Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Coleman.
Russell, please share your story with us.
My father, Jim Coleman started the company in 1966, manufacturing self-serve car wash equipment and selling throughout Texas. As sales grew, production and manufacturing capabilities were increased while widening our sales territory to the entire United States.
In 1999, I became the president and our line of car wash equipment expanded to include in bay automatics with sales continuing to grow. With automatic car wash equipment in our product line, we were able to market and sell car wash equipment to over 25 countries worldwide.
With the change in the car wash market, we grew our product line to include tunnel or conveyorized car wash equipment. In 2005, Jim Coleman Company purchased a world-renowned brand named Hanna Car Wash Equipment whom is known for high quality conveyorized car wash equipment. Conveyorized equipment is similar to equipment you would see at Mr. Car Wash© in Houston, TX. As sales continued to grow, we advanced our manufacturing efforts. Production of Hanna Car Wash equipment moved from Portland, Oregon to Houston, Texas. In 2008, the great recession hit the construction industry very hard and sales also hit a low point. Banks would not loan money to new investors resulting in declining sales. Once the economy rebounded, new loans were given out giving a rebirth to the car wash industry.
In 2012, as the economy was improving, Coleman Hanna was formed with Ed O’Hanrahan as the CEO and myself as the President. Coleman Hanna commits to continue to grow in our sales and manufacturing capabilities. Presently, we employ over 125 employees in northwest Houston and own over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space. New technologies are developed to clean the vehicle better, safer, and faster than ever before. Our manufacturing process is made more efficient through the purchasing of state-of-the-art equipment to produce faster, safer and to expand our product range. Coleman Hanna has plans to continue to expand with a new building to be built on site of existing facilities in Northwest Houston in effort to further expand production. Every year, new equipment is introduced and enhancements are made to improve our existing product line. We will continue in our commitment to expand production, introduce innovative equipment to increase sales for our customers, and adjustments made to existing equipment to produce the most efficient car wash equipment on the market.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The Great recession in 2008 hit the construction market very hard and as a result the Sales of Car wash equipment declined significantly. It was tough times because we had to lay off employees and scale back operations. However, we were able to survive and stay in business.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Coleman Hanna Carwash Systems – what should we know?
We are a manufacturing company that produces Car wash equipment. We manufacture the equipment in Houston Texas and sell it thru out the world in over 25 countries. We manufacture a full line of car wash equipment from self serve equipment to automated conveyorized car wash equipment. We sell car wash equipment to car manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Audi, Toyota, Lexus, Tesla, Ford and Chrysler.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My father deserves a lot of credit for starting the business back in 1966 and developing the Coleman brand of car wash equipment. Ed O’Hanrahan also deserves credit for having the vision to see that the car wash industry has a future while we were in the great recession.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5842 West 34th Street
- Website: ColemanHanna.com
- Phone: 713 683 9878
- Email: info@colemanhanna.com
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