Automechanika Kuala Lumpur (AMKL), Malaysia’s leading regional trade fair for the automotive industry targeting trade visitors from ASEAN, successfully completed its 10th edition from March 23-25, 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. This year, the exhibition spanned across halls 1, 2 and 4 which, according to the organisers, was up by 30 per cent in scale compared to 2015. The show was promoted as the only trade fair merging repair and maintenance with smart technology within the ASEAN region. The three-day fair hosted 246 worldwide exhibitors from 18 countries and regions and pavilions from China, the European Union, Singapore and Taiwan.
Mission of the show
Bringing a new mission to upgrade the entirety of the repair and maintenance industry, the show included daily fringe programme events emphasising smart technology, mechanical repair, new technologies and skills hosted by several experts from Australia, Malaysia and the UK.
Addressing guests at the inauguration, Ms. Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., said: “The technology and structure of vehicles are getting more complex, and keeping pace with the specific needs in the repair industry is getting essential. Reflecting this industry need, we are jointly launching the first Collision Repair Training Workshop with the Inter Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) this year. Being a leading collision repair training provider, I-CAR offers a variety of educational and training recognition programme for the collision industry worldwide.”
Mr. YB Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said: “The automotive sector has always been a key sector for the Malaysian economy and in 2016, Malaysia exported RM 11 billion worth of automotive parts and components to the world. In these three months into 2017, we are quite happy with several developments that reflects Malaysia’s growth momentum. This is good news indeed after the tough conditions globally in the past few years.”
He further added: “Due to our continuing strong fundamentals, the Malaysian economy actually grew 4.5 per cent in the last three months of 2016 despite many global and external uncertainties. Our services and manufacturing sectors grew strongly, making up 77.6% of our growth. For 2016, we recorded 4.2 per cent growth, which is well within the Government’s targets. And for this year, we are aiming to reach 4 to 5 percent GDP growth.”
Attention to aftermarket
Sticking to the theme of the event of catering to the aftermarket demands of the ASEAN region (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos & Brunei) majority of the companies showcased products for these countries. The product segment varied from, Automotive coatings, Lube & Oils, Components to rubber parts and seat covers. While the show was dominated by the Chinese companies even Indian companies made their presence felt.
Speaking to MOTORINDIA about participating at AMKL, Mr. Jaswinder Singh, Managing Partner, Bomrah Industries, said: “We manufacture Starter Drives, Starter Drive Assemblies, Bendix Drives, etc. It is fabricated using high grade components that are sourced by our procurement agents from reliable vendors. Because of our high-quality performance and reliability and strength of the range, we export to Sri Lanka, the UAE, the US, South Africa, Italy, Argentina and Canada. We are here to target the ASEAN region and look forward to improving our share from the export market.”
Mr. Manjeet Singh, Managing Partner, Source Automotive, a sister concern of Bomrah Automotive, added: “Under the Source Automotive Brand we sell electric horns and LED lights for all the vehicles. We supply to aftermarket and cater to replacement demand. We have two facilities, one in Uttarakhand and another at Kirti Nagar, New Delhi. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure is equipped with technologically advanced facilities that enable us to manufacture a wide range of automobile equipment in the most precise manner. Advanced machines and equipment help us to implement various unique features in our products.”
Mr. N. Suresh Kumar, General Manager – Marketing, LG Balakrishnan and Bros. Ltd., that manufacturers automotive chains, belts, sprockets, tensioners, brake shoe, fine blanking and supply it to nearly all the OEMs in India, said: “We enjoy market share of more than 50 per cent and enjoy great share in aftermarket. We have seven manufacturing locations including near major OEMs at Pantnagar and Manesar. We are also coming up a plant in Chennai. We are now exploring our market especially for aftermarket in Malaysia and other south eastern countries. We are scouting for some dealers and distributors who can distribute our products in Malaysia.”
Leading manufacturer of a new range of environmentally friendly clutch facings, Valeo Friction Materials India Private Ltd., also showcased its range at the show. The company’s products, ranged from environment friendly non-asbestos clutch facings, high performance judder free grades of clutch facings, high-temperature resistant grades of clutch facings.
