AVW Equipment Company
AVW Equipment Company is a privately held, family-owned US manufacturer founded in 1973 that designs and builds car wash belt conveyors and tunnel systems (Compact 30' to Full 120'+), serving commercial car wash operators worldwide through direct sales, distributors, and a parts webstore.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersMaywood, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AVW Equipment Company does
AVW Equipment Company is a privately held, family-owned US manufacturer of car wash tunnel systems and belt conveyor equipment, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Maywood, Illinois. The company designs and builds modular tunnel systems in three standard footprints (Compact 30', Mid-size 90', Full 120') with full customization up to 130'+ and an extensive supporting equipment portfolio including applicators and arches, dryers, high-pressure blasters, side/top washers, tire washers, vacuum systems, Z-wrap brush combinations, mat cleaners, and entrance/exit equipment. Its flagship 6th Generation dual belt conveyor is engineered with solid stainless glide plates, compression-loaded structural steel framing, optional greaseless bearings, and a plug-and-play Motor Control Center, with documented field performance of 1.2 million cars processed per belt and 63,472 cars washed in a single month on one system. Across 850+ systems installed globally and a 25-year belt conveyor specialization (since 1999), AVW markets a "simplicity in motion" positioning emphasizing durability, minimal maintenance, and reduced vehicle damage claims relative to roller-based conveyors.
The company's revenue model is hardware sales across two streams: (1) full tunnel and conveyor equipment sold through direct sales from its Maywood, IL headquarters, a US distributor network, and an international distributor network spanning Europe, Australia, and North America; and (2) replacement parts sold through an e-commerce webstore with unit prices ranging from $0.04 fasteners to $11,140 tire washer sets. Pricing is per-unit for parts and custom-quoted for full tunnel systems. The customer base is concentrated in commercial car wash operators (enterprise and mid-market segments), with named accounts including Wash U, Buddy Bear Car Wash (11 Chicago-area locations), WOW Carwash, Royal Touch Car Wash, and Italy-based eWash. AVW generates demand through a multi-channel marketing mix including its website and Expert Advice blog, social media, an industry podcast presence, email newsletters, and an active trade show circuit (The Car Wash Show, Automechanika, NACS, Car Wash Show Australia, and others). The company has no disclosed external funding, operates with 11-50 employees, and continues to invest in product line expansion (notably the 2026 Mat Master Air launch) and international market deepening in Australia and continental Europe.
AVW Equipment Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AVW Equipment Company
- Legal name
- AVW Equipment Company, Inc.
- Website
- https://avwequipment.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AVW Equipment Company is a privately held, family-owned US manufacturer founded in 1973 that designs and builds car wash belt conveyors and tunnel systems (Compact 30' to Full 120'+), serving commercial car wash operators worldwide through direct sales, distributors, and a parts webstore.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AVW Equipment Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Car Wash Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pressure Washing & Jetting Equipment (IMAHALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)
Keywords
Where AVW Equipment Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maywood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AVW Equipment Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Car Wash Equipment Manufacturing: Manufacture and sale of complete car wash tunnel systems including belt conveyors, applicators, arches, dryers, side/top washers, tire washers, and associated equipment. Equipment ranges from compact 30-foot to full 120-foot tunnel systems.
- Replacement Parts Sales: Online parts store selling friction equipment, motors, dryers, fasteners, brushes, seal kits, bearings, and other replacement components. Customers can browse by category or equipment and purchase through the webstore.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Replacement Parts - Individual Components |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment Systems - Full Tunnel Systems |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AVW Equipment Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AVW Equipment Company manufactures and sells car wash tunnel systems and components, with the 6th Generation dual belt conveyor as its flagship product. The company offers complete tunnel configurations ranging from compact 30-foot to full 120-foot systems, plus supporting equipment such as applicators, arches, dryers, vacuum systems, side/top washers, tire washers, high-pressure blasters, mat cleaners, and replacement parts. It serves car wash operators globally through direct sales, an e-commerce parts webstore, and a network of US and international distributors.
