Partnership as the Foundation for Sustainable Innovation

Car Wash Transmissies and Ammeraal Beltech Join Forces to Develop Reliable Conveyor Systems for the Car Wash Industry

A successful partnership goes beyond simply supplying a product. It is about sharing knowledge, developing solutions together, and challenging each other to continuously improve. This is exactly what defines the collaboration between Car Wash Transmissies and Ammeraal Beltech. What began with a critical first encounter has grown into a strong partnership in which engineering, innovation, and trust go hand in hand.

“We weren't looking for a customer who simply wanted to buy a conveyor belt,” explains Jean-Pierre Claassen, Senior Global Key Account & Industry Manager Mobility at Ammeraal Beltech. “A high-quality belt can only perform at its best when the conveyor system underneath it is equally well engineered.”

This philosophy laid the foundation for the initial contact between the two companies several years ago. Car Wash Transmissies was eager to use Ammeraal Beltech's premium conveyor belts but initially received a surprising response: supplying a belt without being certain of the quality of the overall system did not align with Ammeraal Beltech's philosophy. That changed when Car Wash Transmissies decided to develop a complete conveyor system of its own.

"The best solutions emerge when knowledge and practical experience come together."

About the collaboration with Maurice Piket and Car Wash Transmissies

Anyone who meets Maurice Piket quickly realizes that technology is much more than just a profession to him. Piket’s passion for technology started at an early age.

Growing up around his father’s car wash, he quickly became fascinated by the industry. He started his career as a mechanic before becoming an entrepreneur.

More than 25 years later, Maurice Piket Techniek is a trusted name in the car wash industry. As Piket puts it: “We don’t just solve breakdowns; we look at how installations can be smarter, more sustainable and more reliable.”

Weighing the options: Which conveyor system is the best fit for your Car Wash?

The capacity of a car wash is largely determined by its conveyor system. Teh choice betewee a chain conveyor and a plastic modular conveyor belt afffects not only vehicle throughput, but als reliability, maintenance requirements, and the customer experience. 

In the car wash industry, the choice of conveyor system plays an important role in operational efficiency. The traditional chain conveyor has been a trusted solution for many years, while plastic modular conveyor belts have gained popularity in recent years. Although both systems serve the same purpose – moving vehicles through the car wash in a controlled manner – they differ significantly in terms of cost, customer experience, and maintenance requirements.

“It is difficult to estimate how many chain conveyors are currently in use in the Netherlands compared to plastic modular conveyor belts,” says Patrick Ketelaar, who founded Car Wash Transmissies together with his father, Hans. The company provides transmission solutions for both interior and exterior conveyor systems in car washes.

“However, we are seeing a shift in the market. Particularly at new car wash locations, we notice that almost every operator opts for a plastic modular conveyor belt. At the same time, existing car wash locations with traditional chain conveyors tend to stick with their current systems due to the investment costs and the downtime required to switch from a chain conveyor to a plastic modular belt.”

The conveyor chain is the heart of your car wash. When it stops, your revenue stops. That’s why fast availability of parts is essential.

Car Wash Transmissions is the specialist in conveyor chain components and keeps wear-sensitive parts in stock for all common chain brands. This enables us to deliver quickly and help you prevent breakdowns, delays, and unnecessary downtime.

Whether it concerns chains, sprockets, rollers, tensioners, or guide profiles:
with us, you always receive the right part, perfectly matched to your conveyor system.

Why choose Car Wash Transmissions?
• Available directly from stock
• Suitable for all common brands
• Less downtime and lower maintenance costs
• Technical expertise and reliable advice

Prevent problems and choose certainty.
👉 Contact us today or request a quote right away.

Car Wash Transmissions – reliability in every link.

The car wash industry continues to evolve with innovative solutions that ensure a more efficient and safer washing process. One of these innovations is the Dual Lane from Car Wash Transmissies: a well-designed conveyor system that guides vehicles through the wash more stably than ever before. With an innovative dual-lane system, every car effortlessly enters the wash, while staff need to intervene less. A smart investment that immediately results in faster throughput, higher customer satisfaction, and minimal risk of damage.

What is a Dual Lane?

A Dual Lane is a dual-track conveyor, where both the wheels on the driver’s side and the passenger’s side rest on separate plastic mats and are moved simultaneously. Unlike a Single Lane system, which supports only the wheels on one side, a Dual Lane offers more balance and control during transport.
Thanks to this dual-track design, the vehicle enters the wash straight and stable. The risk of misalignment or slipping is minimized—even in wet or slippery conditions.

Smart Technology for a Smooth Process

Traditional conveyor systems are often maintenance-intensive, but Car Wash Transmissies (CWT) has completely redesigned this. Using its own design, CWT developed a system that is low-maintenance, durable, and future-proof.

Maintenance-Friendly Design
The system is equipped with a special rinsing system and stainless steel wear plates that channel away dirt, keeping it cleaner for longer and reducing the need for manual maintenance. The number of rinsing stations is intentionally limited but can be expanded as needed.

From observation to innovation: The Modular Heavy-Duty Interior Conveyor that sets a new standard

The world of car wash systems is evolving rapidly – and staying ahead requires more than just improving existing technologies. Car Wash Transmissions (CWT) understands this better than anyone. What began with a specific customer request in Italy has grown into a revolutionary breakthrough: the development of an entirely new, heavy-duty modular interior conveyor concept that combines customization, innovation, and technical precision.

A challenge from Italy as a catalyst for innovation

After years of analyzing traditional interior conveyors, CWT was presented with a unique challenge: replace a 14-year-old, outdated interior conveyor at a car wash in Italy. The question: can it be done better? The answer: absolutely. With a team of engineers, designers, and skilled technicians, CWT developed a completely new system tailored to the client’s specific needs. But it didn’t stop there – the experience served as the launchpad for something much bigger.

