How to start a truck wash
The transportation industry in Nigeria throughout most of Africa and the world has continued to grow. In Nigeria, the emergence of large industrial sector leaders such as the Dangote Group, the growing consumption of petroleum products in remote parts of Nigeria, and the movement of agricultural products from the largely rural sector of Nigeria and most African countries to the few overcrowded urban areas. The hubs have meant that the trucking business continues and will continue to grow for years to come.
Trucks have become and will continue to be an essential part of the worldwide distribution network business. Consumer goods, industrial equipment and materials, and critical fuel transportation would ensure that trucks of all types, shapes and sizes continued to hit our roads year-round in all types of weather conditions. The implication of this is that the trucks would continue to accumulate dirt, grime, and mud. No particular weather condition would produce less dirt. Instead, there would be different types at different times.
Trucking professionals and companies wash their vehicles regularly to keep them clean and remove corrosive chemicals that build up on trucks on the job line. This, therefore, means that a truck wash business would be a lucrative investment-worthy venture with a reasonable expectation of financial success and profitability in the new future.
Here are some basic steps to starting a truck wash business:
Find a suitable location:
Location seems to be everything here. If the location is suitable for the business and the use of trucks, then the probability of success is guaranteed to be almost fifty percent.
Places to consider would be in the middle of interstate highways where trucks interrupt their journey every day. Other suitable locations would be near truck garages.
In Nigeria, the places where truck drivers normally stop for rest, refueling and minor maintenance are on the Lagos-Ibadan, Obollo-Afor Nsuka highway in Enugu state on the road to Makurdi, Lokoja and Abuja in the Territory of the Federal Capital. There are similar places in Lokoka on the way to Abuja and Ore on the way to Lagos. All countries have similar locations where a truck wash business has a good chance of prospering.
The space for the truck wash business should be sufficient for trucks to move and turn easily without getting caught between other trucks and structures, especially during peak periods.
Register your business preferably as a limited liability company:
Plan to register a limited liability company for the operation of the truck wash business. This would ensure that your liability is limited to company assets and that your personal assets are protected from the consequences of a trucking accident at your business premises.
Organize your location:
Organizing your truck wash location is another critical thing to do before actually taking off. One of the ways to do this is to designate a particular spot in your space to wash the trucks. Then mark the route to enter the location and the route to use to exit. The best way is to make sure the entrance door is different from the exit door to avoid accidents or traffic jams and delays. Consider installing a pit or ramps so you can easily wash the underside of trucks and allow for lubrication.
You should also consider the locations of your equipment and materials and the different activities related to the truck wash business on the premises and establish these as well.
Consider putting a roof over your wash spot so you can wash in all weather conditions – rain, snow, or sun.
Acquire equipment and supplies:
Once you’ve designed and organized your space, get the necessary equipment and supplies. Basically, you would need the following equipment and materials, among others:
Electric or pressure washer with extended hose
Ladders
Scrub brushes
Vacuum cleaners
Cleaning chemicals
Water deionization system
If you use the two-step method of scrubbing and rinsing, add acid-based soap and alkaline neutralizer between your materials to help remove heavy dirt and grime from trucks.
Establish a financial framework for the company
Open a business corporate account with a bank in the name of the business so you can make credit and debit card payments. You would need point of sale (POS) machines at your facility. Drivers of some large companies must make payments with credit or debit cards. Therefore, you must accept payments by credit or debit cards. This would increase your customer base and ensure that you don’t lose any business. This method of payment would also ensure that there is not a lot of cash left around your premises that could be susceptible to being stolen by fraudulent employees or robbery attacks.
Provide professional attire for your employees bearing your company insignia or logo:
The common sight at many car wash sites across the country is gaunt-looking boys or men who really do look scary. Have your employees wear uniforms and overalls that look really professional. This would make your clients feel comfortable in your company premises. It would also indicate the level of seriousness of your operations. If you are doing the truck yourself, you should also present yourself each time in a uniform that gives you a professional appearance.
Put up your poster and start marketing and washing:
Install your signage strategically and prominently near your business premises to attract customers. Post signs along the highway or in strategic locations where passing truck drivers or recently arriving at truck stop locations will see and be able to find you.
Think of different forms of advertising: word of mouth, posters, brochures, newspaper ads. Generously distribute your flyers to trucks you have washed or anyone you may find around you. Go around the truck stop and distribute your flyers and posters.
Use your first customers to show your efficiency by providing fast and efficient service to build a loyal following quickly and they will soon become your part of your army of marketers.
Conclusion:
This business can be started on a small or large scale. Large corporations of someone with a lot of capital can start sophisticated versions in multiple locations in a country like Nigeria.
Small-scale individual operations could also easily start with basic equipment and materials in single locations.
