| |
| |
|
Small Business Information |
|
|
|
Pressure Washing Business Case Study, Tractor Cleaning
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which have little if any competition. I know as I built my companies we always tried to identify all the market niches and go after them. We were not always able to succeed at everything, occasionally we would fail; it happened more than I would care to admit, but those are lessons learned. The best way to get to success is to learn from the challenges of the past and so in my office I have a huge trashcan, bigger than any executive you will ever meet. And it is always full. That's okay. Let me tell you about one of the more successful niches we discovered in the pressure washing business; tractor cleaning. This is a great market; there is so much work with all the new environmental laws and the expanding population base and economy. www.tractorwashguys.com . One problem we had back when we got into the market was that Greenspan and the Fed had been raising the rates so new home starts started to decline and many new developments have been put on hold. This was 10-years ago in a different economy and a different market. It also affected the building Industry and the price of off road diesel fuel was up. Interesting we see the same things happening now today, but a slightly different result as home sales are still going even though the economy is showing a slow down in some sectors. There is no need to wash tractors, which are sitting, idle or dormant and when we started into the business of heavy equipment cleaning this is where we were at, so we started by offering this franchise as a module to our franchisees of truck wash guys www.truckwashguy.com . Since it is similar in nature the type of cleaning done, plus all the companies who own tractors also own trucks to move them, water trucks, and other units, which the truck wash guys would normally wash. So it made sense to go after this niche even in a down economy at the time. Also it made sense to look at agricultural tractor cleaning because no matter what the economy does people have to eat, right? We decided to offer this franchise module with a separate franchise agreement for another $3,000.00 only. This covered our cost to train the franchisee for one week in Butte MT washing tractors at the mines, specifically Sunlight Gold Mine, kind of funny if you think about it; we will train you for one week at a gold mine? In Heavy Equipment cleaning there is allot of important information they must know and safety issues are very unforgiving when working around heavy equipment. The only real qualifications in the tractor wash guys business are that the franchisee be a man type man or a tuff woman. A young executive college type student may not like this type of work. The money is very good. I remember times earning nearly $3,000 on a weekend cleaning tractors working 24 hours a day for two days and getting greasy to the point you could not tell what nationality I was. Well, if you have not guessed it I am a white guy, but if you saw me with a bunch of black guys you would swear I was one of the brothers. At night you are working with steam and in a giant cloudbank of sauna type fog. When you cool down you are soaked, greasy and tired. It is like the playing football in the mud with a bunch of brutes, which do not care about pain. So it takes a real tough person. But the money is great. Obviously this is not the same person type who comes to your parking lot to detail your BMW who wears varneys and Nike High Tops. We do all kinds of equipment and also strip paint for refurbishing, and detailing cabs for equipment auctions. I started this business because the demand is high for quality companies who can provide this type of service. Generally the types of independents who do this type of steam cleaning are not understanding of how to go about the business aspect of it. Many of the new corporate farmers run them like HMOs and the large construction companies have procedures and insurance requirements. They can no longer hire the company who rolls up chewing tobacco and says, "Y'ALL need them things kleen or naut?" They have the OSHA to deal with and the NPDES Requirements and the EPA screaming down their neck. There is just no way to hire the independent guy who cannot follow the rules. We know the way to do it. Give me a hard worker and we will give him a great franchise cleaning equipment and tractors, I use to say. We have been perfecting this co-brand for two years and have brought several people onto our team who have helped. It needs to be its own franchise. It is a market sector overlooked but is necessary and anyone in the pressure washing business needs to look into this niche. A new Caterpillar engine cost in excess of $65,000.00 it cannot over heat, which is what happens if the radiator flanges are not kept free from dirt and grease. Also the blades on scrappers have to be replaced and welded on and cannot be welded when they are all greasy. Welders make $80.00 per hour so they do not want them cleaning equipment. Most heavy equipment pressure washing companies make well in excess of $100.00 per hour. There are so many reasons to clean equipment including the fact that operators are Union and do not have to work in unfair conditions around greasy walk ways which cause safety issues or in a dust ridden cab or be exposed to unnecessary fire hazards or unsafe conditions. Also is the railroad industry, major work available there. One of our franchisees worked for the railroad industry as a terminal rail master. We have the inside track to the purchasing process for the major railroads. Some of the contracts are intense. One we recently found out about was over 500,000 dollars on a two-year contract. Pressure washing companies need to look into the heavy industry and equipment cleaning sector at plants, rail yards, ports, agricultural corporate farms, oil field services and heavy construction. I hope you have enjoyed today's pressure washing case study. Think on it. "Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
