Industry Interview: Mike Rhines of Car Candy
by Reece @ DIMike Rhines, the National Sales Director of Car Candy Automotive Detail Products answers a few questions for us. Check them out below and learn more about the history of Car Candy and some information about their product line!
1. Can you tell us about the history of Car Candy and how it’s become relatively large over the years?
Car Candy was started in 2010, and we manufacture professional grade, concentrated products for the pros and enthusiasts alike in a 40,000 Sq Ft facility in Lakeland, FL. We are a female-owned and operated company. The team made a huge push in the Florida market with the Car Candy brand, their own route trucks, and their private label opportunities, all while staying local with some outside distribution. In 2023, the owner, Ashley Nye decided to take the next step by bringing on Meghan Poirier. This enabled her to help push the company to where it is heading today. Currently pushing new distribution across the USA and expanding the product line.
2. Why did you choose to work for Car Candy?
I chose to work for Car Candy because I loved the brand’s look. Once I tested their products, I knew it was a company I could get behind, professional grade and a competitive price. They are a great team of women to work with, and they make you feel like family.
3. Can you highlight a few favorite products and why?
Chocolate Thunder is our #1 seller, it is a Non-acid wheel cleaner that does not require agitation. I love the straight concentration in a foam cannon for wheels and tires. Impeccable Interior is our All-in-One cleaner and protectant, great for maintenance details or dirtier vehicles when used in conjunction with agitation. 007 is a high gloss tire shine with a different blend of silicones and solvents that allows the product to bond to the tire better, allowing it to have a sling-less ability.
4. Customers understandably fear purchasing relabeled products from other factories with new packaging. Can you speak to Car Candy’s production and laboratory capabilities?
A lot of people assume we are another private labeled company. That’s just not even close to the truth. We have the ability to manufacture up to 10,000 gallons of product a day, own a raw material chemical distribution company and have a full-time chemist on site. We formulate, manufacture, package, and ship all products from our Lakeland, FL headquarters.
5. Are there any new items in the works you can give us any hints about?
We are excited to have a handful of new products that we will release at SEMA next month. We will not be stopping there, we have plans that involve a lot of growth and new products. Stay tuned!
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