Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham has launched The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, a 2022 dedicated event for training, technology and tools for the garage and bodyshop sector.

The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will provide a focused opportunity for suppliers and their garage and bodyshop customers to engage, learn and facilitate progress as we seek to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of the industry.

The event has been designed to meet market demand, after the organisers surveyed over 300 garages, and consulted with suppliers. They identified the need for an event where suppliers can deliver training, product and technology expertise to a captivated, core audience through live demonstrations, technical seminars and high-value training.

Taking place on 8th and 9th June 2022 at the NEC Birmingham, the event will offer leading suppliers, three training hubs and three feature areas. There will be live demonstrations and accredited training across three key areas: EV Hybrid, Workshop and Collision Repair, each offering technical seminars from industry experts covering ADAS, vehicle testing, safety/service and repair, collision repair, diagnostics plus more.

Feedback in the survey showed 78% of garages wanted to return to face-to-face events, and participants overwhelmingly supported the concept of a dedicated garage and bodyshop event to run in 2022.

The event has seen huge industry support with associations already supporting the event including the Institute of Motoring Industry (IMI), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), Society of Motoring Manufacturers (SMMT), Independent Garage Association (IGA), National Bodyshop Repair Association (NBRA), Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair Association (HEVRA), Automotive Bodyshop Professionals Club (ABP Club) to name a few.

Mark Field, CEO of IAAF said “With arguably the biggest shift for the aftermarket happening here and now with the presence of ADAS and hybrid/EV technology, increased cybersecurity and access to in-vehicle data, a focused exhibition for garages and bodyshops is essential to keeping the industry connected and up to date.”

Adam Griffiths, Marketing Country Lead UK & Ireland of ZF ‘This event gives us a great opportunity to engage directly with our end customers at a time where such support is much needed. With so much change and development taking place in our industry, it is imperative we take a proactive approach in regards to delivering training, advice and support to our networks, ensuring our industry is equipped to face the future.’

Simon Albert, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt UK, comments: “The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will be the first national trade event for the aftermarket since 2019 offering opportunity to engage with thousands of UK garages and bodyshops. We’re looking forward to bringing the aftermarket together again.”

To find out more about The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, please contact grant.elrick@uk.messefrankfurt.com or call +44 (0) 1483 483984. Tickets will be available at www.garage-and-bodyshop-event.uk.messefrankfurt.com/