With 670 exhibitors from 18 countries receiving a total of 5 631 trade visitors from 38 countries over three days, Automechanika Johannesburg and Futuroad 2023 Shows reaffirmed their positions as the largest and leading business events serving the automotive aftermarket and the transport and logistics sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The events have proven once again that nothing beats face to face business engagement between suppliers and their existing and potential clientele on a professionally organised business platform.
Automechanika Johannesburg and Futuroad 2023 were major enablers in the revival of existing and the development of new business relationships across the spectrum of the relevant industry sectors and launching new products and services with a focus on innovation in the industry.
Several successful national conferences, hosted by
Constituent trade associations of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) such as TEPA ( Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association) , MIWA (Motor Industry Workshop Association, in collaboration with Right to Repair)
An RMI Conference focusing on Women in the Industry
The SA Bus Operators ‘Association (SABOA)
The Fuel Retailers ‘Association (FRA) and
Collision Repairers’ Association (CRA)
were held during the three Show days. These events were nuclei of information sharing, value-adding networking and were dynamic factors in the active industry participation at the Shows.
In keeping with the Automechanika culture of a ceaseless affinity for innovation in the industry, there was an expected strong focus on innovation at the Shows. Eight deserving finalists were considered for the Automechanika Johannesburg 2023 Innovation Award. The crown went to Strategic Fulfilment Branch Mapping, developed by Motus Aftermarket Parts in partnership with Swedish-based Syncron, an innovation that will undoubtedly add immense value in the motor industry.
Exhibitors were pleased with their investment to participate; here’s what some leading exhibitors commented:
“Our participation as an exhibitor at the Show was a business delight to say the least; the Show was well-structured in terms of the exhibitor profile and in our view the best Automechanika JHB Show event in years”, said James Brown, Sales Manager at TecAlliance South Africa; “we were very pleased with the results for TecAlliance and will definitely consider participating in the next edition of the Show”.
“My experience at Automechanika was really good. We had a really good mix of people come through. We have made good contacts and good networking has been happening” – Grant, Hella Automotive
“We found Automechanika very engaging, customers are really interested in what we have available for them, and we found it really fruitful.”- Miles Elson, Maersk
“We have had a fantastic time at Automechanika.” Jonathan Snow – Eurorepar
Visitors were generally delighted with what they experienced at the Shows and this is well encapsulated by Brad Cochran, Senior Product Manager at Desamark : “As a regular visitor to Automechanika Johannesburg, I was pleasantly surprised when visiting the 2023 Show as it was such a major improvement on the previous two editions; there were more exhibitors and visitors at the Show than in previous years and in my view, Automechanika has again become a must-attend event for decision-makers and buyers in the automotive aftermarket”.
Looking to the future, Messe Frankfurt South Africa has confirmed that the show dates for the 2024 editions of Automechanika Johannesburg and Futuroad Expo will take place 19-21 November 2024 at Johannesburg’s Expo Centre, Nasrec . Whereas Futuroad is all about trucking and logistics, the product categories at Automechanika Johannesburg 2024 will reflect the incredibly wide sector spread in the automotive aftermarket, including automotive parts & components, electronics & systems, accessories & customising, tyres & batteries, car wash & care, oils & lubricants, diagnostics & repair and body & paint. Add to this the search for true innovation through the prestigious 2024 edition of the Automechanika Innovation Award Competition which further enhances the winning industry formula that is Automechanika Johannesburg and Futuroad Expo. Please diarise the Show dates now and follow the progress with arrangements to ensure your participation!
Spoiler
Harry Oppenheimer – Harry Oppenheimer led South Africa’s two biggest companies (De Beers and Anglo America) through their most successful years and created more jobs than any other South African businessman in history. Harry Oppenheimer and his wife Bridget were also keen horse breeders. They bred Horse Chestnut, which is arguably the most exceptional race horse ever bred in South Africa. Chestnut was known for winning races by large margins – he won the J&B Met by over 8 lengths.