Ratchet+Wrench

10/14/2025

Recent flooding in Norfolk, Virginia, has led to a surge in water-damaged vehicles. It's crucial to educate your customers about the dangers of driving through flooded roads. One shop owner's advice? "Just avoid water at all costs." A strategy that will never fail!

Following Sunday's storm, residents in Norfolk faced flooding that damaged numerous vehicles, prompting auto shops like All Star Automotive to handle costly repairs.

10/14/2025

Pro tip from Jared McPike of inMOTION Auto Care: Customer communication is key! When selecting a Shop Management System, prioritize user-friendly scheduling and hassle-free communication features. Keep your customers in the loop, and they'll keep coming back.

Shop management systems are essential to running a smooth operation. Learn how to choose the right one for your business.

10/14/2025

Auto Care Plus, a Straightaway brand, has acquired Ronnie's Car Care of Tewksbury, Massachusetts. This move expands Auto Care Plus's presence in northern Massachusetts.

Auto Care Plus has acquired Ronnie's Car Care in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, aiming to expand its footprint in northern Massachusetts.

10/13/2025

What a wrap! The Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference just concluded this past Friday, delivering three power-packed days of industry insights. From marketing strategies to optimizing bay flow, our 40+ speakers covered it all. The key takeaway? Empower your team and put your people first. That's how we drive success in this industry! 🔧💪

This year's Ratchet+Wrench Conference brought together industry leaders and shop owners for three days of insightful sessions, lively entertainment, and meaningful networking....

10/13/2025

🔧💼 Scaling your auto repair business? Don't forget the back office! The future of our industry isn't just about bays and car count, but streamlined financials too. Integrating systems like Tekmetric, ADP, and NetSuite into one powerhouse can transform your operation.

How auto repair businesses can leverage AI and unified data systems to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and accelerate growth.

10/10/2025

In his closing keynote, David Suk Brown of DSB Leadership Group encouraged attendees to follow the SPEAK Playbook.

S - See (take the blinders off)
P - Prepare (know what you have to do)
E - Enthusiasm (be excited about the work)
A - Allyship (have people to help you)
P - Keep Preaching (don't stop talking)

He reminded attendees to use their voices and allow others to use theirs in order for everyone to feel valued and for all to grow together.

10/10/2025

Doug Grills of AutoStream Car Care led an clinic on AI tools to enhance auto repair shop marketing. From handling calls and identifying KPIS to optimizing ad targeting and spends and analyzing marketing capaign data, AI is revolutionizing efficiency and shop owners need to harness its power.

"It levels the playing field for all of us," he said.

10/10/2025

"Leaders must keep learning and talk about what they're learning," said Phil Carpenter of Urban Autocare, adding that it shows your team your commitment to growth.

In his session, Carpenter guided attendees through a journey of understanding the multifaceted dynamics of being a leader and offered examples and reading material to help anchor in his points.

He added that leaders across the shop don't all have to have the same personality type, just be aligned in mission, purpose, and outcome.

10/10/2025

The process to winning is difficult and it requires you to get uncomfortable, says Michelle Tansey, owner of Euro Clinic during her session on Building a Strong Team Culture at the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference.

Accountability. take action, commitment to excellence, be human, be awesome. These are the core values and standards that will drive your shop’s culture. Ultimately, it will lead the charge in creating self-sufficient employees.

Thank you for your spirited and colorful advice, Michelle.

10/10/2025

"Are you a business owner or a high-paid employee?"

That's the question Hunt Demarest, CPA/ABV put before shop owners at the start of his session this morning.

Demarest added that it's about finding the right levers to pull and making the right decisions to get the results you want.

Financials should do two things, he said—"show past performance and show us what levers we need to pull to achieve our goals"

10/10/2025

Making bay flow more efficient means knowing your team. Determine who is better on certain types of repairs and which makes and models are their specialties to create a plan of attack for maximum efficiency.

Jake Conwell, service manager at Scmidt Automotive is leading an interactive discussion on Training and Growing a Loyal Team at the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference this morning.

10/10/2025

How do you build effective processes? Keep it simple. Involve the team. Start small. Walk through the process yourself.

Samantha Higdon of ShiftPoint Training Academy encourages shop owners to step away while empowering employees to step up confidently this morning at the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference.