Auto Service World Conversations

Auto Service World Conversations

News, views, features and commentary about the automotive repair and service industry in Canada.

Episodes

June 23, 2025 15 mins

With many auto repair shop owners looking to soon exit their business, Sunil Patel, founder of Tekmetric, explains what’s important to potential buyers, from an internal one, to the shop down the street to a private equity firm. Patel outlines key steps for shop owners to make their businesses more attractive for acquisition, emphasizing clean financials, operational efficiency, and strong customer service. Tune in to hear about th...

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President and CEO of the Auto Care Association Bill Hanvey provides insights into the industry's current landscape. Discussing challenges like global trade uncertainties and tariffs, Hanvey emphasizes the association's role in supporting members through complex economic times. He highlights progress on right to repair legislation, the potential of AI in inventory management and the industry's global collaboration. Fi...

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J.F. Champagne, president and CEO of AIA Canada, outlines the pressing challenges facing automotive service technician training. He emphasizes the need to modernize education to keep pace with rapidly evolving vehicle technologies. With increasing reliance on diagnostic technology and complex vehicle systems, he stresses the necessity of upskilling, addresses the industry's image problem and calls for stronger advocacy to attr...

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Lordco executives Samatha and Ian Coates discuss the current automotive parts industry landscape, highlighted by economic uncertainty and a softer retail market during their company's 35 Annual Tradeshow. Despite challenges, they remain optimistic, highlighting their trade show strategy, commitment to premium products and customer service. Tune in to hear their thoughts on topics like consolidation, vehicle aging, technologica...

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The benefits of artificial intelligence in the automotive aftermarket are seemingly boundless. But as Todd Richardson, CEO and president of In Motion Brands and Atrium Solutions Inc., explains, there is only so far you will want to take it in your shop. Tune in to hear about where this technology can help, what it can do for you and how you should carefully think about its implementation in your business.


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Suzanne Morello, senior VP of marketing at Mevotech in Toronto, draws on 30 years of marketing experience to gauge how the aftermarket is evolving in the area. Tune in to also hear Morello share her journey into the aftermarket, discussing digital transformation, industry challenges, and the importance of customer-centric strategies. She explores topics like economic uncertainties, tariffs and the role of branding during tough time...

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Hear more from this year's chair for AIA Canada. Learn more about his background in the auto care sector, what drives his passion for the industry, why he views this as a great opportunity and more.

 

 

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Listen in to four discussions with leaders from top automakers at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow. Host Adam Malik chatted with Said Deep from Ford Motor Company of Canada, Matt Girgis from Volvo Canada, Mike Szymkiewicz and Lou Ann Gosselin from Stellantis and Elias El-Achab from Kia live from the floor of the show during Media Day. Tune in to hear their thoughts about the state of the industry, new vehicle trends, supply...

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The leadership team of Pacer Dynamics — Eddie Tso, Joshua Lin, and Albert Liu — discuss their journey into the automotive aftermarket, one that may not be typical. The trio shares how their diverse backgrounds and friendships led them to form this Canadian-owned brake disc manufacturer, highlighting the importance of industry connections, adaptability and a passion for the aftermarket. They also detail their experiences at their fi...

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This is a cross-post from the Logistics Lowdown podcast, presented by Turnkey Media LLC.


David Johnston, George Weston Ltd. research chair and centre director in Sustainable Supply Chains at the Schulich School of Business at York University, and founding and current program director of the Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) at Schulich.

In this episode of The Logistics Lowdown, we talk with David about the challenges faci...

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The passion for the automotive aftermarket runs deep for many professionals in this industry and Johanna Smith is no exception. She’s the new director of sales and marketing at Associated Equipment and will be working closely with the Canadian market. Johanna shares her passion for the automotive aftermarket, highlighting the importance of relationships, innovation and empowerment within the industry.

 

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Leading industry expert and Jobber News columnist Kumar Saha joined Auto Service World Conversations to discuss the latest implications of the trade standoff between Canada and the United States. A 25% tariff has been announced for Canadian goods going into America, while Canada retaliated with a tariff package of its own. As the auto industry is uniquely positioned in this battle — auto parts cross borders multiple times during pr...

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Todd Campau, associate director of the aftermarket at S&P Global Mobility, explores the unique dynamics of the Canadian automotive market, with a focus on electric vehicle adoption, market trends and the impact of the economy on the aftermarket. He provides insights into the factors driving Canada’s lead over the U.S. in EV growth, the implications of changing incentives, and the challenges posed by parts proliferation. Todd al...

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The state of the automotive aftermarket is complex. Shane O'Kelly, CEO of Advanced Auto Parts, talks about where the industry is and where it’s going. He explores the increasing importance of technology, from right-to-repair issues to the challenges posed by advanced driver assistance systems. O'Kelly also shares insights on Advanced Auto Parts' decision to keep its Canadian operations and what he learned while trekk...

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Autumn Lamb’s LinkedIn description might tell you all you need to know about her: Professional pivoter of all things marketing. She’s all about opening the various doors that she comes across in the automotive aftermarket. Autumn pivots from one challenge to another, one association group to the next. In this conversation, we learn more about the marketing manager for GSP Americas, from her journey through the aftermarket to the va...

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Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the December 2024 issue of CARS magazine to hear more from Craig and Heather Maidens, from Maidens Family Auto Care, winner of the 2024 Shop of the Year Award, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool.

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On the job for a few short months, Emily Holtby has been thrown into the fire. AIA Canada’s new vice president of government relations joins the aftermarket at a critical juncture: Getting right to repair for the automotive aftermarket front and centre of Canada’s politicians. During her first visit to AAPEX, she sat down to talk about her journey to the industry and how she’s ready to advocate for it to ensure consumers and profes...

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At a global event, J.F. Champagne, president and CEO of AIA Canada, was also thinking local. While Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas is highlighted by AAPEX and the SEMA Show, it was important for Champagne to connect with his global partners on challenges that continue to hit the auto care sector. But in a sit down conversation during the event, he highlighted the local struggles his group is trying to alleviate. F...

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Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the November issue of Jobber News to hear more from Shannon Black, manager of Motorcade’s St. Catharines, Ont. branch and winner of the 2024 Jobber of the Year Award.

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Electric vehicles are increasingly growing on Canadian roads, meaning there’s more of a chance an EV owner will come through your doors looking for service. Scott and Bruce Eccles at Eccles Auto Service in Dundas, Ontario, have been growing their EV services over the last few years. They share how they grew this part of the business, found training, educated their customers, tips for success and more.

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