Product overview
AVW Equipment Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of car wash tunnel systems and components, organized as a modular equipment ecosystem. The core offerings include Belt Conveyors (now in 6th Generation) and Tunnel Systems available in Compact 30', Mid-size 90', and Full 120' configurations, which form the foundation of vehicle transport through wash tunnels. Supporting these core systems are specialized equipment categories: Applicators & Arches, Dryer Equipment, Entrance/Exit Equipment, High Pressure Blasters, Side/Top Washers, Tire Washers/Applicators, Vacuum Systems, and Z-Wraps/Wrap Combinations. The company also offers dedicated mat cleaning solutions including Mat Master Air (with integrated air-drying and Motor Control Center) and the standard Mat Cleaner. For interior detailing operations, the Detail Belt Conveyor enables assembly-line processing. A full range of Replacement Parts supports maintenance and repairs. All equipment follows a 'simplicity in motion' design philosophy emphasizing durability, minimal maintenance, and stainless steel construction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Belt Conveyors (6th Generation) Dual flat belt conveyor system designed for vehicle transport through car wash tunnels, with solid stainless glide plates, compression-loaded structural steel support frame, optional automatic greasers, greaseless bearings, and roller bearings. Caters to full, flex, and express car washes.
- Tunnel Systems Complete car wash tunnel systems available in Compact 30-foot, Mid-size 90-foot, and Full 120-foot configurations, with customizable build-out options from 29 feet through 130+ feet supporting full, flex, and express car wash models, fleet systems, automated handwash, and detail tunnels.
- Vacuum Systems Stainless steel vacuum systems for car interior cleaning, available in various configurations including compact models, designed for durability, aesthetic appeal, and low-maintenance operation.
- Applicators and Arches Equipment for applying chemical solutions, waxes, and other treatments to vehicles, including oscillating arches and various applicator styles for consistent coverage.
- Dryer Equipment High-powered drying systems using air jets to remove water from vehicle surfaces after washing for spot-free results.
- High Pressure Equipment (Blasters) High-pressure washing equipment for pre-wash, wheel cleaning, and tough stain removal, including spinning wheel blasters with universal assembly compatible with both driver and passenger sides.
- Side and Top Washers Rotating brush and cloth systems for cleaning vehicle sides and tops, including oscillating top and side arch configurations.
- Tire Washers and Applicators Specialized equipment for cleaning and treating vehicle tires with adjustable brush designs for various tire sizes.
- Z-Wraps and Wrap Combinations Flexible wrap-style brush systems that contour to vehicle shapes for thorough cleaning, including Z-Wrap/Contour Combo configurations.
- Entrance and Exit Equipment Equipment for vehicle entry and exit points in tunnel systems, including safety features and tracking mechanisms.
- Backroom Equipment Supporting equipment for chemical pumping, water treatment, and backroom operations, including chemical pumping stations and water treatment systems.
- Mat Master Air
- Mat Cleaner Standalone mat cleaning equipment that brushes and scrubs mats quickly, accommodating flat mats to deep laser-measured floor liners, with stainless steel construction and optional wet kit for washing salt and dirt.
- Detail Belt Conveyor 12-foot wide express interior cleaning conveyor enabling assembly-line approach to car detailing, with each station focused on specific tasks like vacuuming, window cleaning, or dashboard wiping for fast and efficient service.
- Dual Wrap Around (Octa Square Arch) OT2-DWA1-EL
- High Pressure Rubber Floor Mat Cleaner (FW3D10)
- Drying Top Brush
- Spinning Wheel Blaster
- LED Car Wash Signage
- Replacement Parts Comprehensive selection of replacement components sold through the online parts webstore, including friction equipment, motors, dryers, fasteners, brushes, hydraulic motors, seal kits, conveyor parts, and other maintenance items with individual unit pricing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 63,472 cars washed in one month on a single AVW belt conveyor system
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AVW Equipment Company
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AVW Equipment Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
AVW Equipment Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- International Carwash Association (ICA)coreActive participant in ICA events including The Car Wash Show. AVW exhibited at Booth #1401 at ICA 2026 in Nashville, hosting education sessions and show specials. Sponsors and participates in ICA programming.
- Focused Carwash SolutionsminorDenver-headquartered distributor and equipment installer that collaborated with WOW Carwash on design, construction, equipment supply and installation.
- Car Wash Show AustraliacoreExhibitor and supporter of Australian Car Wash Association events. Attended Australia Show 2024 and planning for 2026 Adelaide show. Engaging with Australian market for car wash industry growth.
