraying unit is used for cleaning and rinsing works. Enormous savings
of both cleaning agent and time can be achieved as the foam lance has cleaning agent immediately available
without switching at the unit or change of equipment.
It is possible to simplify the handling of the construction and to boost efficiency at the same time by integrating two
hose reels. This set is suitable for all common high pressure cleaning units for up to 310 bar and max. 90 °C.
To feature your latest products, contact: [email protected]
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 5
EVENT PREVIEW
Gulf Car Wash & Car Care Expo set
to make a mark in the region
T
he car wash and car care industry has been evolving
over the past few years in the Middle East, with the
GCC countries leading this change. The UAE, which is
known for its enthusiasm and keenness to adopt the most
modern technologies and innovations in all arenas, has been
in the forefront of the developments in this industry as well.
The automotive sector in the Middle East has been witnessing
tremendous growth in recent years, indicating there is immense
potential for enhanced car wash and car care products, solutions
and services to match this growth.
In the light of these developments, VIS Exhibitions & Conferences
brings to this region a brand new trade show focusing on this
niche segment. Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo is the Middle
East’s 1st event dedicated to the car washing industry.
Held under the aegis of the Middle East Cleaning Technology
Week, the Show brings together under one roof leading car care
and car wash professionals from around the world, providing
excellent business and networking opportunities for both the
consumers and industry players. A key attraction at the Show
will be a one-day free conference with an impressive lineup of
speakers from the international car wash and car care sector.
Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo will be held 2 – 4 November 2015
at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai.
This is one event you do not want to miss.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Concurrent shows – Clean
Middle East Pulire and Gulf
Laundrex - Linen Care Expo
• Meet leading car care and car
wash owners, operators, car wash
equipment manufacturers and
suppliers from the regional and
global markets • View and experience first-hand
best-in-class car wash and car care
products, accessories, technologies
and services from diverse segments
of the industry, with emphasis on
energy and water conservation • One-day free conference –
Eminent speaker lineup; Gain
industry insight and advice on the
car wash and car care sector
Mark your
calendar now!
Expectations are high regarding the Show and here’s what some of
the industry players had to say about this unique event…
Jean de Negri, International Sales Manager, Coleman Hanna Car Wash System
“Coleman Hanna Car Wash System is a major player in the car wash industry, and has a
long history in the Middle East where we have a very strong presence especially in the GCC
countries. The region is very important for us and we are keen to present our innovation at the
Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo 2015. This is the first edition of the Show and we look forward
to meeting potential customers.”
Ahmad El-Khoury, General Manager & Owner, Lotus Yard Group
“The Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo is a good opportunity for marketing our business
as car wash and cleaning service provider, and also as labour supply and recruitment
company. The Expo provides an opportunity to know our competitors and meet our
targeted customers like hotels, hospitals and malls management teams, who are
interested in having available services, plus meeting other experts in the field and getting
to know the latest technology in the market.”
6 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
Alexander de Wit, Managing Director, R+M de Wit GmbH
“At this show, we will focus on displaying foam accessories which are especially
designed for car wash applications. The Gulf Car Wash - Car Care Expo 2015 is an
excellent opportunity for us to have an intensive exchange of experiences with user,
machine and chemical manufacturers.”
Schezir Knoll, Managing Director, Trade X ME
“We are extremely happy to participate in the first Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo 2015 and
with our innovative products from Otto Christ Germany one of the leading manufactures with
innovative technology in Automatic Carwash. Otto Christ possesses the most highly efficient
product programme, as well as the most advanced technology in the vehicle wash market.
We would like to present one of our trademark technologies developed by Christ Carwash,
- Jointed Side Brush with Roll over Car washes, Evolution system in the Tunnel Carwash
systems and more…”
Mohamed A. Nagy, Group Chairman, Sien Group
“We expect to gain an insight into the Arabian Gulf region’s present market attractions
and up-to-date capabilities. We are targeting a new market for promoting our (FMCG)
line of products: ( car care and industrial maintenance products, etc). The UAE market
is well known for its global exposure in all aspects, always introducing and promoting
state-of-the-art technologies to the region. We will be introducing our cleaning products
and latest car wash systems.”
Manoj Kumar, Director, Fayfa Chemicals
“This is a first-of-its-kind show in the region. We have been a part of Clean Middle East
and CMEP Expo for the past few years. At this year’s Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo
we are looking forward to connect with institutional buyers and decision makers in the
segment.”
Mahmood Bukhari, Manager, Exotic Car Clinic, Dubai
“Greatly anticipating the arrival of the Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo in Dubai. We will be
up-to-date with the rest of the world in services and products available to us at the Gulf
Car Wash & Car Care Expo under one roof.”
Marco Costamagna, CEO, MTM Hydro and Biemmedue
“We expect to open new business opportunities in the Middle East car wash market
which we believe may offer scope for further development in the future.”
Andrea Panizza, Area Manager, Mecline by Tecomec, Tecomec S.r.l.
“Mecline is a leading Italian manufacturer of a wide range of accessories for high
pressure cleaners and professional car wash applications. We would like to introduce our
products to the Gulf market and look for distributors to sell our accessories in this area.”
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 7
VIEWPOINT
A look at the Canadian
convenience, retail petroleum and
carwash industries By Brenda Jane Johnstone
T
Brenda Jane Johnstone
he Canadian convenience,
retail petroleum, and
carwash industry has
experienced many changes over the
past year. Here are a few highlights.
