On The Ramp - The Independent Automotive Garage Owners Podcast.

• #20 Car Sales, Crisis & Comebacks: A Car Dealer’s Real Story - Jamie Caple - On The Ramp Podcast

  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 Jamie Caple, owner of Car Quay, to discuss the highs and lows of running a used car dealership. Jamie shares his journey from the collapse of his previous business to rebuilding from the ground up, all while navigating the unpredictable world of used car sales. We explore the realities of stocking facilities, the impact of market fluctuations, and the challenges of maintaining profitability in a tough industry. Jamie also provides insights into the importance of preparation efficiency, managing risk, and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing market. If you’re an independent garage owner or thinking about moving into car sales, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, business strategy, and the mindset needed to succeed. 00:00 - Introduction 04:25 - Leaving the previous business and facing legal action 20:05 - External factors influencing vehicle sales 31:01 - Castrol sponsorship segment 32:15 - How real-world events impact bookings and average invoice values 35:00 - Government inefficiencies and their effect on small businesses 37:53 - Are you working on your business or in your business? 42:55 - Beyond AutoTrader: Other strategies for growth 45:48 - Why people are drawn to stories of business failure 47:49 - Receiving legal papers just before Christmas 01:04:13 - Selling electric vehicles: Opportunities and challenges 01:07:21 - Preferred fuel types and the future of the market 01:11:00 - The role of workshops and MOTs in a dealership 01:13:59 - The importance of charisma in modern car sales 01:20:21 - How warranties impact customer confidence 01:28:21 - The role of third-party finance companies in car sales 01:31:41 - Sales functions and strategies for success 01:45:23 - The purchasing process and making smart stock decisions 01:50:18 - Identifying your strengths in business 01:53:29 - Key advice for new business owners 02:06:58 - Where do you see yourself and the business in five years? Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations. #UsedCarSales #AutomotiveBusiness #CarQuay #OnTheRamp #IndependentDealership

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• #19 Garage Success Starts Here: Mastering your Front of House - On The Ramp Podcast

  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: Why the front-of-house role is the backbone of a successful garage The importance of reducing customer anxiety and building trust Recruitment tips: Finding the perfect front-of-house candidate The art of hospitality and its connection to automotive service How to implement service plans and improve customer retention Practical advice for training and structuring front-of-house teams 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! 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 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? #OnTheRamp #GarageSuccess #CustomerExperience #AutomotiveIndustry #FrontOfHouse ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #18 Driven to Succeed - Edward Cockill's Inspiring Story in Automotive - On The Ramp Podcast

  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 00:00 - introduction 01:40 - Previous Failures 02:49 - The career path that led to joining the family business 12:03 - F1 Talk… 13:18 - Moving to the family business 23:09 - Starting a Commercial Branch 37:39 - Do you specialise in a specific brand? 40:48 - What’s your view on EV? 47:53 - Going through a rough patch and getting over it 1:04:02 - What can we expect from you in the future? ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #17 How I built a garage around a single brand - Should you specialise? - On The Ramp Podcast

  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, Alex and Nathan sit down with Olly, a Mercedes-Benz specialist with years of experience running a successful independent garage. From starting his business with limited resources to building a national reputation, Olly shares his journey, the benefits of specialising, and the challenges of staying ahead in the motor trade. 📌 Topics Covered: Why specialising in a single brand makes sense for independent garages Building efficiency and expertise in diagnostics and repairs Creating a loyal customer base through trust and community engagement Advice for garage owners considering specialisation Whether you're an independent garage owner, a mechanic, or simply interested in the automotive industry, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of independent garages. 🎧 Listen Now to learn more about Olly's approach and what it takes to run a specialist garage. 💬 Share your thoughts: Are you considering specialising your services? Let us know in the comments below! 00:00 - Introduction 01:46 - About Prestige Car Service 21:41 - Diagnostics 36:33 - Would you specialise? 48:12 - Setbacks 52:19 - Getting a larger workshop 57:32 - Being content with what you have 01:00:36 - Benefits of a single brand 01:12:37 - Why dealerships need to change #OnTheRampPodcast #MercedesSpecialist #IndependentGarage ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #16 Tradition meets Innovation with Barry Lawson, Lawson Autotech - On The Ramp Podcast

  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? ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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