The four-day premier edition of ACMA Automechanika New Delhi, 2013, got off to a good start on February 7. The exhibition, fully dedicated to the auto component and aftermarket industry, covered 9,500 sq. metres, had participation from 258 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, including five international pavilions of China, Germany, Taiwan, Italy and the UK. Opening on a promising note, the exhibition also attracted industry professionals from India and across the globe.
Eminent personalities from the industry graced the inaugural function presided over by Mr. Praful Patel, Minister for Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, who was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Patel observed: “A show like ACMA Automechanika New Delhi is the need of the hour, as apart from making its mark as a credible supply base to the OEMs, national and international, the auto component industry in India has the potential to be a significant player in the global aftermarket as well. A show of this stature provided the Indian auto component industry the much-needed platform to showcase their progress to the world.”
Commenting on the trade fair, Mr. Surinder Kanwar, ACMA President, stated: “The automotive aftermarket in India is currently growing at a pace of 10 to 15 per cent. Although the industry is growing, it is currently going through a rough patch.”
Sharing pre-Budget recommendations, Mr. Kanwar conveyed to the Ministry the need for reversal of high imports vis-a-vis exports. He also emphasised the importance of keeping a check on counterfeiting, which is a major concern of the aftermarket today.
Mr. Michael Johannes, Vice President, Brand Management Automechanika, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, terming the event a ‘big moment’, said: “ACMA’s reach within the Indian auto component and aftermarket industry and Messe Frankfurt’s experience of organising international trade fairs makes this an ideal partnership.”
He underscored the influential role Mr. Raj Manek, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd., in organising ACMA Automechanika New Delhi.
Some of the key highlights of the first day of the exhibition were product launches by domestic and international exhibitors, including the Glysantin range of automotive radiator coolant by BASF, new EUROLUB additive program by EUROLUB GmbH, new aftermarket operation in India by Aisin, PCL-SUMO N2 generator cum-inflator by PCL-SUMO, and brake disc pads for LCV cars and two/three-wheelers by Benara Udyog.
Additionally, both ACMA and Messe Frankfurt have taken a strong initiative to combat counterfeiting both at domestic and international levels through their respective campaigns, namely, ‘ASLI-NAQLI’ and ‘Messe Frankfurt Against Copying’. Both campaigns are focussed on protecting intellectual property rights and spreading awareness about the benefits of using genuine auto components.
ACMA’s Asli-Naqli drive has gathered a lot of momentum as it strives to promote the importance of using genuine spares and the hazards of opting for spurious ones. ACMA’s anti-counterfeiting committee comprising members, who represent leading component suppliers in the country, will be conducting shows and street plays at major auto hubs as part of the Asli-Naqli initiative.
“The aftermarket is an extremely important part of the automotive industry. It could be of age if we bring it into a more organized and process-oriented business, focusing on service with value-addition”, says Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee & Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, ACMA.
The Indian automotive market, both OEMs and components together, was worth 27 billion euro in 2006, accounting for five per cent of the country’s GDP. By 2016, it is estimated to grow to 110 billion euro, forming 10 per cent of GDP. Use of Naqli parts has grave implications, including revenue loss to the Government estimated at Rs. 2,500-3,000 crores annually. Safety standard not being met is another cause for concern. The number of fatal accidents officially recorded during the last fiscal was 1.33 lakhs, of which around 20 per cent could be attributed to failure of parts either not being safe or from the grey market or spurious.
ACMA has formed a core committee comprising veterans from the auto component industry, which has released two books on the Indian automotive aftermarket that explain in detail the current state of the aftermarket, safety standards, emission norms and the future ahead. While the first book contains data and statistics from 44 RTOs across the country, the second covers 100 RTOs in 150 cities accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the total vehicle park of India. A user-friendly CD which provides information on the replacement cost of the 100 most important parts in a vehicle has also been released.
The committee is also introducing a detailed database on the distributor and dealer network in the country which would serve as a ready-reckoner for the customers.
On the legal front, ACMA has requested the Government to make counterfeiting a non-bailable and cognizable offence as in the case of the Indian Drugs Act, which would send a clear message to people about the serious consequences if they go for Naqli products. ACMA also had an IPR cell at last year’s Auto Expo and will soon be bringing out an IPR manual as well.
