In November 2023, ISTOBAL strengthened its presence in France with the opening of a new subsidiary, a strategic step aimed at consolidating its position in one of the group's most important markets, which today accounts for around 20% of its total turnover.
The creation of the subsidiary followed the end of the commercial partnership between ISTOBAL and its exclusive distributor in France. This transition, carried out by mutual agreement, enabled ISTOBAL to take a strategic decision to serve its customers directly, thus ensuring greater proximity, greater agility and a highly customised service.
Two years of expansion and consolidation
Located in south-western France, ISTOBAL France was created with the aim of providing an integrated structure capable of effectively responding to the growing demand for advanced and sustainable vehicle washing solutions. Over the last two years, the subsidiary has significantly expanded its team, reflecting the company's continued growth and commitment to the highly demanding French market.
Today, ISTOBAL France has a team of more than 75 professionals organised into key areas of expertise. The local team includes seven sales representatives dedicated to washing equipment, a team specialising in chemicals and a technical and operational department made up of more than 50 professionals responsible for installation, support and maintenance services. At headquarters, an administrative and logistics team provides the necessary support to ensure effective coordination and optimal customer service. This solid structure enables ISTOBAL France to offer a comprehensive 360° service combining commercial expertise, technical excellence and customer focus, all in line with the group's values of innovation, quality and sustainability.
The technical service network covers the entire country. The subsidiary's objective is to demonstrate to the market that we have a well-prepared team, both in terms of staff and expertise, with the necessary capacity to carry out rapid, organised and efficient service interventions on a national scale.
The subsidiary is currently headed by Thomas Cogan, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the vehicle washing and maintenance sector. Formerly commercial director at Ceccato and sales director at the Lavance group, Mr Cogan brings his leadership and in-depth knowledge of the market to ISTOBAL.
"With more than 30 years in the French market, ISTOBAL is at the forefront of innovation in vehicle washing solutions, anticipating customer needs with a strategy focused on comprehensive 360° solutions based on reliability and profitability," said Thomas Cogan, Managing Director of ISTOBAL France. "Two years after our launch, we are proud of the growth of our local team, which embodies ISTOBAL's spirit of commitment, excellence and proximity. We remain committed to offering agile and sustainable solutions that respond to the ever-changing economic and environmental challenges of our industry."
ISTOBAL currently supplies equipment to major accounts and market operators in various fields of activity, such as petrol stations, car dealerships, hypermarkets, logistics and transport companies, and the private sector.
A landmark year: EQUIP AUTO Paris 2025
ISTOBAL France's second anniversary coincides with the company's successful participation in EQUIP AUTO Paris 2025, a historic edition celebrating both the 50th anniversary of the trade fair and ISTOBAL's 75th anniversary. This year was particularly significant, as ISTOBAL participated in EQUIP AUTO for the first time as a fully consolidated French subsidiary, reinforcing its commitment to proximity, innovation and sustainability in the local market.
At its stand covering more than 200 m² (Hall 3, Stand D067), ISTOBAL presented its latest technological advances designed to meet the challenges of connected, efficient and sustainable vehicle washing. The company showcased its state-of-the-art M'WASH2, M'WASH3 PRO and M'WASH4 car wash gantries, which offer high performance, great flexibility and exceptional reliability.
Key innovations on display included the J'WASH4 jet wash with Ozone Jet Wash system, a pioneering solution that uses ozonated water as a sustainable alternative to hot water, reducing operating costs by up to 36% and lowering CO₂ emissions, and the Hidro Cyclone water recycler, a revolutionary system that treats 100% of incoming water and reduces fresh water consumption by up to 80%. ISTOBAL also presented its new range of vacuum cleaners, designed with a modern, robust and digitalised approach, incorporating a touchscreen interface and multiple payment options for an enhanced user experience.
In addition to these technological advances, the company presented its range of esens® chemicals, manufactured in-house by ISTOBAL and developed to ensure efficiency, sustainability and compatibility with cold water washing.
Leading the digital transformation
Innovation and sustainability remain the cornerstones of ISTOBAL's strategy. At the EQUIP AUTO trade fair, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the digitalisation of vehicle washing with Smartwash by ISTOBAL, an intelligent platform that enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and real-time data analysis to optimise equipment efficiency. ISTOBAL also presented the ISTOBAL REMOTE APP, integrated with Smartwash Manager, which allows operators to manage and control their facilities from any device quickly and intuitively, reinforcing the brand's reputation for intelligent, connected and customer-focused solutions.
Outlook
As ISTOBAL France celebrates its second anniversary, the subsidiary continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner for car wash and maintenance professionals across the country. With a growing multidisciplinary team, in-depth knowledge of the local mark and a clear vision for the future, ISTOBAL France is firmly positioned to continue leading the sector through innovation, sustainability, and excellent customer service.
