The PartsEdge Podcast
Real stories from the front lines of Fixed Ops. Join host Kaylee Felio for insights that help dealerships run smarter and profit more.
The PartsEdge Podcast
Real stories from the front lines of Fixed Ops. Join hosts Kaylee Felio and Chuck Hartle for insights that help dealerships run smarter and profit more.
How DMS source structure impacts obsolescence, day supply, and pricing control
What Is an Acceptable Obsolescence Rate in a Parts Department? Many parts managers still run their DMS with 2 or 3 sources because older systems pushed everything into broad categories. Chuck Hartle explained that modern DMS platforms can support
How Technician Videos Boost Repair Approvals and Revenue
Why 34% Of Customers Share Technician Videos Before Approving Repairs Declined repairs cost service and parts departments thousands each month, yet many managers chase the decline instead of the cause. On the PartsEdge Podcast, Host Kaylee Felio and
How Management Styles Influence Parts Inventory Decisions
Why Management Style Shapes Every Inventory Decision You Make Parts managers face constant pressure to sell more, reduce aging stock, maintain accuracy, and support service without slowing operations. On the Parts Edge Podcast, Kaylee Felio
Why Year-End Inventory Discipline Matters More Than Ever: Insights from the Fixed Ops Roundtable
At the latest Fixed Ops Roundtable, I had the chance to sit down with industry leaders Ted Ings, Sarah Vantine, Allie Peters, Ellen Rhoades, and Michael Weldon for a powerful panel focused on something dealerships only think they’re addressing
Fixed Ops Roundtable Recap: How Parts is the Powerhouse of Dealership Profitability
Dealerships are finally catching on: the parts department isn’t a back-office function anymore — it’s the heartbeat of fixed ops success. At this year’s Fixed Ops Roundtable, I joined leaders across the industry to unpack why parts are becoming the
Ansley Williams | Three Hours Lost Every Morning In Reporting
Three Hours Lost Every Morning In Reporting Fixed Ops leaders keep venting about time lost to reports and confusion about consulting. On the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee Felio and Ansley Williams address both problems head on with practical steps that
The Truth About AI in Automotive: Fixing a Broken System or Just a Band-Aid?
Why Most Parts Departments Lag Behind Every time a required part isn’t available, a technician waits, a customer leaves, and revenue slips away. On the latest PartsEdge Podcast, host Kaylee Felio and guest MK Valley Co-founder and CEO of SparkServ
The Fixed Ops Roundtable Pop-up Event @ Snell Motor Company | PartsEdge Brought Efficiency Back to the Counter
Parts Managers Cut Inventory and Save Hours Weekly Parts leaders from Snell Jaguar Land Rover in Texas share what really happens when reporting improves, returns get organized, and managers lead from the floor.
Chuck Hartle | The Hidden Costs in Your Inventory
Why Obsolete Parts Keep Hurting Profits In this episode, Kaylee Felio speaks with industry expert Chuck Hartle about the costs of poor inventory decisions, outdated parts, and stock programs that look helpful on paper but quietly bleed dealerships
Parts Managers Deserve the Spotlight | The Ted Ings Fixed Ops Roundtable Pop-up Event at Snell Motor Company
Why Parts Managers Still Get Overlooked
John Traver | Why Most Dealerships Fail at Process and Mission
Why Most Dealerships Fail at Process and Mission
Joel Gray Runs $9.3M Parts Operation Across Four States
Joel Gray Runs $9.3M Parts Operation Across Four States
How Kaylee Balances PartsEdge, Parenting, and Personal Growth
How Kaylee Balances PartsEdge, Parenting, and Personal Growth
How Sheila Pogue Went from Parts Clerk to Digital Consultant
Leadership and Vendor Support Can Redefine Fixed Ops
Why Parts Managers Deserve a Bigger Seat at the Table
Why Parts Managers Deserve a Bigger Seat at the Table
How Jim Oliveri Runs Parts Operations at Scale Without Losing the People Side
A $30 million inventory means nothing if your team is not growing with it
How Brian “Mac” McIntosh Took Control of Obsolescence and Team Buy-In
Most people struggle with one system change. Mac tackled three.
Leading Together: How Brad and Courtney Paschal Keep Work and Life Aligned
Stronger teams begin with clearer priorities and consistent support
Let the DMS Work for You: How Chuck Hartle Built a Smarter Way to Manage Inventory
On this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee Felio sat down with Chuck Hartle, the founder of PartsEdge—and the original parts nerd (his words!) to break down what most dealerships get wrong about their DMS… and what happens when you finally get
Trial Into Tactic: How Zach Don Took Control of Inventory Management
From Gut Feel to Smart Controls
How Mitch Brady Optimized Inventory with Precision
Small adjustments lead to better control when the data makes sense
Bridging the Gap in Accessories: How Tech is Changing the Game for Dealerships
Solving the $50B Problem Dealers Forgot In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee sits down with Alex Hines, VP of North America at Eccentric, to unpack one of the dealership world’s biggest blind spots: accessories. With a $50 billion market
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Brand: Elena Ciccotelli on Building a Human-Centered EV Media Business
Podcasting, Personal Brands & EV Storytelling In this energetic and transparent conversation, Kaylee Felio sits down with Elena Ciccotelli, the Founder of EVs for Everyone, a brand that brings the human element to the fast-evolving world of electric
Tariffs, Fear & Inventory Panic: What’s Really Happening?
