In this episode, they dive into the importance of strong collaboration between parts and service teams, the hurdles salespeople encounter, and how Amazon is reshaping the market. Along the way, they draw thought-provoking parallels between parenting and leadership, highlight the power of exceptional customer experiences, and unpack the shifting dynamics of fixed operations. Blending industry insights with personal stories, offering a well-rounded look at today’s automotive world and the exciting opportunities ahead.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Parts managers: the unsung heroes driving dealership success

2. Strong parts–service teamwork boosts performance

3. Parts departments hold untapped sales potential

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:41 Meet the Hosts: Christian and Cliff

03:29 The Importance of Parts Managers

06:29 Bridging the Gap: Parts and Service Collaboration

11:12 Understanding the Parts Department's Role

14:33 Positive Trends in the Industry

19:58 Parenting and Management: Similarities Explored

24:07 Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

26:10 Wrestling Memories and Industry Insights

28:14 Amazon's Impact on the Automotive Industry

31:57 The Evolution of Customer Experience

34:02 Fixed Operations: A Growing Focus

38:51 Creating Raving Fans and Generational Value

41:14 Fun Questions and Hidden Talents

Like what you hear? Review the show for us: https://ratethispodcast.com/ratethepartsedgepodcast

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Jim Oliveri, Parts Director at West Herr Auto Group. With 31 years at the 75-year-old company, he promotes empowerment, operational excellence, and profitability through logistics, people, and metrics. Jim mentors leaders, drives performance via structure and wholesale strategies, and prioritizes local ownership and customer satisfaction. He balances financial success with employee well-being, cherishing their career growth.

Jim Oliveri discusses his automotive industry experience, focusing on parts operations, dealership challenges, customer service, inventory management, and fixed operations opportunities. He offers advice for new leaders, emphasizing collaboration and learning. 

The conversation ends with insights into the evolving automotive industry.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Dealership success hinges on often-overlooked parts operations.

2. Customer service is a key focus.

3. There are many opportunities within fixed ops that dealerships often miss.

   
   

Chapters:

00:00 Unexpected Career in Park Services

05:56 Automotive Repair Challenges Today

06:32 Supply Chain Challenges in Snowbelt

10:54 "Monthly Internal Inventory Audits"

12:57 Fred Beans: Different Warehouse System

16:22 "Maximize Profit Within Your Business"

21:54 Lifetime Lessons on Friendship & Growth

25:18 Challenging Year but Staying Strong

25:44 Leases Returning in Buffalo

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Brian "Mac" McIntosh joined an established group and recognized a desire for change alongside comfort in the familiar. He understands that change can be unsettling but values supportive colleagues in easing transitions, encouraging growth despite discomfort.

Together, Kaylee and Mac explore why dealership parts operations often resist change and how bringing in solutions like PartsEdge helped Mac’s team regain clarity, reduce obsolescence, and shift from survival mode to growth-focused leadership. You’ll hear straight from Mac about the challenge of tracking inventory health, the value of dynamic problem-solving (versus cookie-cutter consulting), and how empowering your parts team can truly move the needle for the whole dealership.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the parts counter—or you’re looking for fresh strategies to lead your department through industry shifts—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Let’s dive in!

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Adaptability is key

2. Data clarity matters

3. Clear, actionable reporting saves time, reduces obsolescence

   
   

Chapters

00:00 "Brian's and Auto Journeys"

06:03 Embracing Change Amid Comfort

07:36 Navigating Career Overhaul Challenges

11:23 "Obsolescence Challenges and DMS Transition"

14:59 Return Policy Confusion Issues

16:53 Assessing Inventory Obsolescence

20:15 Dynamic Problem-Solving Over Textbook Approaches

22:17 "Successful Translation and Impact"

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

With over 30 years of experience in the automotive parts industry, Mike Kraft is a seasoned Parts Manager at Suburban Chevrolet in Minneapolis. He recounts his journey from manual parts management to overseeing a thriving department that boasts over 100 employees and more than $90 million in annual sales.

In today’s episode, Mike shares the evolution of his dealership’s parts operations, how technology has transformed his daily workflow, and the pivotal role PartsEdge plays as an “assistant manager” in the background.

Together, they dig into lessons from decades in the business, the impact of automation and expert support, and creative strategies for managing a fast-growing parts department.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Automate to elevate.

