ABOUT US
Our Mission
To revolutionize the car wash process through innovative technology, superior performance, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Our Vision
At Tangent® Car Wash Equipment Company, we believe in building strong partnerships with car wash operators, dealership service centers, and other industry stakeholders.
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support, training, and technical assistance to our partners, ensuring their success, and helping them deliver outstanding customer service.
Our Beliefs
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Car washes are vital to maintaining a vehicle’s appearance, value, and longevity. Challenges and limitations faced by traditional, car wash equipment led us to develop cutting-edge solutions for efficiency, quality, and customer experience.
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Our engineers, designers, and industry experts have collaborated to create the FrictionSoft® car wash equipment systems. These systems utilize groundbreaking soft-touch technology for a gentle, yet highly effective cleaning process. FrictionSoft® systems ensure an immaculate, clean finish while prioritizing the safety and protection of the vehicle’s surface.
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At Tangent® Car Wash Equipment Company, we believe in building strong partnerships with car wash operators, dealership service centers, and other industry stakeholders. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support, training, and technical assistance to our partners, ensuring their success, and helping them deliver outstanding customer service.
WE KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT THE CAR WASH INDUSTRY
Our History
Since the early 1950’s, the Smith family has revolutionized the car wash industry with various inventions, systems, and equipment – including over 60 patents.
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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.
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.
Dallas formed a new company division to manufacture his patented automatic car wash equipment for sales directly to the car wash industry. He built and operated 25 retail express type car washes, which were later sold to Gulf Oil Corporation.
Dallas sold the car distribution prep center business and a car wash manufacturing division to Southern Pacific Land Company with its nearly 60 issued patents.
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.
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.
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:
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Air dryers using cone nozzles
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Automatic mat washers
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Automatic towel cleaners
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Pivoting high-pressure spray arches
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Brush assemblies
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.
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.
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.
