Garage Talk Unwrapped - The Podcast

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, we welcome Quentin Le Hetet from GiPA to discuss the evolving landscape of the UK’s automotive aftermarket.

Quentin shares insights on how the pandemic has dramatically altered the car parc demographics, with a significant drop in new car registrations leading to an ageing fleet. He explains the implications for garages, particularly as ...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben sit down with Neil Grant, Managing Director of HELLA Ltd, the UK arm of a major global automotive supplier with a long-standing presence in lighting and electronics.

From OE lighting and electronics through to diagnostics, ADAS and workshop equipment, HELLA is more than a parts supplier. Neil explains how the business supports th...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped - The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Ben and Vicky sit down with Jo Knowles, Event Director of Automechanika UK and the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event.

Register for the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event here: https://forms.reg.buzz/uk-garage-and-bodyshop-2026/garage-talk

Jo talks about how she ended up in the events world, originally aiming for festivals before moving into automotive, and ...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben sit down with Tony Yates from Schaeffler.

Tony shares his journey from a difficult start in his school life to becoming a driving force behind a fantastic training initiative in the aftermarket, Wrenches & Wisdom. It’s an honest conversation about confidence, careers, and why the industry needs to do more to support the...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben are joined by Prashant Chopra from Autogem, a company leading the way in tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) since 2007. Prashant shares his expertise on the realities of TPMS and why thorough vehicle inspections are more important than ever for garages and technicians.

During the conversation, Prashant unpacks the common cha...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben are joined by the energetic “Chaos Twins,” Cheryl Dean and Annie Sutton from Impression. With their expertise in PR and digital marketing, they share strategies to help garages stand out and grow in a competitive market.

Cheryl and Annie explore the power of storytelling, the importance of building trust with customer...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben are joined by Ashley Sutcliffe and Giulio Leone, the innovative co-founders of Part Sync. This dynamic digital marketplace is revolutionising the way trade buyers and suppliers connect, providing a smarter, more efficient means of sourcing automotive parts.

During their conversation, Ashley and Giulio share the story behind ...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben sit down with Leanne and Brett from Big Spuds, a dynamic couple making waves in the aftermarket merchandise space. Based in Telford, they are the creative minds behind the team's Garage Talk hoodies and stickers that have become a staple at industry events!

During their lively discussion, Leanne and Brett share their unique ...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben are joined by Scott Greensmith from ClickMechanic, as they explore the transformative power of technology in the automotive repair industry. This insightful discussion delves into how ClickMechanic is reshaping the way consumers connect with mechanics; promoting transparency, trust, and convenience in vehicle maintenance.

Sc...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, we welcome Tom Vallé and Joe O'Neill from BM Catalysts to discuss the intricacies of marketing for an aftermarket manufacturer. This engaging conversation dives deep into the various strategies and creative approaches that can make or break a marketing campaign in the automotive sector.

Throughout the episode, Tom and Joe share their experienc...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben are joined by Chris Wileman of Castle Garage (Ashby) Ltd, as they delve into his remarkable journey within the automotive industry. Chris shares insights from his award-winning garage, which recently clinched the prestigious Garage of the Year title at the Blend event. Throughout the conversation, Chris discusses the evolution of...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben reflect on an incredible year in the automotive aftermarket industry as they conduct their end of year review for 2025. 

Join them as they reminisce about the highs and lows of the past twelve months, sharing memorable experiences and trends that have shaped their journey. From the excitement of their milestone of 51,000 You...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Ben sits down with key members of the IAAF board and council the evening before their annual conference. The discussion revolves around the theme of "Future Shock," exploring the current landscape of the aftermarket industry and the challenges it faces. With insights from Mark Field, Neil Pattemore, Kevin Kelly, Tina Drayson, Sue Mckay, and Law...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, we speak to Mark Madgwick from Apex Networks, a comprehensive business platform designed for recovery operators. They discuss the intricacies of the recovery industry, highlighting the vital role recovery operators play in ensuring road safety and the often-overlooked dangers they face on the job. The conversation dives into the connection betw...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben visit the BM Catalysts headquarters in Mansfield to chat with Mark Blinston, the Commercial Director and friend of Garage Talk. They explore the fascinating journey of BM Catalysts, from its humble beginnings as a tyre fitting centre in 1966 to becoming Europe's leading manufacturer of aftermarket hot end emissions products. Mark ...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben welcome Stephen Whitton from [M]enable, a movement dedicated to raising awareness of mental health within the automotive industry. They delve into the concept of "mental wealth" and discuss the importance of fostering a supportive culture in workshops, dealerships, and offices. Stephen shares his personal journey in the trade, the...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben explore apprenticeships, work experience, and inspiring the next generation in the automotive aftermarket. They discuss the importance of attracting young talent into garages, bodyshops, and other industry roles, and share insights on how businesses can support apprentices to develop valuable skills. With expert input from Dave Re...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, Sponsored by BM Catalysts, Vicky and Ben delve into the world of tyres for Tyre Safety Month. They discuss the critical importance of maintaining tyre health, from checking pressure and tread depth to understanding the impact of defective tyres on road safety. With insights from the passionate tyre expert, Sophie Lyden, known as The Tyre Lady, listeners will gain valuabl...

In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, Vicky and Ben dive into the history and future of oil - the lifeblood of every car. From animal fats and whale oil to 20W-50 on the garage shelf, right through to today’s highly specified lubricants and EV fluids, we explore how oil has shaped motoring.

Guests and highlights:

• Fuzz Townshend (CarSOS), recorded at the British Motor Show, on why fixing cars has b...