With Africa expected to be the fastest growing economic region in 2014 and beyond, the question is not why do business in Africa but how? The how factor is where Automechanika Johannesburg is playing an ever increasing role as a solution in providing a business platform to reach into Africa.

The fourth Automechanika Johannesburg takes place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 6 to 9 May 2015.

According to the organisers there are a number of new and exciting developments awaiting visitors next year. This includes a revised product group identification tailored to match industry demand.

These product groups encompass among others:
• part and components
• electronics and systems
• accessories and tuning
• repair and maintenance
• IT and management
• tyre sector.

The importance of the commercial vehicle sector will say the organisers be underscored by the Automechanika Truck Competence branding to distinguish exhibitors who provide products and services to the trucking and commercial fleet sector.

Fringe programme
The Automechanika Academy programme of conferences and workshops will again be a core activity at the event. This will include industry conferences in the workshop, automotive engineering, retail fuel, tyre and truck sectors along with a host of industry breakfast events. Through these and a range of training workshops it should make for a dynamic fringe programme.

Training and skills transfer is a focal point in the automotive industry and at next year’s event the South African qualifier for the World Skills Competition will be chosen. From here the winner will go on to represent South Africa at the World Skills Competition final to be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil in October 2015.

Innovation awards
The coveted Automechanika Innovation Awards 2015 once again allow those with innovative products and services in the automotive aftermarket sector to receive industry recognition for game changing innovations. This award will be judged by an independent panel of judges led by the Wynter Murdoch.

History
The establishment of this event in 2009 heralded a new era for the South African automotive industry in the sub-Saharan African market. Because say the organisers it fulfilled a crying need for a dedicated industry business to business event.

Show visitation by business owners and managers from across Africa saw an increase during the last event in 2013 and there is good reason to believe state the organisers that this trend will continue in 2015.