What Automechanika does

Automechanika Birmingham is the UK's largest dedicated trade exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and supply chain, organised by Messe Frankfurt UK Ltd (incorporated 2015, company number 09560428), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the world's largest trade fair organiser headquartered in Frankfurt am Main and owned by the City of Frankfurt (60%) and the State of Hesse (40%). Held biennially at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the show brings together more than 550 leading brands from over 25 countries and 15,000+ senior UK-based visitors across three days for networking, product showcases, technical training, and B2B deal-making. Visitor admission is free; revenue is generated through paid exhibitor stand bookings (space-only or shell scheme), tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum, Gold, headline), and add-on marketing and PR services.

The product portfolio extends beyond the biennial physical event. The Automechanika Birmingham App provides AI-powered matchmaking that recommends exhibitors to visitors based on preferences and behaviour patterns and supports meeting booking and badge scanning. The year-round digital platform auto:resource (launched December 2020) delivers technical briefings, supplier directories, webinars, and training resources with 8,000+ monthly visitors, keeping the brand present between event cycles. Adjacent offerings include the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event (launched June 2022), a dedicated training, technology and tools show, plus 13 interactive feature areas on the show floor such as Paint & Spray Live, Collision Repair Live, Detailing Live, the Workshop Hub, the Innovation4Mobility Conference, the Automotive Supply Chain Forum, and SMMT's Meet the Buyer programme (1,400+ business introductions since 2015). Co-located initiatives like Motorvate and the Thirty Under 30 Awards target the automotive skills and recruitment gap.

The go-to-market is event-driven, with a multi-channel marketing approach spanning industry association partnerships (SMMT, IAAF, IMI, IGA, NBRA, HEVRA, NTDA, Thatcham Research), 20+ media partners, social media across Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, VK and Xing, email newsletters, webinars, and year-round content via auto:resource. Customer segments are diverse and segmented vertically: garages/workshops/MOT centres, motor factors and distributors, bodyshops and collision repairers, OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers, franchised dealerships, car care and detailing businesses, and automotive students/apprentices. The show serves a UK aftermarket market valued at £21 billion, ranking 4th in Europe and 9th globally. Headcount is reported at 501-1,000 (encompassing the broader Messe Frankfurt UK operations). The next event is scheduled for 8-10 June 2027 at NEC Birmingham.

Name

Automechanika

Legal name

Messe Frankfurt UK Ltd

Website

https://automechanika-birmingham.uk.messefrankfurt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Automechanika Birmingham is the UK's largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition, organised biennially by Messe Frankfurt UK Ltd at NEC Birmingham, attracting 15,000+ visitors and 550+ exhibitor brands from 25+ countries for B2B networking, training, and product showcases.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Exhibition Services

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation, Logistics & Mobility Shows Organizers (THAHABAL)

Keywords

• Trade exhibition services
• Automotive aftermarket events
• B2B trade show organization
• Automotive industry networking
• Event management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Fees: Revenue generated from exhibitors purchasing booth space at the trade show. The 2025 floorplan reached capacity, indicating strong commercial demand.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Platinum, Gold, and various headline sponsorship packages from major automotive brands (LKQ Euro Car Parts, Bilstein Group, Bosch, ZF Aftermarket, etc.)
3. Marketing & PR Services: Additional marketing, sponsorship and PR opportunities offered to exhibitors for enhanced visibility during the event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Automechanika organizes the UK's leading biennial automotive aftermarket trade exhibition (Automechanika Birmingham) at the NEC, bringing together 550+ exhibiting brands from 25+ countries with 15,000+ senior industry visitors for three days of networking, product launches, free technical training, and business development. The organization also runs the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, the year-round auto:resource digital platform, and an AI-powered matchmaking app connecting exhibitors and visitors.

Product overview

Automechanika is primarily a trade exhibition and event organizer rather than a product software company. Its core offering is the biennial Automechanika Birmingham trade show at the NEC, complemented by the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event and the year-round digital platform auto:resource. The Birmingham show features multiple interactive feature areas including Workshop Hub, Paint & Spray Live, Collision Repair Live, Detailing Live, Automotive Supply Chain Forum, and the Innovation4Mobility Conference. Additional digital tools include the Automechanika Birmingham App for event navigation and matchmaking, and the Gateway to Automotive content hub. The company also runs Motorvate (skills initiative) and programs like Thirty Under 30 Awards to recognize emerging talent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• auto:resource: Digital content marketing platform launched by Messe Frankfurt UK to inform, train and connect the UK automotive aftermarket year-round.
• UK Garage and Bodyshop Event
• Innovation4Mobility
• Motorvate
• Thirty Under 30
• Automotive Supply Chain Forum
• Women in Automotive

Products and services

• Automechanika Birmingham The UK's largest automotive trade exhibition held biennially at NEC Birmingham, bringing together 550+ leading brands from 25+ countries and 15,000+ senior UK-based visitors for three days of networking, learning, and business opportunities across the automotive aftermarket and supply chain.
• UK Garage and Bodyshop Event Dedicated national event for training, technology and tools for the garage and bodyshop sector featuring three technical hubs, live demonstrations, and interactive feature areas. Launched in 2022.
• auto:resource Year-round online content marketing platform providing the automotive aftermarket with technical briefings, industry reports, webinars, product information, training resources, and supplier connections.
• Automechanika Birmingham App Event navigation and networking app enabling visitors to match with exhibitors via AI-powered recommendations, book meetings, access exhibitor information, and scan visitor badges.
• Gateway to Automotive Global content hub for automotive news, expert insights, and a directory of key industry players across the Automechanika brand worldwide.

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMMT partners with Automechanika Birmingham for the Meet the Buyer program and Automotive Supply Chain Forum. SMMT brings automotive buyers and suppliers together for networking and business development. The partnership has delivered over 1,400 successful business introductions since 2015.
• IAAF (Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAAF partners with Automechanika Birmingham for the Garage Awards and motorXfactor VIP Club. IAAF provides industry expertise and connects the show with independent aftermarket members.
• LKQ Euro Car PartsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHeadline sponsor of the Automechanika Garage Awards and sponsor of The Modern Garage feature. LKQ Euro Car Parts is one of the UK's largest automotive aftermarket suppliers.
• Women Automotive NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Women in Automotive Drinks reception and promote diversity in the automotive industry. The partnership addresses the automotive skills gap by encouraging broader participation.
• MotorvatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotorvate is a not-for-profit initiative co-located with Automechanika Birmingham to address the recruitment and skills gap in the automotive sector. It features the Ignite Arena focusing on careers, skills, and industry inspiration.
• UK Detailing Academy (UKDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Detailing Academy serves as education partner and curator for the Detailing Live feature at the show, providing practical demonstrations and educational content for the detailing sector.
• School of ThoughtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to address the skills and generation gap in the automotive industry and promote career opportunities. School of Thought operates a portal helping students find automotive career information and has attended over 200 careers events.
• NTDA (National Tyre Distribution Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTDA represents tyre wholesale, distribution, retail, mobile and repair sectors. Partnership brings tyre industry professionals and suppliers to the exhibition.
• Bilstein Group (Blue Print & febi Bilstein)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum headline sponsor and exhibitor at Automechanika Birmingham. Bilstein Group is a major automotive parts supplier.
• ZF AftermarketflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum headline sponsor and exhibitor. ZF provides aftermarket solutions and is a key supporter of the automotive supply chain.
• Bosch Automotive Aftermarket UKflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum headline sponsor and first-time exhibitor at 2023 event. Bosch showcases ADAS calibration and secure diagnostics solutions.
• MANN-FILTERcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold headline sponsor showcasing filtration products and EV solutions at the show.
• Bodyshop MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia and content partner for Bodyshop Training Hub, providing industry expertise and covering collision repair topics at the show.
• Thatcham ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for bodyshop and collision repair content, covering ADAS, vehicle safety, and repair standards at the show.
• Masterflo UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides the fully ventilated spray booth for Paint & Spray Live feature, enabling live paint and spray demonstrations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show): Birmingham-based biennial UK trade show for commercial vehicle and fleet aftermarket. Adjacent UK regional event targeting overlapping dealership and service audiences, but distinct product/market focus on CV rather than passenger aftermarket.
• British Motor Show: UK-focused motor show held at Farnborough. Regional peer competing for UK automotive audience attention and venue calendar; differs in being consumer-facing rather than aftermarket B2B, so only tangentially competitive for the same exhibitor/visitor pool.

Direct peers

• Equip Auto France: Paris-based biennial trade exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and services sector. Direct functional peer targeting French and wider European aftermarket exhibitors with overlapping product categories (parts, accessories, bodyshop, services).
• AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo): Las Vegas-based annual trade show for the global automotive aftermarket, run by the Auto Care Association and MEMA. Direct competitor for automotive parts, tools, and accessories exhibitors and aftermarket buyers globally, including UK and European exporters.
• Automechanika Frankfurt (Messe Frankfurt): The parent flagship global edition of the Automechanika brand, held biennially in Germany. Directly analogous in format, exhibitor base, and visitor profile; Automechanika Birmingham is the UK counterpart within the same Automechanika global family that alternates biennial scheduling.
• Automechanika Dubai (Automechanika Middle East): Middle East edition of the Automechanika brand, organized by Messe Frankfurt. Direct peer serving Gulf, African and South Asian aftermarket exhibitors; part of the same global Automechanika brand family as Birmingham.
• Automechanika Shanghai: Major Asian edition of the Automechanika brand, organized by Messe Frankfurt. Direct peer under the same brand umbrella targeting Asian automotive aftermarket buyers and global exhibitors seeking entry into China.
• Automechanika Istanbul: Turkish edition of the Automechanika brand, also run by Messe Frankfurt. Direct functional peer in a regional format, targeting Turkey, Eastern Europe, and MEA aftermarket exhibitors and visitors.

Broad incumbents

• SEMA Show: US-based specialty equipment and aftermarket trade show run by SEMA. Large incumbent in the global automotive aftermarket event space; overlaps on aftermarket products and accessories but skewed toward performance/specialty rather than UK-style servicing/parts.

Emerging players

• Automechanika Jakarta: Newest Messe Frankfurt Automechanika edition, debuting in Indonesia in 2026. Provides a Southeast Asian growth vector for the global Automechanika brand relevant to Birmingham's international exhibitor base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/automechanikauk
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutomechanikaUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/18243733
• Instagraminstagram.com/automechanikauk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Automechanika