Registration has now opened for the inaugural UK Garage and Bodyshop Event. The show, taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 8-9 June, is dedicated to the latest training technology and tools for the country’s garages and bodyshops.
The event is presented by Automechanika Birmingham, and provides the first opportunity for the industry to meet face-to-face on a large scale since 2019, and get hands-on, learn, network and prepare for the landscape of an ever-changing automotive industry.
Free tickets for the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event are available here.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the landscape has shifted. Diesel has collapsed, electric vehicles are in the ascendancy – with a ban on petrol and diesel models from 2030. The aftermarket needs to adapt, while also remaining relevant to the vehicles in the country’s aging car parc.
In addition, the pandemic saw the introduction of an MOT extension that has created a seasonal annual test, while supply-chain issues, especially in the area of semiconductors, has stimmed the new-car market further. It has also prevented the industry from coming together to explore these issues, with the cancellation of Automechanika Birmingham. However, the UK Garage and Bodyshop event now fills that gap, bringing the aftermarket together at last.
Growing exhibitors
The event is set to welcome over 100 leading suppliers showcasing the latest products and working methods across servicing, collision repair, diagnostics, paint and refinishing. Training partners include Autogem, Automotive Alliance Group (Group Auto), Bilstein Group (Blue print & febi Bilstein) Bosch Automotive Aftermarket UK, Bosch Car Service, Castrol with their ambassador partner, The Race Group, Dayco Europe, Liqui Moly UK, LKQ Euro Car Parts Snap-on Diagnostics, Thatcham Research, The Tool Connection and ZF [pro]Tech. The full exhibitor list can be found at www.ukgaragebodyshopevent.com.
With 60+ training sessions, a hardcopy training guide and free business advice from experts in their field, the event offers the opportunity for upskilling and learning tips and techniques to take back to the workshop.
Combined with exclusive deals and promotions the event is designed to ensure visitors benefit from tangible takeaways and maximise the value from a day at the event.
“The UK vehicle aftermarket is entering the biggest shift in living memory with the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles, compounded by ADAS-enabled technology and increasing digitalisation and connectivity in the sector,” commented Kristan Johnstone, project director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of the exhibition.
“This exhibition presents a brilliant opportunity for garages and bodyshops to take home tangible knowledge and new processes that will help them create efficiencies and reduce overheads, as operating costs of running workshops soars amid the crisis of energy prices.
“The tools we want to equip our visitors with go beyond the technician’s toolbox, and includes the knowledge, technology and equipment in the back-office function that help bodyshops and garages to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably.”
