Bodyshop Zone underlines new focus at Automechanika Birmingham

Alongside a new bodyshop training hub, sponsored by bodyshop magazine, the leading UK publication in the industry, Automechanika Birmingham is also introducing a new dedicated bodyshop zone.

This is part of a renewed focus on the bodyshop sector by Automechanika Birmingham, which opens at the NEC Birmingham today.

The Bodyshop Zone is one of a series of new initiatives this year, including the new Automechanika Body & Paint World Championship as well as the Bodyshop Training Hub featuring collision repair, paint and refinishing training as well as live demos from expert trainers.

Proudly sponsored by bodyshop magazine, the Bodyshop Training Hub will include CPD accredited technical seminars offering expert advice specifically for the collision repair sector, from some of the industry’s leading specialist training providers including Thatcham Research, The Automotive Glazing Academy and Cornerstone Technologies. There will also be a Q&A session with the British Touring Car Championship’s top drivers.

The Bodyshop Zone will include the NEW Automechanika Body & Paint World Championship, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes and SATA. Visitors will witness a showcase of spray-painted car bonnets with designs to reflect the UK market. Automechanika Birmingham will mark the first stage of the contest that will be held at five other Automechanika shows worldwide, from Europe to China.

The national event winners will then travel to Frankfurt for the grand finale at Automechanika Frankfurt, taking place from 8 to 12 September 2020.

Jack Halliday, event director of Automechanika Birmingham, said, ‘Our 2018 visitor research told us that bodyshops want more from Automechanika Birmingham so we listened. We’re delighted to be launching a new dedicated Bodyshop Zone at this year’s show, with some of the UK’s leading bodyshop suppliers exhibiting.’