Companies exhibiting at Automechanika Dubai 2018, which takes place from 1-3 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, are targeting large-scale business growth up to, and beyond the six-month Dubai Expo 2020 global showcase.
UFI Filters, a debut exhibitor from Italy, and showcase its full range of air, oil, fuel, cabin, hydraulic and coolant filters for the automotive sector. UFI Filters can be found in many applications, from Ferrari Formula 1 racing cars and other top F1 teams to the European ExoMars spacecraft.
Luca Betti, group aftermarket business unit director at UFI Filters, said the company recently reinforced its Dubai office to boost customer service support as business ramps up in the UAE, and regionally. UFI Filters expects a big boost in the automotive industry deriving from the large investments in infrastructure not only related to the Dubai Expo 2020, but in other areas as well.”
“The reinforcement of our Dubai office team will support the development of UFI Filters business in the Middle East and Africa, which is a key pillar of our three year plan. Renowned for its innovation, UFI Filters meets the needs of nearly all car brands and motorcycles as well as commercial, heavy duty and agricultural vehicles,” added Betti.
Autopumps from the UK is another first-time exhibitor at Automechanika Dubai and will introduce its aftermarket commercial and industrial pumps range.
Bill Cotton, owner and managing director of Autopumps, said: “The Dubai Expo 2020 will act as a global hub for innovation and collaboration, and as such, will have a highly positive impact on the regional automotive aftermarket. Through bringing industry leaders, decision makers and great minds together, these events facilitate conversations that enable development and forward thinking in our industry both regionally and globally. However, unprecedented decisions on time scales relating to new and emerging technologies may result in negative reactions regionally; so more clarity must be given with realistic time frames factoring in the building of infrastructure.”
South African exhibitor Supreme Springs is a prominent manufacturer of coils, leaf springs, torsion and stabiliser bars for the OEM sector, and will be at Automechanika Dubai to expand its aftermarket business.
Gino Singh, Supreme Springs’ aftermarket sales manager has followed the Expo 2020 closely since it was announced to take place in Dubai.“At this point, we’re of the opinion that the Dubai Expo 2020 will certainly grow the volume of production in the auto aftermarket as there’ll be more companies willing to enter the market,” said Singh. “The presentation that I’ve seen is very positive and I have been following the project,” he said.
Long-time exhibitor ALCO Filters from Cyprus has generated $10 million of new business revenue since it started exhibiting at the show in 2006. Loizos Louca, ALCO Filters’ managing director said with the advent of the Dubai Expo 2020, business will only likely improve.
“The Dubai Expo 2020 will obviously create an infrastructure boom that will drive the construction industry and thus the heavy duty filter industry upwards,” said Louca. “Also this will have a ripple effect into the automotive aftermarket in the GCC region.”
Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Automechanika Dubai is the Middle East and Africa’s largest exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and services industry. Automechanika Dubai 2018 spreads over six product sections of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Customising; Repair & Maintenance; Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning; and Tyres & Batteries.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Mega events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 do have a multi-sectoral impact on the region with the increase in expenditure for new infrastructure, support systems, logistics and commercial facilities.
“The impact is reflected among exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai 2018, many of whom are anticipating an injection of aftermarket products and services demand, with the expected rise of vehicle parc. It may also favourably impact Dubai’s total auto parts trade in the coming years, which in 2016, was worth US$10.6 billion,” Pauwels added.
Automechanika Dubai’s global influence is highlighted by the presence of 25 country pavilions and 36 international trade associations, while 90% of exhibitors, and 52% of the 30,000-plus visitors are expected to come from outside of the UAE.
The annual showpiece will return with its popular Truck Competence initiative, where more than 1,500 exhibitors will showcase their products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, from truck parts and accessories, to workshop equipment, body repairs and care.
It will also feature the popular Automechanika Academy, a series of seminars, presentations, and workshops about key issues and regulations that affect the automotive aftermarket, and the African Buyer-Seller Meet, connecting suppliers with buyers from the world’s second largest continent.
