Welcome back to another episode of "On the Ramp!" In this special episode, we dive deep into the automotive industry with Anthony McAteer, Group Procurement Category Director at LKQ. Join us as we explore the intricacies of procurement, supplier relationships, and the evolving landscape of the aftermarket parts industry. Anthony shares his journey at LKQ, the company's strategies for the next decade, and insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of electric vehicles. Get ready for an informative session packed with industry insights and practical advice for independent garages. 00:00 - Intro 09:00 - Is EV a problem? 20:00 - The reduction of diesel registrations 23:20 - Should you join a network/concept? 39:40 - Market consolidation 44:20 - Block Exemption & SERMI 49:35 - Why can car owners by parts cheaper than garages? 57:30 - How can you maximise supplier relationships? 1:06:20 - Why is warranty labour rate so low? 1:11:50 - How to garages upset suppliers? 1:16:25 - How can suppliers help garages better?

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In this episode of the On The Ramp podcast, we sit down with Scott Boyd from Boyd's Motor Engineering. Scott discusses his journey from a small-town car enthusiast in Biggar to becoming a successful business owner. He shares his early experiences working in local garages, completing an apprenticeship, and eventually transitioning to self-employment. Scott delves into the pivotal moments that shaped his career, navigating the challenges of his first jobs, and the critical decision to start his own business. He candidly discusses the financial struggles, long hours, and the steep learning curve involved in establishing Boyd's Motor Engineering. Scott's story provides valuable insights for anyone looking to start their own business or overcome obstacles in their career. Tune in for a detailed and insightful conversation on the On The Ramp podcast.
00:00 Intro 05:00 Starting an apprenticeship 09:30 Trying something different 12:20 Starting on my own 20:00 Business mistakes 24:00 Losing my unit and getting a job 28:00 Starting again 35:30 Moving to a bigger unit 47:00 Disaster strikes 58:00 Getting away from work 1:00:40 Leaving the trade 1:03:40 Finding a passion for diagnostics 1:13:45 Business improvements 1:21:25 GMS and business training 1:25:00 Utilising data to make decisions 1:27:30 Achieving success 1:29:50 The Blend 1:32:00 Whats next?

https://www.ontheramp.co.uk/2024/06/26/apprentice-to-entrepreneur-scott-boyds-journey-in-the-automotive-industry/

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Join hosts Alex Lindley, Ryan O'Donnell, and Nathan Taylor as they dive into essential marketing strategies to build a strong brand. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips.

Walsall Wood Links - https://linktr.ee/walsallwoodtyre

Lindleys Autocentres Links - https://linktr.ee/lindleysautocentres⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

https://www.ontheramp.co.uk/2024/06/15/marketing-fundamentals-the-basics-of-building-a-strong-brand/

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In today's fast-paced business environment, understanding and exceeding customer expectations can set a company apart from its competitors. The latest Chew The Fat episode of the podcast hosted by Alex, Leo, and Tim, delved into this topic, exploring strategies to enhance customer value without incurring significant costs.

00:00 - Introduction 00:37 - Psychological Moonshots 03:18 - Reducing Customer Anxiety 04:30 - Quick Wins 06:50 - Adding Automation 08:30 - Online Authorisation 10:10 - Meet & Greet 12:00 - Customer Preferences 13:00 - Gifts 14:40 - The Fundamentals 16:00 - The Peak and The End 18:05 - The Power of Surveys 19:25 - Online Booking 21:00 - Pre-Authorisation 24:00 - Status Updates 26:00 - Service Advisor Traits 28:00 - Tech to Advisor Ratio 29:00 - Over-communicate 30:30 - Summary

Enhancing customer value does not always require significant financial investment. By focusing on communication, transparency, and personalised service, businesses can reduce customer anxiety and improve satisfaction. Implementing low-cost, high-value changes, such as those discussed in this episode, can create a competitive edge and foster lasting customer loyalty. As demonstrated in the conversation between Alex, Leo, and Tim, sometimes the smallest changes can have the most significant impact.

https://www.ontheramp.co.uk/2024/06/03/chewing-the-fat-on-customer-expectations-adding-value-without-breaking-the-bank/

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In this episode we discussed the risks and opportunities of the aging car parc, the future of the MOT cycle, the reduction in diesel registrations, what's happening with electric vehicles and whether or not independent garages should consider fleet work and much more. Register for your free ticket to the UK Garage and Bodyshop event here - https://uk-garage-bodyshop-2024.reg.buzz/ Quentin will be doing a presentation on how a workshop can make the most out of EV on June 6th at 11am. Nathan will be on the LKQ ECP stand on June 5th discussing all things marketing, especially around social media. Alex will be presenting "Leveraging your data from your GMS to improve decision making" on June the 6th at 10:30 at the Workshop Hub. He will also be on the LKQ ECP stand on June the 6th at 1pm to share how he uses data in his own garage. He will also be at the Castrol stand on June 5th at 11am to share data and strategies on increasing service work in your garage. ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

In this episode Alex and Leo had the pleasure of interviewing Shaun Miller from Fergies - German Vehicle Specialists. Shaun has a brilliant story to tell. We discuss the positives and negatives of working in a family business and what it took for Shaun to leave the family business and setup on his own. Shaun also discusses his experience winning Top Technician and Top Garage and so much more.

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In this Chew The Fat episode, we discuss whether or not you should be worrying about electric vehicles as a garage owner in the future of the Independant Automotive sector.

https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

Welcome to the On The Ramp podcast, in this intro episode we discuss why we've decided to start a podcast and exactly what we're trying to achieve.

If you're in the UK automotive industry, we hope to bring you inspiring stories, interesting debates and learnings from other garage owners.
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