The latest episode of the PartsEdge Podcast dives into a topic stirring concern across the industry: tariffs on imported automotive parts. Host Kaylee Felio is joined by Chuck Hartle to unpack what’s real, what’s rumor, and what parts managers
From Sweeping Floors to Leading Teams: How Nos Trailblazed His Path at Mercedes-Benz of Music City
On this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, host Kaylee Felio sits down with Nos Saleh, Team Lead Technician at Mercedes-Benz of Music City. His journey from cleaning shop floors to leading one of the highest-performing service teams in the dealership
Chuck Hartle – Simplifying Parts Return Process
Streamlining Returns in the Automotive Parts Industry: A Spotlight on Toyota's Simplified Process Understanding the Complexity of Parts Returns
Olivia Stapleton – Marketing, Sales & Technology: The Perfect Dealership Formula
Olivia Stapleton is the Marketing Specialist and Sales Enablement leader at Dealer Teamwork LLC, a pioneering automotive digital marketing company, and founder of Next Gear Automotive. She helps dealerships optimize their digital presence through
Chuck Hartle – Tackling DMS Challenges with DealerTrack and PBS
In the automotive parts industry, managing inventory is a crucial yet challenging task. One commonly misunderstood element involves dirty cores. These components are pivotal in maintaining accuracy in inventory records. Let's explore the intricacies
Jazmine Booker – Mastering Automotive Podcasting
Jazmine Booker is a certified automotive technician, mediator, and host of ‘Auto Talk with Jaz’ Podcast, who brings over a decade of experience in dispute resolution and video production. She dedicates her expertise to empowering women in
Chuck Hartle – Effective Pricing Strategies for Parts Managers
Effective pricing strategies, including the use of pricing matrices, play a crucial role for parts managers. Managing parts pricing is complex and often fraught with pitfalls. This blog post explores common challenges, offers valuable insights, and
Tim Hayden – How to Build Customer Lifetime Value with AI and Data Management
Tim Hayden is the CEO of Brain+Trust and Chief of Business Strategy at The Next Practice, with over 20 years of experience building strategic solutions for brands through media, data, and mobility. Through these ventures, he helps organizations
Grace Stein – ‘Car Girl Grace’ to Future Marketing Leader
Grace Stein aka ‘The Car Girl’ is the Marketing Coordinator for Bannister Automotive Group and the President of the Automotive Business Student Association. Passionate about equality and inclusion in the automotive industry, she leverages her
Chuck Hartle – What Parts Managers Must Know About Inventory Control
Understanding "Forced Stock" Inventory Defining "Forced Stock"
Modernizing Payments in Fixed Ops: How DealerPay Is Solving the Parts Department Chaos
The world of fixed ops is evolving—and with it, the way we handle payments must evolve too. On a recent episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, host Kaylee Felio sat down with Julie Douglas, founder and CEO of DealerPay, to talk about how dealership
Trailblazing a Legacy in Automotive: Lessons from Jeff Harbaugh
This week’s PartsEdge Podcastfeatured an unforgettable conversation withJeff Harbaugh, who recently celebrated over 40 years withToyota Motor Corporationbefore transitioning into retirement. Jeff’s journey—from technician to Customer Service
Chuck Hartle – Exploring Revenue Generation in the Parts Department
The Profitability of the Parts Department Understanding Gross Profit Margins The parts department can be highly profitable when managed correctly. However, Hartle pointed out that many dealerships struggle with their gross profit margins. "A dealer
Revamping Dealership Culture: A Journey of Leadership and Team Transformation
HowJohn FrazierandRyker Salazarare flipping the script on dealership operations atLouisville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Authenticity, Leadership, and Embracing Change in Automotive
As the leaves change and fall ushers in a season of transformation, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on growth, change, and empowerment. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down for an inspiring, thought-provoking conversation on
Chuck Hartle – Prevention Strategies for Obsolescence
The Importance of Education and Awareness Education and awareness are crucial in preventing obsolescence. Hartle stressed the need for parts managers to educate all department members. This includes service advisors, technicians, and even wholesale
Why Reconditioning Efficiency Is the New Profit Center in Fixed Ops
In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, host Kaylee Felio sits down with longtime automotive leader Randy Kobat to discuss one of the most overlooked areas in dealership profitability: reconditioning used vehicles.
Brian Kramer – Appraisal Accuracy and Effective Fixed Operations
Brian Kramer is the executive vice president of Cars Commerce, and general manager of AccuTrade with 28 years of automotive expertise. He leads digital innovation in car sales pioneering the first paperless and Web3 transactions. He is a recipient
Jamie Farley – The Art of Dealership Buy & Sell
Jamie Farley is a Partner at Performance Brokerage Services, North America's highest volume automotive dealership brokerage firm. She is also the host of the podcast show ‘Get In Her Lane’. With extensive experience in the automotive industry, Jamie