FAT-WHYME

Future truck wash

Future Truck Wash:

"Fleet Washing service will always be a need to think," says Paul Horsley, PWNA President. "Fleet owners can not afford the costs of truck wash. Wash your own units always looks good on paper but rarely works. It may be that they take a year or more to reach the conclusion that it is not working. They have a very difficult time finding and keeping people to do the job. The team rarely Once it works well and people are not trained properly used. I never expected that the high cost of repairs and chemicals. These workers are often underpaid and not worry about the team. Usually have a high volume of sales during the year, especially during the winter months. This is why a service fleet Mobile usually does well. "

Cleaner Times recently asked PWNA for insight into the field of fleet mobile wash and the challenges the industry faces in the coming year. Several members of the PWNA washing trucks that have as part of its business plan consulted and responded to our request for information.
The information starts at the top and PWNA President Paul Horsley, owner of pressure washer Scott Calgary, AB, specializes in mobile washing, among other things. Michael Hinderliter, another key figure in PWNA, has Steamaway in Fort Worth, TX, and also handles much of fleet washing. Scott Stone is the owner of a mind of Detail in Mesa, AZ, and fleet washing adds to its list of services offered. Tom Bickett combines proprietary cleaning in Princeton, Illinois. And Don Flory Envirowash owns in Baldwin, KS.
CT by these professionals in the industry for taking the time to help with the article. The Here are interviews in the form of questions and answers.
What has been the increase in fuel prices affected your business?

Horsley: The Fuel prices are certainly affecting our operations, costs have risen more than a hundred percent in recent years. We have only raised our by ten percent of unit price. Therefore, the cuts in the baseline. We have had increases in our other providers as well. Most are adding an additional charge fuel of between five and ten percent. We also added a fuel surcharge of five percent of each invoice.

Hinderliter: No prices have risen more than five years and in some cases has been over ten years. Sometimes people think I'm crazy when I say this, but we were able to do so by growth business. More location on a path cleaning means less travel time and to buy in large quantities results in lower supply costs. Unfortunately, we are not able to take advantage of these savings. Now we are being micro-soap, fuel and other supplies.

Bickett: All of our vendors and suppliers are adding fuel surcharges and does not burden free. Also everything is made from petroleum or petroleum products has in it, has definitely raised in cost.
Stone: Our fuel costs have risen by about thirty percent in the last year.

Flory: Rising fuel costs is very frustrating. It has long affected our bottom line. We played with several ways to keep pace. We have been passing on rate increases each year and always wonder adequacy.
How has it affected the price of supplies?

Hinderliter: All our soaps have increased costs as well as many other supplies from twenty to forty percent.

Stone: I have not really noticed a big increase in the cost of supply. I am sure we will see in the near future.

What are you doing to adapt?

Hinderliter: We are trying to run tougher routes with less travel time. And looking at other ways to reduce fuel costs such as equipment lighter and fuel economy.

Stone: One of the things we did was for a truck more small for a routine that does not require a pressure washer. I am contemplating another truck, but I'm sure the cost savings associated. Also, I'm reducing I'm driving mileage trying to use the telephone and other methods to solve as many problems as possible.

Bickett: Tighten the schedules of crews, We limit the use of our employees use company vehicles for personal use, running errands or pick up in parts. The use of a scooter that gets 90 mpg going to do tenders and estimates, rather than an SUV. And, of course, raise prices and even charging a fuel charge on each invoice that goes out the door. We have increased in some of our prices by 40% and remain so busy. Having said that, although we lost many accounts we have had for many years due to customers having to reduce costs and so, for now. I think the U.S. dollar will continue to get weaker and weaker, because everything depends on how the cost of fuel, including fuel rises, everything else should go to meet the same profit% O goes?? you guessed it DOWN. It is a big hit 22.

Flory: We are giving drive for new contracts and commercial accounts at once. We're seeing customers by offering four-year contracts, bidder beware.
How is the job that affect your industry?

Horsley: Finding a job is usually hard considering that they need to work weekends (our busiest time, power is parked roadside). This is when you go to do the most volume. I have always paid a few dollars more than most casual workers (warehouse workers). We have been very benefits of success, in addition, we also have a retention bonus – $ 1000 per worker per year anniversary. Expect the bonus each year. I wonder what will they spend their money on!

Bickett: Work in the Middle East has become very difficult with the increased minutes. wages. We knew provided for the start of our cleaning staff with $ 1.00 or more for the minimum wage, but now with the increases, everyone is paying what we were always. Therefore, it becomes a challenge.
Flory: We are fortunate to have the same work force for a number of years and there had to be too creative in front of recruitment.
Are you doing anything to help attract new employees?

Hinderliter: We've been very lucky, most of all our new employees are referrals now. We have a very good group. Are you doing anything to help attract new employees?