Healthier food options
One of our more positive initiatives
comes from The Western
Convenience Stores Association
WCSA, which represents four
provinces and one territory in
Western Canada. THE WCSA, in
partnership with the Bridge Society
of British Columbia initiated pilot
programme that aims to promote
healthier food choices to enable
youth to choose wisely when
purchasing from a convenience
store.
Obesity across North America is on
the rise and the lack of exercise and
accessibility of inexpensive, not-sohealthy snacks is accelerating this
problem. To combat this issue, The
Bridge Society launched a 10 week
pilot programme where 10 families
were given coupons that allowed
children to purchase specific items
in a store that have been carefully
selected for them.
throughout the store directed
the children to these products.
Participating families were given
a pre-paid (limited) debit cards to
use in the stores. This experience
gave families and their youth the
opportunity to see how easy it
is to make healthier choices in a
convenience store. They simply
learned to make better choices.
While the task of educating the
general public about healthier food
choices can’t be accomplished
by one organisation, the WCSA is
committed to changing the stigma
that c-stores are only a junk food
stop and instead promoting our
community as being an industry
that cares about its youth and the
current issues.
Expanded food service offerings
Food Service and Quick Serve
Restaurants (QSR) have grown
exponentially over the past year
adding items like fresh pizza by
the slice, a deli section that offers
travellers the option of building their
own specialty sandwiches or in
case of Timber Falls in Steinbach,
Manitoba are offering their local
community the products that are
made in Steinbach, Manitoba. Their
deli offers locally made Borscht and
gourmet pizzas, etc. Customers line
up each day to purchase freshly
made bread and other baked goods.
Food service returns are growing
Convenience Stores are no longer
just a place to stop in for a quick
coffee either. In fact, c-stores sold
close to $85 million (Cdn according
to NACS and NPD Group) in foods
prepared on site over the past year.
Gourmet coffee has also become a
staple in many convenience stores
across Canada, where Van Houtte
or Mother Parker’s blends are readily
available. Customers might also
enjoy a cappuccino or a latte paired
with a baked good to kick-start their
day. Customers are also picking up
snacks on the way home from work.
Lighting and Energy matter
Lighting and Energy savings
have been top of the list for
improvements as well. These are
one of the most important aspects
of a successful business as not
only do site owners require lighting
at night, but interior lighting has
The WCSA had a nutritionist visit
a convenience store and create
a list of “better for you” products.
These products were highlighted
by a green footprint and signage
8 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
now become very important for
proper illumination through the day.
A prime example is a unique LED
color changing lighting effect in a
Quebec carwash site that helped
increase carwash sales by 40%
and also increased in-store sales!
Site owners who spend money
wisely can reap the rewards with an
increase in traffic which maximises
revenues.
Engaging in social media
Many Canadian retailers are
engaging in social media
programmes that connect them
with new customers and their
communities. One clever retailer
in Pilot Mound, a small town of
2,500 people in Manitoba, started
a Facebook page that helped him
increase sales over one year by 27%.
His programme is simple, clerks
ask every person who enters the
store to “Like” them on Facebook.
Their Facebook page has current
offers and inviting graphics that
draw people into their restaurant.
The page is updated frequently
so customers can always expect
something new. Over the past
three years this retailer has seen
their food service business double
along with their customer count.
Additionally, they have increased
their annual fuel sales by 60%, even
though the population in the area
has not grown.
Facebook is free and the cost to
maintain a current page is minimal
with rewarding benefits, a small
investment that connects you with
customer and can bring financial
rewards.
Petroleum options
Canadian markets have been
suffering the effects of the low cost
of oil with continually fluctuating
gas prices. Families are opting for
stay-cations rather than the more
traditional travel vacation and
vacation property owners aren’t
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
spending as much time in motor
boats due to the high cost of fuel.
Arcade Station, Vancouver’s only
E85 Station opened in the lower
mainland of British Columbia in
2014. This is because the Canadian
Renewable Fuels Association
(CRFA) recommended that
governments encourage existing
pump turnover and new market
entrants by providing tax incentives
to those individuals who want to
offer consumers these alternative
fuels. “Canadian consumers
deserve more choices at the fuel
pump, and Arcade Station has
delivered” according to Andrea Kent
of the CRFA.
Electric cars
Another great addition to the
Canadian scene is the increase
in availability of the Electric cars.
Canada is home to about 11,000
electric vehicles our of a total
vehicle registration number of
31.7 million. This is a welcome
change for large urban dwellers like
Vancouver and Toronto where car
sharing has become the norm for
many students and busy executives
living in downtown, and may
only need a car for a few hours a
week. As of July 2014, according
to the BC government, there were
approximately 1,300 electric
vehicles in BC and Ontario has 2,932
“green” license plates and charging
sites are located every 50 – 90
kilometers apart.
Over the past three years,
Saskatchewan based Sun
Country Highway has become
Canada’s largest player in EVCS.
Sun Country has installed 1,000
charging stations across Canada
to build a pay-as-you-go charging
infrastructure. They plan to double
the size of their network this year.
The CS-Expo Show will showcase
this technology and more
The Western Convenience Stores
Association will be launching
a first-ever CSExpo on 27 May
in Richmond, BC. This event
will be unique in that they will
be constructing a “store” within
the conference centre and fully
merchandising the “store” with
sponsoring company’s products.
The idea of building this “store” is
that retailers can walk through the
store and experience best practices
as they relate to planograms,
merchandising coolers, freezers
etc. They’ll learn from attending the
mini sessions being held within the
“store” and networking with others
invested in the industry.
