Scotch Plaid, Inc. – From Humble Beginnings to Industry Innovators

Humble Beginnings

How many car wash supply companies can say they began experimenting with mixing cleaning solutions in a bathtub back in the 1950’s, yet remain one of the leading suppliers of safe and effective custom blended presoaks, detergents, tire cleaners and waxes?

Scotch Plaid can!

With any successful company, there is a humble story behind the success. The company was founded in the 1950’s when Scotty McClendon mixed liquid cleaning solutions in his bathtub, then expanded to a large manmade powder sandbox, followed by giant blenders to mix formulas thousands of gallons at a time.

Since there was no such thing as advertising via websites or mass media during this time, Scotty attended trade shows. In his scotch plaid kilts, he was as identifiable to car washers, as the colonel is to chicken. Some say he was a man of character, while others just said he was a character. His good humor, hard work and integrity are the foundation that Scotch Plaid, Inc. was built on. To this day, while retired for over twenty years, Scotty still takes great pride is the legacy he set for those who followed him.

Safe and Effective Innovative Product Progression

During the 1950’s – 70’s, Scotch Plaid’s products were sold directly to car washes. Industrial cleaners, hand cleaners, and tire cleaners were among the first products that this company manufactured.

Then in the 1980’s, Scotch Plaid started private labeling for distributors. They were a quiet company that provided cleaning solutions for car washes all over the nation,

According to Larry Barnes, the National Sales Manager of Scotch Plaid, “Up to the 1990’s, the most effective cleaning solutions came in powder form. Then new insights into chemistry and technology came along and made it possible for liquids to emerge as the future of effective cleaning products”.

Managers at Scotch Plaid gave their chemist a challenging task - to create a product that cleans effectively like the harsh chemicals, but is also safe for vehicles and car wash equipment. Thus, “Scotch Plaid Chemistry” became a new term around the company to represent the formula of safe and effective custom blended presoaks, detergents, tire cleaners and waxes.

“Extreme Pre-Soak” became one of the innovative solutions to boom the market share for Scotch Plaid – so safe and effective for touch-free car washes, it was eventually distributed to self-serve car washes also. Scotch Plaid now provides the cleaning and waxing solutions for tunnels, in bay automatics, and self-service car washes.

Another unique and innovative product of Scotch Plaid is the manufacturing of paper self-service drying towels. The customer can receive the scented, packaged towels or folded vendor-ready bulk towels that fit all industry vending machines. Scotch Plaid, Inc. is one of just a few companies in the nation that manufacture such a product in house.



Scotch Plaid, Inc. Today

In the early 2000’s, the name brand “Scotch Plaid” was reintroduced. Now distributors want the products labeled with the Scotch Plaid name rather than the private label. Car wash companies have discovered there is a uniqueness to Scotch Plaid’s products that their customers value.

As one of the oldest companies in the industry, they have stayed true to their devotion to “safe and effective”. They provide innovative, quality-consistent-chemistry for all customers, yet Scotch Plaid, Inc. is small enough to remember their humble beginnings and appreciate each customer as if they are the only one.

To learn more about Scotch Plaid visit www.scotchplaid.com.