American Car Wash Solutions CEO details operator-led equipment strategy

John Olert, CEO of American Car Wash Solutions, is building the equipment company's strategy around an operator's point of view, arguing that durability and service responsiveness matter more to washes than booth size or brand name. Olert laid out his approach in a Wash Talk podcast interview recorded at The Car Wash Show in Nashville, according to reporting from Professional Carwashing & Detailing.

In the conversation with host Kyle Alexander, Olert explained what drew him to the company and why he saw a gap in the market for equipment shaped by people who have actually run washes. He framed that operator-led perspective as the basis for a different kind of product innovation.

Competing on durability and transparency

Olert said the company prioritizes stainless steel durability, transparency with customers, and fast service over the factors that often dominate equipment marketing, such as the size of a booth at a trade show or the recognition of a brand name. That positioning is aimed at operators who value uptime and clear communication when something needs repair.

To keep product decisions grounded in real-world use, Olert described a formal advisory structure called the Product Innovation Council. The council channels ideas from longtime industry operators into the company's future product development, giving experienced washers a direct line into what gets built next.

Digital tools and the next wave of technology

Looking ahead, Olert pointed to several near-term priorities focused on making it easier for operators to keep their sites running. Those include digitized parts catalogs, user-friendly manuals, and a forthcoming e-commerce store designed to speed up parts ordering. The common thread is reducing friction when an operator needs to identify and buy a component quickly.

On broader industry technology, Olert flagged two areas he believes will have the greatest impact: water reclaim systems and smart motor control technology. Both address recurring operator concerns around utility costs and equipment efficiency, and both point to where he expects equipment innovation to concentrate in the coming years.

Why it matters for operators

Equipment purchasing decisions carry long tails. A tunnel or bay system stays in service for years, and the real cost shows up in maintenance, downtime, and how quickly parts can be sourced when something fails. Olert's emphasis on stainless steel construction, service responsiveness, and easier parts ordering speaks directly to the total cost of ownership rather than the upfront sticker or the flash of a trade show display.

For operators evaluating suppliers, the practical takeaways are worth weighing. A digitized parts catalog and an e-commerce store can shave time off repairs and get a stalled line moving again. An advisory council made up of working operators is a signal to ask any vendor how customer feedback actually reaches its engineers. And the focus on water reclaim and smart motor controls reflects where efficiency gains are most available, which is relevant for any operator trying to control water and energy bills.

The larger point is that operators should scrutinize what a vendor optimizes for. Durability and support tend to pay off over a system's lifespan more than name recognition does.