Symposium focus on component industry opportunities and challenges
ACMA Automechanika New Delhi, the nation’s first trade exhibition dedicated to the auto component and aftermarket industry held during February 7-10, attracted 258 exhibitors from across 12 countries and regions. Industry professionals from across India and the globe made their presence felt at the exhibition that covered an area of 9,500 sq. metres.
To better understand the current aftermarket trends and for a more holistic insight on the challenges and opportunities in this sector, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association and Messe Frankfurt organised the two-day ACMA Automechanika Seminar on February 8 and 9. Held concurrently with the trade fair, the seminar focused on areas like auto components distribution systems, developments in the auto servicing and retail segments and manpower skill challenges in the aftermarket.
Prominent speakers such as Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, Chairman, Consumer Affairs and Anti Counterfeiting Committee, ACMA, and Joint Managing Director, Bosch Ltd., Mr. Surinder Kanwar, President, ACMA, & Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Gears Ltd., Mr. Rakesh Batra, Partner and National Leader Auto Sector, Ernst & Young, and Mr. Mohit Arora, Executive Director, JD Power Asia Pacific, amongst others, shared their expert views and opinions with the audience.
The conference largely concentrated on educating leading influencers and decision makers of the industry, particularly on the ramifications of counterfeiting.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Surinder Kanwar stated: “The Indian auto component industry is one of the few sectors of the economy that has a distinct global competitive advantage. Though the sector is currently experiencing some turmoil, it has however failed to dent the confidence and spirit of the industry. There is no doubt that the long-term growth prospects of India and the Indian auto component industry are bright. The aftermarket in the country is growing at a pace higher than the overall component industry. ACMA is engaged with the Government and relevant agencies to ensure that this segment of the industry evolves in a responsible manner.”
Mr. Bhattacharya said: “The Indian auto component industry, by virtue of supplying to the Japanese, Korean, American and the European OEMs in India, is well versed with the quality expectations of customers in these markets. The aftermarkets, especially in the US and Europe, are as significant in size as the OEM markets. The time is now ripe for the Indian component manufacturers to spread their wings and harness aftermarket opportunities in these markets as well.”
Mr. Pandey, Managing Director, Hella India Lighting Ltd., highlighted the huge financial losses to the industry and the country due to the menace of spurious auto components which are the cause of a large number of on-road deaths.
Mr. Jeeva, Kezzler AS, discussed in detail the use of unique alpha-numeric code serialisation to combat the menace of counterfeiting.
Some important aspects highlighted at the seminar included developments in the vibrant aftermarkets of South-East Asia – lessons for India; improving the auto components value chain – importance of aftermarket value chain management; creating future ready aftermarket business; manpower skill challenges in aftermarket; and combating counterfeiting in the aftermarket.
COMPANY UPDATES
Mansons
Auto components major Mansons now offers a select range of products for the domestic truck & trailer aftermarket industry. The company is gearing up to cater to the domestic commercial vehicle components sector with a wide range of axle, steering, suspension, fifth-wheel, and body components.
Mansons expects to have over 800 components in its range by mid-2013, which would be made available through a selected dealer/distribution network. The company is relying on its 50 years of experience as a market leader in the export of components for trucks, trailers and vans across the globe and is keen on replicating the model in India.
At ACMA Automechanika, the Mansons stand was one of the busiest, being packed with customers and visitors throughout the show, highlighting the surging demand for its products.
Jamna Auto
Jamna Auto Industries (JAI) presented its range of leaf and parabolic springs as well as air suspension systems at the show. The market leader in leaf and parabolic springs is focusing on further development of its capabilities on the air-suspension system segment as it prepares to repeat its success with leaf and parabolic springs in the air-suspension division as well.
The JAI stand had a good number of OEM visitors, apart from others who were keen on knowing more about the range of quality products it offers.
ARO
Leading garage equipment supplier Aro Equipment presented the Corghi R.E.M.O for the first time in India. The R.E.M.O is the world’s first clamp less wheel aligner and is tipped to be a game-changer in the Indian garage equipment market following its market launch. A huge number of visitors from the service and aftermarket community thronged the Aro stand for a demonstration of the R.E.M.O’s clampless revolution.