Aftermarket May 2022

Left: Darren Darling addressing the AAAA Expo Right: Stephen Kasapis, DPF Network brand ambassador Australia MAY 2022 AFTERMARKET 41 www.aftermarketonline.net About The DPF Doctor Network Darren Darling’s DPF Doctor Network is an independent network of mechanics, expert in all matters DPF through a combination of ongoing training, shared learning, and mutually beneficial collaboration. Before becoming a DPF Doctor, a workshop must undergo an accreditation process. “When considering a garage for membership I am looking for their mission to deliver fantastic customer service, their desire to learn and the commitment they’re willing to make to upholding our standards,” said Darren. “A great attitude is everything. We provide the diagnostic know how and practical knowledge via our live and interactive online training and unique portal. We have invested in the best video equipment you can buy, and every training session is recorded so that members can go back in their own time and continue to sharpen skills by reinforcing their live session learning. With the portal they can talk to one another, share best practise, ask, and answer questions.” Darren added: “The financial benefits of becoming a DPF Doctor Network Member are significant. A workshop can keep all DPF business in-house. Our members offer an in-situ DPF cleaning and diagnostics’ service to the trade and public and are in the top 5% of technicians in the UK. With cars being kept on the road for longer and training playing an important part in separating a good workshop from a great one, there has never been a better time to be a DPF Doctor. Many DPF Doctors have seen their DPF cases double in the last 12 months with DPF repairs and DPF faults at an all-time high.” For more information visit www.jlmlubricants.com and www.the-dpf- doctor.com market for genuine DPF training borne of experience as well as expertise. We teach technicians how to simplify DPF problems and how to really improve their first-time fix rate. I am also being accompanied on my Down Under Tour by Steve Scott, founder of the global SimplyDiag network. As your readers will know, Steve is a recently appointed brand ambassador for JLM Lubricants and a member of The DPF Doctor Network. Steve has a massive following with technicians in Australia, so it’s good to have a partner in crime. “Travelling to Australia gives us the opportunity to speak to technicians on the GCG stand and in the days after the event. Nothing beats listening to the challenges they face and sharing how we can help. As a hands-on technician, I welcome technical questions and invite technicians to bring any problem jobs past and present. My keynote talk which I’m looking forward to delivering will focus on the do’s and don’ts of DPF cleaning and repairs. It’s my goal to change the way technicians think about fixing and cleaning DPFs, laying bare in an easy-to-understand format, how we, as independent DPF specialists are so successful with our first-time fix rate. As with all my talks it will be free of unnecessary jargon. I’m looking forward to delivering it and to meeting the technicians that have messaged me already and those coming to the Expo to learn something new.” Experience and skillsets Darren’s trip is far from a holiday with every day accounted for as he explains: “We are holding an open day event on the Monday after the AAAA show at The Automotive Clinic, Dandenong, Melbourne. There is an invitation for techs of all experience and skillsets to attend and I’m told they’re already having to expand the catering which is good to hear! We will share insights into our online training portal and hold a Q&A session. And we’ll be joined by our Australian DPF Doctor Members including Stephen Kasapis, the DPF Network brand ambassador for Australia. Overall, this promises to be a great tour.” Aftermarket will be back next month with the sequel to this interview, covering how Darren fared in Australia and the feedback on the ground from his tour.