The Canadian market over the past
year has seen a steady increase
in product offerings and an overall
positive environment in regards
to business as a whole. There are
a few blimps on the horizon that
everyone is watching closely, like
bans on flavoured tobacco, bans
and regulations on the sale of
Electronic cigarettes, but the general
health of the convenience, retail
petroleum and carwash markets are
poised for continued growth.
Wishing you a great 2015.
The author is Publisher of
Convenience & Carwash Canada
magazine.
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 9
COMPANY FOCUS
Emmet O’Brien
No-H2O car care targets new
markets in the Middle East
With my
racing background, I
always had
an interest
in car care
– as I liked
to clean my
cars well.
Emmet
O’Brien
O
rganisations are being forced to
look at innovative ways to save
water and money as increases in
water charges coupled with government
and sustainability initiatives are being
felt throughout the Middle East. Heavy
overconsumption, coupled with poor
rainfall, have ravaged water resources and
as a result many motorists are finding it
difficult, if not impossible, to keep their
vehicles clean and shiny.
However, eco-friendly No-H2O products are
making the need for even a bucket of water
obsolete when it comes to cleaning the car.
Imagine a car wash service that doesn’t
use any water. The car care company NoH2O is a completely waterless service and
is therefore an ideal product for the Gulf
Market, said Emmet O’Brien, Managing
Director, No-H2O.
10 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
No-H2O’s range of products are ecofriendly, biodegradable and designed
to remove the need for water when
cleaning cars and operate in a number
of markets including commercial,
service through franchising and retail. It’s
estimated that you can save on average
132 litres of fresh water in comparison to
traditional carwashes which use water. It
can be used on exterior, interior, windows
and on all levels of dirt from light traffic
film to heavy mud and is made from
a scratch free formula to leaving an
amazing polished finish. The products
can be used anywhere at anytime indoors
and outdoors.
The new concept saves water and
prevents detergents from polluting the
environment with its new waterless
technique, an all-in-one eco-friendly car
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
wash liquid. The secret formula softens,
emulsifies and encapsulates dirt and
other contaminants and is applied by
spraying on panel by panel.
waterless product to meet the very high
standards required for use on Boeing and
Airbus commercial aircraft which it has
been certified for use on.
The liquid is then gently removed by
wiping the area with high quality microfibre
cloths, without any damage to the surface.
This process leaves a fine film of polish
and wax behind, which is then buffed with
a microfibre cloth to produce a rich, nonstatic, long lasting glow and an all-weather
protective coating.
“We are committed to using the latest
technologies. The No-H2O technique
can save up to 132 liters of water per
manual car wash and is a genuine
corporate social responsibility solution.
But furthermore, the products leave a
far superior finish to that of a standard
carwash,” O’Brien noted.
The Irish car racer and entrepreneur
Emmet O’Brien started the company
in 2007. The idea of a “waterless wash
product” was first introduced to him when
he was racing cars in the World Touring
Car Championship.
The company serves the Irish market
from offices in Dublin, where it employs
10 staff and has some of the world’s
leading industry partners such as Hertz
Car Rental and Apple.
“Waterless cleaning products are widely
used in motor sport globally, which is
where I spotted them, I then used my
experience from racing with the top
manufacturers such a BMW and SEAT to
create the brand No-H2O.”
No-H2O already has an extensive
franchise network in Ireland and with
franchises opening up in Europe, the US
and in Dubai this year the company is
spreading the waterless word globally.
The company is now looking for franchise
partners to expand its network through
a number of models in hotels, malls,
business districts and mobile van
franchises where No-H2O operators can
provide car washing to the customers.
Having been extensively tested in the
Middle East to optimise its performance in
the hot conditions No-H2O is also the only
No-H2O plans to exhibit at the Gulf Car
Wash-Car Care Expo in November 2015.
Website: www.noh2o.eu
“With my racing background, I always had
an interest in car care – as I liked to clean
my cars well,” said O’Brien.
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
No-H2O
plans to
exhibit
at the
Gulf Car
Wash - Car
Care Expo
November
2015.
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 11
AUTO CARE
“This region has a very
high population of car
enthusiasts and most of
the people living here like
to take care of their cars.”
– Salman Shahid
The region’s auto care industry is very dynamic and this niche segment attracts a lot of attention from
a wide cross-section of customers says Salman Shahid, Business Development Manager-Middle
East & Africa, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division in an interview with Swaliha Shanavas. How significant is the car care
service segment, especially in a
region like the Middle East?
The segment is very dynamic and
attracts a lot of attention from
all sorts of customers. You have
your usual car crazy customers
who like to keep their cars waxed
almost every week, plus you have
customers who just do not like
sand on their cars and are big on
long lasting protection solutions. I
strongly believe that almost every
household is using some sort of Car
Care products in this region due to a
lot of sand in the air.
Could you tell us about 3M’s range
of solutions for the automotive
sector.
3M’s vast automotive expertise
contributes to its position as
a global leader in automotive
innovation. From inventions like
3M Wetordry sandpaper to the
first automotive masking tape,
from Scotch-Brite industrial pads
to Scotchgard interior seat fabric
and upholstery protector, from the
first automotive window tint to the
earliest vehicle undercoating and
sealant, 3M has a long history of
combining cutting edge science
and technology to bring to the
world new products for cars and
trucks. Whether it is in a garage or
driveway, on a dealer lot or shop
floor, assembly line or design
studio, 3M is there, helping drive the
automotive solutions of tomorrow.
