Automechanika Birmingham exhibitor count expected to top 500

More than 400 exhibitors have already committed to next year’s Automechanika Birmingham, the first Automechanika event to take place in the UK, and more than 500 are expected to be on board by opening day. Initial plans to hold the exhibition in a single hall at the NEC have been ditched in favour of a three-hall arrangement that covers in excess of 21,000 square metres. Early visitor and exhibitor number forecasts have also been doubled.

Many industry players have already signed up, including Schaeffler, Delphi, Denso, Valeo, 3M, TRW, ZF Friedrichshafen, NGK, Mann + Hummel, Robert Bosch, Tetrosyl and Yokohama. Over 70 international exhibitors are also participating, and national pavilions from Italy, Spain, China and Taiwan will highlight companies looking to export to the UK.

“What is particularly pleasing to see is the broad support from both supply chain and aftermarket companies,” comments Simon Albert, event director at show organiser Forest Exhibitions. “Over 50 per cent of our exhibitors are targeting the OEM, tier one and tier two business. Traditionally, Automechanika serves the aftermarket, but because of the unique business climate in the UK, we have added the supply chain side of the business to our aftermarket offering, and this has been really well received.”

With an estimated 500 exhibitors will be in place for the June 2016 event, Automechanika brand manager Michael Johannes sees robust anticipation of the first UK show: “In terms of Automechanika launches around the globe, Birmingham will have a bigger first year than Shanghai, Dubai and Istanbul. Only our big brother in Frankfurt had a bigger first year. And this really demonstrates the demand from the industry for an encompassing event and that we have the right brand in Automechanika.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) announced earlier this month that it would host two major industry events at Automechanika Birmingham, the Open Forum and Meet the Buyer, two high level conference and scheduled meeting programmes, targeting the supply chain. In addition to this, SMMT is looking at several other conference initiatives. Simon Albert observes: “These events give our visitors excellent opportunities to combine networking with our long list of exhibitors, alongside first class educational content.”

“The UK automotive supply chain is going from strength to strength, and SMMT will be doing its part to promote the sector when we host next year’s Meet the Buyer at Automechanika Birmingham,” states SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “British suppliers offer quality, value and innovation, with the added benefits of sourcing locally – reduced logistics costs and reduced risk. Meet the Buyer has always been a must-attend for automotive purchasers and suppliers alike – and Automechanika Birmingham will provide the perfect context for the 2016 event.”

Britain’s car manufacturers have also been quick to lend support to Automechanika; the show organiser comments that Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Vauxhall/GM and Ford have all released positive messages of support and interest in the event.

Automechanika Birmingham will take place from 7 to 9 June 2016, in halls 9, 10 and 11 at the NEC Birmingham.