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A LONG SMITH FAMILY HISTORY OF CAR WASH INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS:

  • The early 1950s: Dallas Smith, Jud Smith's father, and Garrett Smith's Grandfather, pioneered new off-rail car distribution prep centers for Ford & General Motors, which included car washing and detailing centers.

  • The mid-1950s: Dallas expanded the distribution prep center business to California, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico. During this time, Dallas began developing the first inventions and patents for automatic car wash equipment that could wash 1000+ cars daily per facility.

  • In the early 1960s, Dallas formed a new company division to manufacture his patented automatic car wash equipment for sales directly to the car wash industry.

  • The mid-1960s: Built and operated 25 retail express-type car washes, which were later sold to Gulf Oil Corporation.

  • In late 1960, Dallas sold the car distribution prep center business and a car wash manufacturing division to Southern Pacific Land Company with its nearly 75 issued patents.

  • The early 1970s: Jud would purchase his first full-service car wash in Tempe, AZ, and began his own interest in inventing and developing new car washing equipment and processes.

  • In mid-1970, Jud invented and patented the Foam Polish Wax System, which he later sold to Hanna Industries. He continued on to invent a system that quickly vacuums and shampoos automobile carpets, which, again, he sold to Hanna Industries.

  • In the late 1970s, Jud sold the full-service car wash and started a new company to focus on designing, engineering, and manufacturing future new car wash equipment products. Patented products included:

    • Air dryers using cone nozzles

    • Automatic mat washers

    • Automatic towel cleaners

    • Pivoting high-pressure spray arches

    • Brush assemblies

  • In the early 1980s, Jud developed state-of-the-art car detailing equipment and appearance centers called Detail Plus Car Appearance Center in Mesa, AZ.

  • In the mid-1980s, the car wash manufacturing business and Detail Plus Car Appearance Centers were sold, intending to build a new car wash/car appearance center with lube and oil service under the brand name Carousel.

  • In the late 1980s, First Brands Corporation (Clorox Corp.) bought an equity stake in Carousel to begin selling their retail products of Prestone, STP Oil, and Simoniz Wax as “services” – five (5) Carousel centers are developed over the next several years. Carousel was sold soon thereafter to First Brands Corporation.

  • 2022: Jud, with his son, Garrett, form Tangent Car Wash Company to design, engineer, and manufacture a whole new line of innovative car washing products and processes.

ABOUT THE TANGENT CAR WASH EQUIPMENT COMPANY AND OUR MISSION:

We are excited to introduce Tangent Car Wash Equipment Company, a pioneering car wash equipment manufacturer targeting to lead the industry. At Tangent Car Wash Equipment Company, our mission is simple yet impactful: to revolutionize the car wash process through innovative technology, superior performance, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.

We understand that car washes are vital in maintaining vehicles' appearance, value, and longevity. However, we also recognize the challenges and limitations faced by traditional car wash equipment. That's why we embarked on a journey to develop cutting-edge solutions that would transform the industry and set new benchmarks for efficiency, quality, and customer experience.

Our passionate engineers, designers, and industry experts have collaborated tirelessly to create the FrictionSoft™ car wash equipment systems. These systems utilize groundbreaking soft-touch technology for a gentle yet highly effective cleaning process. Unlike conventional equipment that may cause damage or scratches (marring/hazing), our FrictionSoft™ systems ensure an immaculate, clean finish while prioritizing the safety and protection of the vehicle's surface.

 

Our commitment to customer satisfaction drives us to enhance our products continually. We listen to our customers, understand their pain points, and incorporate their feedback into our research and development process. This customer-centric approach ensures that our equipment meets and exceeds expectations, providing exceptional results and an unparalleled car wash experience.

 

At Tangent Car Wash, we believe in building strong partnerships with car wash operators, dealership service centers, and other industry stakeholders. By working collaboratively, we aim to drive innovation, optimize operations, and elevate the car wash industry. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support, training, and technical assistance to our partners, ensuring their success, and helping them deliver outstanding customer service.

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