First-ever IAAF Garage Den sees suppliers and workshops join forces to drive innovation

TechMan has been recognised as one of the standout participants in the first-ever IAAF Garage Den, held during the annual IAAF Conference at DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes, on 4th December 2025.

The brand was picked by ‘aftermarket dragon’, Tina Drayson of CCM Garage to work together on an exciting project, to be revealed at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, NEC, in June 2026.

This first-of-its-kind initiative brings suppliers and workshops together at the very start of the innovation process. Over the next six months, each supplier–garage pair will co-develop their chosen idea, to develop a new commercially viable system to the aftermarket.

Representing TechMan, Greg Johns, Chief Revenue Officer at TechMan, pitched the company’s market-leading garage management system to the panel of “Dragons”, which was made up of key garage figures from across the sector. TechMan was then selected to collaborate with Tina Drayson of CCM Garage, a highly respected industry voice and advocate for operational excellence.

Johns said: “The Garage Den was an incredible opportunity to present TechMan’s vision directly to the people who use our system daily. Being paired with Tina Drayson from CCM Garage is a fantastic match - Tina brings deep operational insight, an eye for efficiency, and a strong passion for improving industry standards.

“TechMan has always been built around listening to workshop needs, so collaborating closely with Tina over the next six months is something we’re genuinely excited about. Together, we’re aiming to develop solutions that meaningfully improve day-to-day life in the workshop.”

TechMan’s pitch centred on the next stage of evolution for its GMS platform, exploring opportunities for new integrations, smarter automation and enhanced workflow tools shaped directly through real-world workshop input.

The IAAF’s introduction of Garage Den demonstrates a decisive shift toward co-created innovation, ensuring the tools garages rely on evolve through genuine frontline experience.

TechMan and CCM Garage will now begin their development phase, combining the supplier’s technical expertise with Tina’s operational knowledge to bring the project to life.

The final concepts and prototype developments from each team - including TechMan and CCM Garage - will be unveiled at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event at NEC, Birmingham on 3rd and 4th June 2026, giving attendees a live look at how supplier–garage collaboration can shape the future of the industry.