Aftermarket Magazine March 2025

Training 50 www.aftermarketonline.net MARCH 2025 Garage Hive innovations highlighted in new episode of The Blend Podcast The latest episode of The Blend Podcast takes a deep dive into Garage Hive’s latest advancements, showcasing how its community-led garage management system is transforming workshop operations. Podcast host Mike Ruff is joined by Garage Hive’s operations manager, Dawn Metcalfe, technical manager Rhys Hill and head of training, Tom Langridge, to discuss new features designed to boost efficiency and improve customer communication. One such innovation is the recent launch of Garage Hive Copilot, an AI tool built on OpenAI technology that simplifies communication with customers. Integrated directly into the existing workflow, it automatically drafts descriptions for vehicle health checks, sales invoices, and other tasks, translating complex vehicle inspection data into clear, customerfriendly language. The episode also highlights Garage Hive’s new partnership with ServiceSplit, offering predefined service plans that make it easier for customers to manage maintenance costs while giving garages a competitive edge against dealerships. Another feature, realtime work status updates, reduces customer inquiries by keeping them informed about progress, allowing front-ofhouse staff to focus on more pressing tasks. Garage Hive’s commitment to training and support is evident through its IMIaccredited ‘Garage Hive Super User’ and ‘Garage Hive Service Advisor’ courses, available at its Nottingham training centre. “We genuinely care about how our product is used and its impact on garages. It’s not just about making a sale,” said Hill on The Blend Podcast. Metcalfe added: “Garage Hive is a powerful tool that helps streamline operations and supports business growth, even enabling some garages to expand into multiple locations.” The company will showcase these innovations at major events throughout 2025, including the Castrol Service Conference in March, Automechanika Birmingham in June and Thistle Auto Revival in August. The Blend Podcast is a must-listen for independent garage owners, offering expert insights and practical advice from industry peers. The next episode will explore the topic of employee pay vs performance, featuring Jennifer Webb of HR Vitals. The Blend’s annual conference for independent garages in the UK and Ireland takes place on Saturday, October 18 in Birmingham. Meanwhile, Garage Hive has launched an IMI-approved course for front-of-house service advisors at its training centre in Nottingham. Langridge said: “Service advisors are often the first point of contact for customers and play a critical role in shaping the garage experience.” Apprentices go behind the brand at Delphi Academy for enrichment day Delphi Academy opened its doors to a group of apprentice mechanics from Worcestershire in January, with the visit intended to demonstrate the growing range of career options open to young people within the automotive industry, and to show how those opportunities will continue to widen as the pace of technological change in the sector increases. The visit, which took place in January, was the first in a series of enrichment days being held by Delphi at its recently expanded academy in Warwick. This initial event enabled nine second-year Level 3 apprentices from Heart of Worcestershire College to go to the 1,430 m2 training centre to d have the chance to learn much more about the industry. They were accompanied by staff from the college, including lecturer Dale Ruston. “Our students often exist in a bubble,” he said, “only seeing their workshop, and the college. “Enrichment days like this show there is so much more to the industry, and that they don’t have to stay where they are now. This visit will be a real eye-opener for them.” A number of topics were covered across the day including EV and hybrid technology, diagnostic tooling and much more. The group were also shown how independents are set to continue capitalising on the petrol and diesel market. There was even time for a look ahead at hydrogen tech. The day was led by Delphi’s UK technical services manager Luke Garratt, who kicked off proceedings with an informal address. “You all work in garages, but behind you is a huge industry, with so many opportunities.”

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=