Dutch investor Torqx Capital Partners has started an acquisition offensive in the car wash industry. The company recently aquired Autowas H2O (four branches), Bubbles Carwash in Rotterdam and XXL Carwash in The Hague.

Autowas H2O has four car wash locations in the Randstad, by far the most populated region in The Netherlands. Hein Castelijns was recently appointed general manager of the group. The founders of Autowas H2O, Hans Lenting and Martin van Poortvliet are taking a step back.

The new car wash group, which was created together with Bubbles Carwash in Rotterdam, was immediately strengthened by the takeover of XXL Carwash in The Hague, one of the largest carwashes in the region.

Hein Casteleins says he is honored that brothers Martin and Onno Middendorp are entrusting their family heritage to Torqx. “XXL Carwash is a great company, run by fantastic people and therefore enjoys an excellent reputation.

The combined car washes of Autowas H2O and XXL Carwash are a perfect match, both in terms of geographical location and quality. Together we are building a new car wash group that offers an excellent customer experience, enhanced by efficient and sustainable operations.”

Largest in the Benelux

Torqx makes no secret of their ambitions. They want to become the market leader in premium carwashes in the Benelux. David van Hasselt, Investment Director at Torqx: “We have been following the carwash industry for several years and have built a large network of entrepreneurs, suppliers, marketing specialists and other experts in the industry. With Autowas H2O and XXL Carwash Den Haag we have a strong presence in the province of South Holland from which we can further shape our ambitions in the carwash industry. We look forward to working with more entrepreneurs to further expand the new carwash group.”

Also read: 

• Go Car Washes goes through 100 locations threshold
• Tommy’s Express Car Wash on track for 100th opening