Carwash Industry Veteran Marty Hodgins Dies

Martin “Marty” Hodgins, vice president of sales for The Advanced Group Inc., died Sunday from heart failure at his home in Douglasville, Ga., the company reported. He was 51.

Hodgins began his carwash industry career more than 29 years ago building and installing Townco Carwash Equipment. He switched to full-time sales in 1981 and joined The Advanced Group in 1992 when it was called Advanced Car Wash and Security Systems Inc.

The company is a distributor of carwash equipment and supplies in the Southeast. Hodgins is credited for playing a key role in the initial launch of PDQ and Dilling-Harris equipment to the Georgia marketplace.

Known for his customer service, Hodgins rose quickly through the sales ranks, eventually becoming vice president of sales for the company's Georgia and Alabama offices.

“We receive calls reinforcing the fact that Marty never had customers or competitors, just friends,” said Bill Towhey, Advanced Car Wash Systems sales associate.

Hodgins was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed shooting clays as well as spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cindy Hodgins, son Brandon, mother Audie, sister Becky Yarbrough, and two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rosehaven Funeral Home in Douglasville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a favorite charity in honor of Hodgins’ sense of giving.