NYSCWA Tour Features Express Models, Electrification Initiative Update

The New York State Car Wash Association (NYSCWA) demonstrated its resilience and value during its Spring Carwash Tour in the Albany market on June 1. Just shy of 60 toured three new express exterior sites and gathered at The Century House in Latham to hear from NY State Commissioner John B. Howard, who spoke on the electrification initiative that will impact the industry.

The event began with a tour of Wash Boss, a 3.8 acre express site that opened in 2021 and is owned by Kim and Jim Enzien. The East Greenbush beauty broke first-year projections washing 140,000 cars. It features MacNeil/NCS equipment, DRB controls, Vacutech vacs and Airlift doors.

Next on the tour was Knockout in Guilderland. This express defied the odds and opened after overcoming COVID supply issues and delays, zoning hurdles, DOT challenges, significant site reconstruction and town opposition to become a true standout location. The wash features MacNeil/NCS, G & G Industrial Lighting, Captive Air, PurClean/PurWater reclaim, Vacutech vacs and DRB controls. It is also one of the longest tunnels in the Northeast coming in at 190 feet. It opened in September of 2020 and is owned by Richard and Sandra Hameroff.

The final site on the tour is the newest Capital District Hoffman Car Wash on Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham. The site opened in the late fall of 2020 after the owners decided that digging two wells beat paying an impact fee to hook into the town’s water line. The site boasts unique foam wraparounds using advanced controls to produce a faster, better and safer wash. The $6 million site features Micrologic, Vacutech vacs, Simoniz chemical and InnovateIt equipment. “Each wash has its own unique elements and flavor,” said NYSCWA President Walt Hartl. “That is what makes these tours so valuable and fun. And, hey, the rain held out until the last wash!”

Event sponsors included Bus Tour Sponsor NCS, Dinner Sponsor Micrologic and Hors D’Oeuvre Sponsor DRB.
Guest Speaker Howard

The association had secured industry leader Bill Martin of Metro Express and Amplify Car Wash Advisors out of Boise, ID, to speak after dinner, but due to illness he had to take a rain check until the fall event, so the group pivoted and asked NYS Commissioner John B. Howard to pitch hit. The Commissioner spoke on the state’s “All Electric Building Act” (A.8432), which would mandate that a municipality not issue a building permit for any new commercial or residential building submitted after 12/31/23 unless the building is all electric. This Act stems from former Governor Cuomo’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) signed into law in 2019 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and to no less than 85 percent by 2050. He also took questions from attendees who are not in support of the Act. “Commissioner Howard made some good points and helped clarify the issue, but it’s not an effort that will be kind to our industry,” said Hartl. “He did advise us to reach out to our local legislators and let them know of our opposition and why. He said we needed to be more than just squeaky wheels, and we will be. Out board will be directed by our trusted Lobbyist, Bill Crowell, and kick off our efforts in the coming weeks.”

Long-time NYSCWA board member and Treasurer, Mike Benmosche, was also honored by President Hartl for his years of unwavering service to the association.

The association’s next event is its Fall Carwash Tour & Membership meeting in the Utica market, October 20. The day will also include a tour and meal at the FX Matt Brewing Company in Utica and an address by Bill Martin, who will speak on the industry’s evolution and future. For more information visit nyscwa.com.

For information on the NYSCWA visit nyscwa.com or call 518.280.4767.