Automechanika Johannesburg, Southern Africa’s largest trade fair for the automotive aftermarket, attracted a record number of 643 exhibitors with 467 from 22 countries outside of South Africa. This is a 12% improvement on the number of companies that exhibited at this event in 2011. This biennial event showcased a rich mix of products, technologies and services meeting a variety of requirements for the rapidly changing automotive aftermarket. Exhibitors were looking to expand their markets into sub-Saharan Africa and the organisers made a substantial investment to promote attendance from this Region. South African design wins Innovation Awards One of the highlights of Automechanika Johannesburg was the third staging of the Innovation Awards. A panel of industry leaders narrowed the entries down to 10 finalists who were celebrated at the Media Breakfast on the opening day of the show. PFK Electronics’ Autowatch 740 WAB breathalyser immobiliser – a product designed, developed and manufactured in South Africa for local and global markets – was awarded the gold certificate. Hunter’s HawkEye Elite Wheel Alignment System, developed in the US, won the silver certificate while two locally manufactured products tied for bronze award status – Supreme Spring’s Cobra Coil-Over Suspension Kit and Powertech’s state-of-the-art Willard IQ battery. Spray Painting Techniques Tested Dominic Laranjeira of Major 2 Autobody Repairs in Industria won the four-day spray painting contest hosted during Automechanika Johannesburg. Laranjeira secured his place to represent South Africa in the spray painting competition at the 42nd WorldSkills Competition taking place in Leipzig, Germany from 2 – 7 July. Fringe Programme a Highlight of the Event A key feature of the event was the excellent networking opportunities provided by the fringe programme. With more than 23 sessions of seminars, mini-conferences and forums designed around market and strategic development the fringe programme offered valuable insights for every sector of the retail and automotive aftermarket.
- Motor Industry Set for Bright Future in Africa according to Dr Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist of Econometrix addressing the Retail Industry Conference.
- Leading Political-Economist Positive About SA’s Economic Growth. JP Landman addressing the MISA (Motor Industry Staff Association) Industry Breakfast.
- Proliferation of Car Brands in SA Contributory Factor in Cost of Aftermarket Parts according to the CEO of the Midas Group, Warren Espinoza speaking at the Retail Conference.
- Positive Opportunities for the Aftermarket Workshop Sector but Adaptation Required to Survive according to Malcolm Perrie, Managing Director of Midas Group subsidiary Division, Parts Incorporated Africa during his overview at the Workshop Sector Conference.
- Focus Retail Fuel Sector sponsored by ABSA addressed developments in this sector.
Strategic Partnerships The third edition of Automechanika Johannesburg served as a networking platform for influential industry associations with workshops, conferences and meetings.
“The initiative of the German Ministry to organise a German Pavilion proved a major success for our company. The first time we came to Automechanika Johannesburg was in 2009 to get a feeling for the market and we successfully found our first distributors. The second time we were here to foster these contacts and the third time we present here with our new company in South Africa, under the management of Gunther Schmitz, a young South African with German roots”. Guido Hommel, CEO of Climair, Germany. “We were hoping to meet distributors from sub-Saharan countries and we met that goal. We had visitors here at our stand from Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Cameroon! The quality of visitors was very good. But attending fairs has not only to with visitors coming to your stand. Here in South Africa we also met other companies that shared their experiences and contacts from workshops in this area with us. This can turn out to be very valuable. We learned that this is a fantastic market with awareness for technical quality and innovations and we will continue to develop this market for our company.” Dr. Gaby Urban, Manager of CTP-GmbH, Germany. “We had a very good Show and established a great number of new contacts.” Alvin Govender, Regional Operations Manager, AutoZone, South Africa. “We had a good Show and are happy with the business we did. The quality of visitors at the Show was good and were decision makers and buyers. There were many African buyers and our African customers are on the up.” Shawn Joubert, Equipment Africa, South Africa Electronic Matchmaking Initiative- AIDC (Automotive Industry Development Centre) Investor’s Breakfast;
- APDP First Quarter Review hosted by NAACAM, new production policy for OEM’s & component manufacturers;
- Capricorn Council, Motor Industry buying co-operative council meeting;
- ERA (Engine Remanufacturing Association) Conference, technical analysis;
- MISA Education Forum, education and the world of work, frank debate with youth;
- MISA Women’s Forum High Tea, motivational session for ladies in the motor industry;
- MPEA (Motor Parts and Equipment Association) governing body meeting,
- NAACAM NAVACC TSC, supply chain issues;
- RMI address on labour issues, update on imminent wage negotiations;
- Road Freight Association Breakfast, interaction with fleet operators;
- SABOA (South African Bus Operators Association) constitutional meeting;
- SAMBRA Conference, collision repair industry national event;
- SAVABA Conference, vehicle body builders’ national event;
A new initiative to stimulate business to business meetings saw the introduction of the pilot project on electronic matchmaking which some exhibitors used with great success.
“We were here to find distributors and we are happy with the progress of the meetings.” Francessco Aresi, Brembo, Italy “I am very happy with the matchmaking service, it is an extremely clever idea.” Shazan Mehta, Talbros Automotive Components Limited, India “The matchmaking service is the only reason we came to the show as we were able to see who was attending and could plan our meetings accordingly.” Daniel van Heerden, Buyer, Katanga Mining Background information on Automechanika Johannesburg Automechanika Johannesburg is one of 12 Automechanika fairs held in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa. Automechanika Johannesburg 2013 at a glance: Total Number of Visitors: 10,643 Total Number of Conference Delegates 1,759 Total Number of Exhibitors: 643 Local Exhibitors: 176 Number of Exhibitor Countries: 23 Total Square Metreage 20,000 Gross 13,304 Nett Duration 4 Days For more information visit www.automechanikasa.co.za Background information on Messe Frankfurt Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 538* million euros in sales and 1,891* active employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries and approx. 50 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2012, Messe Frankfurt organised 109* trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany. Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 per cent and the State of Hesse 40 per cent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com * Preliminary numbers (2012).
