The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, presented by Automechanika Birmingham, is just around the corner! On the 8th and 9th June, held at the NEC, training partners and exhibitors will congregate under one roof so visitors can get hands-on, learn, network and prepare for the fast-evolving landscape of the automotive sector.
Messe Frankfurt UK Marketing Manager, Chloe Hyland, is urging you to use the opportunity to “network and host them (your customers) for a full day at the event”.
She added: “The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will offer owners and technicians the skills and know-how to futureproof their business, with unfettered access to over 100 leading suppliers, showcasing the latest in service and repair products, diagnostics and garage equipment. There are tools, training and technology, plus tickets are free!”
Training partners and exhibitors include Autogem, Automotive Alliance Group (GROUPAUTO), Bilstein Group (Blue Print and febi Bilstein), Bosch Automotive Aftermarket UK, Castrol – with its ambassador partner, The Race Group – Dayco Europe, Liqui Moly UK, LKQ Euro Car Parts, Snap-on Diagnostics, Thatcham Research, The Tool Connection, Tunap, Valeo, and ZF [pro]Tech.
There will also be a mix of guest speakers in attendance, including Andy Hamilton of LKQ Euro Car Parts giving the opening address, Dean Lander of Thatcham, James Dillon, Steve Carter, Andy Savva and Quentin Le Hetet of GiPA.
Expert speakers within the training hubs will cover the likes of ADAS and autonomous technology, electrification, MOT, service and repair, collision repair, increasing digitalisation, enhanced connectivity, skills and recruitment, and business service and advice.
Tickets are available here.
Hall 20, E32
Ring Automotive has announced its participation and its team of specialists will be available to demonstrate its portfolio of tools and equipment, including the company’s new SmartCharge Pro range of 30A, 50A, 60A and 100A battery chargers, suitable for intensive use across mixed vehicle fleets.
With 12/24V output and battery support functions, Ring said its SmartCharge Pro range allows technicians to charge batteries quickly and run diagnostic work without draining the battery.
These units complement Ring’s RBAG750 Digital Battery Analyser, to give a total battery care package – from fault finding within the electrical system to repair and charging.
Visitors will also be able to get a glimpse of the newly-launched RIL6000 series, a range of inspection lamps within Ring’s MAGflex portfolio. These provide vehicle technicians and enthusiasts with the required lighting for “any job”, while highlighting its commitment to embracing evolving technology.
What’s more, the company’s new bulb stand will be on display. The new BU175 pre-stocked bulb stand provides technicians with a solution to having the most popular automotive bulbs at the point of installation.
Henry Bisson, Ring’s marketing director, said: “The last couple of years have been challenging for the entire industry, and we’re looking forward to bringing our range of award-winning, high-quality products to this national event, and meeting with our garage customers face to face once again.”
Hall 20, E62
Lucas Oil, the US manufacturer of oils, additives and workshop lubricants, will introduce new products, fresh marketing initiatives and a new automotive partnership that will also help boost industry support for Sepsis Trust UK.
Jody Bevan – AKA YouTube’s Auto Lass – is a brand ambassador for Lucas Oil, and she will bring her lovingly restored blue Ford Escort MKII to the stand. It will help publicise her headline grabbing Classic Starter Car Raffle Prize for Charity. That prize will be a fully refurbished Morris Ital 1.7, in typical 1981 beige.
Her online experiences of life as a female auto technician, while running her Oldham-based MnJ Autocar repair workshop, have made her a rising online media star.
At the show, she will provide full details about the prize, how to get tickets as well as news about how she and some of her fellow auto professionals will be restoring the vehicle over the coming months.
Lucas Oil’s technical team will also be available to provide technical support.
Hall 20, C30
Dayco National Sales Manager, Steve Carolan, looks ahead to the event:
“As a leading original equipment (OE) component manufacturer, Dayco has been proactively undertaking technical training within the independent aftermarket for many years. Traditionally through ‘workouts’ at our motor factor customers and at trade events, such as exhibitions and roadshows, but that’s obviously not been possible for the last couple of years; however, now things are a bit different and after the positives of Autoinform Live Dublin, we’re off to Birmingham and the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event.
“While still targeted at technicians, as this is a bigger event that should draw in a large number of visitors, we’ve redesigned our stand to be less product and more people focused, so there’s more room for attendees to listen and take part in the training we’ll be delivering. Although this will be undertaken mainly by our technical manager, Glen Goldstone, I’m also addressing one of the sessions in the official seminar areas during the event, so we hope to reach as many technicians as we can.
“One of the messages we are keen to get across is the need to remain focused on current technology and that of the immediate future associated with combustion engines because, although electric and hybrid vehicles are all the rage, realistically, workshops will still be dealing with petrol and diesel engine technology for at least the next decade!”
Hall 20, E32
OSRAM has revealed that it will be showcasing its range of OEquality standard and upgrade bulbs, as well as its workshop solutions bulb stands, at the event.
As well as OSRAM’s portfolio of standard bulbs, visitors will be able to view the NIGHT BREAKER 200, a halogen upgrade bulb that is up to 200% brighter than required by law, significantly improving road illumination and safety.
OSRAM reported that NIGHT BREAKER 200 delivers a powerful, whiter light that is up to three times brighter than a standard bulb and a light beam of up to 150m. It also features a new mirrored chrome tip for a modern look.
OSRAM’s leading COOL BLUE INTENSE range of halogen and HID bulbs will also be available after recently being updated with a new look and enhanced features. These bulbs “combine power with style, for those who are all about the aesthetics”.
OSRAM Lighting Marketing Manager, Terri Clark, said: “This new event presents us with the perfect opportunity to engage directly once again with our ultimate end-users – the workshop technicians – and allows us to demonstrate our latest product innovations to a wide automotive audience. We are really excited to get back to face-to-face events and seeing and speaking to everyone at the show.”
