In the trucking industry , not all costs are related to fuel, maintenance, or tolls; there are processes that, although routine, directly impact the profitability of the operation. One of these is the cleaning of the vehicles.
Every time a truck enters the wash, it’s taken off the road . At that moment, it stops generating revenue and becomes another operating cost. The problem is that, in many cases, this downtime isn’t measured or managed as part of business efficiency, explained Marco Arciniega, Special Business Coordinator at Karcher Mexico .
In an interview with T21, he emphasized that traditional washing – by hand or with a pressure washer – can take between one and one and a half hours per unit, with water consumption around 1,500 liters.
When comparing methods, Arciniega explained that semi-mechanized processes can reduce processing times to about 30 minutes, while automated systems allow for a reduction to around 10 minutes per unit. The difference is not only operational: it also impacts the number of units that can be serviced in a day .
In terms of water consumption, he noted that the most advanced systems integrate recycling schemes that allow for the reuse of between 80% and 85% of the resource , compared to the high levels of use in conventional methods. This point is particularly relevant in a context where water availability is beginning to put pressure on operations in different regions of the country.
In terms of costs, he explained that manual washing can involve expenses of around 900 pesos per unit for labor and materials, while automated models significantly reduce that amount. However, beyond the savings, the emphasis was placed on productivity: the time the units remain out of operation.
In addition to the operational aspect, Arciniega said that cleanliness also impacts the perception of the service. A vehicle in visibly well-maintained condition projects greater confidence and quality to customers and users, an element that, although intangible, is part of competitiveness.
In a sector pressured by costs, insecurity, and a shortage of drivers, optimizing downtime is gaining traction in the conversation. Cleaning, beyond being a routine task, is emerging as an additional factor in the efficiency of trucking.
The difference is that, as companies seek greater control over their costs and operations, processes like this cease to be secondary and become strategic decisions . What is currently measured as an operating expense could become a direct indicator of productivity and sustainability within the sector.
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