MORE RESOURCES:
Small-Business - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Share Ad Expenses to Boost Profits The challenges of the small business owner are well documented. They must battle for market share against larger competitors, run all aspects of their business, and even pay higher rates for advertising and other marketing related expenses. Small Business Owners - They Owe You The Money Why Dont They Pay? Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes super service, and the customer doesn't pay you?Some of them aren't doing too well and are struggling for cash, but, gee, so are you. In the time they take to pay they could have paid off a little each week and the debt would be gone. Outsourcing and Virtual Assistants: Small Business Saviors Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways to work smarter without working harder? The answer is outsourcing. Whether you need occasional or ongoing assistance, outsourcing can save you money and time. Buy a Flower Shop: Serious Considerations You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of turning emotions into floral expressions sounds like tremendous fun. You are between careers and have been investigating business opportunities in your community. 11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Punxsutawney Phil 1. Look Over Your Shoulder - Of course, Punxsutawney Phil has to look over his to search for his shadow. Small Business Opportunities Magazine Business A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new small business opportunities opening up everyday. More and more companies are looking to outsource for basic services, cutting their budgets in the process and increasing profits. Employee Email and Internet Use - A Small Business Guide IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is here to stay! Both mediums have become a vital part of business and personal communication in a world that increasingly relies on technology. We understand its benefits and sometimes berate its downsides; too much email, lack of personal communication, spam, the risk of employees accessing inappropriate material and using employer resources for personal gain. Is Your Business Property Safe and Secure? Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create a safe and secure workplace for you and your employees. Products such as lever hardware, panic and exit devices, desk locks and high security key control systems, as well as security boxes and safes, can help you protect your business and property. Expanding Franchisee Advice Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might think. On the mind of every businessperson is the idea of expansion. Arent Small Businesses Lucky? Why? Because they have access to world class public relations no matter how small they are.That's one way of saying, take care of your key target audiences, Mr/Ms small business owner, and they'll take care of you. Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups fail within the first twelve months years, and long-term survival is likely for only 22% of all new business start-ups.At the same time huge corporations with seemly vibrant trade suddenly close their doors. Finance Your Small Business: So Much Money, So Little Time $37.4 million funded from venture capital today. Employee Relations Manual Sample Outline Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations Manuals. Nearly all businesses with over five or more employees have some sort of employee manuals but not all have Employee Relations Manuals for their managers. The Game Plan - The Difference Between Small Business Success And Failure It is an American dream to own a business. But sadly, according to the U. Learning and Growing As you reflect on this year and prepare for next year, what are the lessons you have learned in business and how do you plan to use those lessons to grow your business in the year ahead?And remember, in every challenge there is opportunity for growth so even if you had a challenging year it can be a stepping stone to success.I know the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can seem overwhelming when you try to factor in end of year business planning. Excuses Franchisees Make; When They Violate Exclusive Territory Agreements One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and serviced based franchises make when violating their exclusive franchise agreement with their franchisor and fellow franchisees is: My Family Works There. As a franchisor, I cannot believe how many times neighboring franchisees steal each others clientele or work outside their exclusive franchise area. Power Tools for Business How do we keep track of our business deals?If you are only working with one or two deals, keeping track of them is a simple matter. However, most of us have far more than two deals on the plate and even more coming down the pipeline. If You Want To Be Remembered... Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or a gal. Mobile Detailing Environmental Concern in the Deep South Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes for allowing storm drain pollution. I can remember a time when we were in the Macon GA. Starting a Pressure Washing Business Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business to help clean up the world and make a little money? You might be surprised how many mobile pressure washers companies there are in the United States; approximately 45,000 of them. And since God made dirt on the Third Day; Genisis 1:9 - 1:12.
|
|
|
|
|
