Distributors expect to gain valuable contacts at Automechanika Chicago

Feb. 9, 2015
Distributors who are either attending or hosting a booth at the Automechanika Chicago show being held April 24-26 at the McCormick Place exhibition center will find numerous avenues for reaching targeted markets.

Distributors who are either attending or hosting a booth at the Automechanika Chicago show being held April 24-26 at the McCormick Place exhibition center will find numerous avenues for reaching targeted markets.

Expecting more than 400 exhibitors throughout the aisles and 8,500-plus attendees coming through the turnstiles, Automechanika Chicago is showcasing the aftermarket industry’s entire spectrum.

Among the key categories being presented are Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories & Tuning, Repair & Maintenance, IT & Management and Service Station & Car Wash.

Truck Competence is another industry sector that will be covered, ranging from parts and accessories, maintenance, body repairs and shop equipment.

The array of global industry professionals traversing the show floor includes independent shop owners, managers, jobbers and technicians. Anyone representing repair shops, service centers and fleet management operations will be able to leverage the latest innovations being displayed by an extensive lineup of domestic and international exhibitors.

“You know Chicago – we’ll be getting people from all over the world,” observes Adrian Jimenez, manager of Chicago operations at The Wheel Group. Headquartered in Los Angeles with 18 distribution facilities located in major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, TWG is both a manufacturer and distributor specializing in aftermarket wheels and accessories.

The company’s global presence includes customers in Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia. It supplies operations such as Canadian Tire, Discount Tire, Big O Tire, Pep Boys, Summit and JEG’s

“We’re bringing a couple of wheels from the Sacchi line and also from the Akita Racing line,” Jimenez says. Several product releases will be highlighted. “We’re going to have a lot of new styles coming out this year, so you’ll get first picks on them.”

TWG also stocks a wide variety of trailer wheels, truck wheels, and OE wheels “to provide the largest selection of products to fit the needs of every customer.”

Strengthening partnerships

“Automechanika gives us the opportunity to connect with a global audience of technicians and shop owners in an environment that encourages dialogue about the automotive aftermarket,” according to Walter Scott, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Advance Auto Parts.

“As the largest aftermarket parts provider in North America, we know that major events such as Automechanika can strengthen our partnerships with customers beyond just the fundamentals of their businesses,” he explains.

“We will be featuring new product enhancements from MotoLOGIC, MotoREV, and MotoSHOP and new training courses from CTI and MotoSKILL. We encourage all attendees to stop by our booth to check out the latest from MOTOSHOP and CTI,” says Scott.

“Advance Professional Driven by CARQUEST has a world-class product group of quality parts brands that customers can trust, with access to inventories from WORLDPAC and Autopart International as well,” he continues.

“In addition to our industry-leading parts coverage, we will showcase MOTOSHOP Technology Tools, our business solutions portfolio that helps customers grow their businesses and manage their operations more effectively,” says Scott. “It includes MotoLOGIC Repair & Diagnostics, MotoREV Shop Marketing, MotoSHOP Shop Management System and MotoSKILL Shop Tech Training. Additionally, you’ll see a focus on our instructor-led training capabilities on display through CARQUEST Technical Institute.”

Product demonstrations, attendee contests and giveaways will also be happening at the company’s booth.

“Our products are designed to be helpful to automotive professionals of all types, including repair shop owners, managers, service writers, and technicians,” Scott says. “We also meet the needs of technical and vocational schools as well.”

LKQ is also exhibiting at the inaugural Automechanika Chicago, which is produced by Messe Frankfurt with support from Advanstar Communications – the publisher of Aftermarket Business World, Motor Age and ABRN.

LKQ reports that it is seeking to reach its targeted customer base of professional collision and mechanical repairers. The event additionally affords an opportunity for the company to gather customer feedback regarding upcoming new products and services that the firm may be offering in the future.

Education designed specifically for collision repair shop owners and technicians are among the sessions included in the Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live program, which features more than 116 classes conducted by top industry teachers. “This will be the largest training program in North America designed specifically for shop owners and technicians,” says Dennis Smith, president of Messe Frankfurt North America.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to contribute to a scholarship program by sponsoring technicians seeking additional training.

Michael Johannes, Automechanika’s brand manager, notes that the show’s shop-friendly environment “will allow visitors, from technicians to shop owners, to really get a feel for the new product offerings through the various demonstrations, management seminars and technical training sessions. With the number of diverse product categories exhibiting at this one event, attendees can experience the latest advancements in a very efficient manner.”

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