On the road 44 www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 2025 Enter the aftermarket dragons! New IAAF Garage Den event fires up innovation and business opportunities, but who caught the panel’s eye and came up to scratch..? The heat was on in Milton Keynes when the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation welcomed hundreds of delegates to its annual conference and inaugural Garage Den in December — pairing suppliers and garages to co-create new aftermarket products and services. Six suppliers pitched directly to six leading garages, forming new supplierworkshop teams tasked with developing collaborative solutions over the next six months. Results from the Garage Den will be showcased at next June’s UK Garage & Bodyshop Event (UKGBE). Hella Gutmann said its mega macs S 20 proved a standout hit with the dragons in December at the conference, under the theme ‘Future Shock’, in Milton Keynes. Cataclean was another key participant in the Garage Den, pitching the future of engine maintenance. Sales director William Jones presented the company’s flagship all-in-one engine and emissions system cleaner. The successful presentation struck a deal with Randeep Reehal, operations director of Courtwood Car Services. Cataclean is now collaborating with Courtwood over the coming next six months, combining the brand’s technical expertise with its partner’s operational knowledge. Delphi also secured an aftermarket dragon, being chosen as one of only six suppliers to take part in the Garage Den. Representing Delphi, country director UK, Aliya Lam, delivered a compelling pitch centred on Delphi’s ‘Make Some Noise’ about no noise campaign, which launches in 2026. Lam said the initiative gave the firm the perfect platform to raise consumer awareness and inform about friction materials and how they can impact brake safety. For six months, Delphi will be working closely with Michael Shaikly, director at Shaikly Motor Company, to refine and develop the ‘Make Some Noise’ concept. The results will also be showcased at UKGBE in June. Meanwhile, TechMan was picked by aftermarket dragon Tina Drayson of CCM Garage to work together on an exciting project. All will revealed at UKGBE. Greg Johns, chief revenue officer at TechMan, pitched the company’s market-leading garage management system. “The Garage Den was an incredible opportunity to present TechMan’s vision directly to the people who use our system daily,” Johns said. The whole event called on the aftermarket to prepare for rapid change
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=