Garage Event 2024 Show preview by Autotechnician magazine

5 & 6th June 2024

Two days of training, new technology, product launches, deals & discounts

Independent expert training sessions

4 dedicated Training Hubs

Meet the Experts, with Autotechnician

More than just a trade show

The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event at the NEC in Birmingham on June 5 and 6 will provide visitors with the latest insights, training sessions and access to leading industry suppliers under one roof, to help boost the armoury of technicians who face increasingly complex faults and provide advice for workshop owners looking to futureproof their workshops

The second edition of the event builds on its successful launch in 2022, see video below, providing workshop owners and technicians access to training sessions, innovative vehicle repair technologies and essential tools for the modern workshop – plus free parking and breakfast for garage visitors!

Skills training will be delivered by more than 80 industry experts across four dedicated training hubs, giving practical advice and insights on topics such as diagnostics, EV

Get a feel for the event with our video highlights from the 2022 launch event

service and repair, DPF diagnosis, ADAS calibration, oils and lubricants, battery technology and technical data.

Garage owners should take advantage of the new Workshop Management Hub, delivering information to improve business operations, proﬁtability and planning for the future. Topics include the impact of vehicle electriﬁcation and adapting operations for the digital world.

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The Workshop Technical Hub, Stand M40, in association with Autotechnician magazine, will deliver a comprehensive programme including engine fault & diagnostics, diesel, ADAS and more. New for 2024 is the introduction of Garage Management Workshops, with case studies by business owners on topics such as introducing ADAS to your business and adapting for EV service and repair.

The Modern Garage, Stand C30, returns this year, with a glimpse into the future of service and repair, showcasing the latest tools, technology and solutions for modern vehicle repair. Technical experts will provide practical tips on e ective modern vehicle repair. There will be interactive demonstrations and challenges on the stand for a chance to win exciting prizes.

New for 2024, the trade event will o cially launch its student program, in partnership with Autotech Group, to engage fresh talent and highlight opportunities within the sector.

The popular lounges return this year, including the Bodyshop Lounge – a networking hub for the collision repair sector and our very own Meet the Experts Lounge, Stand E70, in association with Autotechnician magazine, giving visitors the chance to engage with guest speakers when they are not presenting. We will also be providing free clinics for workshop owners on HR & sta development, more details of this can be found on page 53

“As the industry is seeing profound changes, particularly with the adoption of EV and ADAS-enabled technologies, along with rapid advancements in service and repair techniques, attending this event is essential for garage owners, technicians, and bodyshop professionals. Our carefully curated programme of features and training hubs o er an unparalleled opportunity to stay ahead of developments and innovations in the sector, learn new skills and help businesses remain competitive and proﬁtable.”

Alex Jones, Marketing Director for the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event

The Automechanika Birmingham Garage Awards return to the event, hosted by the IAAF and headline sponsored by LKQ Euro Car Parts. The ceremony takes place on 5 June and celebrates the very best independent garages and technicians across the UK. Nominations can be made at https://bit.ly/3VW2fIn, or by scanning the QR code above.

5 reasons garage owners should

attend

1. Talk to the suppliers in-person

Review the latest technologies & developments from 180 leading suppliers such as ZF, Bosch, Hella, Alliance Automotive Group, Snap-on, Comma, LKQ Euro Car Parts, Niterra (NGK), Castrol, GSF and many more.

2. Get your hands on new tools for the garage

Check out the latest parts and equipment to enhance e ciency and the bottom line. Watch demos, compare and get deals on a wide range of tools.

3. Review the latest repair services & practices

80 technical sessions and demos will be delivered by industry experts, on topics ranging from diagnostics, EV service & repair, ADAS calibration, technical data, DPF faults and updates on the MOT test, digitalisation and diesel’s decline.

4. Attract & retain sta

Get advice on how to attract and retain sta – to thrive, not just survive, now and into the future.

5. Network with your peers

Access exclusive show deals and share your experiences with peers who understand the challenges of running a modern workshop.

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Exhibitor news

Curious about air suspension? Stand E2

The number of new passenger cars equipped with factoryﬁtted air suspension is rising. Once the domain of high-end models, but in the last few years has worked its way down to mid-range passenger cars as well. Arnott will be highlighting its latest products, developed from 35 years' of experience in designing and manufacturing these suspension systems.

On display will be its New Front Electronic Strut for the Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L494), new Rear Air Springs for the Audi A6/A6 Quattro, S6 & S7, RS7 (C7) and an Air Suspension Compressor for BMW 5-series (F07,F11) & BMW 7-series (F01/ F02/F03/F04).

