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.

In part two of Episode 3, Hayley Pells from Avia Autos talks about a number of topics including the automotive support group, mental health in the aftermarket, apprenticeships, customer supplied parts, what's popular in the garage and why you shouldn't transport a piano during lockdown!

0:43: Automotive support Group 
03:30: Mental health in the aftermarket 
08:40: Future of apprenticeships
10:35: Customer supplied parts
13:45: What type of work is being carried out by the garage

"Our motorists understand our way of working and in such a changeable environment, trust us to keep them safe." 

Hayley Pells from Avia Autos joins Mark in episode 3 of Monday's with Mark, 'putting the motive in automotive' podcast.

Hayley talks openly about the 'hammer blow' of the MOT Extension and how difficult it is for motorists to grasp the concept of roadworthiness in the modern vehicle age.

She also talks about how the garage's reputation has meant the business is winning new customers on reopening and how 'over communication' offers reassurance to customers, staff and suppliers.

All this plus discussions around parts disruption and the future outlook for the automotive aftermarket in part one of episode 3 – Monday's with Mark podcast!

A walk around Automechanika Frankfurt where I gain some feedback and insight on the show and the wider automotive aftermarket from UK exhibitors.

Volume may need to be lowered / raised accordingly due to background event noise

"In times of crisis, business leaders need to step up." Richard Welland talks exclusively to Mark Field about how extensive preparations enabled the business to so far survive and thrive through the coronavirus pandemic. 

Richard shows humility and discusses how WAIglobal has gone from being the leading supplier of rotating electrics to the leading supplier of PPE equipment, 'giving back' and enabling garages and motor factors to reopen and trade safely.

With some fabulous insights and advice for listeners and business owners, WAIglobal UK is a fabulous example of how quickly big companies can adapt to new circumstances and make a 'profit with purpose' in today's 'new normal.'

David Clarke, managing director of Autosupplies Group, talks exclusively to Mark Field on how his company has coped with the Coronavirus pandemic. 

David talks insightfully about the various stages the parts distributor has gone through during the pandemic including how he received over 100 phone calls the night the first lockdown was announced and how at first he feared the worst for his business. 

David then talks about the journey back to a new normal and offers advice to the wider motor trade.

Introduction to our season four and update from Mark Field, chief executive of Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF)

In this first episode of Season four, Mark sits down with Neil Pattemore, UK Technical Director of UK AFCAR to discuss all the legislation surrounding the automotive aftermarket and what businesses can do to help shape and evolve future UK law.

Mark and Neil discuss the the future of Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), why SERMI is very much alive and kicking and the differences for UK aftermarket lobbying in a post-Brexit era.

Chloe Hyland, Marketing Manager of Messe Frankfurt UK, talks openly about the difficulties faced by the events industry due to the coronavirus pandemic and how the business used the time wisely to invest in both its digital footprint through Autoresource.co.uk and new exhibition format, designed to support the automotive aftermarket.

Chloe also gives an insight into what to expect from the hugely anticipated Garage and Bodyshop Event, taking place from 8 to 9 June at Birmingham NEC.

This week, we talk Self driving vehicles, are servicing schedules diluted and we join the #askmeanything craze! 

It's episode 7 of Press Connect!

Episode 6 of Press Connect where Field and Pells discuss the cyber attack on EA and how it affects the automotive industry, plus parts prices, availability and promotions. All this plus Mark gets excited over a squirrel and the Euros!

Toyota 10 year warranty, Self-driving cars, garage access to vehicle data and much more in this week's episode of Press Connect! 

Episode 4 available now with Hayley Pells CAE FIMI Within 17 minutes, we cover 3D printing, the latest garage survey, self-driving cars, EV & Hybrid and much more...  #supportaftermarket #automotive