AUTEC Car Wash Systems, a leading global manufacturer of high-volume, income-driven, fully automated car wash equipment based in Statesville, North Carolina, has announced it’s acquisition by Dallas-based business leader and entrepreneur Vic Keller. The terms were not disclosed.
Since 1981, AUTEC Car Wash Systems has specialized and manufactured three fully automatic car wash systems – soft-touch car wash systems, touch-free car wash systems, and a combination car wash system that provides both. They also manufacture a premier soft-touch car polisher. AUTEC Car Wash Systems’ customers include thousands of automobile dealerships, convenience stores, lube centers, fleets and investors across the globe.
AUTEC Car Wash Systems is known in the industry for their unprecedented wash quality, durable materials, superior craftsmanship and eco-friendly options. Each system is manufactured in the USA and is built with 100% stainless steel by the finest engineers and manufacturing professionals in the industry.
Growing from a small company that started in the founder’s basement, to a multimillion-dollar corporation, the expert team at AUTEC Car Wash Systems has grown to include marketing, design, research and development, engineering and drafting, welding and metal fabrication, paint and surface preparation, electrical, assembly, technical service and complete chemical blending, formulating and packaging operations.
The seasoned team at AUTEC Car Wash Systems assists its customers every step of the way during their car wash buying experience – from helping with demographic studies, site selection, branding and equipment choices, all the way through everyday maintenance, repairs and system refreshes. AUTEC Car Wash Systems works to ensure their customers have consistent cleaning performance, best-in-industry throughput and the lowest-cost operation in the business – resulting in a solid return on investment.
Keller is a seasoned automotive executive and entrepreneur. He has more than 25 years’ experience building, growing and leading a diverse portfolio of companies across numerous verticals including manufacturing and distribution, automotive, technology, e-commerce and financial services. Keller is a firm believer in investing in people, not just businesses, and his leadership philosophy focuses on intentionally instilling a great culture, delivering a profitable financial model and developing top talent to execute the vision.
“I am thrilled to be operating in the automotive industry again and to be a part of the AUTEC team,” said Keller. “AUTEC has established themselves as an elite player in the car wash manufacturing space and has tremendous potential to further accelerate their footprint. We see a huge opportunity to drive innovation, technology and optimization to increase customer retention and CSI, also known as the customer satisfaction index, by providing an ultimate customer experience in order to help our customers reach their maximum return on investment.”
Keller continued, “I am passionate about the incredible business that Tom Hobby, the founder of AUTEC, has built. The AUTEC team has been extremely welcoming and genuinely supportive of this transition, and we are working together to capitalize on strategic opportunities ahead. My vision is to leverage the successful model that Tom and the AUTEC team have created, while driving innovation in key areas to lead the company into its next chapter.”
In addition to AUTEC Car Wash Systems, Keller is the founder of KLV Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm. Previously, he founded the ZAK Automotive Companies, which included ZAK products, a professional-use automotive chemical company that was an official partner of NASCAR; ZAKTEK, an insurance services company; and NEXEMO, a business to business e-commerce purchasing platform for the automotive industry.
In 2015, after Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired the ZAK Automotive Companies, Keller continued as CEO and his senior executive responsibilities for Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, where he oversaw several operating departments in the multibillion-dollar organization, including the parts and service business. Keller developed and led the Berkshire Hathaway Automotive professional development department, which provided training, talent acquisition, sales strategy, customer experience and dealer academy services to more than 11,000 associates.
ABOUT AUTEC CAR WASH SYSTEMS
AUTEC Car Wash Systems is a leading global manufacturer of high-volume, income-driven, fully automated car wash equipment. Their global distributors work with auto dealerships, convenience stores, lube centers, fleets and investors who find customized solutions to fit each customer’s needs. AUTEC Car Wash Systems specializes in four different automatic car wash products: soft-touch car wash systems, touch-free car wash systems, combination car wash systems and soft-touch car polishers. Superior quality comes standard and all AUTEC Car Wash Systems products are built on a foundation of solid construction and include high-performance features. Built in the USA with 100% stainless steel, each system is completely automatic, providing customers with decades of proven durability and reliability.
