The UK’s £56.5 billion aftermarket sector is set to take the spotlight at
Automechanika Birmingham this week (3-5 June), one of the largest aftermarket trade shows. More than 550 leading brands, suppliers and stakeholders will come together to promote the strength, scale, and innovation of this vital contributor to the economy and growth. Spanning vehicle maintenance and repair, wholesale and retail of parts and accessories, its importance and contribution is significant.
There are more than 56,500 aftermarket businesses operating around the UK today, delivering £16.1 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supporting 346,000 jobs. Having done much to ensure vital vehicles were kept on the road during the pandemic, business activity is now ahead of pre-Covid-19 levels. Despite broader economic pressures, UK households’ spending on spares and maintenance reached £21.6 billion last year, reflecting resilient demand for vehicle upkeep and mobility and the business opportunities that exist.
To help deliver new business for companies across the entire automotive sector, from aftermarket to supply chain, the
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT’s)
Meet the Buyer event also returns to
Automechanika Birmingham on 4 June. The annual event facilitates direct engagement between suppliers and major buyers, driving growth and supporting jobs. This year’s edition will feature a wide range of buyers including volume, luxury, commercial and off-highway vehicle manufacturers. Over 50 product types are being sought, from traditional parts and components through to next-generation electric vehicle (EV) technologies. More than 200 companies have expressed interest in taking part and hundreds of meetings are expected to be delivered in an intense day.
Unique opportunityIn addition, the SMMT will debut its
Meet the Van Accessories event at the show, taking place on the last day. This provides a unique opportunity not only for light commercial vehicle OEMs to meet van converters, but anyone that is interested in adding a piece of kit to their vans in the aftermarket – including racking and locks, as well as the chance to build business partnerships. Many LCV manufacturers have a van partner or recognition scheme, so this event will be a platform to introduce not only van converters but also companies that produce van accessories to OEMs to join their scheme.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The UK aftermarket is a cornerstone of Britain’s economy and automotive industry – supporting hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs, delivering billions in value and ensuring the safety and sustainability of our vehicle fleet. As we transition towards zero- emission mobility, the aftermarket’s role becomes even more critical.
Automechanika Birmingham and
Meet the Buyer are powerful showcases, demonstrating the innovation, expertise, and collaboration that will drive the sector to meet our ‘net zero’ goals.”
As one of the key events in the automotive calendar and taking place at a pivotal moment for an industry navigating significant uncertainty,
Automechanika Birmingham is an unmissable event. Bringing together a broad spectrum of visitors, from OEMs to distributors, as well as more than 15,000 UK-based senior leaders, the trade show creates an invaluable opportunity for networking and learning, as well as offering exclusive access to a variety of new product launches and a revamped
Automotive Supply Chain Forum.
The SMMT will also be hosting a networking drinks reception on its stand (Hall 20, E10) on 4 June. Visitors are invited to the stand between 3 and 5pm to catch up on the event and discuss the automotive aftermarket, as well as other topics.