- Washworld Inc.minorItalian distributor relationship where Starwash srl distributes Washworld and AVW equipment in Italy.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AVW Equipment Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WashTec AG: Germany-based global market leader in car wash equipment, with tunnel systems, rollovers, and self-service washes deployed in 70+ countries. A direct competitor in international markets where AVW also operates, with much larger scale and a full product portfolio.
- Washworld Inc. U.S. manufacturer of touchless and express car wash equipment with international distribution (notably in Italy through Starwash, AVW's named distributor). Competes in the express tunnel and self-serve segments, often alongside AVW in same customer builds.
- D&S Car Wash Equipment: Mid-sized U.S. manufacturer of car wash equipment and components, including tunnel and conveyor systems. Direct peer in the U.S. market with overlapping customer base among independent and small-chain car wash operators.
- Motor City Wash Works: U.S. express car wash equipment manufacturer focused on tunnel systems and conveyor equipment, often competing with AVW in the same express and flex-serve operator segment. Comparable product scope and customer base.
- Tommy Car Wash Systems: U.S. car wash tunnel equipment manufacturer and AVW's named integration partner (referenced in the WOW Carwash Littleton, CO installation). Competes in tunnel systems while also collaborating with AVW on combined equipment packages.
- Belanger Inc. North American manufacturer of soft-touch and friction car wash equipment including tunnel systems, conveyors, and components. Direct competitor to AVW in tunnel and conveyor equipment for express and full-service car washes.
- Sonny's Enterprises: Largest U.S. manufacturer of car wash tunnel and conveyor equipment, with a full ecosystem of equipment, chemicals, POS, and controls. Directly competes with AVW across tunnel system sales, conveyor technology, and aftermarket parts — the most direct peer in the U.S. market.
- PDQ Manufacturing / Ryko Solutions: Combined PDQ and Ryko offer tunnel car wash equipment, in-bay automatics, and vehicle wash controls with a strong North American installed base. Direct competitor to AVW in tunnel and conveyor segments, with broader product breadth.
Emerging players
- Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA) members / Mark VII Equipment: Mark VII distributes Istobal self-serve and tunnel car wash equipment in North America and represents an emerging/regional competitor in the conveyor and tunnel segments where AVW operates. Comparable customer base among small and mid-sized car wash operators.
Broad incumbents
- Kärcher (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG): Global leader in cleaning technology with a broad product portfolio spanning consumer, commercial, and industrial cleaning equipment, including high-pressure washers and vehicle wash systems. Broader incumbent that overlaps with AVW on high-pressure washing and component categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AVW Equipment Company social profiles
Digital presenceAVW Equipment Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AVW Equipment Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
AVW Equipment Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AVW Equipment Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AVW Equipment Company
What does AVW Equipment Company do?
AVW Equipment Company manufactures and sells car wash tunnel systems and components, with the 6th Generation dual belt conveyor as its flagship product. The company offers complete tunnel configurations ranging from compact 30-foot to full 120-foot systems, plus supporting equipment such as applicators, arches, dryers, vacuum systems, side/top washers, tire washers, high-pressure blasters, mat cleaners, and replacement parts. It serves car wash operators globally through direct sales, an e-commerce parts webstore, and a network of US and international distributors.
Is AVW Equipment Company a public or private company?
AVW Equipment Company is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was AVW Equipment Company founded?
AVW Equipment Company was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AVW Equipment Company based?
AVW Equipment Company is headquartered in Maywood, United States, in the North America region.
How does AVW Equipment Company make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Car Wash Equipment Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are replacement Parts Sales.
Who are AVW Equipment Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WashTec AG, Washworld Inc., D&S Car Wash Equipment, Motor City Wash Works, Tommy Car Wash Systems, Belanger Inc., Sonny's Enterprises and PDQ Manufacturing / Ryko Solutions. Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA) members / Mark VII Equipment is listed as an emerging player. Kärcher (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does AVW Equipment Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for AVW Equipment Company.
What industry is AVW Equipment Company in?
AVW Equipment Company's product category is Car Wash Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHALAB, Pressure Washing & Jetting Equipment, with a secondary code of IMAHAGAN, Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers). Its NAICS code is 333922 and its SIC code is 3560.