CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, car wash industry pioneer Leo Rousseau was inducted into the Car Wash Hall of Fame by the International Carwash Association® (ICA). He received the honor posthumously in recognition of his place in history as the father of the first automated car wash machine, the ‘Minit Man.’ The award was presented today by ICA Board President Gary Dennis at The Car Wash Show™ 2014 in Chicago.
Rousseau developed the Minit-Man system, a five-step car washing production process that took the industry by storm after World War II. Prior to this, car washes, known as “automobile laundromats,” consisted of men washing the cars by hand as it was moved from station to station. The Minit-Man system revolutionized the industry by providing a chain conveyor, side brushes, a top brush, vacuums and blowers for $16,000.
“Given that the car wash industry is celebrating 100 Years of Car Washing in 2014, we thought it was fitting to recognize one of the industry founders,” said Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association. “His invention literally spawned an industry.”
The 2014 Hall of Fame Award was presented in conjunction with The Car Wash Show 2014, the largest car wash event in the world, taking place March 31 to April 2, 2014, at McCormick Place. Cynthia Watson, granddaughter of Leo Rousseau, accepted the award on his behalf.
For other news and updates about The Car Wash Show 2014, visit www.TheCarWashShow.com.
About the International Carwash Association
The International Carwash Association® is the non-profit trade group representing the retail and supply segments of the professional car wash industry in North America and around the globe. With 2,000 member companies representing more than 15,000 car wash locations in nearly two dozen countries, the Association is the voice of the professional car wash industry. The Association produces The Car Wash Show™, the world's largest car wash convention and trade show in North America and Europe; publishes CAR WASH magazine, the preferred source of information for the car wash business leader; administers the WaterSavers® environmental recognition program; and provides Wash Count™, a tool for car wash operators to benchmark their business results. To learn more, visit www.carwash.org.