In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with leaders from Solve Industrial Motion Group to tackle one of the most critical — and often overlooked — drivers of uptime and profitability in a car wash: bearings and power transmission components. Guests Rob Schoenherr, VP of Sales, and Ryan Linke, Regional Vice President, break down how the harsh realities of the car wash environment impact component life, why failures happen, and what operators can do to move from reactive fixes to smarter, predictive maintenance strategies.

Solve Industrial Motion Group specializes in bearings, power transmission, and motion control solutions, with a strong focus on total cost of ownership and real-world performance. Their approach blends product innovation, such as car-wash-specific bearing designs, with hands-on field service and engineering support aimed at extending component life, reducing maintenance labor, and keeping washes running when it matters most. Drawing on decades of industry experience — including firsthand ownership of tunnel car washes — Rob and Ryan share practical insights, real success stories, and actionable guidance operators can use to protect revenue, avoid downtime, and get more cars through the wash.

(3:23 Rob explains what bearing and transmission components play in a car wash…and why they’re important.

(5:05) What type of maintenance do bearings require?

(6:07) Why do bearings fail?

(6:59) What type of unexpected bearing failures have Rob seen?

(8:34) How does the car wash environment affect a smooth bearing operation?

(9:55) What are common types of bearing failures?

(10:59) Are there predictive maintenance items an operator can take to prevent failure?

(12:05) What solutions are available to ease bearing operation?

(14:15) Rob talks in-depth about the factors that drive bearing R & D and manufacturing.

(16:20) Hear about the measurable benefits in a few success stories.

(18:09) They talk “lifetime” of use.

(18:44) what other products does Solve provide for their customers?

(21:37) Learn about the services of the SOLVE field sales/service team.

(22:33) Go to www.solveindistrial.com for more information.

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026