From recent awards announcements to vehicle recalls and new products, there is plenty happening in the quick lube industry. This week’s episode of the NOLN Podcast puts a spotlight on news we’ve recently reported on and stories you may have missed.

Here are the headlines we’re diving into:

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On the heels of iFLEX 2025 at The Car Wash Show, NOLN catches up with one of the event’s exhibitors, Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, a maintenance and work execution software firm. Haase discusses why having a great maintenance strategy is a competitive lever, what operators can learn from unplanned downtime data, and how they can shift into a more proactive mindset with regards to their operational maintenance needs.

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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

Towner French, Managing Director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association’s first Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., where members met with legislators and agency officials to share their perspectives on Right to Repair and other proposed legislation. French also explains the value of these in-person meetings, the long-term strategy behind them, and the importance of building ongoing relationships with lawmakers.

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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

Jeff Cox, executive director of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association, joins the NOLN Podcast to provide a crash course on oil evacuation systems, which allow shops to remove old oil without touching a drain cap. He also explains why these systems are becoming more popular and how to determine whether your shop would benefit from adding one. Jeff then provides questions operators should ask vendors when trying to pick out oil evacuation equipment for their store and outlines how you should explain the service to customers who come in for an oil change.

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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

There’s lots happening across the quick lube industry, so we thought it was a good time to get you caught up on recent stories from NOLN you may have missed. Here are the headlines we’re diving into this week:

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>> Complete the 2025 NOLN Operator Survey (Survey closes March 21, 2025)

>> Nominate a leader for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award (Nominations due by April 30, 2025)

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In an era when many rely on text messaging, websites, and smartphone apps to get the information they need, good old fashioned phone calls steadfastly remain a way to connect quick lube locations and potential customers. David Boyd, founder of Inbound Communications, joins the NOLN Podcast to share best practices for handling incoming calls, serving customers’ needs, and taking simple steps to convert inquiries into future sales when your shop’s phone rings.

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While you might be ready to exit the quick lube industry, is your business ready to be sold? Jim Parker, president of The Auto Repair Boss, a Florida-based brokerage firm that specializes in selling auto-related companies, joins the NOLN Podcast to offer guidance on how to determine whether the time is right for a quick lube shop operator to sell. He shares steps potential sellers should be taking in advance of going to market, as well as some questions they should be asking brokers they are considering working with.

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John Forro, lead instructor, content developer and owner of the EV and engine performance training company Electron John, discusses emerging opportunities for quick lube shop owners to expand their offerings to include preventative maintenance for hybrid and electric vehicles. Forro provides a crash course on EV maintenance essentials, including both training and protective equipment, and he also details how shops can start with simple services and add on later to meet customer demand.

Now on NOLN.net: Read more with John Forro in the January-February 2025 issue of NOLN

Justin Cialella, president and CEO of Victory Lane and chair of government affairs for PAMA, provides an update on the state of federal right to repair legislation, the hurdles that need to be cleared, and what impact, if any, the change in presidential administrations will have. Cialella also discusses the EPA’s decision to label PFAS chemicals as hazardous, as well as how quick lube shop operators can get involved with PAMA to make their voice heard. 

How do you know when it’s time to rethink the marketing strategy for your quick lube shop? Gregg Rainville, SVP of Steer CRM, joins the NOLN Podcast to share some best practices for evaluating your marketing plan, explain how a good CRM can effectively integrate multiple marketing tactics, and provide some questions that shop owners should be asking when choosing a CRM vendor. Rainville also offers his predictions on the marketing trends that quick lube shop owners should be watching in 2025.

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