Messe Frankfurt, the German-based international exhibition and trade fair organiser and owner of the world renowned Automechanika brand name, is pleased with the growth in the Johannesburg edition of this trade fair for the automotive aftermarket. Speaking at the opening function for Automechanika Johannesburg at Expo Centre this week, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt, Detlef Braun, said it was encouraging that in 2011 there was a 30% increase in the number of exhibiters from the inaugural 2009 show, while the number has grown a further 12% between 2011 and 2013.
“It is also the right time for Automechanika Johannesburg to stabilise its name as the major B2B platform for the automotive aftermarket on the African continent,’ said Braun. “Previously it was known as Automechanika South Africa, but we have now decided to use the name of the city where the show is held instead of the country, as we do have more than one show in some countries, such as Russia.
“We are looking for incremental growth for this Johannesburg trade fair to come from African countries and this year the organisers have conducted extensive advertising programmes north of the border of South Africa, using radio and television as well as direct mail. We believe exhibiting at Automechanika Johannesburg is
the right address for all those entrepreneurs and established businesses who want to benefit from the growth potential of a continent that is growing its economy quickly and attracting extensive investment and infrastructural development.’
Braun added that the brand management of Automechanika was constantly looking at ways of keeping the brand fresh by adding areas of interest such as the latest addition of Truck Competence to highlight a growing area of interest for the automotive aftermarket.
“We will also continue to promote innovation and are pleased to see that the organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg have staged an Innovation Awards conference for the third time. The so-called environmentally-friendly Green technologies and e-mobility are also areas of focus at this trade fair for the third time.
“The automotive industry is working increasingly hard to combine mobility with environmental protection economic transport solutions, with component suppliers playing an increasingly important role as around 70% of a vehicle is produced in their plants these days,’ added Braun.
In closing, he stressed that the Automechanika shows act as the ideal platform for the key players in the global automotive aftermarket with 13 000 exhibitors
presenting their products and solutions at these trade fairs globally each year, while half a million visitors believe in this brand which was founded in Germany in
1971.
“We will continue observing and analysing the world’s markets in the future to give international manufacturers and buyers the chance to make contact with national
companies and business partners. In particular we aim to offer small to medium-sized companies a launching pad into the emerging markets,’ concluded Detlef Braun.
