Exhibitors Pleased with Quality

Of Visitors at Automechanika Thailand

BY DANIEL FOONG

The 2nd Automechanika Thailand took place in Bangkok from 6 - 9 March 2008. The fair welcomed over 4,100 visitors, with about a quarter from overseas, who sourced products from 173 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions.

The top 10 visiting countries were Singapore , China , Indonesia , Malaysia , Japan , United Arab Emirates , Australia , India , Iran and Pakistan . 

On 7,000 sqm of floor space exhibitors showcased a wide range of items, including parts & systems, accessories & tuning, repair & maintenance, IT & maintenance and service station & car wash equipment products.

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Industry in Thailand , Mr. Damri Sukhotanang, spoke of the competitive automotive industry. "It is in this new economic context that Thailand and other countries are beginning to cooperate in areas of research technology, market intelligence and know-how," he said.

Recognising this, Messe Frankfurt, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, organised Automechanika Thailand as a platform to provide both the public and private sectors opportunities to explore business ventures internationally, gather valuable market information and to fully understand the use and application of standards and systems from overseas.

Mr. Sukhotanang further commented on the importance of the event for the Thai automotive industry. "Manufacturers and exporters who want to do well in their businesses and maintain their competitiveness have to ensure that their products satisfy the highest international standards."

Throughout the event, visitors and exhibitors were given the opportunity to meet face-to-face with some of the world's largest car manufacturers.  Ms Woravan Sangvari, Purchasing Engineer for Hyundai Motors ( Thailand ), was pleased with the overall organisation of the Automechanika Matching-making Forum.  "The suppliers are carefully selected and their products are of the highest quality," she said.

Another happy manufacturer at the match-making programme was world leading auto brand BMW.  Mr. Foong Hsueh-hung, Commodity Manager of BMW Group Asia believed, "This forum is a good channel to meet with potential suppliers.  It helps us build new contacts in a direct and efficient manner."      

Exhibitors at Automechanika Thailand 2008 met with a number of quality buyers from Thailand and overseas.  First time exhibitor Mr. Dietmar Bier, Managing Director for MBM Forch Ltd., partners with leading German brand Forch, praised the consistent quality of visitors attending this year's event.  "We have been able to meet with professional visitors from Thailand and abroad. Response has been positive." 

Mr. Bier further discussed his decision to participate in Automechanika Thailand 2008. "We have recently opened a store in Thailand and decided to participate in this event as we feel that it is the best marketing platform for us to penetrate the Thai automotive industry.  In the long term this show will prove to be successful for us as we can build customer relations and allow new consumers to see the Forch quality for themselves."