Garage Hive gives German specialist ‘confidence to take calculated risks’

An independent German vehicle specialist in Ireland has credited Garage Hive for driving the transformation of its business operations.

For Blueprint Autos in County Roscommon, adopting Garage Hive wasn’t just about updating their system. It marked a pivotal shift in how the business operates, improving efficiency, staff management, and profitability.

“Garage Hive has been an absolute lifesaver for taking the stress out of the day-to-day running,” said Tommie Rafferty, Managing Director at Blueprint Autos. “Before, we were drowning in paper health checks and struggling to keep tabs on jobs. Now, everything’s slick and the team actually enjoy using it.”

Blueprint Autos is a well-established, family-run garage operating from a spacious facility equipped with seven vehicle ramps, including heavy-duty lifts capable of handling a variety of vehicles. The workshop currently employs three experienced technicians alongside two apprentices, supported by a front-of-house team.

Since adopting Garage Hive in early 2021, the garage has achieved greater financial visibility through integrated analytics tools, enabling smarter target setting and tracking. While physical growth has been steady, Tommie says the improved profitability means the business can now invest in recruiting skilled staff, including plans to bring in technicians from abroad.

“We’re no longer in survival mode,” said Tommie. “Garage Hive gives us the confidence to take calculated risks, such as hiring a service advisor at a premium rate because we know the system supports us.”

Tommie also reflected on Garage Hive’s impact on workload and business continuity: “Even when I’m juggling everything on my own, Garage Hive is there to lean on. It reminds you of what needs to be done, so nothing slips through the cracks.”

“Blueprint Autos transitioned from a cumbersome paper-based health check process to fully digital records using tablets, drastically reducing admin time and errors caused by illegible handwriting,” said Alex Lindley, Director at Garage Hive. “This change alone freed up technicians to focus more on repairs and less on paperwork.”