Messe Frankfurt Acquires Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR)

Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd has acquired a major proportion of Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd, organiser of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR) in Beijing.

The agreement of the acquisition was signed in Shanghai on 10 November 2017 between Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd. In the agreement, both parties accorded to form a new joint venture company named Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd, in which Messe Frankfurt will hold the majority interest. This acquisition is also strongly supported by industry associations: The China Automotive Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMEIA) and the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (CAMRA), who are also the co-organisers Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR).

Stephan Buurma, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt Group, shared his view: “The Automechanika brand shows in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and New Delhi, as well as the CAPAS show in Chengdu, together cover all areas of the value chain to serve the flourishing aftermarket sector in Asia and in China in particular. The next step is to strengthen our presence in each of the industry’s sectors.”

“Being the biggest automobile market in the world, China’s repair and maintenance market is growing eminently. This new acquisition provides fast access for our key customers in the automotive field to penetrate this booming market,” Buurma added.

Steven Wang, General Manager of Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd, believes the agreement comes at a good time for international key players to tap into the evolving repair and maintenance sector. He said: “With the recently passed Administrative Measures for Automobile Sales policy and the increase in out of warranty vehicles, the sector’s structure is expected to evolve from the domination of 4S, to multiple forms such as independent workshops and online platforms. Despite the aftermarket being more competitive than ever, it unlocks unprecedented opportunities for distributors, end-users and stakeholders from the global repair and maintenance suppliers. I am certain that the move is mutually beneficial to both local and international industry counterparts.” Wang also said that with the new acquisition, the organiser is projecting an increase in the 2018 show’s scale to 1,200 exhibitors and 60,000 visits.

AMR has successfully grown into Asia’s biggest and one of the world’s top three trade fairs. In its latest edition in 2017, the show’s scale expanded to 110,000 sqm of exhibition space and attracted 1,139 exhibitors and 58,212 visits.

The show covers every aspect of the auto maintenance and repair sector including garage equipment, testing & diagnostic equipment and tools, coating, collision repair, car care and car wash, chain stores, training and software. The broad product spectrum attracts trade visitors such as 4S shops, car care shops, car manufacturers, chain stores, distributors and wholesalers, test stations, transportation companies, tyre shops and workshops to source and look for business opportunities every year.

Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo 2018 (AMR 2018) will be held from 1 – 4 April at the New China International Exhibition Centre (NCIEC). For more information, please visit www.amr-china.cn or e-mail [email protected].