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.
From Work Experience to Leading a Family Garage: Tim Benson’s Journey In the ever-evolving world of the automotive industry, stories of perseverance, learning, and unexpected paths often lead to the most successful ventures. Tim Benson’s journey from a teenager uncertain about his future to a key figure in Oldfield’s Garage is a testament to the power of adaptability and the importance of embracing every opportunity. Youtube – https://youtu.be/1nv13oKMqW0?si=eCk32ygc8q3A4BP8 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DVar5wBIUUVJVNBWKORL0?si=bGswyAg_Q1qEeFLla7xryg Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/12-building-from-disaster-the-next-generation-the/id1742771842?i=1000669382571 Early Beginnings Tim’s entry into the automotive world was far from conventional. As a young man, he didn’t immediately follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, his…
Welcome to the first episode of “Your Garage,” a new series from On The Ramp that takes you behind the scenes of automotive service centres across the UK. In this episode, we kick things off with a tour of one of our hosts facilities Lindleys Autocentres, giving a closer look at what makes the operations tick. Building a Legacy The journey begins with Alex and Emma, two of the directors, guiding us through the garage. Alex, who’s been with the company for 20 years, explains how it all started from a single site and expanded into a network of branches.…
At On the Ramp, we share stories of professionals who have taken practical and sometimes unconventional routes in their careers. Chris Wileman’s progression from school-leaver to owner of Castle Garage is one such example, offering useful insights for those in the automotive trade or considering business ownership. Youtube – https://youtu.be/wrgL-L1kPyg Spotify – https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ontherampuk/episodes/11-Buying-out-the-boss—-and-going-multi-location—-Chris-Wileman—On-The-Ramp-Podcas-e2nge7g/a-abg970c Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/11-buying-out-the-boss-and-going-multi-location/id1742771842?i=1000666307158 Early Days: Finding His Path Chris Wileman’s entry into the automotive industry wasn’t planned. Like many young people, he wasn’t entirely sure what to do after school. However, a strong interest in cars led him to a two-week work experience placement at Castle Garage,…
In the latest episode of “On the Ramp,” we had the pleasure of speaking with Tina Drayson, a key figure at CCM Garages. Tina’s path in the automotive industry showcases dedication, adaptability, and a drive for continuous improvement. Youtube – https://youtu.be/JtD—9HLH4 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W8nltKde9chFSdkJT877z?si=4285102653d14ba2 Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/10-the-importance-of-great-leadership-tina-drayson/id1742771842?i=1000664782109 Early Beginnings and Transition Tina’s career with CCM Garages began over 25 years ago when she joined on a part-time basis to handle the company’s finances. At the time, she balanced her career with raising four children. Before joining CCM, Tina worked in finance for a brick manufacturing company, which provided a solid…
Early Beginnings and Passion for Cars In the latest episode of the “On the Ramp” podcast, the hosts welcomed David Massey from ADS (Automotive Diagnostic Solutions). David shared his journey, touching on various aspects of his personal and professional life, providing listeners with an insightful look into his experiences. Youtube – https://youtu.be/0Lw6RWbY8OQ?si=BRsPcXFPdN_HmvKk Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BYI54L5h9XeNOsgtpxci4?si=6NPyz2UMTI6BJpqUtyN1Eg Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9-how-do-you-define-success-david-massey-on-the-ramp-podcast/id1742771842?i=1000663388876 David begins by discussing his early years, highlighting his struggles at school and how he found a passion for working with cars. His father, a significant influence in his life, played a crucial role in nurturing David’s interest in performance cars and…
Welcome back to another episode of “On the Ramp.” Today, we dive into an insightful discussion with Anthony McAteer, the Group Procurement Category Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, a leading car parts supplier. This special episode brings forth valuable perspectives for independent garage owners facing the rapidly changing automotive landscape. Youtube – https://youtu.be/3WGWsm1jnTg?si=Y6EtCisifMj–xem Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qXRqHUyvupPamtaD8Ilts Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8-a-conversation-with-lkq-euro-car-parts/id1742771842?i=1000661984847 Introducing Anthony Anthony, with 14 years of experience at LKQ Euro Car Parts, shared his journey from sales and commercial roles to his current position in procurement and category management. His extensive background in the industry has equipped him with…
Welcome back to another episode of the On The Ramp podcast! This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Boyd, the founder of Boyd’s Motor Engineers. Scott’s journey from a small-town car enthusiast in Biggar to a successful business owner is nothing short of inspiring. Here’s a detailed look at his story. Youtube – https://youtu.be/SClqqIcGNM8 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xveQ1Q0bDZ4dmNARAuYIn Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/7-apprentice-to-entrepreneur-succeeding-against-all/id1742771842?i=1000660504473 Early Beginnings in Biggar Scott Boyd grew up in the rural town of Biggar, where his fascination with vehicles began. Surrounded by farmland and tractors, Scott’s interest in mechanics was evident from a young age. His early…
In the latest episode of “On the Ramp,” hosts Alex, Ryan, and Nathan delve into the essentials of marketing and brand building. They share insights from their experiences, particularly focusing on strategies that have proven effective in their business, Lindleys Autocentres and Walsall Wood Tyres. Establishing a Strong Marketing Foundation Youtube – https://youtu.be/DKz2kIBzar8 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/6iOxvptuhKFWg0revkgPmi Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/6-marketing-your-garage-business-chew-the-fat-on-the/id1742771842?i=1000659223640 The conversation begins with a light-hearted introduction but quickly moves into the heart of the matter: the basics of effective marketing. The hosts emphasise the importance of starting with a solid foundation, which includes a well-designed website and active social media…
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. Youtube – https://youtu.be/YfThqelebfc?si=OcNJFDcU0fcQvZvJSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/64wB6d2bWeSqL8IIaZeUpu?si=4bb01b75696c493cApple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5-increasing-customer-perceived-value-in-your-garage/id1742771842?i=1000657627956 The Psychological Moonshot One of the primary concepts discussed by the hosts was the “psychological moonshot,” a term popularised by marketer Rory Sutherland. This approach involves identifying low-cost, high-value improvements that enhance customer experience. A prime example is Domino’s Pizza, which revolutionised its service not by…
We have a simple mission; to connect as many independent garages as possible, with the aim of sharing knowledge and helping to raise the standards of the independent automotive industry. If you’re in the UK automotive industry, we hope to bring you inspiring stories, interesting debates, and learnings from other garage owners.You can follow the podcast on all major platforms with the links below. Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRampSpotify – https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ontherampukApple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-the-ramp-the-independent-automotive-garage (Transcript generated and analysed by AI) Welcome to “On the Ramp” In the inaugural episode of “On the Ramp,” hosts Alex, Nathan, and Leo dive into their motivations for…