Growing Up in the Car Wash Business
Michael Timmer knows a thing or two about car washes. His family managed multiple locations in the Chicago land area, and his first job was at a Turtle Wax Carwash. Twenty years later, he’s still in the car wash industry.
Growing up, Mike was always curious about how equipment works, playing with objects to figure out ways to improve it. That interest led him to the manufacturing side of the business when he joined AVW Equipment in 2023.
Prior to joining, Mike was familiar with the AVW family and had hands-on experience with its quality equipment. At AVW, he worked across multiple departments, including providing technical support to the parts team and supporting R&D projects with engineering.
Mike has had the opportunity to work on both sides of the industry – as an owner and operator – but if there’s one aspect of the role he enjoys, it’s the opportunity to develop and launch new products.
Mike talks to distributors at a local car wash site.
Combining Legacy with Innovativeness
Introducing a new product in any industry can be quite the journey. That’s especially true in the car wash business where it all begins with understanding the needs of the customer.
It started with Zoom calls and in-person meetings where Mike and his team collected hours of feedback from distributors, operators, and customers. The comments identified product pain points and guided the AVW team to focus on the tire shine manifold.
Based on responses, customers wanted a better chemical application on the tire shine brush. The AVW team replaced the loop with a single manifold which improved the drip application. An adjustable mechanism was added, allowing different levels of chemical drip. It also features a stainless-steel cover from the previous plastic one.
The updated tire shine manifold has less components, minimizing downtime and makes preventative maintenance easy and cost-effective. In true AVW fashion, the goal was to keep things simple.
It comes with a flexible mounting option that attaches with existing arch or floor structure. Built from 304 stainless steel, its corrosion resistant and ideal for wet, chemical-heavy environments. The rugged design withstands demanding wash tunnel conditions.
Next, Mike’s team will return to the field and meet with customers using the updated tire shine manifold. Based on their feedback, the team will implement necessary changes.
“The success of any equipment or component comes down to the customer,” says Mike.
Emerging Technology in the Industry
Working on new products is exciting, but Mike is also looking forward to the next-generation technology shaping the future of car wash manufacturing.
Smart technology is already visible at most car washes, but AI technology is now redefining the car wash experience. Smart cameras can identify models with license plate recognition (LPR) and scan for body damage – all before the vehicle enters the tunnel.
Customers can access apps for a personalized experience and manage membership programs, make contactless payments, and receive promotions.
Mike’s seen it grow from the ground up, and also has a front seat to what’s taking shape on the ground. “The capabilities are endless right now.”
Mike presents on the chemical tire applicator at the 2025 distributor’s meeting.
