The machine dispenses an environmentally friendly wax through a pressurised system. The wax suspends dirt away from the vehicle's surface and is wiped away with a special microfibre cloth, which is regularly rinsed. The wax, cloths, environmentally friendly wheel, mag and window cleaner and an industrial vacuum cleaner are all contained in a compact push-trolley design that is small enough to fit between parked vehicles.
By redesigning the business of cleaning cars, CMH Green Machine has seen greater saving than even they anticipated. "We calculated the saving in water and electricity as well as in disposing of expensive high pressure pump systems and dirt traps. We even thought of the saving in detergent, but our clients surprised us with their innovative use of the Green Machine," says Steve McCulloch, general manager of CMH Green Machine.
In one example, the dealer converted the old wash bay into extra service bays, while the wash teams could clean vehicles where they were parked for service. In another, the dealer assigned a Green Machine to each department, to ensure that no 'I was here first' fights broke out between representatives of the new car sales, used vehicles and servicing departments and hence cars could be cleaned much faster.
The CMH Green Machine is available for purchase or on a rental option that includes service and training. In one study Kempster Auto in the Bluff in KwaZulu-Natal realised a drop in their utilities bill of over R6,000, which more than paid for the use of their two CMH Green Machines.
"Ultimately our greatest achievement is not the cost saving. We realised that this new environmentally friendly car wash system created opportunities for entrepreneurs to start small businesses and wash cars at hotels, shopping malls and in corporate parks and we are very proud of that," says McCulloch.
McCulloch and his team is currently expanding its network to other products, while the interest from countries such as Namibia and the United Arab Emirates have significantly expanded the reach of this local innovation.
"We have noticed a great need for our solution in other water-stressed countries and we see a great opportunity there. At the same time we are converting our national footprint in South Africa to also serve our clients with any other consumables, such as office supplies," says McCulloch.
