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again, the stage is set for more in 2022, including the Big UK Garage and Bodyshop Event at the NEC Birmingham in 8-9 June, and the full- on Automechanika Frankfurt from 13- 17 September. Commenting on the success of the hybrid event, Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, said: “The trade fair engine has been started. Finally, exhibitors and trade visitors had the opportunity to get together in person again and make new contacts, both on-site on the exhibition grounds and on the digital event platform with international industry players. Following a long dry spell, the familiar trade fair feeling was quickly established, only this time it was with masks and a requirement that people be vaccinated, tested or recovered. It is a good warm-up for Automechanika Frankfurt next year.” NOVEMBER 2021 AFTERMARKET 55 www.aftermarketonline.net latest tool, the mega macs X. Later in the same day, the Electronics of the Future webinar offered a look at important developments. Head of Marketing Independent Aftermarket at HELLA Jörg Harjes said: "The focus here is on valuable tips for daily workshop work that can be directly implemented practically and speed up repairs.” Then, on the Thursday, HELLA were offering another webinar on Energy Management. This covered key components vital to vehicle electrification, from starters and alternators to DC/DC converters for EVs. In addition, HELLA and Hella Gutmann Solution provided a large amount of information on the digital platform, covering electrical and electronic items, vehicle-specific lighting, starters and alternators and the HELLA spare parts portfolio. Meanwhile, on the Hella Gutmann side, the focus was on diagnostic solutions and camera and radar calibrations. DENSO was another Digital Plus format participant. One of the company’s main announcements was the launch of PowerEdge, an entry- level brand intended to complement the higher-end DENSO offering. While the PowerEdge brand is new in Europe, it is well-established in the USA. Visitors to DENSO were also able to try their luck in a quiz where they could win € 200 worth of Toyota Gazoo merchandise. Commenting on the DENSO experience for 2021, Fatiha Laauich, Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager said: “We have been a long- time exhibitor at Automechanika pre-pandemic, and were determined that this year, despite moving to a digital platform, we would still offer everything members of the industry have come to expect from our attendance. She added: “Of course, this is about more than just providing content. This is an opportunity for everyone in the industry to come together and connect.” Communication Commenting on the success of the show for his company, Christian Schwer, National Sales Manager Germany at LIQUI MOLY mused: “Particularly during these unusual pandemic times, this year's smaller Automechanika presents us with a chance to re-open communications with our customers, to be on location and make our presence felt as we resume in-person encounters. Automechanika is the platform for innovations and new technologies that we must all come to grips with not only as suppliers, but also as customers and as an industry. That was Automechanika’s role in the past, and that is what Automechanika continues to represent for us today.” Managing Director of SATA Albrecht Kruse added: “I am delighted that we are back at Automechanika in person. It is our most important trade fair. I think that the hybrid format of this year’s event has been a complete success, particularly for the international public that is unable to travel to Frankfurt, as it makes it possible for them to be a part of the action. Even so, I believe that meeting with customers in person is extremely important. The team has really outdone itself in making this format a reality for Automechanika Frankfurt.” Underway With events now able to take place ssociation ent A quipm ge E a e Gar Th 5 e 194 c ds sin dar y stan dustr s of In older e Uph d ! r ation c edit r or his ac f gin our en y Ask eer c a IS Y . Y ent A For peace of mind always use a Garage Equipm ssociation member. GEA accredited engineers work to an industry code of conduct our assurance their skills and knowledge have been independently assessed. OUR EQUIPMENT ENGINEER GEA ACCREDITED? Th www.gea.co.uk GEA ACCREDITED ENGINEER Name Company Discipline ExpDate IDNumber XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 Above: Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus provided the opportunity for everyone to attend the show, wherever they are