UK Garage and Bodyshop Event gears up with motortrade training and savings

Vehicle repair workshops and accident repair centres are being promised savings, training and prizes from the exhibitors at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024 next week.

Like the franchised dealer sector, the independent aftermarket is having to get to grips with significant transformation of the motor retail and repair industry, from the adoption of electric vehicles and ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) technologies to new repair methods and the march towards sustainability.

The biennial UK Garage and Bodyshop Event for the motortrade takes place on June 5-6 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, and it will host 180 exhibiting suppliers plus training seminars. It is free to attend.

Attendees can engage in practical skills training led by over 80 renowned industry experts across four dedicated training hubs, covering topics such diagnostics, digitalisation, EV service and repair, DPF, ADAS, oils and lubricants, battery technology and technical data.

The new Workshop Management Hub will appeal to garage owners and managers looking to improve business operations, profitability, and plan for the future, while the Workshop Technical Hub offers a programme for the service, repair, and maintenance sector to address challenges and advancements in the sector.

New for 2024, the trade event will launch its official student programme in partnership with Autotech Group, aiming to engage fresh talent and showcase real-life opportunities within the sector.

A 'Meet The Experts Lounge' provides visitors with an area to engage with guest speakers when they are not presenting.

Discounts and deals

An array of deals and discounts will be offered by exhibitors during the event to help garage owners and managers achieve significant cost savings on essential equipment and services.

Examples include Maverick Diagnostics providing a 10 percent discount on diagnostics equipment purchased at the show, Castrol and The Race Group offering attendees a £50 Amazon voucher when they purchase 200L or more of Castrol products from The Race Group in July 2024, AP Auto offering a £100 saving on any Oksys air-conditioning service machine ordered at the show, and Book My Garage is offering the Ignite Package at £30 per month for a trial period, including a half-price website with the ‘accelerate’ marketing package.

​“These special offers will not disappoint, and we urge the industry to come along and make the most of the deals available to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to thrive," said Alex Jones, marketing director at Messe Frankfurt, organisers of UK Garage and Bodyshop Event.

Aftermarket giant LKQ Euro Car Parts and Messe Frankfurt have a ‘Modern Garage’ stand planned for the event, which will highlight how garage owners can adapt their technical capability and customer service provision in response to developing industry trends.

​The collaborative display will showcase the latest tools, technology and resources designed for maximum productivity and efficiency in the workshop. Visitors will be able to gain hands-on experience with innovative technology, ranging from garage management systems to automated productivity solutions, while benefiting from interactive product demonstrations from leading industry experts including LKQ brand ambassador Andy Savva, The Garage Inspector.

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Both LKQ Euro Car Parts and Messe Frankfurt’s teams of specialists will be available on the stand throughout the two-day event to discuss key areas of focus for garages looking to evolve their offering, including training – via the LKQ Academy – electric vehicle infrastructure, ADAS calibration, remote diagnostics, digitalisation in the workshop, connectivity, and tools and equipment.

​Bob Wiffen, workshop solutions director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “The automotive industry is at a critical juncture, and new, transformational trends – be it the proliferation of ADAS and battery-powered vehicles or the rise of AI and digitalisation – represent an important opportunity for garage owners to evolve how they serve their customers."

Training opportunities and demonstrations

Many exhibitors have already announced a plethora of hands-on demonstrations and interactive sessions.

​ZF Aftermarket will feature its new Nissan Leaf EV training vehicle, facilitating the delivery of IMI Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications for hybrid and electric vehicle repair, as well as ADAS system calibration and diagnosis. Its technical and training team will be on hand to discuss EV and ADAS training requirements and offer tips.

​Hella will help attendees improve their diagnostics, with demonstrations of Mega Macs X and the MacsRemote unit, empowering workshops to tackle complex diagnostics and programming tasks, including component coding, key programming, and ADAS calibration.

The 2024 Automotive Management Live show will take place on November 13 at Birmingham NEC.
Alongside exhibitor displays, seminar sessions will examine workshop efficiency, compliance, stock management, re-franchising, used EV sales, improving marketing return on investment and business sustainability.
Registration is free for car dealers, repair garages and independent motor traders.

​Automotive Locksmith Supplies & OSCA Diagnostics will demonstrate key cutting, lock picking, key programming, and cloud vehicle diagnostics, and ​ISN Garage Assist will be demonstrating its flagship brand tyre changers and wheel balancers from Hofmann Megaplan and Balco. An alignment and ADAS expert will also be available to discuss their range of wheel alignment and digital ADAS equipment.

Absolute Alignment is showcasing its latest Bluetooth Lite wheel aligner, designed for workshops with limited space. This flexible device can be moved between various types of lifts or used with in-ground inspection pits.

​Lucas Oil will provide product training around its oils, additives, and problem solvers on both days of the show, including a Q&A session and a focus on its top ten products like Heavy Duty Oil Stabiliser, Synthetic Oil Stabiliser, Engine Oil Stop Leak, and more.

​Gallagher Motor Trade Insurance & Risk Management will provide no-obligation, complimentary cyber health checks on the day, helping attendees identify vulnerabilities in their systems in the strictest confidence.

​Bosch Mobility Aftermarket will demonstrate its ESI[tronic] Evolution Diagnostics software, offering garage owners direct access to diagnostics experts' knowledge. Bosch will offer both ADAS and ESI[tronic] Evolution demonstrations.

​Top Gear will showcase new equipment designed to aid in decarbonising and addressing blocked DPF issues, and Dayco will present the inspection processes and installation procedures for timing and auxiliary drive systems, with a particular focus on BIO applications.

​Jones at Messe Frankfurt added: “Our goal is to equip technicians with the latest skills and knowledge to keep pace with industry advancements. The hands-on demonstrations and interactive sessions will provide invaluable insights, making the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024 a must-attend for anyone serious about their profession."

Competitions and prizes

There are more than 25 contests and competitions throughout the show to engage and excite visitors, who could head back to their business with handfuls of prizes.

Visitors who sign up for Bosch’s email newsletter have a chance to win a prize bundle, including Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Window Vac, Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, EasyPump, and Power Washer. Additionally, spinning the wheel could land participants with a Bluetooth speaker worth £250.

​Mann + Hummel invites customers and attendees to dive into its £10,000 lucky dip prize pit to win a mystery prize ranging from kettles and Bluetooth speakers to beanies and mugs.

With ClickMechanic, attendees will have chance to win branded goodies like pens, key rings, and T-shirts, along with entry into a grand prize draw for a £150 Amazon voucher, while Stanley Black and Decker is hosting a Take on the Wheel Change Challenge, racing against the clock for the fastest time over the two days to win a Dewalt impact wrench kit worth more than £500.

​A passenger ride in a rally car is on offer from Niterra (UK) for challengers who test their skills in 'Stop the Clock', and Comma has a prize draw to win a PalmerSports day for 12 people, featuring an exhilarating track experience at Bedford Autodrome circuit.​

​Automotive Training Solutions is offering a chance to win a weekend break for two each day by answering the most questions in 60 seconds, while Book My Garage invites visitors to try their strength at the High Striker Competition, where they can win a trip for two to Portugal or a Silverstone Formula Single Seater Experience, and dropping a business card on the Top Gear stand could win visitors a free eBike worth £650.