Innovation

The high level of water consumption savings are accomplished with the use of a water treatment process which involves the utilization of two decanting pits to reduce the amount of solids followed by a state-of-the-art biological recycler (using bacteria) that sends clean water back to the system and is used for the first steps in the wash process.

This technology is patented by Istobal, therefore the details of the mechanism of action are not publicly available.

It is estimated that a standard wash tunnel recycles about 45% of the water only. With the system installed at Frank's Auto Spa, that numbers doubles up to 90%.

Inspiration

Guillermo and his uncle and co-founder Frank, were in 2016 having breakfast at a restaurant in Ensenada, they started discussing potential business ideas and seeing the growing car number increase in the city, they decided that a car wash business had a good potential. Since the beginning, they were concerned of the water scarcity in the city and both agreed that they needed to search for an option of a tunnel that could heavily save water, to reduce water usage and reduce the water cost charges, which are amongst the most expensive in the country. Altough they found cheaper wash tunnel options, they chose Istobal tunnel system due to its capability of reutilizing more than 90% of the water required per car washed.

Overall impact

Frank's Auto Spa saves annually 4,320,000 liters, which is equivalent to $375,000.00 mexican pesos in water consumption charges.

Business benefit

The economical benefit is annual savings of $375,000 mexican pesos in water consumption charges.

Although it hasn't been quantified there is a group of consumers that are concerned about the environment, therefore they would most likely choose Frank's Auto Spa's services rather than other non eco-friendly car wash services, which could be translated to added income.

Social and environmental benefit

The environmental benefit is one of the main aspects of this business, saving 4,320,000 liters of water each year.

Interview

Guillermo Romero Becerra, CEO & Co-Founder