Sponsored by Apter Industries.
Before 2023, Dash-In, a growing c-store chain, had a complex cleaning process. Stores were using an inconsistent mix of products sourced from multiple vendors, resulting in bloated inventory, unpredictable performance, and training gaps across locations.
Josh Campbell, category manager at The Wills Group and a former Dash-In store manager, saw the issue early. When he transitioned into a corporate role in 2022, he was tasked with overseeing supplies. One of his first goals was to bring structure to Dash-In’s cleaning program.
“We had so many SKUs open, I couldn’t even name them all,” Campbell says. “Every store had a different process. It was messy.” Campbell began evaluating new vendors. He looked at 18 different companies before deciding on Apter Industries, a Pennsylvania-based cleaning solution manufacturer with more than 50 years of experience.
“Apter didn’t just show up with a catalog and a sales pitch,” Campbell says. “They built a program specific to our stores. They got on-site, trained our people, and actually listened. It was the kind of partnership you hope for,but rarely get.”
Apter created a custom solution that included its three-bay sink dispensing unit, a spray bottle and mop bucket system, forecourt kits, and wall-mounted cleaning charts. Each chart included QR codes linked to SDS information, item numbers, and Dash-In’s support line. The products were selected specifically to reduce redundancy.
“Everything is labeled and color-coded. The wall charts make it really easy to follow. You can teach someone in five minutes, “ Campbell says. That simplicity has been key for training, especially at stores where staffing changes are common. According to the 2022 NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report, 36.5 percent of full-time hourly associates leave within their first 30 days. With that kind of early turnover, having a clear and repeatable system matters.
Apter has also worked with Dash-In’s internal team to provide retraining support when needed. “This is a repeatable system,” Campbell says. “We do not have to start from scratch every time there is a new store manager. It just works.”
Since the rollout, Dash-In has reduced its cleaning product inventory by about 45 percent. “We’ve been able to cut down significantly on SKUs,” Campbell says. “The savings we projected have come to life. In some cases, it’s even better than we thought it would be.”
The product performance has also helped strengthen Dash-In’s store presentation. “Curb appeal is everything,” Campbell says. “If a store looks dim or dingy, most people are not going to stop unless they absolutely have to. We take a lot of pride in how our stores look from the street, and this program supports that.”
Apter has also worked with Dash-In on new product development. After receiving feedback from the foodservice team, Apter created a product called Sunny Boy Spritz. It is now used as a pre-treatment for trays and equipment that deal with raw proteins.
“They do not just push a fixed product list,” Campbell says. “They are open to innovation. They are willing to test and improve.” That flexibility has allowed Dash-In to use Apter products across its entire business. The cleaning program now touches its convenience stores, training centers, headquarters, and car washes.
As Dash-In continues to expand, Campbell says the ability to scale a reliable and consistent cleaning system will be critical. “There is always going to be some pain when you switch vendors,” Campbell says. “But if you can explain the process and show the results, people get on board. Apter made that possible for us.”
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By Drew Filipski
