Remanufacturing 20 www.aftermarketonline.net NOVEMBER 2024 Technical Communicating benefits of services and tech Repairify Innovations director Martin Brown’s key insights from this year’s Automechanika event, where companies were eager to invest in the future Automechanika is an event where deals are made and partnerships are ratified. It also provides a platform to gain a greater understanding of what is happening in the industry in various parts of the globe, from Europe and Asia to the Americas. Firstly, communication is key to ensuring a business has the necessary knowledge and know-how to succeed, and face-to-face meetings are vital. We enjoyed meeting representatives from 172 countries, and in these conversations, we talked about our products and services and how they could improve companies’ businesses. We also discussed what was going on in the industry in their country and how it compares to the UK market. Experience This exchange of information is an asset to us as it provides our team with a firsthand perspective on market conditions, regulatory issues and requirements regarding what businesses are looking for in diagnostic and calibration services to meet the needs of today’s jobs. Secondly, our team met companies that are looking to invest in products and services that help future-proof their business by having access to the right tools for the jobs so that they can open new business avenues. We noticed that shops are keen to work with partners that can provide them with peace of mind by having the necessary knowledge and experience at their fingertips. Visitors to our stand were particularly interested in our remote services, which provide garages and bodyshops with access to every OEM manufacturer diagnostic tool alongside an IMI-trained technician to assist remotely without repairers having to buy the tools themselves. Calibration Finally, the collision sectors in European countries vary in terms of compliance with ADAS systems and how they are checked and calibrated. In one country, for example, a specific ADAS warning could trigger a notification that you might want to think about getting it calibrated, whereas warnings given in other countries mean automatic calibration back to the manufacturer’s standard. In addition, technicians might not have the knowledge, skills or tools to perform the work, which is an issue that is slowly being rectified as businesses invest in the necessary training from industry bodies such as the IMI in the UK. An event like Automechanika Frankfurt is an asset for the industry because it presents a melting pot of ideas and concepts that show how much the industry is evolving, and it helps businesses meet the evolution head-on by showcasing a myriad of products and services that will support their progress. See Aftermarket’s Automechanika Frankfurt roundup on page 46-47.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=