GEARING UP FOR THE BEST CRA CONFERENCE YET AT AUTOMECHANIKA JHB
Last month, I had the privilege of attending the dynamic Automechanika Birmingham show — an event that brought together over 15 000 professionals from across the automotive aftermarket, including technical sales engineers, spray painters, and collision repair specialists. The exhibition halls buzzed with activity as attendees explored the latest advancements reshaping our industry.
What truly stood out for me was the sheer depth and quality of training sessions on offer. From ADAS calibration and smart repair techniques to insurance quoting systems and the growing role of used parts in modern repair strategies, the programme was packed with forward-thinking content. These topics are not only shaping the global collision repair landscape – they’re increasingly relevant to South Africa’s body shop sector as well.
Over the course of three action-packed days, I had the chance to meet with renowned industry futurist Andrew Marsh, with whom I discussed key themes we plan to address at the upcoming CRA Conference, set to take place during Automechanika Johannesburg this October. Andrew stressed the critical need for organisations like CRA to lead the charge in knowledge-sharing, especially as information around emerging vehicle technologies – such as drive-by-wire systems – is often fragmented or poorly communicated. He emphasised that with parts shortages and supply chain delays becoming all too common, the industry must find new ways to adapt, innovate, and protect its reputation.
Automechanika Birmingham was also a valuable lens through which to view shared global challenges. The shortage of skilled repair technicians, for example, is just as pressing in the UK as it is in South Africa. But what impressed me the most was how the event tackled this issue head-on by showcasing cutting-edge tools, repair techniques, and comprehensive training resources – demonstrating a strong commitment to industry development.
Another eye-opener was the increasing presence and professionalism of Asian suppliers, particularly from China, whose hard parts and component offerings have reached impressive levels of quality and reliability. With over 550 exhibitors and 186 hours of expert-led sessions, not to mention around 50 new product launches, the scale and scope of the show were nothing short of extraordinary.
While I couldn’t attend every session, the event also served as a fantastic networking platform – connecting repair professionals with key players across the value chain.
With all this inspiration and insight in hand, we’re confident that the CRA, in partnership with Auto Refinisher Magazine, will deliver a world-class repair conference at this year’s Automechanika Johannesburg. Be sure to save the date – 30 October – when our networking hub will be in full swing. This is one event you won’t want to miss! Contact Lisa-Marie for more information on: lisa-marie@crasa.org.za
By Steve Kessell