Stone: Craigslist, the last time I had an ad on Craigslist, which had more than thirty candidates. All were English speaking, had a driver's license and many of them had experience.

Bickett: We are re-evaluating how can we include in the payment of health insurance again, and I think that is becoming an increasingly a great need for employees, we are also implementing a marketing program for large I think he has a double benefit for him, obviously, exposure to get customers, but also attracts the most potential employees become … ..

Do you use any special salary structure?

Hinderliter: We pay a commission basis. Then calculate the total hours worked for determining overtime. The intention is to give our work the incentive to be productive.

Stone: I direct payment per hour. Too many jobs, with too many variables to pay otherwise. No Sometimes, especially in profitable projects, I will offer a bonus for early completion. Also make sure that I take the really "sucky" jobs, and let them know. It seems that race loyalty and I really enjoy and work out occasionally.

Bickett: Just an honest wage for an honest day's work. We allow our technicians to sell up at work and the distribution of a% of net profit to them and they are getting more tips $ $ for many customers. They love and loves the company
Flory: Employees are paid only by the time they work and generally receive overtime.
What about packages benefits?

Hinderliter: We offer a package of minimum benefits, but because most are so young workers rarely interested in them. I think this will change in the near future because I believe that the labor market begins to tighten.

Stone: I have not had the need to provide benefits. All my guys so far have had a spouse who had better benefits than I could offer.

Bickett: At this time, just a lot of advantages RE: Employee of the Month = gas free car wash, bonus, paid vacation (6) etc. Ect
Flory: We pay insurance, simple IRA, and the property is limited in time complete.
What are the environmental concerns, like in your area? Is there an application?

Hinderliter: The application is irregular and inconsistent. There are over thirty-five municipalities in the Dallas / Fort Worth metro and they all have their own agendas. Fortunately, most all of them are the same rules apply – no washing water can leave the property.

Stone: I have not seen any application that talk. There are two local cities demand implementation, but have only seen it once, about ten years.

Bickett: Application? Little or no

Does your competition accomplish?

Hinderliter: Some of our competitors met, but I still find that many, most new to the industry, we still do not comply. And they are able to do they are washing fleets in the evenings and weekends when law enforcement officials are not in service. I do not expect this to last, and I'm finding more and more education and public awareness by municipalities to encourage compliance and a watchful eye.

Stone: Fleetwash has all the equipment, course, and it's all very clean. Other than that, I am the only person I've seen that has any type of collection equipment, and seldom use it because we have learned to contain water in the ownership of all the places we wash.

Bickett: No
Horsley: If you are considering washing fleet will be familiar with regulations local government. Unfortunately, some of its competitors might not be aware (or choose not) comply with regulations. What people do not understand is that does not take much to comply. You should find an organization to learn or a distributor / seller of the sale of environmental products for the execution. Each of our units has an assignment to 300 gallons on board vacuum system. You need.

What do you expect in the near future?

Hinderliter: I hope that as the labor market reinforces the demand for washing trucks will increase. I also hope that the availability of education and information will cause market newcomers many more in industry, especially if the economy is in recession. There is much work out there and a place for many providers, good honest service will always flourish.

Stone: I think that with the change in the economy, there will be some newer guys. I have long established a relationship with a lot of accounts that require a lot of experience, and complete recovery teams. (Of course, it helps that I helped to draft the contract.) I also believe that prices truck wash will have to increase. Yet there are companies here that are trying to compete with Fleetwash in the price. The old price of ten years ago. In my see prices going to have to make a significant increase, only that contractors can stay in business.

Horsley: I think we should be attentive environmental issues as we move into the future, changing weather conditions such as drought / etc storms affecting us. We may have to change services provided and work in places that I think the biggest threat is not organized as an industry. We have to have a voice!

Stone: I'm constantly exploring new services and markets to see if I can expand our sphere of influence, and to satisfy my ADD personality, which requires something different all the time. Furthermore, I firmly believe I have to beat my competition when they are not. Once I have established in an area, it is much harder for them to come and take into account, even at the price.

Flory: It seems we're at a time when management is increasingly critical and time that can separate the "men from the boys!"

About the Author

Paul Horsley: President and owner, Scotts Pressure Wash. Paul runs his company from a Calgary, Alberta-based head office and has satellite operations in seven cities in western Canada, with a staff of over 35 and a fleet of more than sixteen mobile units. In addition to fleet, commercial building and flat surface pressure washing, Paul has been instrumental in developing the industry in the area of rail car cleaning. Paul has been an active member of the Pressure Washers of North America (PWNA) for more than a decade, including several years as president. With more than 30 years industry experience, his insight, guidance and professionalism have proven to be true assets to the PWNA.