Today, an automated car wash is a guarantee of a high-quality result, low cost and high washing speed. In this system, the influence of the human factor is practically absent. Such a car wash can work 24 hours a day, which is an additional circumstance for the client when deciding where it is better to wash his car. The car enthusiast will most likely go to the round-the-clock car wash, knowing that it is always open.
In addition, the service time of one car, depending on the selected program, is from 4 to 10 minutes. There is no prior appointment at such sinks; servicing takes place on a first come, first served basis. Today, "machines" are the most advanced solution not only for the client, but also for the owner of such a device. We will talk about what you need to know to start your own business, and what to look for when developing a business plan for a portal car wash in this article.
General information about automated washes
All sinks consist of a complex system of brushes, sensors, high pressure systems, photocells and reagent application systems. The central control panel ties them into one structure. With his help, in the shortest possible time, you can turn a dirty car into a shining supercar. The client independently chooses the program with which he wants to wash the car.
Depending on the equipment installed, the following options may be available: chemical soaking, washing the bottom, applying active foam, polishing the car, applying protective wax, and contactless washing the body. Any of the programs at the very end removes all moisture from the machine using powerful drying.
The advantages of automated sinks
One of the main advantages of car washes is the low cost of washing one car. If the equipment provides for a reverse water supply system, then of the 120 liters required for 1 car, we use only 15 from the crane. That is, the cost of water supply is directly reduced. The power consumption in this case will not exceed 1 kW per 1 machine. Chemicals will cost about 5 rubles per car. In automatic systems, there are metering sensors that use reagents very accurately and economically.
Another obvious plus of portal car washes is the absence of problems with staff. If a manual block car wash requires at least 3-4 employees, then on automated equipment you will need only one person. He will carry out a preliminary wash, make a visual inspection of the machine, accept the payment and install the necessary program. 
What car washes
Car washes are divided into two types: manual and automated. The latter, in turn, have two subspecies - tunnel and portal. The solution to the issue of equipment selection should be approached comprehensively and comprehensively.
Business plan
When developing a business plan for a portal car wash, you need to analyze all the factors that can affect the decision to choose equipment. Otherwise, a mistake made at the very beginning will not allow your business to develop effectively.
Project's budget
If you are planning to open this business, be prepared for big investments. The cost of a portal car wash is at least 40 thousand euros for a minimum set that is designed to wash one car. Automated equipment is expensive, and its payback time is at least 3 years.Much will depend on equipment options that can affect the final cost of washing.
When choosing a complete set, you should know that car washes came to us from European countries, where the car does not often come off the asphalt and, moreover, travels on chernozem and loam. There we can say that the owner drives the car wash almost unpolluted.
In Russia, the appearance of a car with predictable color and shock absorbers that do not even sag due to the fact that the wheel arches are clogged with dirt and clay is considered normal. If such a car is launched into a sink of a simple configuration, then at the exit the car will be unwashed, and this is unlikely to suit its owner. Using an additional amount of chemistry will also not give a special effect, as well as reducing the speed of the conveyor.
It is hardly possible to buy or deliver the necessary options, since the foundation is flooded, the box is built and no one wants to start a business from the very beginning. The owner makes one decision - to hire additional employees who will manually wash the car to shine. This reduces the effectiveness of the automated washing and increases its dependence on the human factor. That is, the entrepreneur will come to what he was trying to get away from - manual washing of cars comes to the fore. This will directly affect not only his profits, but also the reputation of the company.
Returning to the beginning, we can clearly determine that the mistake was to choose the minimum configuration. If in Europe a similar option could work, then for Russia, and especially for regions that are far from megacities, such a number will not work. When purchasing washing equipment, try to choose the maximum number of options.
Market volume
Any business is opened for profit. Car wash is no exception. Potential customers include trucking companies and private car owners of the nearest radius. When developing a business plan for a portal car wash, you should clearly determine the volume of potential consumers of services for whom your complex will be accessible geographically and economically attractive. It is worth evaluating the competition in terms of the cost of an average check, since the location near manual car washes will not have a noticeable effect on demand.
Automatic washing presents itself on a fundamentally different side: its features are speed, price and comfort. If everything is clear with speed (after all, there are no preliminary entries for such sinks), then the issue of price should be considered separately.
Cost price
Washing one car costs about 10-15 rubles. When you open, you can set dumping prices. For example, the cost of car wash services for servicing 1 car will be 150 rubles. With a round-the-clock influx of customers, in any situation you remain profitable. As a result of the advertising campaign, a regular clientele will be very quickly drawn up, which will not go anywhere even after its end.
Comfort
This is another of the benefits of automated car washes. The client does not need to get out of the car, which means that he is constantly in the usual zone. If for men this nuance is not very important, that women have to get out of the car, stand on the street, attracting the eyes of other bored car owners and car washes. Even if a lady is asked to sit down and pour a cup of coffee, she may doubt the cleanliness of the room surrounding her.
Free Wi-Fi will be an excellent solution for providing additional services. When compiling a business plan for a portal car wash, put in it the expense item for wireless Internet. This will allow the client to pass the waiting time in line and will attract additional visitors.
Location
Some novice entrepreneurs focus on the population of the city where the installation is supposed.For example, if the number of people is less than 200 thousand, then putting an automated car wash is unprofitable, and if more - it makes sense. This is not quite the right approach. Of course, that expensive equipment is best located in the center of a huge metropolis, but there is no direct relationship between the population of the surrounding areas and the flow of customers.
In Europe, it is quite common practice when a portal or tunnel car wash with a capacity of about 40 cars per hour is installed in a small provincial town with a population of 20 thousand people. Typically, such a wash takes 95% of the entire passenger car fleet in the city. Indeed, in small settlements, you can reach your destination in 10-15 minutes from anywhere, 8-10 minutes will take you to wash, 15 minutes to your return trip. In this scenario, you can recommend a portal or tunnel car wash.
Features of the portal car wash
Choosing expensive equipment, you should know its advantages.
- One gantry unit is capable of producing a clean, dry and polished car every 3-5 minutes. 12-20 cars per hour - a figure that is comparable to the capacity of a manual car wash.
- By placing the sink in a crowded place - at the entrance to the city, near a large freeway or supermarket parking lot, you ensure a constant traffic flow. In this case, the payback period of the portal will be reduced to 1 year.
- Thanks to the technology of intelligent tilt brushes provides a closer contact with the machine.
- When washing a car, wax is applied to it, which reduces the level of sedimentation of dust, dirt and water on the surface of the body.
- A non-contact portal car wash is one of the equipment options that excludes any kind of mechanical contact with the machine.
- The operating costs of the portal for servicing one car are much lower than that of a manual car wash, which means that it will allow to establish a lower price for the service and thereby ensure stable demand.
- Having ordered a portal car wash of the maximum size (width 270 cm and height 290 cm), you can wash minibuses and special equipment in it.
- New model portal car washes have an attractive design and a wide variety of facade design.
Finally
When opening a car wash, do not forget about its advertising. Attract potential customers will help a bright, noticeable outdoor sign. In addition, you can use the services of television, radio and the Internet.