2. Delegate for accuracy and peace of mind.

3. Continuous improvement and collaboration is a must.

   
   

Chapters

00:00 – Mike Kraft’s backstory and evolution as a parts manager

01:05 – How PartsEdge automates daily reporting and “takes the work out of the work”

03:02 – The push to adopt PartsEdge and handling dealership growth

04:34 – Real-world impact of automation and PartsEdge support during CDK outages

06:39 – The value of delegating routine tasks for accuracy and peace of mind

08:25 – Customizing inventory sources for creative strategies

09:40 – Reflecting on the comfort blanket of having PartsEdge in the background

12:11 – Integrating with RIM and the challenges of system alignment

15:00 – Opportunities for further automation and partnership innovation

17:05 – Mike’s advice and humorous metaphor for ongoing process improvement (“bald tires”)

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Mitch Brady partnered with PartsEdge to refine his company’s parts inventory. He uncovered and resolved issues with broad phase-in/phase-out criteria by customizing categorization for each part. This optimized stock, improved team clarity, and fine-tuned parts management.Together,

Kaylee and Mitch dive into how using PartsEdge not only enhanced inventory efficiency at Ressler Toyota but also uncovered hidden challenges and gave Mitch the tools to be creative with inventory management. Hear about actionable strategies for reducing obsolescence, tailoring phase-in and phase-out criteria, and leveraging data to make smarter decisions—all while maintaining a perfectly balanced inventory.

If you’re a parts manager looking for practical insights and real-world success stories, you won’t want to miss Mitch’s honest take on the impact of PartsEdge and the value of having a true partner in your corner. Let’s get into it!

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Customize inventory processes

2. Actionable reporting matters

3. Collaboration fuels creativity

   
   

Chapters

00:00 Optimizing Inventory with PartsEdge

05:07 Optimized Phase In/Out Strategy

06:50 Customized Parts Source Management

10:13 Managing Obsolescence in Inventory Returns

13:22 Custom Reports on Obsolete Parts

16:30 Effective Collaboration in Service Management

Connect

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Courtney Paschal is the Client Success Manager at Ellison Automotive Strategies and a seasoned automotive professional who began her career at Street Toyota in 2013. A passionate leader in both the automotive industry and her Amarillo community, Courtney is a Top 40 Under 40 honoree in Automotive News and actively serves with No Boundaries International. She’s also a proud dog mom to Cash, Tipper, and Penny.

Brad Paschal is the Market President at Dynatron Software and President of Brad Paschal Consulting. Starting his career in sales at Street Volkswagen, he worked his way up to e-Commerce Director before moving into consulting. Brad has spent the last 8+ years solving complex challenges across both variable ops/sales and fixed ops sides of the automotive business.

In today’s episode, they discuss the challenges and rewards of sharing both a home and career in auto retail, the importance of charity and giving back, and the unique dynamics of running dealership ops with a partner. Listeners get an inside look at vendor management best practices, the vital role of service and parts departments, and why gratitude and perspective matter for long-term success.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Work-life balance boundaries matter

2. Recognize & empower parts/service teams

3. Gratitude & community givebacks

   
   

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Work-Life with Three Dogs

03:51 Mindset Anchors for Productivity

06:20 "Building Community Through Dealership Events"

11:20 "Highlighting Courtney's Career Achievements"

14:23 Lead Quality and Quota Concerns

16:52 "Sales vs. Service: Industry Divide"

19:49 Building Relationships with Service Teams

24:20 "Effective Communication in Relationships"

27:21 "Building Customized Workflows with AI"

31:58 Secret Floor Renovation Plans

35:41 Empowering Through Financial Growth

36:27 Passion for Problem-Solving in Dealerships

40:29 Walking Away from Success

43:52 "Helping Anytime, Anywhere"

Quote

“If you focus on helping people, all other stuff comes.” – Brad Paschal

“Survey your dealership and include everyone in the conversation—parts and service especially.” – Courtney Paschal

Connect

Courtney Paschal 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-paschal-39bb5a23/

Brad Paschal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpaschal/

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.partsedge.com⁠

Chuck Hartle is the President and co-founder of PartsEdge, with over 42 years of experience in the automotive industry. Starting as a parts delivery driver, he rose to Fixed Operations Director and has since led over 300 seminars, including workshops for the National Auto Dealers Association. Chuck’s deep industry knowledge helps PartsEdge tackle key dealership challenges. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated family man, marathon runner, and loyal Seattle Seahawks fan.

Chuck breaks down the real challenges dealerships face with source management, why most DMS vendors fall short in education and default settings, and how properly leveraging sources can drive smarter parts inventory control, more accurate accounting, and easier pricing strategies.

Kaylee and Chuck also unpack the origin story of PartsEdge—why the platform was built, what it aims to fix, and how it takes the heavy lifting and guesswork out of inventory management.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com.

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Takeaways

1. Don’t fear more sources

2. Education is power

3. Manage Your Inventory, Don’t Work Around It

   
   

Chapters

00:00 "Source Management & Pricing Strategies"

05:43 Parts Management Requires Organization

06:31 "Tire Source Management Challenges"

10:30 Optimizing Inventory Management

14:37 Intentional, Structured Development Yields Success

18:09 Managing Aging Special Orders

19:56 Techeon's Inventory Misunderstandings

23:34 Embrace Improvement Through Education

Quote

"Accessories, you know, nobody matrixes accessories. If you do, you don't sell them."