Ovidiu and Yvette will be on the stand to discuss all things air suspension with visitors – what it does, what to look out for and to answer any questions visitors might have.

ADAS and diagnostic demos Stand F40

Visitors to the Bosch stand who sign up to its email newsletter will be entered into a prize draw to win various items, including a cordless vacuum cleaner and power washer. There’s also a chance to win a Bluetooth speaker by playing spin-the-wheel.

Bosch is once again devoting a large part of their stand to demonstrate ADAS and the latest features of the DAS 3000 platform. These include a target board for computer guided Lidar calibration, rear view camera calibration mat with computer guided positioning and a speciﬁc adapter for computer guided positioning of Toyota/Honda long range radar calibration.

Its ESI[tronic] Evolution Diagnostics software will also be available on the stand and experts will be on-hand to discuss SDA (Secure Diagnostic Access), which provides access to vehicle manufacturer-protected systems, via a one-time registration.

Both ADAS and ESI[tronic] Evolution demonstrations will take place on both days of the event at 10.30-11.00, 1.30-2.00 and 3.00-3.30.

Garage owners can also sign up for the eXtra loyalty program and start collecting points instantly when buying selected Bosch automotive products, earning 1 point for every £1

spent. Points can be redeemed any time against a range of rewards, including Nintendo Switch, Beats Wireless Headphones, Bosch tools and equipment, and many more. www.extra-rewards.co.uk

Castrol to host garage networking Stand B10

Castrol and The Race Group have announced a lineup of highly respected independent garage owners set to appear on its stand: Matt Cleevely, Alex Lindley and Tim Benson will be on-hand to share expert industry insight and advice.

The Castrol stand will provide a place for garage owners to relax, network, and delve into the latest industry challenges and opportunities. Matt Cleevely of Cleevely Group, a pioneer in the servicing and repairs of electric vehicles (EVs) will o er ﬁrst-hand advice on how to seize the opportunities presented by a fast-growing EV market. Tim Benson of Oldﬁelds Garage will share his strategies for boosting workshop revenue, while Alex Lindley of Lindleys Autocentres will present data demonstrating how the Castrol Service network helped expand his servicing business.

Elsewhere on the Castrol stand, garages are being urged not to miss a two-hour 'technical clinic' with Castrol's Technical Services Specialist, Luliia Baklanova. Visitors are promised exclusive insight into Castrol's collaborations with OEMs and will discover the latest oils coming to market in 2024/25. Additionally, Trevor Allman, UK Sales Manager at Castrol Classic Oils, will delve into Castrol's rich history and shed light on why classic oils remain relevant today.

Chance to win a PalmerSport Day with Comma Stand F50

Comma wants to put mechanics in the driving seat at the event and will demonstrate how everything it does is ‘made for mechanics’, not only providing OEM-approved products, but supporting workshops with a VRN tool to help select the correct oil grade and a Stock Proﬁling tool, which allows them to discover the optimum range of products and pack sizes for their workshops based on vehicle service data speciﬁc to their location.

At the show, Comma will be unveiling its new website, which has undergone a major redesign to provide mechanics with easy access to all the product information, tools and support it provides.

It will also be inviting garages to learn more about Comma Workshop Stars – a programme that shares and highlights the stories behind some of the best independent garages in the UK.

It will also o er a prize draw for a team of up to twelve lucky people to win a PalmerSport day at the Bedford Autodrome circuit.

www.commaoil.com

The Brake Change Challenge awaits! Stand J30

The Bilstein group will showcase its existing and upcoming components across all ranges with plenty of literature available to learn more about them. Visitors will also get the opportunity to win great prizes through the UK Garage & Bodyshop ‘Spin to Win’ wheel where they can get merchandise, or they can be put through their paces on its ‘Brake Change Challenge’; if they can set the fastest time for changing the brakes on the rig, they will win two VIP racing tickets!

Garage Hive to advise on boosting business performance Stand AA28

Members of the Garage Hive team – including Garage Hive director Alex Lindley – will be on-hand to provide expert guidance to independent garage owners looking to boost business performance. Alex is also scheduled to deliver a presentation titled 'Leveraging Data from your Garage Management System to Improve Decision Making' at the event.

