This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode, we sit down with Jay Wheatley, founder of Absolutely Automotive, to discuss how garage owners can extract themselves from the daily grind and take their business to the next level. Jay shares his expertise as a business consultant, offering practical advice on stepping back from hands-on work, improving efficiency, and building a sustainable, profitable garage.

We explore the key challenges garage owners face when trying to transition from technician to business leader, the importance of understanding financials, and why structured processes are essential for long-term success. Jay also dives into the role of specialisation, staff management, and the impact of emerging industry trends on independent garages.

If you’re a garage owner looking to work smarter, not harder, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you extract yourself and grow your business.

https://absolutelyautomotive.co.uk/help-guides

00:00 – Introduction

08:02 – Selling a Garage Business: Key Considerations

21:18 – Advertisement

22:32 – Transitioning into Business Consultancy

29:12 – How Can a Garage Owner Step Back from Daily Operations?

45:20 – Is Specialising in a Niche Essential for Success?

57:20 – Essential Advice for Service Advisors

01:07:40 – Future Trends in the Automotive Industry

01:19:30 – Stuck in a Rut? How Coaching Can Help Garage Owners Move Forward

Subscribe for more expert industry insights and business strategies.

⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#automotivebusiness #garagesuccess #businessgrowth #ontheramp #mechaniclife #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit ⁠https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Cleevely, owner of Cleevely Motors, to explore how the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the automotive industry. Matt shares how Cleevely Motors has successfully adapted to meet the growing demand for EV servicing, from investing in staff training to upgrading equipment.

He discusses the challenges facing independent garages in the EV market, the differences between customer expectations for EV and traditional servicing, and how Cleevely Motors has built a reputation for quality and reliability.

If you’re in the trade or considering transitioning to EV repairs, this episode is full of valuable insights and practical advice.

00:00 – Are EVs the Answer?

12:06 – Introduction

20:33 - Ad Break

29:53 – Transitioning to EV Specialisation

40:47 – Did You Ever Doubt Yourself?

51:13 – Do EV Owners Expect the Same Service as Dealers?

1:00:05 – EV Sales Market and Depreciation

1:23:19 – What’s Next for Cleevely?

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#evs #electricvehicle #training #ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode of On The Ramp, we sit down with Matt Jeffreys, owner of St Johns and RPM Malvern, to discuss his journey from launching his first garage to successfully acquiring and turning around a second business.

Matt shares the challenges of securing his first unit, the realities of running multiple locations, and the lessons he has learned along the way. We also explore the pressures of business growth, the importance of building the right team, and his vision for the future.

If you’re a garage owner looking to expand or improve your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

00:00 - Introduction

06:01 - Getting Into the Automotive Industry

26:57 - Advertisement Break

28:05 - Securing a Unit and Launching St Johns

52:34 - The Growth and Expansion of St Johns and RPM Malvern

1:03:34 - The Challenges of Running Multiple Locations

1:28:25 - Biggest Business Pressures and Stress Factors

1:36:00 - Personal Goals and Future Ambitions

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#peoplemanagement #leadership #businessgrowth #workplaceculture #ontheramp

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode of On The Ramp, we sit down with Lauren Brown, Managing Director of T10 Automotive, and Carl Williams from Williams Talent Management to discuss the vital role of people management in building a successful business.

We explore the importance of workplace culture in driving performance, how to handle underperformance without creating conflict, and the challenges of recruitment. The discussion also covers why hiring for attitude over skill is crucial, the responsibilities of effective leadership, and how business owners can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Lauren and Carl also share their insights on fostering employee progression, coaching versus consulting, and how strong leadership can transform a business. Whether you’re managing a growing workforce or looking to improve team dynamics, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you build a high-performing and engaged team.

If you're a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers valuable lessons on people management, leadership, and workplace culture.

00:00 - Introduction

02:24 - How McDonald's Shaped Carl’s People Management Skills

23:12 - Sponsored Ad Break

27:04 - Recognising When Someone Isn’t Right for the Business

30:45 - Effective Recruitment Strategies

33:40 - Building Strong Personal Connections with Employees

51:01 - The Responsibilities of a Business Leader to Remain Consistent

1:02:00 - Why Employee Progression Matters

1:15:00 - Managing Underperformance Without Creating Conflict

1:24:53 - Finding Time for Budgeting

1:30:49 - Coaching vs. Consulting: What’s the Difference?

1:39:20 - How Can People Work with You Now?

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

#peoplemanagement #leadership #workplaceculture #businessgrowth #TeamBuilding⁠⁠

https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

The Secret to Garage Success: Front-of-House Excellence

In this episode of On The Ramp, Alex and Nathan are joined by a special guest, Emma, the newly appointed Customer Experience Director. Together, they dive deep into the critical role of front-of-house teams in the success of a modern garage.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Whether you're a garage owner, a front-of-house professional, or just passionate about customer service, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss!

02:46 - Inducting new staff

13:32 - Efficiency in FOH

18:33 - Ad Break

19:47 - Specialist responsibilities

22:00 - How does Lindley’s recruit into FOH

30:31 - Diagnostic bookings

37:44 - Service Plans

49:04 - is it a sales role? How important is it?

51:40 - How important is sales training?

Ed Cockhill of Uckfield Motor Services joins us to discuss his journey from motorsport aspirations to managing and growing a thriving family business. Learn about the challenges of expanding into commercial services, balancing innovation with tradition, and navigating the ever-changing automotive landscape.

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode of On The Ramp, Barry Lawson, owner of Lawson Autotech, shares his journey from a traditional family garage to a thriving, innovative modern garage business. Starting as a reluctant partner at 21, Barry reveals how he modernised his father's garage, overcame resistance to change, and embraced continuous learning and networking to set new industry standards.

Tune in to hear how Barry’s commitment to people, technology, and business strategy transformed Lawson Autotech into a leader in the independent garage industry. Perfect for automotive professionals and anyone inspired by stories of growth and innovation!

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, To learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

00:00 - Introduction / career progression

21:19 - Networking with other garage owners in the industry

41:21 - Keeping social life and work separate

49:27 - New staff hiring + Process and software implementation

1:11:43 - Being a full time tech as a business owner

1:15:05 - What’s next for Lawson?

1:23:37 - What’s next for you?

Episode 15 already! In this episode, we take a step back from our usual guest interviews to share our own business updates from the past six months. We discuss the challenges we’ve faced, the investments we’ve made, and the strategies that are helping us grow. Topics include Nathans push for ISO 9001 accreditation, Leo's business expansion, Alex's company restructure and much more!