Author: Alex Lindley
Alex Lindley
I am passionate about the motor industry and I am always looking for new opportunities to make a positive impact. I would love to connect with other professionals in the field to share ideas and collaborate on new initiatives.
In the latest episode of On The Ramp, Alex and Nathan are back for Episode Five, and this one is a little different. We’re visiting a brand-new garage, only two weeks into operation, and it just so happens to belong to a familiar face—Leo. From Body Shop to Full-Service Garage Leo’s new workshop isn’t just another garage—it’s a transformation project. Originally a body shop, the unit was too good to let go, so Leo decided to turn it into a fully operational service and repair centre. With a solid plan and a strong network, the team managed to complete the…
In the latest episode of On the Ramp, we sat down with Jamie Caple of Car Quay, a used car dealer based in Derby, to discuss the realities of the trade, the lessons learned from financial struggles, and how resilience is the key to long-term success in the automotive industry. YouTube – https://youtu.be/jzP0TRMGtU4?si=mSTcKsXnQFyGGleU Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aS0r0h4Muc49ZNTVEhWqf?si=rydvcaRqRx6WhsN9ovF-4g Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/20-car-sales-crisis-comebacks-a-car-dealers-real/id1742771842?i=1000689841281 The Journey into the Trade Jamie’s story is one of sheer determination. After the collapse of his previous business, he found himself in a financial crisis, with a hefty debt looming over him. But rather than take the easier route of…
Episode Overview: In the latest episode of the On The Ramp podcast, hosts Alex and Nathan welcomed a special guest, Emma, who joined the conversation to delve deep into a topic at the heart of every successful garage: the importance of the front-of-house team. Emma, recently appointed as Customer Experience Director, brought her expertise and passion for customer service to the table, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the automotive industry. YouTube – https://youtu.be/sNOPdJfqkHg?si=My8I-bDRphYBgjNe Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qu1X6HwhLPoVvml4eDUJe?si=652298a24f3d4647 Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/19-garage-success-starts-here-mastering-your-front/id1742771842?i=1000684332530 The Role of Front of House in a Modern Garage: The discussion kicked off with a bold statement…
This week on “Your Garage,” we took a road trip to Cheshire to meet the unstoppable Dean from DC Lomas. Known for his energy and relentless drive, Dean’s story is a masterclass in determination and passion—a tale that any garage owner or aspiring entrepreneur can draw inspiration from. This episode is kindly sponsored by https://www.1tec.co.uk/ Starting from Scratch Dean’s journey began humbly, starting his career as a technician while working evenings and weekends on friends’ cars. When he realised, he couldn’t deliver the level of service he envisioned while working for someone else, he took a leap of faith. Selling…
In our latest On The Ramp episode, we sat down with Ed Cockill of Uckfield Motor Services to dive into a story of resilience, growth, and navigating the challenges of running a family business in the automotive industry. Ed’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, risk-taking, and a relentless focus on improvement. YouTube – https://youtu.be/-DfIkiqCWxw?si=E2WOzudd_cWc0amS Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahiAvyp8h5ijnUA9GdWH1?si=bbc8e138c89a447e Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/18-driven-to-succeed-edward-cockills-inspiring-story/id1742771842?i=1000681057880 Starting from Scratch: A Legacy of Resilience Uckfield Motor Services was founded by Ed’s father in 1992, following a difficult period of bankruptcy at a previous garage. With a young family to support, he started again…
In the latest episode of On the Ramp, Alex and Nathan were joined by Olly, a Mercedes-Benz specialist with a wealth of experience and a thoughtful perspective on running an independent garage. YouTube – https://youtu.be/m7XiGDKqwcA?si=KVv-C_15stMHImPC Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KUt9zw8VsjdWSznDCt5Bq?si=c14d9432101847c6 Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-the-ramp-the-independent-automotive-garage/id1742771842 From Dealership to Independence Olly’s career in the motor trade began with an apprenticeship at a Mercedes-Benz dealership at 16. Over the years, his passion for cars and motorsport developed into a deep technical knowledge of the brand. Eventually, his ambition to work for himself led him to establish his own independent garage, specialising exclusively in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Seventeen…
In a recent episode of Your Garage on On The Ramp, we visited Awesome GTI in Manchester, a standout destination for automotive performance enthusiasts. Owned by Mark, this facility has become a shining example of what’s possible with vision, dedication, and innovation. A Bold Move in Challenging Times Mark welcomed us to Awesome GTI’s new home, a modern and meticulously designed workshop. The move into this space began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a risky time for such a significant investment. However, Mark’s determination to create a facility that blends cutting-edge technology with exceptional customer service paid…
In the latest episode of On The Ramp, Alex and Leo welcom Barry Lawson, owner of the recently rebranded Lawson Autotech, to discuss his journey from dealership apprenticeship to family business, and ultimately to entrepreneurial success. Barry’s story of adapting, learning, and transforming his approach offers a fresh perspective on navigating the challenges of the automotive industry. YouTube – https://youtu.be/5sUea1wY8oM?si=d5Hoxt7xAxjPAyuv Spotify – https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ontherampuk/episodes/16-Tradition-meets-Innovation-with-Barry-Lawson–Lawson-Autotech—On-The-Ramp-Podcast-e2qvhf7 Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/16-tradition-meets-innovation-with-barry-lawson-lawson/id1742771842?i=1000677040077 A Reluctant Start in the Family Business Starting as a 16-year-old with no clear path, Barry initially hesitated to join the family business, founded by his father in 1983. He first ventured into a…
Episode 15 already! In this episode, we take a step back from our usual guest interviews to share our own business updates from the past six months. We discuss the challenges we’ve faced, the investments we’ve made, and the strategies that are helping us grow. Topics include Nathans push for ISO 9001 accreditation, Leo’s business expansion, Alex’s company restructure and much more! YouTube – https://youtu.be/9UoJeoKAVY4?si=loUT7SIpRWbM5uXR Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pThAlvAgekuP8nPbtVewE?si=qlt0Nw5PQlG_v2PhgDafBA Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/15-alex-leo-and-nath-talk-shop-on-the-ramp-podcast/id1742771842?i=1000675293550We also welcome Castrol and The Race Group as long-term sponsors/partners of the On The Ramp Podcast! To learn more about Castrol Service, click here!
In the latest episode of Your Garage, hosts Alex and Nathan take us on an inspiring tour of The Mini Repair Shop in Lincoln. Over the past three years, founders Steve and Kyle have transformed their ambitions into a thriving, specialised business. This episode offers an in-depth look at how they made the leap from working in a dealership to running their own successful repair shop, focusing exclusively on Minis and BMWs. The Leap to Entrepreneurship Steve and Kyle’s journey began at a BMW dealership, where they gained over 15 years of experience working on Minis and BMWs. However, like…