"The biggest failure for most parts managers and their fear of adding a new source to their system is it's just not as easy as, oh, I want to copy this to this. And you know, it takes some work.”

Connect

Chuck Hartle

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-hartle-1923ab14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.hartle.39/

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partsedge

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Phone Number: (800) 825-7562

Email: [email protected]

It all started with one small change. He thought his DMS setup was fine—until he tweaked a phase-in criteria and suddenly realized how much he was missing. 

This week on the PartsEdge Podcast, we sat down with Zach Don, a Toyota parts manager who took that moment of chaos and turned it into a better system. He shares what broke, how he fixed it, and why he’s now running a smarter, more controlled department. 

Zach also talks about bringing in team members with different backgrounds, the value of having a “co-pilot” on the reporting side, and how these changes are not only improving efficiency but making his conversations with upper management more impactful.

Together, they explore how data-driven decision-making and personalized support have helped shift inventory from inactive to active, and freed up valuable time to focus on growing the business.

Tune in for practical insights, relatable moments, and actionable tips for anyone looking to up their game in fixed ops and parts management!

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Don’t fear change—embrace tools.

2. Actionable reporting is critical.

3. Diverse experience builds better managers.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:41 - Expanding Inventory Breadth  

03:21 - Keeping Up with Inventory Adjustments  

05:01 - Shifting Strategies into Action  

06:43 - Easy Tools That Simplify the Process  

08:24 - Transition to Service Advisor Role  

10:04 - Ideal Personality for the Parts Counter  

11:55 - Managing Multiple Roles and Maintenance  

13:43 - Key Considerations for Parts Managers  

15:34 - Simplifying Complex Reports  

17:14 - Embracing the Learning Curve  

19:04 - Kaylee Reflects on the Experience  

20:54 - Team Collaboration and Inventory Analysis  

22:43 - Final Thoughts and Summary  

Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partsedge

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Phone Number: (800) 825-7562

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Kaylee talks with Alex Hines, VP of North America at Eccentric, about one of the biggest missed opportunities in automotive: accessories. With only 5% of a $50B market flowing through franchise dealers, Alex shares how Eccentric is helping stores win back sales using 3D visualization, early intent capture, and smarter upsell tools.

They dive into:

• Why accessories don’t get sold

• How tech is removing friction from the process

• The impact on parts inventory and dealer profitability

From lead to post-sale, Alex lays out a bold vision for bridging the gap between consumer desire and dealership execution.

🔗 Learn more about Eccentric: weareeccentric.com

Why Parts Managers & Fixed Ops Directors Rely on Partnership, Not Just Reports

In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee Felio sits down with Tim Kreitel (Parts Manager) and Ryan Else (Fixed Ops Director) to explore the long-term impact PartsEdge has made on their dealership operations. From simplifying sourcing to saving time on reporting, they share how PartsEdge enables them to focus on what matters most—coaching teams, supporting techs, and running a more profitable parts department.

Tim recalls walking into his role years ago and having no idea what PartsEdge did—until he realized it was quietly running the backend systems that allowed him to stay out front, leading on the counter. For Ryan, the power lies in the speed of execution: accurate reports, smarter sourcing, and monthly consulting that helps avoid obsolescence before it costs the store.

Less Time in the Office, More Time on the Counter

PartsEdge gives working managers like Tim time back—freeing them from DMS setup, data entry, and building reports from scratch. That means more energy spent coaching counter staff, staying in touch with inventory cycles, and solving customer problems in real time.

Ryan emphasizes how much value comes from monthly reconciliation meetings and having a trusted support partner during DMS transitions. In his words: “I’d rather have Tim helping customers than spending two hours trying to chase a report.”

Smart Sourcing, Real ROI

One standout benefit? The intelligent sourcing strategy PartsEdge manages. While 4 sources might feel easier to manage manually, PartsEdge’s system of 100+ sources means parts flow through their lifecycle in a way that avoids overstock, obsolescence, and wasted working capital.

As Tim explains, “Your system filters out parts that look like they’re moving—but really aren’t.” That means fewer scrapped parts, faster turn, and smarter stocking decisions based on actual trends—not gut feeling.

SponsorsThis show is powered by PartsEdge — Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. Learn more at 🔗 www.partsedge.com

Takeaways

• Working managers need tools that save time and eliminate busywork
• Smart sourcing reduces scrap and improves inventory turn
• Monthly consulting helps fixed ops leaders stay ahead of obsolescence
• Responsive support turns PartsEdge into a true operations partner

Quote

“I’d rather have him helping customers than stuck in an office building spreadsheets.” — Ryan Else, Fixed Ops Director

Connect

Kaylee Felio
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 www.partsedge.com