HOWCO was founded in 1969, but the chain of events that led to its creation began with Charlie Howard working as an assistant superintendent and engineer of sorts at a milling company in Charlotte. Howard was in charge of maintaining, installing, upgrading, automating, and overseeing all things mechanical at the grain mill. He was the consummate take-charge handyman and also a licensed electrician.

When the mill was bought by out-of-state owners, however, Howard was replaced after 20 years on the job. He decided to go into business with an acquaintance who sold high pressure washers, steamers, chemicals, and other cleaning equipment and products to the trucking industry. This led to and interest in exploring the car wash industry, as there weren't many car washes in the Charlotte area in the late 1960's.

Automatic car washes and related technology were still in their infancy, and Howard and his partner became a distributor of California Car Wash Equipment, which they marketed, installed, and maintained for various car wash operators around the region.

There was, however, one significant hurdle. California Car Wash Equipment was indeed based in California with no presence on the East Coast, meaning Easterners who wanted to see an equipment demonstration had to travel west. So Howard and his partner decided to build their own car wash to demo the equipment. That wash became the first Autobell Car Wash, which opened in Charlotte in 1969 as an exterior wash with self-serve vacuums.

Howard and his partner soon disagreed on how the fledgling car wash should be operated and subsequently decided to part ways. Howard kept the car wash, and his partner reverted to selling steam cleaning equipment to the trucking industry.

Additionally, Howard parlayed his car wash experience and equipment knowledge into becoming a distributor for Hanna Car Wash Systems. Howard named his distributorship HOWCO.

At that point, HOWCO was a one-man company, with Charlie Howard being the sales, installation, and maintenance departments, while his college-student son Chuck ran the lone Autobell Car Wash.

Fast forward four decades, and sister companies HOWCO and Autobell - still owned and operated by the Howard family - are widely recognized as reputable stalwarts in the car wash industry. When Charlie Howard died in 1986, Chuck took the reins to both companies. Chuck's three children have been heavily entrenched in the family businesses for years, and the next generation is developing interest as well.

Since its inception, HOWCO has been involved with building and/or equipment upfits for nearly 500 full-service and self-serve car washes. Its territory now encompasses all of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC; and parts of West Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. The company currently employs about two dozen highly skilled people in three states who oversee site selection and analysis; project management; operational training; and equipment/chemical sales, installation, and maintenance.

HOWCO and its employees have received dozens of industry awards and accolades over the years from equipment and chemical suppliers, as well as various trade associations.

When asked about the growth, success and longevity of HOWCO, CEO and owner Chuck Howard replies, "It's the people. Our employees are highly trained and very knowledgeable and experienced in every aspect of the car wash business. That, coupled with our continually enhanced technology, chemical, design, and site selection and layout prowess, saves our customers a lot of time and money in every phase of building and maintaining a car wash. It's our people offering their dedication and knowledge to help others be successful in the car wash business."

HOWCO Awards