Trending upward despite a sluggish economy include Collision on Wheels, (ranked 7) and Dryer Vent Wizard, (ranked 8)
Released on: August 8, 2008, 4:46 am
Press Release Author: Dryer Vent Wizard
Industry: Small Business
Press Release Summary: Concepts continuing to hit a nerve with consumers include saving time, money and safety
Press Release Body: According to Greg Longe and co-president John Lynch, AFS Group of Companies franchisors of Collision on Wheels, We Come to You! (CW) and Dryer Vent Wizard (DVW), Dry Clothes, Safe Homes, the demand for each of the AFS concepts has led to increases in staffing and support personnel at home office to accommodate increased growth.
"People are keeping their cars longer so naturally there will be more dents and dings. Demand for a concept like Collision on Wheels delivering convenience and quality body work at prices lower than a traditional body shop charges is very appealing to consumers in today's economy," says Longe.
The company recently appointed Dick Atchity as Executive VP and COO, formerly National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster Clean and National Manager of Sales Planning for Safelite AutoGlass. They also added two Regional Sales Directors and a National Business Development Manager to help support franchisees sales effort and secure national accounts.
In addition, the mobile concept has garnered the attention of several insurance companies who are working with CW to provide their customers with efficient and quality auto body service while creating efficiencies in their own businesses.
As demand for consumer convenience and money saving services increases, the demand on Collision on Wheels franchisees to provide a more efficient estimating process was identified. To that end, the company recently signed a multi-year contact with CCC Information Service, Inc. a company that provides auto body estimating software. The software, called Pathways, makes it easier for franchisees to estimate, creates consistent franchise pricing from coast to coast and speeds up the repair process for retail and wholesale customers.
There are over 55 Collision on Wheels location in the U.S. with the newest CW markets opening up in Chattanooga Tennessee, Lansing, Michigan, Orange County California, Columbia, South Carolina, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Southern California, Orange County, New York and Fort Pierce, Florida.
Collision on Wheels, We Come to You! is a mobile body shop on wheels performing the body and paint work for consumer, insurance, fleet and dealer customers. For more information visit http://www.collisiononwheels.com.
Dryer Vent Wizard When people stop to wonder how in the world a dryer vent franchise concept could trend at all much less upward, take a look at the U.S. Fire Administration statistics that show 15,500 dryer fires start every year due to lack of maintenance in dryers and dryer vents. "As more people become aware of the fact that taking three cycles to dry clothes means there's a dryer vent clog-a known fire hazard, it becomes a safety issue in addition to getting that dryer back up and running again," says Longe. The demand is reflected in our same store sales up 80 percent over last year's numbers."
With 51 franchisees and growing, the Dryer Vent Wizard services has also gained the attention of condo associations whose insurance companies are concerned about lint accumulation in dryer vents causing dryer fires.
Adding more fuel to the fire is the recent class action lawsuit against Sears and Lowes for improper installing of dryer venting.
The company recently appointed Dayn Benson, VP corporate development to the Dryer Vent Wizard team. Benson, is interested in partnering with Sears and Lowes to assist them in a national solution to their situation.
"While cleaning and maintenance is a part of the services provided, we're nationally known as specialists in the field of dryer vent repair, replacement, installation and alteration, " says Benson. Many of our franchisees are already doing business with Sears and Lowes on the local level.
Fold in dryer manufacturers who for years have put warnings in their customers' dryer manuals regarding the importance of regular maintenance are now cracking down on warranties due to improper venting.
While getting a homeowners' dryer running properly and preventing dryer fires is the priority, most people don't realize how much more efficient their dryer is after the venting has been cleared of lint and debris saving energy dollars on average to the tune of $18 to $24 per month. Another triumph for the green movement. For more information visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com Contact: Dayn Benson 5523 East Nine Mile Road Warren, MI 48091 1-866-498-7233 This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC