Easywash Clears Path for Enviro-friendly Success (Groundbreaker)

“We decided we’d try to build something we’d never seen before in a carwash,” says Baker. “We wanted it to be a site to behold.”

The couple agreed a modern architectural flavor would fit the order. The final product definitely redefines carwashes, especially in their homeland Canada, where many consumers are accustomed to washing cars at no-frills gas stations. In contrast, Easywash is a two-story, glassy, classy, modern structure. It’s clean and sleek. The property features three touch-free bays, six interior detail centers, an automated touch-free dog wash, and a fully stocked, 24-hour convenience center.

Spending several years in the corporate dot-com world before turning to the carwash industry gave Baker a wealth of knowledge in creating and growing a prosperous business, particularly as it pertains to branding. He knew he needed to nurture his own business much the same way.

“We wanted a flagship showpiece that carried great brand recognition,” he says.

Part of this process meant purchasing top-of-the-line manufacturing equipment from tried-and-true vendors, and rebranding all of it to reflect the Easywash look and name. On the purchasing list were PDQ Manufacturing G5 machines, J.E. Adams five-in-one vacuums, Freylit reclaim systems, Vac-It-Up door guards and cash collection systems, and Innovative Control Systems Auto Sentry/Tunnel Master management system. “But every piece of equipment is rebranded with our own logo and/or colors,” states Baker.

True to the couple’s favorite color, all chemicals fall in the “green” category, making Easywash the first carwash in Canada to embrace Ecolab’s Blue Coral Beyond Green Program, an aggressive new environmental campaign designed to change industry sustainability standards. The affiliation seemed like a natural fit for a company seeking to befriend Mother Earth in every possible way.

“We really like the fact that we’re making a difference by offering an eco-friendly facility,” says Normandeau. “It has been an education for us, and it’s an education for the general public, too. For the general public, the perception is that washing a car in a driveway is more environmentally friendly than using a carwash. We’re changing that thinking.”

Another topic of concern for any commercial business is safety. How does an operator protect itself against the threat of crime? Of course, high-tech equipment can be installed; however, Baker points out building design and property landscaping can play a large role in warding off thieves.

“We worked with an architect on the landscaping, layout, lighting and look because there are many basic things that help mitigate the risks for crime,” he says. Therefore, a number of these items were addressed on the drawing board, such as the use of good lighting in appropriate places, particularly around doorways and ATMs, and elimination of trees and shrubbery that would provide hiding spaces for would-be burglars.

The process of designing the best carwash for the environment has been far from a walk in the park, the couple confides. There were many hurdles to clear and hoops to jump through, including convincing investors to believe in their vision and persuading carwash designers that all facilities don’t have to look the same.

The construction process, originally planned to take five months, stretched to a year and went way over budget, Baker says. If he were to do one thing differently, he adds, it would be to forgo working with a construction manager and sign on with a general contractor, instead.

If he were to redo the entire project, other changes would be made, but, all in all, he’s quite pleased with the look and functionality of this state-of-the-art carwash. “I’d probably never build it this way again, but I’m very happy with how the customer sees and interacts with the property.”

Paybacks in Greenbacks

Normandeau and Baker knew from the get-go that they’d be trendsetters by merging eco-friendly engineering into their concept of a carwash because not everyone in the industry agreed they were on the right track. In fact, several years ago, their ideas were met with raised eyebrows and disbelief.

“We were asked many times, ‘why bother?’ and told by others, ‘nobody cares,’” recalls Baker. “The way we saw it, we could embrace the environmental movement and become leaders. It could have been a really dumb idea, or we would be way ahead of the game. Luckily, it turns out that we were right.”

Their success has been twofold. From the environmental point of view, it was a no-brainer. Fortunately and