What is unique about 3M products
and services as compared to
similar solutions on the market?
3M Automotive Aftermarket
Solutions provide a complete
solution to the customers.
Whether it is Car Wash or Car Care
applications we are very keen on
proving a full solution rather than
just a specific product; that is a
major difference between 3M and
competition. 3M also tries to satisfy
the needs of all the customers at
different levels in the market. For
instance we have simple products
which customers can use on their
own, and if they are looking for
professional solutions we have 3M
Authorized Car Care Centres where
customers can take their vehicles
for services like detailing, polishing,
head light restoration, etc.
We are also unique as we are the
only company that is involved in
12 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
the manufacturing process of the
vehicles to having after market
and Car Care solutions. 3M is also
keen on delivering the customers
the value of the product they are
paying for, as an example our Car
Wash Soap is high concentrate and
we believe in charging customers
for the product itself and not for a
pre-diluted product. By paying for a
pre-diluted product the customer is
actually paying for water.
What does Car Detailing involve?
How important is this aspect in
extending the life of a vehicle?
Car Detailing is basically a total
rejuvenation of your vehicle
from bumper to bumper. At 3M
a complete detailing involves
from working on the surface
of the exterior paint finish with
either a compound or an abrasive
depending on the age of the vehicle.
We follow it up with polishing
process and finish the paint with
a glaze or a wax. Interior detailing
involves a complete spot removal
of any stains and marks on the
upholstery of the car also working
on the vinyl and leather of the
car with our specialised product
called the 3M All Purpose Cleaner
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
and Degreaser. We also work on
degreasing the engine and applying
the engine dressing which gives
your car engine that deep black
finish which it had when you first
bought the car.
A lot of people focus on the
mechanical service of the car
on a regular basis. The missing
element is no one is taking care
of the appearance of the vehicle,
which is equally important in order
to maintain the value of the car and
keep the car looking great.
What are the key services you
provide in this niche segment?
We make products for every single
step that is required for anyone to
polish or detail their car completely.
We make chemicals which can be
specifically used on the engine, tires,
rims, body and also rubber parts of
the car while detailing. Also on the
polishing side we make all sorts
of compound, polishes and waxes
which are required to give you that
new car finish even after years of
owing that vehicle.
There are a lot of paint
protection products on the
market. So how does one
identify and choose the
right one?
Paint Protection is a growing
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
segment in this region, the growth
is mainly related to the environment
we live in, there is a lot of sand in
the air. While driving long distance
or even on open roads this sand
causes a lot of impact on the clear
coat of your car which is basically
the top layer of your paint.
When this happens repeatedly the
paint starts to fade. Another reason
is that in extreme temperatures
the pores on this clear coat open
and close repeatedly and dirt and
sand settles in these pores and is
very hard to clean, giving your car a
faded look after a few months.
Any product out there in the market
is basically adding a layer on top
of your clear coat to protect it from
fading away or being sand blasted.
3M’s approach is very simple to this
protection and is specially made for
all sorts of customer requirements
on protection. We offer three types
of protection solution. 3M Paint
Protection Film is a very strong film
which we apply on the car and is
mainly tailored to the customers
who need a long term solution. Our
robust paint protection film is a
tangible solution and can be applied
by any 3M certified installer in the
market.
The next in line is a 3M Paint
Defender system this is a spray on
solution which dries to a thin clear
film on the surface of your vehicle.
You can remove it by peeling it off
after a year or so and again it gives
you a tangible solution from any
stone chips or even aging of the
paint in harsh climates.
The chemical offering we have
is called the Scotchgard Vehicle
Protection formula which is a
chemical that can be applied on
your car to protect the clear coat
with additional protection against
dirt, bird droppings, aging and road
tar. We also protect the inside of the
vehicle, which includes the carpets
and the leather and vinyl finishes.
What is your view on the Car Wash
& Car Care Expo being held in
Dubai for the first time?
I think it is a great initiative to have
this Expo in Dubai. This region
has a very high population of Car
enthusiasts and most of the people
living here like to take care of their
cars. The Expo will be welcomed
by general public as well as the
industry experts who are very
active in this region on developing
the Car Wash & Car Care segment.
We are very keen on showcasing
our products in the show and also
looking forward to meet people from
all walks of life who are keen on
taking care of their cars.
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 13
COVER STORY
Car Wash industry in the
Middle East steadily evolving
Growing awareness and focus on
sustainability
By Swaliha Shanavas
The automotive sector
is one of the
key drivers
of economic
growth in the
Middle East
and the number of vehicles,
including the
latest, most expensive shiny
cars hitting
the roads daily
is increasing.
T
here is an exciting development in
this region with the announcement
of the Gulf Car Wash – Car Care
Expo 2015, a brand new trade show
in the Middle East. In this instance,
we thought it would be interesting to
speak to industry experts to find out
more about the sector including the
present state, key trends, challenges
and opportunities that exist in this niche
segment in the region.
The Middle East is one of the fastest
growing auto markets in the world, and
the people in the region are known to
be passionate about their cars. In fact,
the automotive sector is one of the
key drivers of economic growth in the
Middle East and the number of vehicles,
including the latest, most expensive
shiny cars hitting the roads daily is
increasing, especially in the affluent Gulf
countries. Saudi Arabia leads the GCC
market with overall parc of 7.55 million
(in 2013) followed by UAE with 2.94
million vehicles and Kuwait with 1.38
14 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
million vehicles as per Frost & Sullivan
industry report.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
and Saudi Arabia are predicted to
dominate the overall GCC market with
an expected 76.5% share by 2020. So,
there is immense growth potential in
this segment and along with it the need
for enhanced car wash and car care
products, solutions and services to
match this growth. Indeed, the car wash
business has taken off in various Middle
Eastern countries, particularly the United
Arab Emirates which is known for its
modern outlook and keenness to adopt
the most modern technologies and
solutions in every single area of activity.
