Can you introduce us to CosmetiCar?
CosmetiCar is a network specialized in waterless cleaning of light vehicles since 2003. Recently, we realized that we could transfer this skill to the boating industry. On the one hand because the products used for cars are also suitable for boats and on the other hand because it is in a car that we find the greatest variety of materials: leather, wood, alcantara, which gives us the ability to clean other types of vehicles.
How did you get into the boating world?
By pure chance. We have a franchised agency in Perpignan, which had the opportunity to test the products on a boat, at the request of a customer. We found that there was compatibility between the supports. The cleaner used to wash the exterior of the vehicle could also clean the gel coat of boats, the alcantara cleaner was also suitable for the interior fittings of boats..
A one-year test period was therefore carried out in 2017 in this pilot agency in Perpignan and the results were exceptional. They validated the adaptability of our product range to boat cleaning.
We have recently generalized it to our agencies in the south of France, which have the possibility of working on boats like Cannes, Nice, Marseille, Fréjus, Bandol, Toulon, but also La Rochelle ( NDRL: only port on the Atlantic coast for the moment ). The agents received additional equipment through a Nauting pack and adapted training - with a process to follow - to intervene on different types of boats.
Why invest in boating?
Since the products coincide between the two sectors, we thought it was an interesting market for us and we wanted to look into it. And there is not really a service network that does boat cleaning.
With our double cap, we also alternate periods of activity. When the nautical period is more hollow - November to March - we have more requests in the automobile. Conversely, when there are more demands in season for boating, the light vehicle activity drops. So it allows us to be economically viable. The two poles complement each other.
Why provide a global service and not just sell the products?
These are specific products for each material, which require know-how, which is why cleaning is provided by a service provider. You must use the right product for each material (stainless steel, gel coat...) and have the whole range for the intervention. Then you need specific equipment (brush, rags, high pressure sprayer...) and then know how to use it (application, brushing...).
It is also a comfort service, a service that relieves the customer of cleaning his boat. And also a service that can interest shipyards for the presentation of boats at fairs for example.
Who develops the products used by CosmetiCar?
When I started the company 15 years ago, the priority was to be independent and autonomous in the creation of products. CosmetiCar products developed by the company are used. In this way, they can be developed and adapted - as is the case with the multi-purpose cleaner, which now has marine approval. We are independent on the materials we use.
What's next?
First, probably a name change that will speak more to boaters and professionals. Even if the components of the products remain the same, we ask ourselves the question of adapting the name of our products to boating: Cosmeticar for light vehicles and Cosmetiboat for boats.
Then, develop our network along the Atlantic coast, but also in the Paris region, where pleasure boaters practice in fresh water.
