After the first day of the event, staff on the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders stand at the Frankfurt Automechanika show are confident of success for the 75 UK firms in its group.
‘We’ve over 75 firms with us, selling parts, aftermarket equipment, power and exhaust systems products,’ said Russell Murty from the SMMT’s International Department. ‘And by the end of the first day people were very pleased and very impressed by the quality of business visitors and inquiries. If, as we all expect, visitors, interest and inquiries continue at this level, we’re confident of success.’
Since the early Seventies the SMMT has arranged for groups of UK firms to exhibit at the Automechanika show as part of its wide ranging plan to help small and medium size firms export. ‘In spite of sadly reduced help from the UK government, a growing number come with us, using our one-stop-shop arrangement including space rental, stand design and build, power supply and connection and much more,’ said Murty ‘This makes the deal very attractive and helps open otherwise inaccessible markets. We have a proven record of success in helping stimulate international business and our initiative at Automechanika is part of that programme.’
There are several other important automotive business opportunities due later this year and into next. Importantly these are not limited to SMMT members but open to any automotive firm doing business in the UK. ‘Automechanika is a good example of that diversity, as only 26 of the 75 firms in our group here are SMMT members,’ said Murty. ‘And of course we’d like yet more firms to share those future successes.’
The SMMT stand is nr C72 on the first floor of hall 5, Other SMMT group stands are in halls 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 8.0, 9.1 and 9.2, with 43 in hall 5.1 alone. Automechanika runs from 12 to 17 September in the Frankfurter Messe. The organisers say there are some 4,500 exhibitors spread through all 10 of the exhibition centre’s halls.
