Automechanika Birmingham 2019 reports record attendance

Automechanika Birmingham has drawn to a close with 12,145 automotive industry visitors, according to the company’s figures.

Feedback from exhibitors was said to have been positive and 87 per cent of space has been reserved for 2021 where exhibitors include: Schaeffler, ZF, Valeo, NGK, Hella, Delphi, Denso, BM Catalysts, Mann Hummel and YUASA.

Martyn Houghton, senior manager IAM at ZF Aftermarket, said: “Automechanika Birmingham was a resounding success for us. The event has now established itself as the “must-attend” exhibition for motor factors and garages in the UK automotive aftermarket. We could positively engage with a high-quality visitor and promote our extensive portfolio of brands, products and new technologies. We are already working on plans to engage with visitors for Automechanika Birmingham 2021.”

Nigel Morgan, managing director of Schaeffler UK’s Aftermarket division, said: “We had a packed schedule of top training, interactive exhibits and special guests over the three days and our stand was busy throughout, engaging fully with visitors on how we continue to innovate the automotive aftermarket and work with them to support their business. As Schaeffler always delivers one of the most exciting and innovative stands at the event, we are already looking forward to Automechanika Birmingham 2021.”

From extensive research carried out by event organisers Messe Frankfurt UK, it was clear that the market demanded a focussed event for the UK independent garage sector. As a result, the launch of The Big UK Garage Event led to the highest number of independent garages and bodyshops attending an Automechanika Birmingham event.

The Big UK Garage Event attracted key decision makers and owners, who benefitted from an enhanced Seminar Programme offering free CPD technical training and the largest selection of exclusive giveaways, discounts, prizes and deals worth over £26,000.

Jack Halliday, Automechanika Birmingham event director, said: “This has been the best attended Automechanika Birmingham to date. Working with exhibitors, we have strived to offer visitors across the entire automotive industry an experience that supports the running of their businesses and one that they will continue to benefit from in the future. The event in 2021 is already shaping up to be another fantastic showcase for the automotive industry.”

Automechanika Birmingham featured over 500 exhibitors from 21 countries. 120 companies exhibited at Automechanika Birmingham for the first time.

There was also an abundance of well-known faces at this year’s show, with celebrity appearances from Lord Sebastian Coe, Guy Martin, Nicholas Hamilton, Edd China and some of British Touring Car Championship’s (BTCC) top drivers.

For the automotive aftermarket, the new Aftermarket Power Network event brought together the most influential leaders across the full breadth of the UK automotive aftermarket, as Lord Coe joined the launch event to address and network with leading industry peers.

Automechanika Birmingham will return to the NEC on 8 to 10 June 2021.