And considering the difficult weather
conditions in the region including
notorious sandstorms, there is an acute
need for more intensive cleaning and
maintenance services.
One can easily understand the significant
role the car wash industry plays in
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
maintaining the vehicles in good running
condition. Moreover, in the light of
the developments with regard to the
environment worldwide and the enthusiasm
of the governments in the Middle East to
protect the environment and keep their
countries clean and green, it is certain
that professional car wash and car care
businesses will witness further growth.
Certain legislative measures have been put
in place especially in the UAE to ensure the
environment is protected. Car washing in
outdoor public spaces is prohibited in the
cities and concerned authorities have been
slapping offenders with fines, which again
leads to further opportunities for car wash
businesses.
The car wash
and car care
business has
come a long
way from the
traditional
bucket car
washing and
stationary car
washing methods.
Prashant Nair, General Manager, Meos Establishment
the UAE. Geowash solutions are ecofriendly, especially in this region where
water conservation is of paramount
importance. In contrast to the 120150 litres of water used by stationary
car wash process per wash, we use an
average of 3 litres per wash. We respect
cars and make sure we give our utmost
diligence to the care of cars.”
Engr. Khaled Maqableh, General Manager,
Class Service Group says, “The UAE market
and Gulf market is growing, new companies
are opening daily and need to focus on new
developments.”
Bijith Bhaskaran, Chief Operating Officer,
Geowash
Touching upon the current status of the
car wash industry in the Middle East,
Bijith Bhaskaran, Chief Operating Officer,
Geowash says, “The car wash and car
care business has come a long way from
the traditional bucket car washing and
stationary car washing methods. The
unwanted waiting in queues for car wash is
a thing of the past. People have more cars
but less time and as per statistics there is 1
car for every two individuals in the UAE.”
Geowash brought in the concept of mobile
car washing in 2008, and not only did they
introduce a revolutionary mobile car wash
but also an eco-friendly method of car
washing, the COO emphasises. “We are
the pioneers in mobile car washing in
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
The use of approved eco-friendly products without
the use of water is in line with the strategy of the
country for minimising the use of water as well
as materials that are not environmentally friendly.
Established in 2007, Class Car Cleaning and
Waxing services, Abu Dhabi provides mixed
car wash and wax services, and with its
new waterless car wash system. Their car
wash services are 100% environmentally
friendly, says Engr. Khaled. With its
trade license to work in underground
parking in Abu Dhabi, the company “has
established a new way of car cleaning
and waxing services based on approved
eco-friendly products without the use of
water,” and this strategic move is in line
with the new strategy of the country for
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 15
COVER STORY
Like many
other industries that
are adopting
eco-friendly
solutions, the
car wash industry should
also take initiatives to
contribute to
an eco-friendly
environment.
Hisham Abu Alhaija, President, Oxygen
Cleaning Services
minimising the use of materials that are not
environmentally friendly and reducing water
usage, he adds.
“Car wash and car care awareness is
growing, but we still have a long way to go.
The primitive bucket wash is still present in
the region and this has to be replaced with
machine wash. There are more applications
where it can be used successfully and
this has to be implemented. The industry
is quite sizeable but is growing at a slow
pace. This could be due to initial capital
investment,” opines Prashant Nair, General
Manager, Meos Establishment.
The company specialises in automatic car
wash machines, water recycling systems,
reverse osmosis plants etc., to facilitate a
clean and superior wash quality, he says.
“We are one of the largest suppliers of these
machines in the region and we also have a
very efficient service back up and support
for our customers. We provide complete
solution to the vehicle washing systems
designed to suit customer specifics.”
Hisham Abu Alhaija, President, Oxygen
Cleaning Services says the Middle East car
wash industry “has come a long way since
the days of washing cars with a bucket and
16 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
garden hose”. Today it is easy to find car
washing and care centres all over the
country, with the latest technologies and
automatic machines, he adds. “But as
many other industries are transforming
and adopting eco-friendly products and
technologies, the car wash industry
should also take initiatives to contribute
to an eco-friendly environment. The
major drawback in the car wash industry
is the “water wastage” which has to
be stopped by adopting eco-friendly
technologies,” he notes.
Oxygen Cleaning services are the exclusive
distributors in the Gulf region for the
“Optima Steamer” manufactured by SJE
Corp. Their product range consists of ecofriendly technology and their affordable,
machines with the latest technology and
minimum maintenance requirements
makes them “different and best in the
market”, he says.
As in all other industries, the car wash
sector also has its own set of challenges.
In Alhaija’s view the main challenges the
region’s car wash industry is facing are
water wastage and the use of chemicals
that are harmful to vehicles as well as
humans. He says steam cleaning helps
save up to 98% water, and cleans and
sanitises a car more effectively than with
water, the added advantage being that no
chemicals are required and the solution
gives the vehicle a natural shine. “The
traditional car wash technique consumes
around 200 litres of water per car but with
optima steamer we can wash and sanitize
a car effectively by using 2-3 litres of water,
which depicts our support towards ecofriendly environment.”
