Messe Frankfurt Middle East has announced the launch of Automechanika Riyadh 2018, as the region's leading exhibition organizer expands its presence further in the Kingdom's vast automotive aftermarket. Automechanika Riyadh 2018 will be held on Feb. 5-7 February at the Riyadh Exhibition Centre, and will take place every two years. The three-day event will alternate between the existing Messe Frankfurt-organised Automechanika Jeddah, which will now become a biennial event, with the 3rd edition taking place in 2019. Automechanika Riyadh 2018 is organized in partnership with Saudi-based Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), and is the 17th global installment of Automechanika, the world's most successful automotive aftermarket trade fair brand. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said the dual platform of Automechanika Riyadh and Automechanika Jeddah will provide more business opportunities spanning the automotive aftermarket in the Kingdom's Western, Central, and Eastern regions. "Given the encouraging response to Automechanika Jeddah, we are confident that Automechanika Riyadh will enable us to successfully reach and engage with the significant markets of the Central and Eastern regions, which will strengthen the event's footprint," said Pauwels. "The new exhibition is also another step in our carefully orchestrated plans of expanding the reach of the Messe Frankfurt family of shows across the Kingdom," he added. Automechanika Riyadh is set to significantly boost access for international players into Saudi Arabia's spare parts market, which is well on the road to recovery. According to analysts Frost & Sullivan (F&S), the total revenues in the Kingdom's automotive aftermarket, including Jeddah to the West, Riyadh Central, and the Eastern region of Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Khobar, will grow 5.1 percent annually over the next five years, reaching SR 33.62 billion ($8.9 billion) in 2021. Major revenue is expected to be generated by regular maintenance parts such as tires (SR10.5 billion), batteries (SR1.56 billion) and lubricants (SR 6.01 billion), while brake pads are expected to account for almost 25 percent of ‘other parts' category (SR15.550 billion). Michael Johannes, Automechanika's Brand Manager, said: "Automechanika Riyadh will not only open up the burgeoning sales potential in Saudi's Central region, but will also extend its reach to the Eastern Region and the main Dammam urban conglomeration, which is within a 3-hour drive of the Capital, and a 40 minute flight away." Automechanika Riyadh will focus on the six main product groups of Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories & Customizing, Repair & Maintenance, Tires & Batteries, and Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning. Hadi Al-Harith, Managing Director of ACE, added: "It gives us great pleasure to continue our association with Messe Frankfurt Middle East and extend the reach of the Automechanika brand into Saudi's Central and Eastern regions. This expansion is a result of dedicated teamwork and close interaction with various stakeholders as we continue to try and fulfill all our clients' requirements." Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the UAE-based subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt Group, is also the organizer of Automechanika Dubai, the wider Middle East and Africa's largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition. With a total area is 15,000 sqm, the Riyadh Exhibition Centre provides a modern and easily accessed venue, with four halls of different sizes. The complex has independent facilities for each hall for reception and registration services and security arrangements. Warehouses, temporary storage facilities and dedicated loading and unloading areas are available for the benefit of exhibitors on the eastern side of the complex. — SG
