Automechanika Dubai 2013 has reported another record breaking edition, having welcomed more than 24,000 trade visitors from around 130 countries, a 16 percent increase on 2012.
The rapidly growing fair – 25 percent larger in terms of net space occupied – featured 1,482 exhibitors from 58 countries and is now a confirmed stalwart on the international trade fair calendar. “Driven by the strength of the Automechanika brand worldwide, the Dubai edition has firmly established itself as a must attend event for anyone interested in doing business within the automotive aftermarket in the Middle East and wider region,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO, Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizer of Automechanika Dubai.
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and India were the largest visiting countries after the UAE to Automechanika Dubai 2013. With approximately 130 visiting countries, the show’s reach is unparalleled for the automotive aftermarket. During the fair, exhibitors reported on the key role which Automechanika Dubai plays in their business.
Dr. Khaled Alexander Sabbah, managing director at ZF Middle East, said: “The number of valuable contacts, the high caliber participants and the many face to face encounters with our customers make Automechanika Dubai an exceptionally important platform for ZF in the Middle East”, while Camillo Riccetti, area sales manager, BF Germany GmbH, commented: “Automechanika Dubai is essential for our markets.”
Speaking about the wide product areas covered by Automechanika Dubai, Asad Abbas Badami, managing director for A-Map, said: “We have to be here because it is important for our identity in the automotive market and this is the only exhibition that puts all parts of the automotive industry together in one show.”
Furthermore, Arnd Franz, managing director of MAHLE GmbH, said: “The main reason
for MAHLE to participate at Automechanika is its consistent global concept, whether it takes place in Dubai, Shanghai or Frankfurt – the fair successfully orients on the aftermarket target group.”
One hundred and 25 companies participated within the tires and batteries section, which has grown from strength to strength in recent years, having increased by 28 percent more exhibitors this year alone. Kenji Masuyama, general manager, commercial tire marketing for first time participant Bridgestone, said: “The Middle East is one of our target markets and is a very important market for us,” and long-term exhibitor Surender S. Kandhari, chairman at Al Dobowi Group, said: “This year we have met a lot of people from Europe, Asia and Africa and we will participate in Automechanika Dubai forever.”
Exhibitors were also optimistic at the response from trade buyers at the show and reported on positive business transactions, leads and new business enquiries.
Arvind Poddar, managing director of Gold Sponsor BKT, said: “We are delighted with the response to our product line. Business leads that have been generated have been very encouraging.” Furthermore, Kash Uttam, managing director, Shukralla General Trading Co. LLC, authorized distributor for Duracell automotive batteries in the UAE, said: “This is our official Middle East launch and I am confident that we will capture a good share of the automotive battery market in the UAE thanks to our participation here.”
Furthermore, there was a positive vibe concerning the quality and diversity of trade visitors that passed by the participants’ stands throughout the 3-day fair.
Vahab Safaeian, sales executive at Samir Odeh Group, said: “It is a very good place to meet our customers. People working in the industry from Iran, KSA, Libya, Egypt and Kenya – all of them are here.”
Christian Mack, area sales manager, Middle East & Far East for SM Moterenteile, commented: “We have met trade visitors from Iran and Pakistan and made very concrete new contacts.”
Furthermore, Dmitriy Puzanov, sales manager of export sales at WESTA ISIC, said: “We’ve had customers from all over the world.”
Automechanika Dubai’s ongoing growth is also reflected in the consistent development of the automotive aftermarket trade in the region. For the first time in its history, Dubai’s auto parts and accessories trade reached the $10 billion mark in 2012, the organization reported. As such, Dubai is considered not only a regional, but an international hub for the automotive aftermarket trade, strongly supported by its world class storage and logistics services. 2013 marked the 11th edition of Automechanika Dubai – the Middle East’s international trade fair for the automotive industry targeting trade visitors from Western Asia, Eastern Europe, the CIS and Africa. The show featured 23 official country pavilions with debuts from Netherlands and Indonesia and also enjoyed the support of 37 international trade associations. The show also welcomed first-time exhibitors from Macedonia and Malta and had 12 percent more UAE exhibitors than the previous edition.
Automechanika Dubai is divided into four distinct product sections for the convenience of visitors and exhibitors. These are parts and systems which take up approximately 69 percent of the exhibition; tires and batteries, occupying about 16 percent of the show floor; and repair, maintenance, accessories and tuning which occupy a further 14 percent.
The next edition of Automechanika Dubai will take place from June 3 to 5, 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. For information, visit: www.automechanikadubai.com
