Staff Reports
Continuing updates on the global car wash industry:
OKQ8 acquires Glimra Biltvätt AB to expand car wash capabilities
OKQ8 plans to acquire all shares in Glimra Biltvätt AB to strengthen its car wash network and expand service offering in both Sweden and Finland. Glimra Biltvätt AB currently operates around 80 car washes across both countries and is set to grow in consequence of the acquisition.
By combining its existing stations and services with Glimra Biltvätt’s network, OKQ8 aims to develop the car wash concept of the future. OKQ8 Scandinavia operates in Sweden and Denmark and one of Scandinavia’s largest fuel retailers, operating approximately 1,000 service stations.
Immigration officers arrest worker at West Lothian car wash
Immigration officers recently arrested an illegal worker at the Bathgate Hand Car Wash in the West Lothian area of Scotland in the United Kingdom.
The Home Office reported a 32-year-old Iraqi male asylum seeker without “permission to work” was apprehended. The individual was later bailed. A civil penalty referral notice was issued to the company with a potential value up to £60,000.
In recent months, the Home Office has been undertaking an increased crackdown on businesses utilizing illegal workers.
India cracking down on residents using drinking water for car washes
Authorities in Hyderabad, the largest city in the Indian state of Telangana, have cracking down on drinking water waste.
Two residents in Jubilee Hills have been fined Rs 1,000 by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for using potable water to wash a car. The municipal corporation has been conducting inspections during supply hours, issuing fines, and spreading awareness of current water conservation rules.
Officials have warned that repeat violations will attract stricter penalties.
New eco-friendly car wash in Eure-et-Loir, France
A new eco-friendly car wash that recycles its own water has opened in Eure-et-Loir, France. The site was designed by Samuel Biat, manager of the Renault garage located in Authon-du-Perche.
The car wash recycles between 70 and 95 percent of its water and it runs virtually in a closed circuit, which allows it to remain open year-around (and during drought conditions). As a result of the recycling process, the discharge of heavy metals and hydrocarbons into the environment is almost zero.
The station offers two car washes – one with a conventional hose and the other featuring a robot without rollers to prevent micro-scratches.
Dorset car wash fined £180k for employing illegal workers
Wareham Hand Car Wash, registered as Holton Heath Hand Car Wash Ltd., was recently fined £180,000 by the British Home Office for employing illegal workers.
The site is in Dorset, a county in southwestern England. Records show the business is now in liquidation with £200,731 of debts but it remains open.
According to The Daily Echo, 3,930 arrests have been made across 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers since July 5 when Labour took power to January 31, a 38 per cent increase compared to the previous 12-month period.
How Hoora is revolutionizing tech-driven auto care in India
A new wave of auto care innovation is changing the way people maintain their vehicles in India.
At the forefront of this transformation is Hoora, a tech-powered doorstep car and bike washing service that allows vehicle owners to book professional cleaning services through an app. With its digital-first approach and growing presence in over 60 cities, Hoora is improving convenience, efficiency and service quality.
The company integrates advanced cleaning technologies and high-quality products to ensure a long-lasting finish and enhanced vehicle durability.
TSG UK offers wash solutions for all vehicle types
TSG UK, based in Newcastle, England, provides eco-friendly wash solutions that minimize water usage, reduce costs and ensure compliance with operational standards.
Partnering with the Kärcher brand, TSG delivers top-tier wash solutions that combine reliability and efficiency, ensuring an exceptional customer experience. Investing in high-pressure jet wash and car vacuum services offers numerous benefits for retail forecourts.
By opting for high-pressure jet wash systems and interior valeting solutions, forecourt owners can attract new customers, increase profitability and stay ahead in the competitive market
Ipswich car wash fined £80,000 for employing illegal workers
Vilson Car Wash, listed as Nela En Ltd, in Ipswich, a town in Suffolk, England, has been fined £80,000 by the Home Office for employing illegal workers.
The car wash, along with a Chinese restaurant in Bury St. Edmunds, were listed in the government’s quarterly round-up of companies issued penalties for the use of illegal workers.
Seven businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk were caught in the previous period of April 1 to June 30 last year, owing between £10,000 and £180,000 each.
Delhi government mulls ban on car wash products
The BJP government in Delhi is mulling plan to ban car-wash products in the city, aiming to reduce toxicity in wastewater that goes on to merge in the Yamuna River.
Aiming to reduce toxicity in wastewater, the government may impose a ban on car-wash soaps or detergents in Delhi in the coming months. The move is being considered as part of a broader plan to clean the Yamuna River – a key promise by the BJP government in the run-up to the Assembly Elections in the national capital this year.
Ahead of enforcing a ban, the government will launch an awareness campaign to inform residents of the impact of car products.
Canterbury car wash of 12 years ‘given a month to leave’
For 12 years, Blair Isufi has run his own hand valet car wash site in Morrisons car park in Canterbury, a city in Kent, England.
However, he recently received an email from the retailer’s parking firm, Motor Fuel Group, ordering him to clear off the site by April 12 to make way for the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations.
Isufi signed a new five-year deal with the grocery firm to continue operations in January but the retailer, without warning, elected to trigger a 30-day termination clause.
IMO Car Wash unlocks in-car payments for German network
IMO Car Wash Group has partnered with ryd to enable customers to purchase digital car wash tickets across 279 IMO locations directly via its partner’s app. This collaboration ensures nationwide coverage, offering both individuals and fleet operators access to the company’s network of car wash stations.
“IMO Car Wash stands for innovation in car washing. With our own app, we have already set new standards for digital and convenient vehicle care. Integrating with ryd is the next logical step to make our digital services even more accessible to a wider audience,” said Carsten Karasch, Managing Director Germany at IMO.
With this integration, users can now manage fueling, EV charging, and car washing from a single platform.
New car wash open in Buxy, France
KB Lavage CarWash, an eco-friendly car wash, has recently opened in Buxy, located on the road to Chalon in the Saône-et-Loire department in eastern France.
The site – which is open 24 hours a day – features an automatic car wash for vehicles up to 2.80 m high, as well as a self-service bay and area for interior cleaning. The station is designed to handle two-wheelers, cars and utility vehicles.
Grove Retail seeks approval for a car wash and EV charging hub in Scotland
Grove Retail, which operates around 30 forecourts, has applied to the Renfrewshire council in Scotland for approval to knock down a derelict petrol station in Johnstone and replace it with a £1m car wash and EV charging hub.
According to the Forecourt Trader, the site would feature four charge points for EV vehicles, a roll-over car wash, two jet washes, air and water machine and vacuum.
Also planned for the site is a 4,000 square-foot Tesco Express, laundry facilities, parking for 20 cars and a bike rack.
3rd Annual Car Wash for a Cure in Canada
The Canadian Carwash Association, in partnership with the Canadian Spinal Research Organization, announced the launch of its 3rd annual ‘Car Wash for a Cure,’ a Canada-wide initiative that encourages car washes to fundraise over two days to benefit spinal cord research.
On May 9 and 10, Canadian car washes will participate through a variety of activities that promote community building and philanthropy.
Among them: Asking customers to donate spare change; donating a portion of their sales over the two days; inviting community leaders to promote to their constituents; creating interactive activities that engage customers; and/or promote their involvement via social media.
In the last two years, participating washes have raised thousands of dollars for CSRO.