From custom solution to modular vision

More and more frequently, clients began asking: “Can you also provide modular heavy-duty interior conveyor systems?” Under the leadership of Patrick Ketelaar (COO, Car Wash Transmissies) and Hans Ketelaar (CFO, K&W Beheer), the CWT team made a bold decision – rather than copy existing concepts, they pursued a radical innovation grounded in real-world practice and advanced engineering. The first step: listening. Not just to customers in Europe, but also in the U.S. What are the bottlenecks? What already works well? And where is the current market falling short of practical needs?

Collaborating with Industry Experts

To perfect the system down to the smallest detail, CWT partnered with top-tier companies like Ammeraal – manufacturer of one of the best modular belts on the market – and Maurice Piket Techniek, who contributed both practical experience and a complete electronic control system.

Technology as the foundation for innovation

The technical development focused on three pillars: dimensional stability, structural integrity, and durability. “A modular conveyor is essentially a looped drive system,” says Patrick Ketelaar. “We could immediately apply our specialized knowledge to that.”

From Observation to Innovation: A Custom-Built Interior Conveyor Belt!
After years of analyzing and observing existing interior conveyor systems in car washes, CWT was presented with a unique challenge:
An Italian car wash asked if we could replace their outdated, 14-year-old interior conveyor belt. Our answer was clear: "Yes, we can!"

That confidence sparked immediate trust – and secured the project. With a dedicated team of experienced engineers, designers, and production staff, we got to work. The result? A completely new and significantly improved system, fully tailored to the client's specific needs. Once again, CWT proves that innovation, craftsmanship, and customization go hand in hand – even across borders.

Innovative Design, Developed Through Close Collaboration.
The new system was not only entirely redesigned, but also produced in-house.
This innovative solution came to life thanks to a close collaboration between CWT, Ammeraal, and Maurice Piket. Their combined expertise, technical know-how, and valuable input led to something exceptional: a durable, efficient, and future-proof interior conveyor system, ready for many years of intensive use.

Together, we make the difference – with smart engineering, strong partnerships, and a passion for perfection.

Car Wash Transmissions has officially joined BOVAG, specifically the Car Wash and Detailing Companies division, as a Partner in Business.

Through this collaboration, both parties aim to strengthen their commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in the mobility sector and preparing them for the future.
BOVAG is a well-established and trusted trade association that has represented the interests of thousands of entrepreneurs for decades. By becoming a Partner in Business, Car Wash Transmissions becomes part of a powerful network dedicated to enhancing quality, innovation, and growth within the car wash and detailing industry.

Car Wash Transmissions provides high-quality products and services that meet the needs of BOVAG members. By actively collaborating with BOVAG, the company aims to create tangible added value for affiliated businesses.
This new partnership highlights the shared ambition of both organizations to build long-term relationships and further professionalize the industry.

The company is not only expanding with a second building in Lelystad but is also renewing its systems. It all started with the supply of car wash components, and for the past year the company has also been building its own car wash structures – with much success. Now the company is already looking ahead to the next innovation: its own conveyor system for conveyor belts.

Affiliate company K&W Transmissies is located on Poseidonweg in Lelystad. Car Wash Transmissies was also operating from this building, but quickly it outgrew the location and had to move. “Initially, the focus was on car wash components such as chains, sprockets and rollers, and that went very well. From the moment we started making our own structures, we grew so fast that we had to sacrifice part of the warehouse in the current building,” says Patrick Ketelaar, co-owner of Car Wash Transmissies. “In order to meet the demand for structures, we really needed more space.” This space is now available, thanks to a newly constructed building in Lelystad that has already been completed, just down the road at Apolloweg 104. Part of the building is used as a warehouse for chains, rollers, reversing and drive stations, sliding and guide strips, and motor reducers and structures suitable for all brands of car washes. The other half forms the production hall, where the structures are welded in-house. With this new location, the company hopes to be able to continue for several years.

Solutions for every brand
According to Ketelaar, the success of the structures is mainly due to the fact that CWT produces them itself. “We don’t use any intermediaries; all the structures are expertly welded by our own welders. The many years of expertise of our sister company K&W Productie is a major advantage in this respect. This team has been working well together for many years, and together with them we continue to innovate and improve our products.”
Another advantage is that Car Wash Transmissies is not dependent on a brand. Co-owner Diana Hoolwerf explains: “We have three affiliate companies: K&W Productie, K&W Transmissies and Car Wash Transmissies. These companies complement each other and that synergy allows us to tailor everything to our customers. The brand of the car wash does not matter; our solutions always fit.”

Ever since it opened, about 8 years ago, there have been problems with the cars moving on the chain conveyor. Maurice Piket: “The chain conveyor was too deep in the floor, causing the cars to turn left and the rims to run against the chain on the left side, which regularly resulted in damage to rims. This was very annoying for customers and expensive for an entrepreneur who takes responsibility for this.”
Justin and Jasper, owners of All-In Carwash in Echt, called in the help of the company Car Wash Transmissies, which, together with Maurice Piket Techniek, looked at the issue and discovered the problem. “It turned out that the chain conveyor was located on average 3.5 cm below floor level over its entire length. This was causing the cars to 'move' to the left instead of to the right.

After thorough preparation, Car Wash Transmissies and Maurice Piket Techniek joined forces and solved the problems for the customer. “We removed the entire chain conveyor and raised it. New sections have been welded into the damaged chain conveyor sections. We started this early in the morning and finished it at night. The car wash only stood still for 1 day.”

Source: Wolters PersPublicaties (WPP) Trade magazines CARWASH