Feature Read: Products for Progress

The first iFLEX at AAPEX brought the quick lube industry together with the broader automotive aftermarket, creating new opportunities for education, networking and business connections. In this episode of the NOLN Podcast, Jenn Bochnowski, president of the PAMA Board of Directors, reflects on the event's debut, shares feedback from operators and exhibitors and discusses how PAMA plans to build on that momentum with new opportunities and an enhanced experience for attendees in 2027. 

While on site at AAPEX, Calum McClelland, COO of Leverege, visited the EndeavorB2B recording booth to talk with the NOLN Podcast. McClelland discussed the company’s PitCrew AI-powered platform that provides shop managers and technicians with live data about bay utilization and team performance, as well as other KPIs. McClelland explained how AI can benefit quick lube operators address common pain points, the main challenges that Leverege is aiming to solve with PitCrew, and where the implementation of AI is heading in the quick lube space in the next 2 to 3 years. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

A successful independent shop owner from Polson, Montana, and an executive from a major national chain offer insights into each path for prospective operators. This article originally appeared on NOLN.net on Sep 28, 2026. Read by Brittany Duncan  *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

Brent Kilmer, owner and operator of Velocity Tire & Auto in Michigan and a business coach for Repair Shop of Tomorrow, explains why creating videos to market your quick lube shop is easier than you might think. Kilmer offers tips for getting started, including how often to post, whether operators should enlist the help of an outside marketing firm, and what kinds of content resonate best with customers. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

Quick lube operators considering a sale of their business have several boxes to check before going to market. This article originally appeared on NOLN.net on Aug 17, 2026. Read by Brittany Duncan  *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

Shawn Gilfillan, owner of Automotive Magic and Magic Lube & Rubber, recently sat down with NOLN after presenting on the topic of leadership at the Mastermind: Repair Shop of Tomorrow training event in Cleveland. In this interview, Gilfillan, who is also a NOLN editorial board member, explains how “a technician who owns a shop” can become “a CEO who used to be a technician” by delegating tasks, building infrastructure, and trusting employees. Gilfillan also breaks down three types of employees—players, vacations, and prisoners—and the impact they have on each other in the shop. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

The straightforward, tiered compensation structure for Toxaway Automotive Group, an Atlanta-based Take 5 franchisee, creates a clear road map for employee advancement, says company president Preston Willard. This article was originally published on NOLN.net on Aug. 18, 2026. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

Bill Snow, vice president of marketing and franchise development for Rad Air, explains why even though shop owners might have the best of intentions when they tell managers to “run it like you own it,” what they are actually doing in many instances is creating a recipe for confusion, stress, and burnout. In this interview conducted by Christine Schaffran, editor-in-chief of Ratchet+Wrench, Snow explains that promoting top technicians into management roles without testing their leadership abilities can be costly. He also discusses the benefits of using trial runs, coaching, and proper onboarding before making promotions permanent. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

Advancements in key segments beyond the bays have transformed vehicle maintenance and service operations. This article originally appeared on NOLN.net on July 27, 2026. Read by Brittany Duncan  *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

With Valvoline Inc. set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in October, Linne Fulcher, the company’s chief operating officer, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss how Valvoline grew from 42 service centers in 1986 to more than 2,500 Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations today. Fulcher also explains how Valvoline has continued to adapt its business model to meet the needs of modern vehicles while maintaining its core customer experience, and he also dives into the company’s continued expansion plans with a goal of growing to 3,500 locations nationwide. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify