4 minute read
Stuart Charity opens Terrain Tamer Hut
The unique meeting place for the industry was unveiled in November
Don Kyatt’s replica of Craig’s Hut, the brainchild of its much-loved Founder and Director, Frank Hutchinson, was officially opened with the help of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, on November 17. The original Craig’s Hut sits on top of Mount Stirling in Victoria’s highlands. Built as part of the set for the 1982 Australian movie, The Man From Snowy River, it remains today as a tourist attraction and favourite destination for four-wheeldrive enthusiasts. Frank and his family – including son Brent, who is now General Manager of the Don Kyatt Group of Companies – have spent a lot of time camping at the original Craig’s Hut and similar bushland sites in the Australian outback. Don Kyatt’s replica, named Terrain Tamer Hut, is a little bigger than its inspiration and a little more luxurious inside. The building will be used by schools, car clubs and community organisations and host automotive industry functions and training. It will be the perfect addition to the Don Kyatt site in Tottenham in Melbourne’s west, which already includes a four-wheel-drive training course and a huge start-of-the-art warehouse and manufacturing facility. “I am absolutely honoured to be here today; you could have had Albo [Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese]; you could have had anyone, but in true Don Kyatt style you have gone for someone who you have a long history with,” Stuart said. “If I was to describe Frank Hutchinson in a few words, it would be honest, humble, a visionary, an industry legend and a hell of a nice guy. “Who would have thought back in 1969 when Frank teamed up with the late Don Kyatt and they each contributed $300 to start a business distributing Bedford truck and bus parts, that we would be here today at this huge facility, which is part of a multinational company with branches and people all over the world, with hundreds of longserving and loyal employees and with the Terrain Tamer and Flash Lube brands being global names. “In 2013 Frank was awarded our industry’s highest honour, the Outstanding Service to Industry Award. This is a 20-billion dollar industry, and I will never forget his speech that night. He talked about the fact that he owed everything he had built to his employees. He blew everyone away that night and it was typical of the culture of the company and the management team. It’s a people first approach, and that goes across staff and customers. It’s why your staff loves you and it’s why your customers love you and it’s why the industry loves you. “On behalf of the AAAA I would like to thank the entire Don Kyatt group for everything you do and the way you do it. It is truly a legendary Australian company and a company we are all proud of and a company you should all be very proud to work for, to be customers of and to be involved in.” For more information visit www.terraintamer.com.au
A STRONG SHOW
Automechanika Frankfurt’s new formats and extensive programme were very well received by international automotive professionals in September. 78.000 visitors from 175 countries came to the industry’s leading platform in Frankfurt to experience products and services from workshops, industry and retail live and in person. In fact, the show’s five days were the fullest the exhibition grounds had been since the restart in Frankfurt. 2,804 companies from 70 countries exhibited their products and services across 19 hall levels and in the outdoor exhibition area. “Things are clearly heading in the right direction. Together with our customers and our international partners, we are optimistic about the future: nothing can take the place of trade fairs,” Messe Frankfurt Member of the Executive Board, Detlef Braun, said. “The strong international component amongst exhibitors from 70 countries and visitors from 175 countries alike makes it clear that the international automotive aftermarket is back in Frankfurt. Participants also took full advantage of the new networking opportunities to finally meet with one another in person and make new business contacts.” Show organisers state the high level of visitor satisfaction of 92 percent clearly demonstrates that the areas of focus at this year’s Automechanika were exactly what the industry was looking for. For the first time, there were more than 350 events on offer, including presentations given by new market participants and free workshops for automotive professionals. CEOs from leading key players put on a strong showing at the CEO Breakfast event sponsored by ZF Aftermarket on the first day of the trade fair. In a ‘fireside chat’ format, Formula One professionals Mika Häkkinen and Mark Gallagher supplied fascinating insights for an industry that is changing faster than ever. Visitors also showed a great deal of interest in the new ‘Innovation4Mobility’ showcase, which covered such topics as battery technology, alternative drive systems, hydrogen, solar technology, e-commerce and connected vehicles. Organisers say it was also striking just how many young visitors came to the trade fair to find out more about the training and career opportunities on offer in the automotive aftermarket. This year marked the first time that the recently established Talents4AA association, a nonprofit organisation that aims to attract talented specialists and newcomers to the automotive aftermarket, appeared at Automechanika Frankfurt. Its appearance was a big success: the association significantly increased its membership rolls during the five-day event. Automechanika Frankfurt is now returning to its biennial rotation and will once again be held every two years and will next take place across the 10th to the 14th of September 2024 on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. For more information, visit www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