Global flavour
Mr. Burhanuddin Lohawala, Manager Marketing, Canter Lube Oil L.L.C., an UAE-based company, had an interesting perspective on the show and about the nature of doing business in a global set up. He said: “We had visitors from Lebanon, Nigeria, Japan, Yemen and it is heartening to see a show like this where local and global visitors walk in. We are manufacturer of all types of automotive and industrial lubricants as well as oils along with specialty greases. These are lithium grease, complex grease etc. Every vehicle owner is my target customer and our focus is therefore the aftermarket. We are strong in middle-east, Afghanistan, West Africa and East of Africa and upto Morocco. Soon, we would like to explore tie-ups with OEMs and work for their requirements.”
Another exhibitor that works with OEM along with individual clients was Jack Speed, headquartered in Singapore. Speaking to us, Ms. Wendy Leong SYN Wee, Sales Manager, expressed: “We specialize in producing genuine leather automotive seat cover and accessories that are both timeless and modern, giving our customers the benefit of elegant design and outstanding quality. We can work for retailers as well as OEMs and they can benefit from our wide range including interior upholstery, gear knobs, steering wheels, covers, handbrakes and more.” Having, its plant in Malaysia and Thailand, if some Indian OEM or retailers are ready to buy their products, they will not shy away from working with Indian clients.
Part of Jebco Manufacturing, who is the major OEM manufacturer in Malaysia with more than 40 years of experience, JEB Auto Parts produces automotive rubber parts for replacement market. “Our core products are engine mounting, rubber bushing, CV boot and bellow, PU bump stopper, suspension lower arms and we are known for our quality products which are as good as the OEM parts. Our target market Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Indonesia and of course we are a big brand in Malaysia. Our range is well accepted and best suited for vehicles in ASEAN region. We are looking for distributors as well as help clients design and develop products and want make people our brand more visible amongst the visitors at the show,” informed Ms. Cassandra LIM, Marketing Executive, JEB Auto Parts.
Amongst the few companies presenting components for commercial vehicle OEMs in Europe and China, was the Chinese company, Yuhuan Yinze Machinery Co. Ltd., Mr. IVY, Manager of the company, said: “We focus on European Trucks and Buses and Tractors along with Chinese Buses. Majority of the parts include steering and suspensions, torque rod, tie rod end, etc. We are also focusing on Malaysian Truck market as even the European brands like Scania and Volvo are getting popular in Malaysia and hence we want to focus more to increase our client base here which is currently around 20 per cent.”
Manufacturer of transmission gears and differential kits since 1998 from Jinan city, Shandong province, China, Jinan Xiu Jian Auto Parts Manufacturer Co. Ltd., displayed high quality gear, synchronizer and axle parts (differential case, shaft, side gear, pinion gear, washer manufacturer, etc.). Ms. Fiona Cao Sales Executive, said: “We are expanding overseas market on the back of our strong products and our trusted clients like DANA and China Sinotruk. We have also started supply to Scania, Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Man, Meritor, Eaton, Isuzu, Nissan, Hino, Kubota, etc. We have imported machines for production from Oerlikon and have also started developing sychronisers and crown wheel pinions.”
One of the primary concerns for repair and maintenance of the vehicle body is the paint and look of the vehicle. Established in 1979, MIDO (International Group for Modern Coatings), an Egyptian leading company for high quality paints and coating which develops, produces, and distributes specialized chemical products for many areas of application in the automotive, decorative paints, wood coatings, printing inks, and other different industrial products showcased its complete range at the show.
Mr. Mohamed Gala, Export Director, MIDO Coatings, said: “Adding an average of 4-5 new agents yearly, now we are exporting to more than 30 countries all over Africa, Middle East & Asia. Exporting is done through agents and distributors. We have a wide range of coatings and polishes for all range of vehicles. Some of our range are Polyester Putties, Silicon Emulsions, Rubbing Compounds, Hardners, Thinners, etc. We would like to take this opportunity to explore our clients base and engage in possible business discussion for the clients requiring our expertise.”
The Automechanika brand has an extensive history and is recognized globally. To drape in local fashion and concerns, the AMKL edition was quite a successful event and covered the wide gamut of automotive segments, giving it a global flavor. AMKL, being one of 15 worldwide Automechanika shows, had a far-reaching network and resource that highlighted the targeted ASEAN market.