ISTOBAL expands global reach with heavy 2026 trade show schedule
The Spanish wash equipment maker attended events across Europe and the Americas in the first half of 2026 to deepen ties in strategic markets.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
ISTOBAL, the Spain-based manufacturer of vehicle wash and care equipment, spent the first six months of 2026 working a dense calendar of trade fairs and industry events across Europe and the Americas as part of an effort to grow its footprint in key markets and build closer relationships with customers and partners.
According to reporting from Auto Laundry News, the company used the events to present a value proposition built around control, efficiency, connectivity, and profitability for wash businesses.
Where the company showed up
In Europe, ISTOBAL appeared at Automässan in Sweden, a Petrol Retailers Association event in the United Kingdom, CONSTRUMA in Hungary, the International Fair Petrol Station in Poland, and UNITI EXPO 2026 in Germany. The company also made its first appearance at EXPOMECÂNICA in Portugal, one of that country's leading trade fairs for the automotive aftermarket and maintenance sector.
In the Americas, ISTOBAL took part in United States events including the WPMA show run by the Western Petroleum Marketers Association, the TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, and The Car Wash Show, along with an Ipiranga event in Brazil. The manufacturer further extended its reach through its distributor network at AUTOTECHNICA in Belgium and AUTOMECHANIKA in Buenos Aires.
Antonio Martínez, managing director of the ISTOBAL Group, said the direct engagement lets the company show how its solutions meet demanding business needs across different markets. He pointed to local teams as a differentiator, citing their market knowledge and responsiveness. The company framed the tour as a way to identify new business opportunities and reinforce its commitment to innovation.
Why it matters for operators
Equipment vendors that invest in a broad trade show presence give operators more chances to compare systems in person, ask technical questions, and gauge how responsive a supplier's local team is before committing to a purchase. For operators weighing a new build or an equipment refresh, an active manufacturer presence at regional shows can be a practical signal of the support network available after the sale.
ISTOBAL's emphasis on connectivity and profitability reflects a broader industry shift toward equipment that produces operational data and integrates with site management. Operators evaluating capital purchases should look past the hardware demo and probe how a vendor handles parts availability, service response times, and technical support in their specific region. A company's willingness to staff its own local teams, rather than relying solely on distributors, can matter when a wash goes down during peak hours.
The crossover between petroleum retail events and car wash shows on ISTOBAL's schedule is also worth noting. Fuel and convenience retailers remain a major channel for wash equipment, and operators competing against c-store washes should watch how aggressively equipment makers court that segment.
