With preparations for the Automechanika SA 2011 motor industry show firmly under way, the planned conference programme for the event underpins the crucially important role that Automechanika South Africa has established in the South African motor industry since the first exhibition in 2009.
Automechanika SA will be held at Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 9-11 March 2011 “The enthusiastic industry response that we are experiencing already is a sure indication of the exhibitor participation and visitor support which will be enjoyed by the 2011 Show, “said Show Director Philip Otto; “at this stage the early indications already are that exhibitor participation will exceed the 2009 Show figure by a considerable margin. This is a great sign and bodes well for increased visitor participation as well.”
What will also make next year’s Automechanika Show unique is an extensive conference programme which is being arranged in conjunction with the Show by the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). The RMI has announced that a major 2 day RMI Conference will be staged during the Show. In announcing the RMI’s Conference agenda for Automechanika SA, Jeff Osborne, CEO of the RMI, stated that there were a number of pressing issues and great opportunities in the industry which need to be focused on and that the RMI Conference will address a number of priority issues; these include the need for training of skilled manpower to serve the growing shortage of especially technically qualified manpower and business challenges that the modern day entrepreneur has to contend with. Coupled therewith is the need for the industry to become more proactive in promoting the motor industry as a career of choice for school leavers, college and university graduates. ”The RMI firmly believes that the motor industry as a lucrative and stimulating career destination does not receive the recognition it deserves, mainly due to a combination of lack of knowledge about opportunities in the industry and archaic perceptions of the nature of the industry”, said Osborne.
A technical skills competition for motor mechanics, motor body repairers and spray painters underpinned by MERSETA is also in the offing, with the winners representing South Africa in the 2011 World Skills Contest to be held in London later in the year.
“Another important issue is the subject of business franchising” , Osborne declared: “as the incidence of franchising gains momentum in the motor industry, the need for more knowledge about this concept and its application in the motor industry, so different from the FMCG environment where franchising originally developed, is apparent . The RMI has a key role to play in promoting fair and equitable franchising dispensations to maximise returns on investment for entrepreneurs who go the franchising route and special focus will be brought to bear on this vital subject during the Conference,” he added.
It is expected that the new Consumer Protection Act and its implementation will also receive detailed attention during the Conference.
Giving further impetus to the RMI Conference will be complementary sector-specific seminar sessions catering specifically for members of RMI Constituent Associations .The SA Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), National Automobile Dealers’ Association ( NADA), Tyre Dealers’ and Fitment Association (TDAFA), SA Petroleum Retailers’ Association (SAPRA), Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), Engine Rebuilders’ Association (ERA) and the Automotive Component Remanufacturers’ Association (ACRA) are already in the process of arranging seminar sessions covering a wide spectrum of subjects of importance to their specific sectors. “There are currently so many new developments in technology, new markets, consumer requirements and business management issues of a specialist sector-specific nature and the Association seminars afford the ideal opportunity to provide the required focus on these crucial matters,” said Osborne.
No doubt an exciting window on what lies ahead at Automechanika SA, with real opportunities for conducting meaningful business and constructive networking activities.

Wilhelm Lutjeharms