Automechanika Middle East, the foremost trade exhibition for the wider Middle East and Africa, is celebrating ten years of success. The past decade has seen the event, which started off as a one-hall show that attracted just 119 exhibitors in 2003, transform into a region-encompassing comprehensive business platform in Dubai which now features more than 1,200 exhibitors from across the world, spread over 9 halls.
“Automechanika Middle East has not only grown remarkably over the years, but its success has reflected the development of the automotive sector in the region,” said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt. “The event has benefited enormously from being situated in a high-growth region and has enjoyed tremendous support from our partners, international trade associations and local authorities.”
“Today, Automechanika Middle East is much more than a pure trade fair. Situated at the hub of a thriving region, the event is recognised as the ‘not-to-be-missed’ professional networking platform for the regional trade as well as an interactive discussion forum for the latest trends, developments, challenges and requirements of the industry in the wider region,” Pauwels stated.
As the automotive aftermarket trade gained in size and prominence riding on a growing re-export market, more and more international manufacturers and distributors of automobile, truck and bus spare parts & accessories and batteries & tyres began to see Automechanika Middle East as a crucial component in their regional expansion plans.
By 2011, the event drew in 17,310 trade visitors, key decision makers and buyers from 130 countries as the total automotive trade in Dubai mounted over US$ 9 billion, with 41% of it being headed for export and re-export. In 2003, the total automotive trade was valued at $3.4 billion, underlining the tremendous growth over the last decade.*
Vertexcel Dieselectra SpA, from Italy, is one of the many exhibitors who has been part of Automechanika Middle East since its inception. “We specialize in spare parts for diesel injection pumps and fuel lift pumps. We have had extremely good results from our participation at the event over the last decade. Being here has helped us gain considerable traction in a vibrant market for our entire product range.” said Mr. Alessandro Lovati, President of Vertexcel Dieselectra SpA.
“Automechanika Middle East continues to bring manufacturers, suppliers and service providers in touch with one of the world’s most lively markets,” said Mr. Hani Arwani of Arwani Trading, UAE, who have exhibited at all nine editions of the show and will return once more for the 10th edition. “Over the years we have benefited tremendously from the event and we hope to continue our partnership in the future,” he added.
Automechanika Middle East will run from May 22nd to 24th at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s exhibition is already estimated to be about 17% larger than last year’s edition. The trade exhibition reflects the entire scope of the automotive aftermarket industry and attracts trade visitors from across the globe and mainly from the wider Middle East region, including buyers, key decision makers, garage and workshop owners, professional tuners and modifiers and all those involved in automotive sport, work-shop equipment, parts & systems, repair & maintenance, service station & car wash, tyres & batteries and accessories & tuning.
