1980
our first controller

In 1980 carwash operators had very few options when it came to equipment control. As Alan Doyle’s electrical contracting company serviced more and more carwashes this became clear. So Alan hired Chris Pfeiffer, an electrical engineer to build a better controller. Built mostly from parts from Radio Shack, the first controller was an 8-output unit called “The Compuwash” and was sold through a carwash company named Cyclonic Equipment. It was installed in a carwash in Setauket, NY and its benefits quickly became clear.

1980
first ICA show

With a few months of successful controller operation under their belts, Alan Doyle and Chris Pfeiffer headed out to the ICA (International Carwash Association) trader show held in Detroit, Michigan to exhibit the new “Compuwash”. They shared booth space with Cyclonic Equipment, a Long Island, NY based equipment distributor. Operators were excited about the advantages the new unit had over the other controllers on the market at that time. While no orders were placed at the show, the seeds had been sown and the interest began to spread. Within a few months after the show several orders had been placed.

1983
things are rolling

Just a few years later hundreds of controllers were being sold due to their enhanced features and proven reliability. Compuwash Systems, Inc was started as a separate division of A.R. Doyle Electric Co. and the staff had increased from 1 to 12.

1988
More “computer” based products

The CS32 was released as an add-on to the Diamond Series controllers. The CS32 allowed operators to view and print reports instead of needing to rely on manual counters.

1991
second generation controller is released

After selling over 4,000 Diamond Series controllers the Commander controller was released. The Commander was a microprocessor-based controller, which was programmed through a serial terminal. This was much easier for operators than setting dozens of dip-switches like they had to do with other controllers including the Diamond Series.

1992
motor control centers fit need

As an electrical engineer, Alan Doyle saw the hassle operators and installers had to go through to install carwash controls. Therefore, Compuwash began manufacturing the Compucenter, a motor control center that housed much more than just the motor starters. Inside the tunnel controller, motor starters, entrance switch controls, anti-collision controls, prep-gun timers, start/stop controls and others were pre-wired in the factory. This made it much easier to install in the field especially for electricians that were not carwash specialists. You can learn more about our MCC panels by clicking here.

1995
kyle gets involved in the family business

Alan’s son Kyle begins working at Compuwash. Starting by wiring motor control panels and then moving into inside sales, Kyle began learning how the carwash industry and carwash controls worked. That coupled with his experience managing the family carwash helped Kyle gain the experience he would later utilize as CEO.

1999
VFDs help lower electric bills

A customer asked Compuwash to build a custom panel for him with VFDs (variable frequency drives) to help him lower his electric bills. After seeing the benefit of installing these VFDs, Compuwash became the first carwash company to offer VFD panels to the industry. Compuwash also conducted an engineering study to describe the savings that result when a carwash installs VFDs on their blowers. This study was verified and then used my many utility companies as a basis for calculating rebates to carwash owners who install VFD panels. You can learn more about our VFD panels by clicking here.

2004
alan “semi” retires

After running Compuwash for more than 25 years and running an electrical contracting company for 10 years before that, Alan handed the reigns to his son Kyle. With over 10 years of experience in the industry and a passion for building better carwash controls, Kyle became Compuwash’s President and CEO.

We say that Alan, “semi” retired because the carwash tunnel and not the golf course was his chosen place of recreation. Alan continues to spend much of his time at carwashes, selling and installing equipment, helping design new equipment, fixing problems and learning even more about carwashing.

2005
new strategy

To better address Compuwash’s target customers the product line was split. The Carwash Panel Shop was started which focused on the motor control centers, VFD panels and other electrical control peripherals. Compuwash would focus solely on tunnel controllers and point-of-sale software. This focus allowed Compuwash to compete more directly with other controller and pos companies that did not get involved in electrical control equipment.

2006
third generation controller released

26 years after Compuwash’s first controller was built from parts from Radio Shack, Compuwash released its most advanced controller yet. Spending well over 1 million dollars in development, the Wash Pilot is a controller that is feature rich, affordable and easy to use. It is designed to be the new industry standard in tunnel controllers. You can learn more about the Wash Pilot by clicking here.

2007
revolutionary point-of-sale software released

After hearing operators complain about the complexity and high-price of carwash point-of-sale software, Compuwash released the profit pilot, revolutionary new pos software. The profit pilot proves to be far more affordable (less than 1/10th the price) and much easier to use. You can learn more about the Profit Pilot by clicking here.

the future...

Compuwash will continue to develop and offer products that stick to our “simple is better” beliefs. As the years go by operators can count on Compuwash to work hard to help you utilize technology to make running a carwash with less complexity so that you can focus on more important things.