“It will be an insightful talk for garage owners wanting to learn how they can optimise business operations using data,” said Alex. “We’ll discuss data collection priorities, consider which data points are paramount and how they can directly inﬂuence business outcomes. We’ll also look at methods for e ectively analysing data to extract meaningful insights. And it’s not just theory either. We’ll showcase real-world examples to illustrate how data-driven decisions have directly impacted business outcomes.”

Visitors will be given the chance to interact with the software during live demonstrations and there will also be plenty of freebies up for grabs including a chance to win a free pair of tickets worth £300 for The Blend 2024, the annual independent garage conference taking place on Saturday 28th September in Birmingham.

www.garagehive.co.uk

Engage, learn, and win Stand B28

The Maverick Diagnostics team will be available to answer any queries you may have regarding its genuine OEM-approved dealer tools, technical support and training.

The Automotive Training Academy, which partners with Maverick Diagnostics and the Institute of the Motor Industry, o ers an array of courses, delivered by experts in their respective ﬁeld, to help professionals improve their skills and ensure they are prepared to face evolving vehicle technology and complex vehicle repairs. Maverick Diagnostics is o ering a visitor an opportunity to win a course for themselves and a

colleague. To enter a random draw, delegates simply need to take a selﬁe of themselves on the Maverick Diagnostics stand and tag and follow the company on one of its social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X).

It will also be giving away an Opus Mongoose Plus – PassThru dongle. This diagnostic device enables users to repair complex vehicles with OEMs’ J2534 applications – including VAG, Nissan, Honda, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM/Vauxhall and Toyota. Economical and compact, the popular Opus Mongoose-Plus is a cost-e ective alternative to buying full dealer tool packages.

To be in with a chance of snapping up this sought-after tool, visitors will enter a random draw if they pre-register via Maverick Diagnostics’ UK Garage & Bodyshop Event page. This can be found at https://uk-garagebodyshop-2024.reg.buzz/?exhibitorinviter=maverick-diagnostics or by scanning the QR code. www.maverickdiagnostics.com

Avoid costly legal action Stand H72

Members of the Motor Ombudsman’s Dispute Resolution and Business Services team will be available to discuss the beneﬁts of being accredited to its Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Motor Industry Codes of Practice, including the opportunity to take advantage of discounts through Motor Ombudsman partner initiatives.

There will be a case clinic running on the stand throughout the event, where garages can ask questions and receive expert guidance on best practice for resolving consumer motoring disputes fairly and quickly, without having to resort to costly legal action. www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org

Exclusive access to FixPro

Stand

AA34

Visitors can experience interactive demos and discussions with automotive diagnostics leader Opus IVS at the event. The team will provide attendees with exclusive access to demos of its brand-new diagnostic device, FixPro, which it says ‘provides workshops with an unprecedented level of OE level diagnostics and repair speed’, combining BlueBox’s legacy single-brand diagnostics and DrivePro's IVS 360 and RAP services.

Opus IVS experts will also discuss the DrivePro’s capabilities, including its innovative diagnostics platform, depth and range of brand coverage, onboard innovations such as PassThru using CarDAQ technology, and its RAP and Remote Programming Services.

Visitor’s will also see ﬁrst-hand how IVS 360 live diagnostic support service delivered by their global team of 100+ OEMTrained Master Technicians can provide vital repair guidance for complex vehicle technology to reduce repair times and increase workshop productivity.

Visitors will have access to a range of supporting products such as PicoScopes, GYS Battery Support Units, as well as J2534 Pass-Thru devices from Drew Technologies.

www.opusivs-uk.com

Explore Snap-on’s next generation of product and services Stand M30

Snap-on says garage owners and technicians attending the event will have the exclusive opportunity to witness ﬁrst-hand the unveiling of ‘revolutionary product innovations poised to transform the diagnostics process’. It will also introduce new technologies and support systems designed to empower technicians with the tools, resources, and expertise needed to navigate the challenges of next-generation vehicle technologies seamlessly.

Mark Ost, General Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics and Garage Equipment, expressed his enthusiasm about Snapon's participation, stating, "Snap-on are thrilled to return to The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event in 2024. The automotive industry is making signiﬁcant strides in vehicle technologies,

and in response, Snap-on teams worldwide have developed the next generation of products and services to support our customers. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase some of these innovations at The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event in Birmingham this year, and we invite visitors to stop by the Snap-on stand to experience them ﬁrst-hand!"

Snap-on will also o er visitors a chance to explore Snap-on Franchise opportunities across the UK.

TechMan to mark 10th anniversary Stand K38

Garage management system provider, TechMan, is celebrating its 10th anniversary milestone this year and to mark the occasion will be showcasing its system and latest integrations at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event.

