Automechanika Chicago offers industry a true international flair

Feb. 10, 2015
More than 20 nations will have a presence at Automechanika Chicago. Accenting the global flair of the industry event will be a series of International Pavilions presenting the latest offerings of automotive products and services.

Known as “The City of Big Shoulders” for its can-do attitude and rugged industrial might, Chicago has long relished its role as a global melting pot overflowing with opportunity. Throughout its history multitudes of people have poured in from every country on Earth to man the bustling stockyards, docks, depots and automotive assembly lines.

At one time 28 carmakers were producing completed vehicles, and the very concept of the “car show” made its debut here in conjunction with the first American auto race held in 1895.

Thus it is only fitting that the city hosts the inaugural Automechanika Chicago taking place April 24-26 at the McCormick Place exhibition center.

Produced by Messe Frankfurt with support from Advanstar Communications – the publisher of Aftermarket Business World, Motor Age and ABRN – Automechanika Chicago’s attendees and exhibitors are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the most current technologies and knowledge being offered on a worldwide scale.

The list of nations with a presence at Automechanika Chicago is impressive. Countries participating as of press time include Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the U.S.

Accenting the global flair of the industry event will be a series of International Pavilions presenting the latest offerings of automotive products and services.

“Since Chicago is a truly international destination easily accessible from across the USA, UK exhibitors are certain to benefit from having presence at this U.S. show,” says Chloe Hyland, spokeswoman for the United Kingdom’s Pavilion.

“Chicago is home to over 160,000 individual shops, of which 23 percent are within 500 miles of the exhibition center,” she reports. “These open doors offer UK exhibitors opportunity to build relations with these international suppliers and retailers and increase their exports exponentially.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which is presenting the UK Pavilion along with Messe Frankfurt, “exists to support and promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad. Member companies benefit from the trade association’s support when striving for competitiveness and globalization,” according to Hyland.

“The SMMT UK pavilion will have a prime location at the front of the exhibition hall, where a number of UK companies will take exhibition space. Visitors can expect to see Top Gear, BG Automotive, Presco Radiator Caps and Autokontrol, amongst others,” she says.

“Top Gear will be displaying alloy wheels, tires, exhausts and accessories. BG Automotive are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of OE quality parts and components, and they offer oil pumps, gaskets, cooling parts, head bolts and valves,” says Hyland.

“Presco Radiator Caps Ltd. has manufactured radiator caps for over 30 years and is the leading aftermarket supplier in the UK, supplying round- and wing-type metal and plastic caps,” she continues. “Autokontrol manufactures and distributes automotive speed control devices, encompassing a wide variety of products from top speed, rev speed, reversing limiters to geofence units.”

Innovative products

Italy is Europe’s fourth-largest supplier of auto parts with more than $545 million in annual sales. At least eight Italian companies will be displaying their latest products and cutting-edge technologies in the categories of Parts & Components, Accessories & Tuning, and Repair & Maintenance.

In particular, the Italian Pavilion – organized by Messe Frankfurt Italia – “will offer business opportunities and an array of innovative products thanks to the participation of four Italian exhibitors,” the producers point out, adding that “potential business is relevant and Italian companies are strongly attracted by opportunities offered by this market. Automechanika Chicago represents for them a reliable and qualified event, renown all over the world for its capillarity, internationality and strong orientation to a professional audience.”

Located in the Italian Pavilion, Dimsport consists of engine calibration specialists; Eta Beta provides light alloy wheels; IVAM manufactures valves and valve guides; and Meat & Doria markets fuel pumps, injection systems, ignition coils, oxygen sensors, emission control components, cabin filters and more.

Individual booths from Italian firms include A.N.I. Spa Officine Meccaniche, which offers high technology spray guns and other painting equipment. Farad Elledi Srl features accessories such as roof racks and boxes along with air deflectors and other products. Spray booths, benches and accessories will be displayed by Termomeccanica GL as Telwin demonstrates the latest in welding technologies.

Global networking opportunities

“I’ll be walking the floor filling up bags with literature,” says Professor Al Playter, coordinator of the Automotive and Motorcycle Programs at Centennial College’s School of Transportation in Toronto, Canada.

He’ll be leading a team consisting of several automotive-related professors in search of knowledge relating to their specific fields of industry education, including car and truck repairs, body work and other areas of expertise. “I’ve talked to a number of instructors here, and they are very interested in coming.”

Learning about advanced teaching techniques and training methods are key goals along with nurturing the plentiful networking opportunities.

“I’m hoping to attract some of the exhibitors to give presentations up here in Canada. If this (type of information) came to Canada there would be a lot of people participating,” Playter says, noting that his networking efforts will also be focusing on learning about the latest technologies regarding hybrids, electrical systems and fuel systems.

“I have to be teaching cutting-edge, because if I’m not the students will know it,” he explains. Canadian technicians undergo a governmental licensing process that entails attending classes at Centennial while also serving an apprenticeship at an industry business. Some 2,000 students are currently enrolled, taking 240 hours of instruction in each of three progressing grade levels.

“We’re not grease monkeys anymore,” Playter points out, citing an increased level of interest among Canadian students seeking automotive careers. A degree from a university is nice to have, but having a solid foundation in a practical subject suitable for obtaining a real-world job such as auto repair is even better. “Up until now it has not been an attractive field to be in, but now people are starting to realize that it is a very specialized trade.”

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