 | ||
Tommy Car Wash Systems is a privately owned American corporation based in Holland, Michigan. Founded in 1991 by industry veteran Tom Essenburg, Tommy Car Wash Systems creates, manufactures, and develops high-end car wash equipment and facilities. The company is represented in the Enhancement Group and holds patents for a number of automated car wash system components. Tommy Car Wash equipment and buildings are recognized by wide stainless steel arches, vaulted glass walls, and “rolled” acrylic roofing.
Contents
History
In 1969 brothers and Holland natives Jun and Sonny Essenburg opened a dual rollover-style car wash known as ‘Quality Car Wash’ located on 17th street in Holland Michigan. This car wash was later converted to an automated 60’ car wash tunnel. For the next several decades the Quality Car Wash brand continued to grow and expand in the West Michigan region, adding new locations and forging partnership and distributorship agreements with both Hana Car wash Systems and Peco Car Wash Systems. These distributorships and the brand’s rapid expansion led to development of new wash layouts using components from both.
In 1991 Tommy Car Wash Systems, acting as a division of Quality Car Wash and led by Tom Essenburg, formed a partnership with A.V.W. Equipment Company and began developing propriety components for use in Quality Car Wash locations and general sale. On August 27, 1997 Tommy Car Wash System’s existence as a separate business entity was finalized with the registration of VQ, INC.
In 2002 the partnership between A.V.W and Tommy Car Wash Systems resulted in the first ever wet tunnel belt conveyor installation, a replacement for traditional ‘chain and roller’ car wash conveyors. The single-side conveyor was installed at Quality Car Wash’s Easttown location in Holland, MI. The company has also formed partnerships with North American and European distributors.
Ryan Essenburg, son of Tom Essenburg and grandson of Jun Essenburg, currently serves as President of Tommy Car Wash Systems, making the company a tri-generational enterprise. Essenburg has published several articles in industry titles and has presented on behalf of Tommy Car Wash Systems at the International Car Wash Association’s ‘The Car Wash Show’.
Dual Belt Conveyor
Constructed in Partnership with AVW the “Tommy Transporter” Dual Belt conveyor claims to decrease customer loading times by up to 20% and increase wash safety. Dual belt models cradle all 4 tires and accept nonstandard vehicle arrangements including dual tires and low riders.
POD System
The Tommy Car Wash System’s POD module was patented in 2009. The POD is a compact stainless steel hydraulics, solenoid, and maintenance system designed for installation inside an express car wash bay rather than a dry back room. Advantages include line-of-sight control and dialing in, space savings, and ladder rack installation.
Flight Deck Design
Since 1990 Tommy Car Wash building designs have featured a unified operations center called ‘the flight deck’. The flight deck is in-line with the pay lanes and includes a cashier station as well as interior windows and control systems for monitoring the car wash bay and loading area.
Inbay Conversions
Beginning in 2010 Tommy Car Wash Systems has offered a renovation and refitting service for existing inbay car washes. The service converts the washes into small conveyorized washes with belt conveyors, friction cleaning modules, and detergent application arches. This conversion results in faster cleaning times without increasing staffing requirements.
Rain-X Arch Dispenser
In partnership with Ecolab Inc Tommy Car Wash Systems in 2005 designed a branded detergent applicator system for Rain-X Online Protectant and contributed to a national marketing and sales campaign for the service.
Totally Tommy Building Designs
In 2008 Tommy Car Wash Systems announced plans to develop a new line of “Totally Tommy” integrated car wash buildings and equipment packages. Tulsa Oklahoma’s “Triple Play Express Car Wash” (owned and operated by former professional baseball player Mark Redman) was the first of these designs to go into operation in 2011. Current models include an Express car wash design, a Mini express car wash design, a Gas and Convenience Store express car wash design, and a Flex-service car wash design.