Tommy Car Wash Systems

Tommy Car Wash Systems is an American company that designs, manufactures, and distributes car wash equipment, parts, and components, and also offers facilities and operations support, including franchise solutions. The business traces its origins to 1969, when Jun and Sonny Essenburg launched the first Quality Car Wash with a dual rollover system on 17th Street in Holland, Michigan. After early success, the wash was converted into an automated 60-foot tunnel, and the family expanded with additional locations in Holland and a 180-foot gas, convenience-store, and car wash site that introduced the Integrated Flight Deck System, a design concept that still grounds Tommy Car Wash designs. In the 1990s, Tommy Car Wash Systems partnered with AVW Equipment and launched a national distributorship network, bringing AVW products to leading car washes in the United States and abroad. Tom Essenburg then launched the Tommy Car Wash Systems equipment line as a signature series package for operators, highlighted by the opening of Tommy's Express in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a new Quality Car Wash gas, convenience-store, and car wash model in Muskegon, Michigan. In the early 2000s, Tommy Car Wash Systems and AVW Equipment developed and installed the first wet tunnel belt conveyor. Today, the company markets itself as a nationwide provider of car wash equipment, parts, and support, with products engineered for operators who expect more. Its flagship offerings include the Tommy Transporter dual belt conveyor, created in partnership with AVW over a decade ago and described as the most advanced and trusted conveyor solution available; Signature Detergents, a proprietary detergent line formulated for extreme high-volume scenarios; the Extreme Clean Combo, a compact friction unit combining a mitter curtain with rocker, wrap, and hugger brushes; an all-in-one Water Treatment Center combining RO and reclaim; and a ChargePoint Express 280 DC Fast Charger Kit for EV charging. The company positions itself across equipment, facilities, and operations, supporting customers from the smallest fitting to a comprehensive franchise solution.

The story of Tommy Car Wash Systems begins in 1969, when Jun and Sonny Essenburg launched the first Quality Car Wash with a dual rollover system on 17th Street in Holland, Michigan. After just a few years and great success, they converted the wash into an automated 60-foot tunnel. Quality Car Wash then opened its Eastown location on Holland's main street; for decades, this location would hold the record for washing 2,500 cars per day for two consecutive days. In the early 1970s, Quality Car Wash built several new locations in Holland, Michigan, and also purchased several existing locations and renovated them for improved services and processing. In the 1980s, Jun and Tom Essenburg built and opened a 180-foot gas, convenience-store, and car wash site. This site was the first to incorporate the Integrated Flight Deck System, which still grounds Tommy Car Wash designs. At peak performance, the site could wash up to 205 cars per hour. In the 1990s, Tommy Car Wash Systems partnered with AVW Equipment and launched a national distributorship network, helping to bring cutting-edge AVW products to leading car washes in the United States and abroad. Tom Essenburg then launched the Tommy Car Wash Systems equipment line as a new signature series equipment package for operators. The launch was highlighted in the grand opening of Tommy's Express, a full-service wash converted to an Express car wash in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as a brand new Quality Car Wash gas, convenience-store, and car wash model with a barrel vault and clear acrylic roof located in Muskegon, Michigan. In the early 2000s, Tommy Car Wash Systems and AVW Equipment developed and installed the first-ever wet tunnel belt conveyor. Over the following decades, the company continued to expand its equipment, parts, and support offerings. Its current product portfolio includes the Tommy Transporter dual belt conveyor, created in partnership with AVW over a decade ago and described as the most advanced and trusted conveyor solution available today; Signature Detergents, a proprietary detergent line formulated for extreme high-volume scenarios; the Extreme Clean Combo, a compact friction unit combining a mitter curtain with rocker, wrap, and hugger brushes; an all-in-one Water Treatment Center combining RO and reclaim; and a ChargePoint Express 280 DC Fast Charger Kit delivering up to 160 kW shared output. The company presents itself as a nationwide provider of car wash equipment, parts, and support, serving operators from the smallest fitting to a comprehensive franchise solution.

• 2002

  Tommy Car Wash Systems and AVW Equipment develop and install the first-ever wet tunnel belt conveyor.

• 2001

  Tom Essenburg launches the Tommy Car Wash Systems equipment line as a signature series equipment package for operators.

• 1990

  Tommy Car Wash Systems partners with AVW Equipment and launches a national distributorship network.

• 1980

  Jun and Tom Essenburg build and open a 180-foot gas, convenience-store, and car wash site, the first to incorporate the Integrated Flight Deck System.

• 1971

  Quality Car Wash opens its Eastown location on Holland's main street, which would hold the record for washing 2,500 cars per day for two consecutive days.

• 1969

  Jun and Sonny Essenburg launch the first Quality Car Wash with a dual rollover system on 17th Street in Holland, Michigan.

Engineered for operators who expect more; delivering power and precision in rugged stainless steel across equipment, facilities, and operations.

• Tommy Transporter

  Dual belt conveyor created in partnership with AVW over a decade ago; described as the most advanced and trusted conveyor solution available today.

• Signature Detergents

  Proprietary detergent line formulated for extreme high-volume scenarios, from presoak to tire shine.

• Extreme Clean Combo

  Compact friction unit combining a mitter curtain with rocker, wrap, and hugger brushes for consistent soft-cloth or foam cleaning at high belt speeds.

• Water Treatment Center

  All-in-one unit combining RO and Reclaim into one powerful yet efficient piece of equipment.

• ChargePoint Express 280 DC Fast Charger Kit

  High-power DC fast charging kit with two networked ChargePoint Express 280 stations delivering up to 160 kW shared output.

1. 1Tommy Car Wash Systemstommycarwash.com
2. 2Our Story | Tommy Car Wash Systemstommycarwash.com
3. 3Tommy Car Wash Systemswikidata.org