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CWONJ Tours South ’Jersey Washes

The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) headed to south ‘Jersey on April 20 for its annual carwash tour and membership meeting. The meeting took place at the picturesque Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor. “You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to tour washes,” said CWONJ President Gerry Barton. “We certainly got our money’s worth today.”
The event kicked off with a tour of Manahawkin Magic Wash in Manahawkin, the first location in the state to feature gated entry and credit card acceptance in its bays. Owners Doug Rieck and Carolyn Coates welcomed the group and showed off their extensive landscaping and many profit centers including a Laundromat, detail shop and flex-service express wash with gated entry. The wash opened in 1982. The conveyor was added in 1983.
After a buffet lunch at Sea Oaks, the group toured PJ’s Express in Egg Harbor Township. This location, owned by Pete Mercantini, opened in the’70s as a full-service facility. In 2006, it was purchased by Mercantini and totally renovated. It is now an exterior wash that sits on one of the three entrance roads to Atlantic City and sports paneling featured at Mercedes car dealerships.
The final wash on the tour is an all-glass building that opened in 2008. It’s owner, Tom Collins, created a visually appealing gated entry wash that is adjacent to a Super WaWa convenience store. This facility’s autocashiers have a vacuum system that vacuums bills into a separate safe. Custom stainless steel security gates protect the pay station at night.
Event sponsors included Platinum Sponsors Beckerman Insurance Co., ICS and ZEP. Gold Sponsors included Affinity Agency Group, Creative Agency, Olde Granddad Industries, Micrologic, Prime Lube and Simoniz USA. Silver Sponsors included Crystal Care, Jobe Industries, Mang Insurance and Rosey’s Tank Cleaning.
The association’s next event is its 10th Annual Golf Invitational, June 14, at Suburban Country Club in Union. For more information visit cwonj.com or call 800/287-6604.

NJ Operators Get An Education
on Immigration And Labor Law

     The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) got an education on immigration and labor law at its April 17 meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Clark. A packed room of operators eagerly listened to three experts discuss the ins and outs of dealing with labor. These experts included Immigration Attorney Susan Scheer, Labor Attorney Dennis Lalli and CPA Robert Bernstein. "The information these panelists shared was invaluable to our membership," said Doug Karvelas. "If you missed this meeting you really missed out."

     The evening meeting also included an hors d'oeuvre hour and buffet dinner. The association's next meeting is slated for December 11. For more information on the speakers and/or December meeting log onto our web site at www.cwonj.com or call 800/287-6604.

The CWONJ Learns the Art of Impeccable
Customer Service At Ray Catena Motors

The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) took to the road on February 6 when they were welcomed by representatives from Ray Catena Motors in Union for a tour of their state-of-the-art facility. The impressive, award-winning Mercedes dealership rolled out the red carpet for more than 50 members and in doing so raised the customer service bar to a height few consumers ever experience. "I was just blown away by Ray Catena's customer service - from how they treat their customers to their employees," said CWONJ President Doug Karvelas. "It was just a great meeting!"

The membership enjoyed a catered buffet dinner and tour of the new facility that houses more than 200 Mercedes Benz. The group also got to see a $485,000 SLR McLaren Mercedes. "This operation just knows how to do things right," said CWONJ Treasurer Dick Zodikoff. "From valet parking, to shoe shines and manicures on site, to a golf driving range, the customers truly comes first at Ray Catena."

In fact, the Ray Catena motto is that they will do whatever it takes to make their customers happy including having a vehicle ready to leave their showroom in 90 minutes or less from the time of purchase.

Treating people right also trickles down to the employees at Ray Catena. "The employees have their own kitchen facility and gym on site and are encouraged to use it," said Karvelas. "Ray Catena believes that taking care of the people who run your business is a huge part of his success. If your employees don't want to be at work they will not perform," said Karvelas.     The group also got to enjoy an update from International Carwash Association President Frank Lash, who made the trip from Newport News, VA, and a tour of the new Sonny's-equipped carwash.

The group's next meeting is April 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Cranford. The meeting will focus on immigration law. For registration information call the association office at 800/287-6604 or 518/280-4767. You can also visit www.cwonj.com.