The biggest challenge is the lack of
awareness on the advantages and
benefits of machine wash technology,
says Prashant Nair. “Today, the
technology is so highly advanced that
we can safely wash vehicles without
any parts touching the body of the
vehicles, thereby protecting the car. The
wash quality can also provide a high
quality polish and shine on the surface
of the vehicle. The implementation of
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
such automatic washing systems is at
a slow pace in the region and we hope
the service providers will accelerate the
process for the benefit of customers
and a clean environment. For instance,
our solutions including the chemicals
used, water recycling process, etc., are
environmentally friendly. They are similar
to those adopted in other mature markets
like USA and Western European countries.”
a mutual goal of water conservation. The
networking and discussion of ideas will
lead to production of enhanced solution
for better results of car washing and its
associated products. It will prove to be
a beneficial meet for all the companies
involved,” says Bijith Bhaskaran.
In Bhaskaran’s view, “the mindset of using
traditional car wash methods” in particular
proves to be a challenge. To overcome
that and for the betterment of general
environmental health they advocate water
conservation extensively and partner with
government institutions to address the
alarming pro rata water consumption in
the region, he comments. “According to
FEWA, UAE has the highest per capita
consumption of water which is 550 litres
per day, three times that of Europe. And UAE
has the world’s highest ratio of vehicles to
population.”
The Gulf Car Wash-Car Care Expo
will provide a platform for the car wash
industry to congregate and work towards
a mutual goal of water conservation.
Looking into the future especially in the light
of World Expo 2020, Bhaskaran says the
influx of expatriates due to Expo 2020 will
work to the industry’s advantage. “United
Arab Emirates shines with all its glorious
achievements on a global platform, and we
make sure their cars do so too.”
Spotlight: Gulf Car Wash - Car Care Expo
2015
The car wash and car care industry is
excited about the region’s 1st event totally
dedicated to this sector. The event will be
held 2–4 November 2015 at the Dubai
International Convention & Exhibition
Centre, Dubai.
“I believe the Gulf Car Wash-Car Care Expo
will provide a platform for the car wash
industry to congregate and work towards
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
Engr. Khaled Maqableh, General Manager,
Class Service Group
In Hisham Abu Alhaija’s view, “The Gulf
Car Wash - Car Care Expo is a wonderful
opportunity for the car washing industry
and car care product manufacturers and
dealers, since they get the opportunity to
exhibit their products and the services
under one roof. This event brings all the
leading car washing and car care owners
together providing excellent business
and networking opportunity for those
participating in the event.”
“I think and believe that the event is very
important as it is happening for the first
time in the region. I am looking to announce
a franchise programme for a major line
of new car wash technology,” says Eng.
Khaled Maqableh.
Prashant Nair says, “It is great to know that
such an event is being held in the UAE as
this will provide more exposure to clients
in the region with regards to availability of
products and services. It will also enhance
customer awareness and knowledge in the
area of interest.”
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 17
BUSINESS MATTERS
The groundwork to
increase profit 30% in
30 days
AJ Rassamni
I
f you are the person who
believes your business is
stuck and that you have tried
everything possible to increase
your revenue and it is not working,
I am here to tell you that you are
looking in the wrong place for the
right solution. What if I tell you, that
you can increase your profit 30% in
30 days, no matter how successful
your business is today or no
matter how stuck you believe your
business is?
As you cannot erect a building
without a foundation, you cannot
grow a business exponentially
without it’s strong foundation. The
following intangible principles are
the groundwork that separates good
companies from great companies:
Personal success recipe, asking the
right questions, and creating a team
culture.
The personal success recipe
• On a daily basis, read books
about successful entrepreneurs and
successful companies. Learn their
philosophy and strategic marketing
ideas. Write down these ideas and
ask yourself how can you adapt and
implement them in your business.
• Network with friends that are
more successful than you are
or maybe already achieved your
goals or dreams. Network with the
community you live in, join the local
chamber and at least one, non-profit
organization.
• Hire a mentor or a consultant.
A consultant is a person that has
over 20 years of experience in your
field that can teach you how to
avoid many mistakes and direct
you toward proven strategies and
techniques that produce results.
Did you know that according to
the American Small Business
Administration: 30% of small
businesses fail within the first year?;
50% of small businesses fail within
the first 5 years?; 90% of small
businesses fail within ten years?
But wait; there is a twist. 90% of
franchisees succeed over ten years
The question is why?
Forbes magazine conducted
a research to find out the five
main reasons why many small
businesses fail (issue dated
September 2013). The five main
reasons why small businesses fail
include: Not really in touch with
customers through dialogue; No
real differentiation in the market;
Failure to communicate their value
propositions to the market; Business
owner self sabotage, and leadership
breakdown and at the top; Inability
to nail a profitable business strategy
with proven revenue streams.
As you see, all the above reasons
are controllable. Most entrepreneurs
fail because of their inexperience in
the business world. The outcome of
small business can change if and
only if the business owner hires a
qualified mentor or consultant with
a proven record.
18 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
The past does not equal the future!
Now you know the answer
why franchisees succeed. The
franchisors act as the consultant
or mentor of the franchisees. They
invested time, energy and money
into creating a profitable system
that the franchisees have to follow.
Asking the right questions
Socrates’ most famous quote is
“Life not examined is not worth
living.” My mentor, the marketing
Guru Jay Abraham, revised the
quote to implement into the
business world. Jay’s quote is
“Business not examined and reexamined constantly is not
worth owning.”
