By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Vontier Corporation, a global industrial technology company, on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Sergeant Sudz, a leading provider of next-generation car wash tunnel automation and smart motor control center (MCC) technology.
The acquisition will combine Vontier’s existing DRB car wash technology with Sgt. Sudz’s smart MCC technology and industrial automation expertise.
Terms of the deal were not released.
DRB, a segment of Raleigh, North Carolina-based Vontier, has been a car wash technology leader for 40 years. Its systems and software are used by thousands of car wash businesses and 17 of the 20 largest car wash companies.
The new combined resources of DRB will have the ability to give tunnel car wash operators a comprehensive, digital solution to deliver greater productivity and efficiency.
Based in Greenville, Tennessee, Sgt. Sudz has established itself as a leader in smart tunnel controls through innovative products developed solely for the car wash market, user-friendly interfaces and exceptional customer service and support.
DRB and Sgt. Sudz serve many of the largest car wash operators today.
“Sgt. Sudz extends DRB’s digital expertise and advances our strategic priority to help car wash operators run and grow their businesses,” Devon Watson, President of DRB, said in a statement.
“DRB is taking our software and cloud expertise and what we’ve learned in the POS space over the last 40 years and enhancing it with smart tunnel controls. We now have a powerful and integrated solution that not only drives revenue but unlocks greater cost awareness, efficiency and productivity.
“We’re excited to welcome the Sgt. Sudz team to the DRB family and bring this full capability to our customers.”
Sgt. Sudz, a family-owned company, produces electrical control panels for the automatic car wash industry and opened its Greeneville headquarters in February 2023.
“Joining forces with Vontier and DRB strengthens our capacity for innovation and expands the value we bring to customers,” said James Vanderwiele, co-owner of Sgt. Sudz. “Subeth and I are honored to continue leading Sgt. Sudz, and we are excited to join a family that truly aligns with our vision.
“Together, with Vontier and DRB’s combined expertise and innovative technologies, we are well-positioned to empower our customers to achieve forward-thinking solutions that address evolving industry needs and help our customers thrive in a rapidly changing market.”
