Garage Hive innovations highlighted in new episode of The Blend

The latest episode of The Blend Podcast takes a deep dive into Garage Hive’s latest advancements, showcasing how its community-led garage management system is transforming workshop operations.

Podcast host Mike Ruff is joined by Garage Hive’s Operations Manager, Dawn Metcalfe; Technical Manager, Rhys Hill; and Head of Training, Tom Langridge to discuss new features designed to boost efficiency and improve customer communication.

One such innovation is the recent launch of Garage Hive Copilot, an AI tool built on OpenAI technology that simplifies communication with customers. Integrated directly into the existing workflow, it automatically drafts descriptions for vehicle health checks, sales invoices, and other tasks, translating complex vehicle inspection data into clear, customer-friendly language.

The episode also highlights Garage Hive’s new partnership with ServiceSplit, offering predefined service plans that make it easier for customers to manage maintenance costs while giving garages a competitive edge against dealerships. Another feature, real-time work status updates, reduces customer inquiries by keeping them informed about progress, allowing front-of-house staff to focus on more pressing tasks.

Garage Hive’s commitment to training and support is evident through its IMI-accredited 'Garage Hive Super User' and 'Garage Hive Service Advisor' courses, available at its Nottingham training centre.

“We genuinely care about how our product is used and its impact on garages. It’s not just about making a sale,” said Rhys on The Blend Podcast. Dawn added: “Garage Hive is a powerful tool that helps streamline operations and supports business growth, even enabling some garages to expand into multiple locations.”

The company will showcase these innovations at major events throughout 2025, including the Castrol Service Conference in March, Automechanika Birmingham in June, and Thistle Auto Revival in August.