As a business owner, you must be
asking yourself the right questions
every day. Ask questions such as:
What can I do to increase dollar per
transaction? How can I increase
the number of customers? How
can I promote our services more
effectively? How can I improve
customer satisfaction? How can
I eliminate bottlenecks? How can
I overcome certain challenges?
Many times the solution is
intangible; therefore it is not visible
to the naked eye.
The 3 questions you have to ask
yourself everyday are:
Why? What? How?
WHY are you in the business? You
are not in business to only wash
cars, but for something much
bigger, to create an experience, to
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
make every client feel and look
great every time they get in their
car. Can you guarantee your
clients will come back for the
next service? The answer is, “If
you provided them with a great
experience and wow service every
step of the way, they have no
choice but to come back.”
WHAT are you in business for?
Most people would answer, “to
make money”. Well, you’re wrong.
You’re in business to solve a
problem. People have dirty cars
and you wash them. Money is
only the measurement of how
successful you are in solving
the problem and providing an
experience at the same time.
If entrepreneurs go into business
to solve a problem then why
do entrepreneurs create more
problems? If you ask car wash
consumers what are their main
complaints, the top five reasons
are: It takes too long; Employees
are not friendly; Quality is poor;
Site is not appealing; It’s too
expensive.
Note that ‘too expensive’ is never
an issue unless the consumer has
a problem with one of the above
four complaints. It’s too expensive
is Not a cause, it is an effect. It is
not about the money, it is about
the value, and it is about what am I
getting back for the money I paid.
If you ask car wash owners what
are the main problems they are
facing, the top five reasons are:
Car count is too low; Labour dollar
per transaction is too high; Labour
productivity is too low; Sales dollar
per transaction is too low; Labour
percentage is too high; Note that
labour percentage too high is not
a cause, it is an effect; whenever
you solve the above four problems,
the fifth reason will be solved
automatically.
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
To get what you want in life, help
enough other people get what they
want first.
When you compare side by side
the customer complaints to
your problems, you’ll notice that
every time you solve a customer
complaint, your problems are being
solved.
Creating a team culture
When I bought my latest car wash,
we had to implement drastic
changes to improve the business.
• It was taking about 45 minutes
from start to finish to clean a car.
I immediately systemized and
automated the process, eliminated
all bottlenecks, and implemented a
teamwork policy. We cut the time
from 45 minutes to five. Customers
could not believe it. They replied
something like, “I haven’t even had
time to pay for my car wash, how
can it be ready” then they walked
around the vehicle to make sure
everything was done right. They
did not see the value of paying $25
for five minutes of work. We had to
slow our process down to twenty
minutes for them to see the value.
Taking 45 minutes was too long and
five minutes did not reflect value, so
it is important to find a sweet spot.
• We immediately landscaped
and painted the property to give
the car wash a new fresh look. This
first impression makes a business
look professional and will drive in
more customers who will feel more
confident about your business
and be willing to purchase higher
priced wash and detail packages to
maintain the value of their vehicle.
• I held a meeting the very night
I was handed the car wash keys
and told former employees they no
longer have a job at the car wash
and they would have to reapply.
However, it was mostly likely that I
would not rehire them as they did
not fit the culture I believe in. Luckily,
I previously operated another car
wash in the area and called my past
employees because they believed in
the family culture that we all work as
a team for a common goal to serve
the customer. Our belief is that the
customer is the most important
visitor in our business. We are not
doing him a favour by serving him;
he is doing us a favour by giving us
the opportunity to do so.
Why the team culture to serve the
customer is so important? Because
the American Society for Quality
conducted a study and concluded
that 96% of the reasons clients stop
doing business with a company
is because of lack of relationship:
68% of clients are turned away by
attitude of service provider; 14%
dissatisfied with product or service;
9% lured away by competition; 5%
influenced by friends; 3% relocate;
1% die.
People do business with people,
not companies.
If you have a good relationship with
your customers and they have a
problem with your service, they will
let you know so you can solve the
problem. Do you think your clients
can be lured by competition if you
have built a strong relationship with
them? Do you think their friends
can influence them; or rather they
influence their friends to come
to you because of the strong
relationship?
It is imperative that you build the
strong foundation as outlined
above before you can implement
the four ways to increase profit
30% in 30 days.
AJ Rassamni, author of Increase
Business 30% in 30 Days, and Dirty
Cars, Filthy Rich, is a 27-year car wash
veteran and owner of Great American
Car Wash in Fresno, CA. You can
contact AJ at
[email protected].
Website: www.DirtyCarsFilthyRich.com.
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 19
HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING
T
Industrial-grade products
to manage the automotive
industry’s cleaning demands
he burgeoning automotive
market in the Middle
East offers huge
business opportunities and
there is immense potential that
manufacturers and suppliers
can tap into. Global leaders in
innovative cleaning technology
solutions have also realised the
strong potential in this region
and over the past decade have
steadily been strengthening
their position in the Middle East
market. One such player is Nilfisk,
a leading provider of advanced
cleaning technology solutions
worldwide. Swaliha Shanavas
speaks to Anders Morup, Regional
Manager–Middle East who
highlights the tough cleaning
requirements in the automotive
sector and their specialised
machines and industrial pressure
washers that can be easily
adapted to the cleaning of larger
commercial vehicles.
What are the factors that influence
automobile washing requirements
in the Middle East as compared to
other parts of the world?
I would like to start by thanking
Clean Middle East for inviting me to
do this interview. Experience sharing
within the industry is very important.
In the Middle East we have a
warmer and drier environment than
in many other places in the world.
