This was the largest trade fair ever held for the region’s automotive aftermarket with an 18 percent growth in overall size and a near 9 percent increase in trade visitors. The top five visiting countries to this year’s editio, after UAE were Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and Kuwait. This came at a time when Dubai’s direct trade in the automotive aftermarket for Quarter 1, 2011 enjoyed an 11 percent increase over the same period in 2010.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organizer Epoc Messe Frankfurt expressed his satisfaction on the great results. “This show has grown from strength to strength, year on year. Now in its 9th edition we are abso-lutely delighted with the results which clearly puts it on the annual ca-lendar for anyone involved with the automotive aftermarket. It really has established itself as a truly international and must attend trade exhibition,” he says.
“The UAE especially has grown in significance as a major importer, exporter and re-exporter of automotive related products and Automechanika Middle East now attracts a large part of this growing interest thanks to its extensive line-up of leading manufacturers and suppliers. We already look forward with gusto to next year’s edition which will represent yet another milestone for the event as it will mark a decade in the market here for us,” Pauwels adds.
The credibility of the trade fair is further demonstrated by the support of 31 international trade associations and 21 official country pavilions. It once again featured a high profile conference program called Automechanika Academy which featured some of the leading names in the industry, including: Bridgestone Tyres, Al Dobowi Group and Zafco. In addition, the latest figures of Dubai’s direct trade for auto parts were revealed at the Automechanika Academy by Dubai Customs.
Apart from the numerous deals being done and contracts being finalised by key buyers and decision makers from around the Middle East and Central Asia, manufacturers chose Automechanika Middle East as the stage to launch a raft of new products into the region – the reach and reputation of the event in the automotive world making it a vital part of most company’s promotional campaigns.
Commenting on the show’s continued growth, Asad Badami, Managing Director of A-Map, says, “Automechanika Middle East in Dubai gets bigger and better every year and we know from attending past events that the visiting delegates are people we want to meet.” Debutant to Automechanika Middle East was Zafco, distributor of au-tomotive tyres, batteries and lubricants. “Our debut at Automechanika Middle East indicates our clout as an industry leader. Our clear plan is to go in for wider distribution that will give us extensive reach among the customers in this region,” says CEO Gopiraj KV.
NSK and the Rolman Group who exhibited their range of bearing products at Automechanika Middle East were also suitably impressed by the results from the show and the industry in general.
“Exhibiting together at Automechanika Middle East is one of several positive steps that we (NSK and Rolman Group) take together as partners to build our business for our clients, as well as to continue making our positive impact on the industry. Recent years have not im-peded our business and we look forward to seeing what the future has in store for our companies as well as our clients,” says NSK’s European Aftermarket Director Tim Green.
Ousama Abu Khader, sales and marketing Director, Business Divisionof Automotive Aftermarket of the Schaeffler Group stated they had taken an even bigger stand for this year’s event, building on their presence from previous years. “Automechanika Middle East exhibition is good for our business and this year we got many new customers from Africa. The show also helped us to generate good inquiries and leads,” he says.
While A.S. Rajesh, Business Head Middle East and Africa for Emerald Resilient Tyre Manufacturers from India was all praise for the organisation of the event, commenting: "It was better than last year. We are thankful to the government of UAE for issuing the visas for people coming from India, Middle East and Africa just to attend Automechanika Middle East and we are looking forward to participate next year as well."
Another first time exhibitor very satisfied with the contacts made at the exhibition was ZF Services Middle East. Marc Sommer, their Regional Director, commented: “We greatly enjoyed the trade show as a perfect opportunity to get in personal contact with the automotive branch of the growing Middle East region. Automechanika Middle East 2011 was a great success for us and we will definitely participate again next time.”
As the world’s biggest trade fair for the automotive aftermarket, Au-tomechanika spotlights innovations and solutions in the fields of parts, systems, tuning, workshop equipment, bodywork & paintwork, car wash, IT & management and the latest automobile services. Autome-chanika Middle East is one of 11 global Automechanika fairs held in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa.
The dates for Automechanika Middle East 2012 have been announced as May 22nd to 24th at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information visit the show website at www.automechanikame.com.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.uae.messefrankfurt.com.
