Diagnostic legend and a industry forward-thinker, James Dillon joins us for the final episode of the year to get into a topic that genuinely has the potential to transform how workshops operate and approach vehicle repairs.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world around us in ways that we’re only just beginning to understand. AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time and uncover insights is transforming industries, boosting efficiency, and unlocking new possibilities. But what can it do for independent garages?

Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or still wondering about its relevance to your business, this episode will leave you with plenty to ponder over the festive break.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 18th October 2025 in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Our latest guest is Dave Massey. He's a man whose journey has taken him from his family’s roots in the trade, to running a booming business, and facing some of the toughest mental challenges along the way. It’s an incredible story of resilience, personal growth, and finding balance in a world where work, family, and personal wellbeing can often feel at odds. The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Our latest guest has faced his share of challenges, has made some bold decisions, and differentiated his business in ways that have set him apart from the local competition.

Today, he's not just running a garage. He’s leading a team, shaping a brand, and preparing to take the stage as a speaker at The Blend in Birmingham later this month.

Chay Blythe of Fife AutoTech, voted as the 'Community’s Garage of the Year' at The Blend last year, joins us on podcast to tease the talk that he’ll be presenting at The Blend 2024.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Ahead of her debut as a speaker at The Blend in September, Louise Baker joins us on the podcast to share her passionate mission to nurture the next generation of technicians.

Join us as we delve into her journey from investing an initial £500 into the founding of Womanic, the challenges she has faced, and the mentors who have supported her along the way.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

We’re all familiar with customer reviews, but have you ever considered reviewing your customers? There's a compelling argument for why internally assessing your customers could be beneficial for your business and everyone involved in it.

Talking about this very subject at The Blend in September, Michael Shaikley shares his insights on how customer profiling has transformed his business operations, enhanced customer satisfaction, and provided a clear roadmap for prioritising service.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In 2023 nearly 98 per cent of independent garage revenue came from ICE vehicles, according to Garage Industry Trends data, and with nearly two thirds of this work coming from diesel, a decline in diesel could mean a significant loss for workshops.

Sharing some insight ahead of his talk at The Blend 2024, Andy Crook joins us to offer his thoughts on what you should be doing to replace that diesel work and how to go about making strategic business decisions in these changing times.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

We’re revisiting the topic of EVs this month. We welcome back Matt Cleevely of Cleevely EV to challenge him with some of the hard-hitting arguments on why the transition to EVs might not be as big as we once thought - or maybe they will? Let’s join Matt from his very busy workshop in Cheltenham to try and figure out what it all means for independent garages.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Dean Lomas of DC Lomas in Cheshire joins us in this latest episode of The Blend Podcast to share how his apprenticeship not only changed the trajectory of his own life but how he's now paying it forward by mentoring and investing in the next generation.

From a challenging childhood and later struggles with addiction to finding redemption and purpose through an apprenticeship, Dean's story is one of hope, perseverance, and the power of second chances.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode, we're putting the spotlight on an often-overlooked yet critical aspect of running a successful independent garage: human resources. Join us as we delve into the world of HR with Jennifer Webb of HR Vitals.

Jennifer, a seasoned HR expert specialising in serving the unique needs of independent garage owners, shares invaluable insight and practical advice on how to navigate your HR challenges effectively including crisis management strategies.

The Blend, the annual conference and networking event for independent garages, takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

We're kicking off the first episode of 2024 with a discussion on what social media can do for independent garage businesses.

Who better to chat social media than Nathan Taylor of Walsall Wood Tyre & Service?! Having successfully captured the attention of UK drivers, he's now keen for other workshops to step-up and help promote the independent garage sector in all of its glory.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.