It was standing room only as Automechanika Birmingham bounded back into the NEC during June after a four-year hiatus. Over 500 exhibitors from across the world brought everyone in, and the seminar programme kept everyone hooked. The event was divided into three zones for convenience; Aftermarket, the UK Automotive supply Chain Forum, and the Big UK Garage Event. Encourage Premier MOT Training was using its platform at the event to remind MOT testers of the importance of keeping up with training. Managing Director Donna Chapman observed: “We are trying to encourage MOT testers to do it bitesize chunks rather than all in one.” The training provider was also running a competition at the event where the prize was a free assessment and CPD for a garage with up to five testers. Dayco was there to remind technicians about its BIO belt in oil, which is OE in a number of engines in cars made by 48 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2023 AUTOMECHANIKA BIRMINGHAM 2023 REVIEW www.aftermarketonline.net New announcements abounded as Automechanika Birmingham returned to the NEC for 2023 PSA and Ford. While the system offers a number of advantages, they do need to be changed, and this is sometimes missed. National Sales Manager Steve Carolan observed that the company offers aftermarket replacement kits for garages: “There is uptake on the kits, and we are expecting higher demand for the next four-tofive years. If you do find an engine has an issue, you are helping the customer, and there is more business for the garage so it is a win-win.” As part of the BIO focus, the company was giving away a special measurement tool to visitors. Growth area For Ecobat Battery, the show was a chance to meet their clients face-to-face. Andy Waite, Product, E-Commerce and Marketing Strategy Manager commented: “We were last here in 2018. Since then, lithium battery recycling has become a big growth area for our business.” Commenting on how Ring and OSRAM found the show, Marketing Director for Ring Henry Bisson said: “It’s always AUTO-MECHANIK FOR THE PEOPLE
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