Automechanika Middle East sees 20 percent increase in visitors, exhibitors
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With 1,324 exhibitors from 56 countries and 20,715visitors from 120 countries, the 10th anniversary edition enjoyed an all round 20 percent growth, further anchoring Automechanika Middle East as the most important exhibition of its kind in the wider region. The top five visiting countries after the UAE were Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and Kuwait. Furthermore, the exhibition grew by 24 percent in terms of space sold, with many exhibitors taking larger stands than in previous editions.
During the official inauguration of the tenth anniversary edition, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority, commented: “This is the biggest exhibition of its kind in this region. There are some really interesting companies participating. Automechanika Middle East has played a key role in shaping and developing the auto spare parts industry across the region.”
The upbeat trend at Automechanika Middle East was a direct reflection of the extremely positive outlook for the regional aftermarket, as underlined by Dubai’s most recent trade figures.
The latest figures released during the Automechanika Academy by the Statistics Department of Dubai Customs showed a 12 percent increase in auto parts total trade in Dubai in 2011, which reached $9.9 billion. Additionally, a 13 percent increase in Q1, 2012 as compared to the same period last year was announced, auguring well for continued growth into 2012 and beyond.
“With the 10th edition of Automechanika Middle East proving to be a great success, going by initial reports, it is clear that the future for the regional aftermarket continues to look bright,” says Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt.
“We not only had wide-ranging participation from a large number of international leaders in the aftermarket industry, but alsoattracted a record number and broad spectrum of trade visitors and buyers from across the region. The number of product launches at the exhibition, the fringe activities and the large number of networking opportunities provided by Automechanika Middle East underscores the relevance of the fair to the regional industry,” he added.
Also participating at the Automechanika Academy was Bill Carter, Head of Valuations & Research Department at Autodata. Carter gave a fascinating presentation on “The Impact of Devaluation of Vehicles” during the Academy. He commented: “This is a really important topic for the automotive aftermarket. Insurance companies in the region are now beginning to use our data to give the most accurate premiums to their customers. The Automechanika Academy is a great platform for spreading further awareness and educating on the key issues and trends affecting the sector.”
Long term and key exhibitor Schaeffler Middle East was very happy with the outcome of the 10th anniversary edition. Attending the exhibition for the first time was Michael Soeding, President Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket worldwide,who said, “Automechanika Middle East is a very professional concept. We see really professional people here and the quality of meetings and discussions we arehaving here is on a very high scale.”
Hardex Corporation from Vancouver, Canada launchedfour new series of brake pads into the region. Babak Ras, International Marketing & Sales Manager from Hardex, said: “We were delighted with the initial response to our products at Automechanika Middle East. This has been a fantastic platform for our product launches. You have to participate in Automechanika Middle East if you are serious about doing business in this region.”
TBC International had a very successful exhibition with their range of US made tyres and confirmed a series of business deals during the three day exhibition. Srinivas Tirupati, Middle East Area Sales Manager for TBC International, commented: “We came to Automechanika Middle East to find quality, exclusive distributors and the exhibition has exceeded all our expectations. I got all my money back in the first hour of the show. The quality of customers I got from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was brilliant. The right decision makers are here. They came, they felt, they touched and they bought.”
Pleased with finding the heavy equipment and spareparts he was looking for, Mohammed Abbas of Saba Tech, a regular visitor to Automechanika Middle East thought that this edition was bigger and better organised than before, with a larger variety of exhibitors.
Also upbeat about Automechanika Middle East was Ossamah Azzuni, Division Manager of Genavco. “I found that the exhibition was better than in previous years, making it easier to find what I was looking for.”
The increased focus on Truck Competence which is being implemented across the Automechanika exhibitions globally, met with great success at the Middle East edition. A total of 418 out of the 1,324 exhibitors, (approximately a third of exhibitors) had truck competence within their portfolios. Expanding the extensive Automechanika brand profile, Truck Competence covers the entire value chain in the truck sector from truck parts and accessories, via workshop equipment to body repairs and care.
With a positive industry outlook and continued support from the international and regional aftermarket community, Automechanika Middle East is firmly set on a continued growth path.
As the world’s biggest trade fair for the automotive aftermarket, Automechanika spotlights innovations and solutions in the fields of parts, systems, tuning, workshop equipment, bodywork & paintwork, car wash, IT & management and the latest automobile services. Automechanika Middle East is one of 12 global Automechanika fairsheld in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa.
The next Automechanika in Dubai will take place in June 2013.
For more information visit www.automechanikame.com.
