Bill Martin of Metro Express Car Wash in Boise, Idaho, has been inducted into the Car Wash Hall of Fame.
Bill Martin of Metro Express Car Wash in Boise, Idaho, has been inducted into the Car Wash Hall of Fame by the International Carwash Association®. He receives this honor—the professional car wash industry’s highest honor—in recognition of his achievements as one of the industry’s most successful and influential operators. The award was presented by International Carwash Association President Jerry Miller this morning at The Car Wash Show™ 2012 in Las Vegas.
Martin started his long and storied car wash career at the age of 14, washing cars in his front yard and advertising his services throughout the neighborhood. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and, after that, served as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department before going back to his car washing roots in 1969 as a supplier’s representative.
Martin opened his first car wash in 1973. By 1981, he had moved to Boise and opened a full-service car wash. Martin joined the International Carwash Association Board of Directors in 1986 and became president of the association in 1991. In 1996, Martin co-founded Car Wash Partners. He grew the company to 35 locations by the time he retired in 2001. Martin hadn’t truly retired, though. Three years later, in 2004, Martin was back, with Metro Express Car Washes, which he still owns and operates today.
The International Carwash Association is proud to include Martin in the Car Wash Hall of Fame. This high honor is one of many recognitions Martin has received, including being recognized as an innovator by the Western Carwash Association and WashTrends Magazine and receiving the City of Meridian (ID) Environmental Excellence Award.
People who have met and worked with Martin, such as Ron Peterson of Mister Car Wash, sum his career up best: “Bill is one of the most sharing people in the industry. He has constantly innovated with his business, but he’s always been a true friend.”