At the event, TechMan is launching full AutoData integration for complete vehicle information to cover the entire car parc and AutoPay – a new TechMan PDQ solution to streamline payment processes.

Attendees at the trade event can learn more about its comprehensive suite of features, including workshop management, vehicle reporting, job bookings, invoicing, and much more.

New diag devices and have a chat with trade stars! Stand AA18

Drop your business card in the bowl at Topdon’s stand and you could win yourself a Phoenix Lite 2, Artidiag Pro or Topscan Pro. It is also o ering visitors 10% o the price of its Phoenix range of diagnostic devices.

Steve Scott of the Simply Diagnostic Network, Dan Versului, aka Diagnose Dan, and Martin Moller of AutoFrontal will also be on the stand during the show to answer any queries you may have.

The supplier will introduce three new products – the T120A Battery Support Unit 120A, Phoenix Lite 3 diagnostic tool and the T-Kunai immobiliser programming tool.

The Workshop Technical Hub & Meet the Experts, in association with Autotechnician

A comprehensive programme of technical presentations take place on Stand M40, addressing challenges, opportunities and giving practical advice, from leading trainers, parts and service providers. A packed programme covers a range of topics including diagnostics, MOT, diesel, lubrication, the role of technical data and ADAS.

Meet the Experts Lounge Stand E70

Autotechnician will host the Meet the Expert Lounge, o ering visitors the chance to speak with presenters from the Workshop Technical Hub following their scheduled sessions. We are also o ering workshop managers and owners access to informal Business Clinics with our own industry experts on Day 1 of the show.

Renowned experts Dee and Amy Blick will be on the stand to o er advice on Marketing and HR topics. Dee is an internationally renowned marketer and number 1 bestselling author, best known for her practical approach to marketing on

a shoestring. Amy has many years of experience working with global brands and SMEs and is a specialist in demystifying HR and showing businesses how to harness the power of their people to take their business to the next level.

On both days, industry experts James Dillon and Andy Crook will be on-hand to o er advice and insights between their presentations in the event programme. James and Andy need no introduction, and their advice on both technical and business management topics o ers rare access to free, invaluable expertise for business owners and managers.

Drop in on Stand E70 for your free clinic!

Wednesday 5th June

10:00 - 10:25 Secure Diagnostics Access, Bosch

A solution to meet the significant challenges of increasing vehicle complexity and customers' service expectations

10:30 - 10:55 How Comma’s ‘combined’ approach is a win for mechanics

11:00 - 11:25 Cabin heating in electric vehicles, Pete Melville, HEVRA

Learn about the different types of heating systems in common use in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

11:30 - 11:55 A repeatable diagnostic process that just works, James Dillon

12:00 - 12:30 It’s all about the process! Darren Darling, DPF Doctor

Darren will share some insights into the importance of a good diagnostic process when tackling DPF problems and beyond.

13:00 - 13:25 Technical Expertise from AAG

Learn from the experts at Alliance Automotive Group, a European leader in the distribution of automotive parts and accessories.

13:30 - 13:55 The ADAS opportunity for independent garages, Hella

Explaining the growth of ADAS now and in future, importance of calibration & the revenue opportunity.

14:00 - 14:25 Understanding oil, Comma

15:00 - 15:25 ADAS – The Journey Ahead, LKQ Euro Car Parts

15:30 - 16:00 Using data to navigate transformation in the Aftermarket, Alldata

THE COMPLETE ADAS SOLUTION NOW INCLUDES TRAINING

Thursday 6th June

10:00 - 10:25 AdBlue Problems – Right first-time diagnostics, James Dillon

10:30 - 10:55 Fuelling the Future: The role of internal combustion in a low-carbon world, Andy Crook

11:00 - 11:25 Cabin heating in electric vehicles, HEVRA

Learn about the different types of heating systems in common use in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

11:30 - 12:10 Technical Expertise from Bosch

12:00 - 12:30 ADAS – The Journey Ahead, LKQ Euro Car Parts

13:00 - 13:25 The ADAS opportunity for independent garages, Hella

13:30 - 13:55 How Comma’s ‘combined’ approach is a win for mechanics

14:00 - 14:25 Why precious metal is more than just an upsell option, Niterra

15:00 - 15:25 It’s all about the process! Darren Darling, The DPF Doctor

Darren will share some insights into the importance of a good diagnostic process when tackling DPF problems and beyond.