Machines are therefore required to
be able to work under these often
tougher conditions. An example
is the need for a high pressure
machine to work with a high water
inlet temperature. It’s also important
that a solution is provided to filter
the inlet water as there are often
particles in the water like sand,
salt, or other elements that can
be harmful for a high-pressure
machine if they enter the machine.
We see an increasing focus on the
environment, but it’s still an area
where more awareness is necessary
for private and professional people
to understand how they can clean
their vehicles effectively.
Tell us about the range of
solutions Nilfisk offers for the
automotive sector. How well
positioned are you in the market?
Nilfisk-Alto offers a complete
range of high-pressure machines
and vacuum cleaners for the
automotive sector. We have
products for customers who use
the machines only a couple of
times a day, and also those who
use the machines continuously
throughout the day. Our range
includes cold and hot water units
20 CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT | APRIL 2015
Anders Morup
with mobile or stationary solutions
that can be adapted to fit the
requirement of the end-user.
And it’s not only cars where our
high-pressure machines are used
for cleaning. We have with NilfiskAlto an industry leading range of
solutions for the many different
cleaning tasks required for heavy
and construction vehicles.
We see an increasing emphasis
on the environmental impact of
cleaning with focus on using less
water, detergents and energy.
Nilfisk-Alto has a high focus on
all these areas and offers industry
leading and eco-friendly solutions.
Apart from general cleaning
tasks there are more demanding
requirements where greasy or
harder materials like concrete
have to be removed. The best
solution is always achieved if
the user and the manufacturer
discuss different options for a
specific task as it not possible to
standardise the cleaning task of
heavy vehicles in the same way
as for normal vehicles.
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
lower pressure levels should be
used – or additional distance
placed between nozzle and
surface – in order not to damage
the more delicate surfaces and
motor components.
What are the solutions and
distinguishing features of Nilfisk
technology, particularly in the
heavy vehicle segment?
We have both cold and hot
high pressure machines that
can handle cleaning of heavy
vehicles and our 4 piston full
ceramic piston machines
ensures that our high-pressure
machines will perform even in
tough environments and for long
continuous use.
For effective cleaning of heavy
vehicles it’s important to use
the correct accessories. For
instance, cleaning of trucks and
construction machines an under
chassis lance, rotary brush, and
foam generator will enhance
the cleaning performance.
Brushes will add mechanical
effect to the cleaning process,
breaking down dirt films quickly
and facilitating cleaning of
bodywork, windscreens, trailers,
etc. Special lances are available
to facilitate access to parts of
vehicles normally difficult to clean,
especially the under-chassis
and wheel arches. Detergent
application can be made in
different ways – including using
the in-built detergent injectors on
the pressure washers.
www.cleanmiddleeast.ae
What are the challenges in heavy
vehicle cleaning and how do you
provide technologies that deliver
superior results?
Tough Cleaning tasks such as
cleaning of heavy oils and greases
from larger transport vehicles may
require higher temperatures and
higher pressure and water flows.
Machines such as our industrial
hot water pressure washer
Neptune 7 will then be perfectly
adapted to the cleaning of larger
commercial vehicles.
It’s often believed that higher the
pressure of a machine the better
the performance when cleaning
normal and commercial vehicles.
Pressure levels of 70 –100
bar are normally sufficient for
general vehicle cleaning to avoid
damaging the surface and doing
a good cleaning job especially
when accompanied by the use of
hot water (50 C) and detergent.
For tough cleaning tasks a higher
pressure might be required, but
often a more effective result is
achieved through water flow,
higher temperature water, use of
detergent and right accessories.
Engine Cleaning may be done
at higher temperatures also for
degreasing purposes. However,
Cleaning of construction tools,
vehicles, and machinery are
also done effectively with highpressure machines. The aim is to
ensure durability and efficiency
of tools and machinery (protect
investment) by ensuring that all
dirt is removed after use. Loose
dirt and dust, sticky mud, dried or
drying concrete can be removed
from diggers, concrete mixers with
the aid of rotary lances to increase
blasting power.
Special applications where our
machines are used include graffiti
removal using wet soft-blasting
technique, sandblasting of rust,
or use for paint stripping, drain
cleaning and unblocking using a
range of drain cleaning nozzles
and pipes, and elimination of flood
water using water suction kits.
What are your latest
introductions?
The recently introduced range
includes our medium and high
range of cold water high-pressure
machines where the top models
feature our premium, long-life
C3 and NA6 pumps which are 4
ceramic piston pumps with inlet
temperature up to 85 degrees. A
new innovative 4-in-1 lance has
just been introduced and you can
easily change between nozzles
making cleaning even easier.
Nilfisk-Alto has based its
professional range of high
pressure washers on 50 years’
experience of cleaning. I would
like to take the opportunity to
invite your readers to visit www.
nilfisk-alto.com learn more
about our solutions.
APRIL 2015 | CLEAN MIDDLE EAST - CAR WASH & CAR CARE SUPPLEMENT 21
Come and be a part of the
middle east’s first
car wash and car care show
CO - LOCATED WITH
rd
to book your stand or for sponsorship opportunities, contact :
Anjna Nambiar, Mob: +971 528781332, Tel: +9714 2970512
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.mectw.com
A part of
WWW.MECTW.COM
EXHIBITORS
A part of
2-4, NOVEMBER 2015
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
& EXHIBITION CENTRE - DUBAI, UAE
Come and be a part of Middle East’s
cleaning and hygiene
Show
to book your stand or for sponsorship opportunities,
contact
Co - located with