Car wash retailer, consultant celebrates 35 years of growth

Everyone who drives around the area for very long can agree on this -- it gets awfully muddy in Southeast Missouri.

Service Four Equipment Co. Inc. has the solution.

Located at 259 Airport Road in Cape Girardeau, Service Four sells car washes. They also sell car wash supplies, chemicals and state-of-the-art car wash equipment, but this company is not just a retail operation. They provide service long after the sale.

Service Four acts as a consultant for anyone interested in owing a car wash of their own. They can assist with site location, layout and blueprints. Once the car wash is in operation, Service Four can help make it a success by providing consumers with all the different brands of car care products they know and trust.

"We not only distribute quality brands of equipment and supplies, such as Magic Wand, Turtle Wax and Blendco, we feel it's our continued service and support that sets us apart from the competition," said David Bogenpohl, general manager of Service Four.

Locally, Service Four operates Quality Car Wash, with locations at 1354 N. Mount Auburn Road and 200 East Rodney Drive. They service Pro Wash, located at the intersection of Bloomfield Road and Kingshighway, and several other locations in Jackson and Perryville, Mo. Consumers need not travel far to experience the quality vehicle care Service Four provides.

"Being in the car wash industry, with a limited customer base and a close knit business circle, word-of-mouth and our reputation are an essential part of keeping our business strong," Bogenpohl said.

The owners of Service Four, Jerry and Phyllis Schwab, became small partners in a car wash in 1972. Three years later, they purchased the entire business. The couple went on to purchase another car wash in 1977 and a third in 1980. Service Four was started soon after. After 35 years of successful operations they have grown to become the largest distributor of Magic Wand Equipment in the nation.

From humble beginnings, Service Four has expanded its operations to nine states across the Midwest and hopes to open even more locations soon. Through the years it has received awards from Turtle Wax, Blendco and Magic Wand, a car wash equipment manufacturer.

As the number of drivers, and vehicles, on the road is expected to grow, so will the car wash industry. If you or someone you know is interested in this exciting opportunity, call the experts at 334-8362.