Monday’s with Mark – putting the motive in automotive – Details, episodes & analysis

We're kicking off a new season with Monday's with Mark. We're going to aim to publish one a week and cover as much as we can. It will be a mixture of personal and business and maybe we'll get to know each other in the automotive industry a little better!

A walk around Automechanika Birmingham on day one of the event, meeting with exhibitors and visitors.

No plan for the end of petrol / diesel vehicles, catalytic converter thefts, how much broadband is enough & teaching my 17 year old how to drive. It's Field & Pells – It's Press Connect episode 3! 

In this episode, Field and Pells talk everything from chip shortages to £22K fuel pumps to bitcoin! All this plus discussions around mental health awareness week and skills shortage. 

Enjoy

Your bitesize chunk on what's happening in the automotive aftermarket!

In the new season of Monday's with Mark, Mark Blinston, Commercial Director of BM Catalysts gives a first hand account of overcoming issues from the Brexit trade agreement and also offers advice to fellow aftermarket businesses. "Chaos in January, February better than January and March is back to pre-pandemic levels," is how he describes the past three months.

Blinston also explains what's driving the increasing number of thefts of catalytic converters as he takes is through the soaring cost of precious group metal Rhodium.

All this plus the company's navigation through Covid-19 and how BM Catalysts is planning for the future.

Enjoy!

Andy Savva talks openly to Mark Field in the latest Monday's with Mark podcast about how proud he is to see the sector he loves show such resilience in the time of immense change.

In a podcast filled with great advice for the industry and garage businesses, Andy stresses the importance of communication up and down the supply chain, cashflow and why the focus must be on profitability.

In what has been a period of reflection for us all, Andy outlines how The Garage Inspector continues to support businesses up and down the UK, reminding us all that there is a lot to be thankful for in the automotive industry. 

Enjoy!

In episode of 6 of Monday's with Mark, Mark Field talks to David Eszenyi of Ivor Searle and president of the Federation of Engine Remanufacturers.

David explains the role the trade association has played in supporting engine rebuilder members and how staying open was key. 

As commercial director of engine specialist Ivor Searle, David talks about the business has supported keyworkers but thanks to staying open has attracted new business that would've previously gone to the OEMs.

David also talks about working smarter in the 'new normal' but says there is no substitution for face to face meetings. 

Finally, David gives us a glimpse into Europe and how brexit preparations are well and truly underway. 

In the latest episode of Monday’s with Mark, Mark Field of Impression talks to James Onions, Director of Garage Wire about how the aftermarket media has evolved during the coronavirus pandemic. 

James talks about the privileged position a media outlet has in our trade and discusses how the media and Garage Wire website has had to change to meet the increased demand from visitors.
 
 James also questions the wisdom around businesses retreating from their marketing activity, having spent thousands on building it up and the says the ones that stay the distance will benefit from what he predicts will be a ‘very big bounce’ further down the line.

Enjoy listening! 

The rise of the lead generator. As driving habits change, especially through the Coronavirus pandemic, AutoAdvisor.co.uk has seen an 88 percent increase in website traffic, connecting motorists with garages.

Founder Alex Taylor explains why his site is the perfect "bolt-on" for any independent garage and how, through expertise as a motor factor, the AutoAdvisor proposition is unlike any we've seen before in the trade.