The theme at Sika Aftermarket’s pavilion at this year’s ACMA Automechanika was ‘From Manufacture to Aftermarket – Your expert in Sealing, Bonding, Damping, Reinforcing, and Protecting’. Living up to the tagline, the company demonstrated why it is an expert when it comes to the above-mentioned areas in the automotive aftermarket.
According to a rough estimate, almost 7,000+ car owners get their windshield replaced every day in our country, out of which 40 per cent goes to the organized market and the rest to the unorganized sector which comprises of the local workshops and glass market. Realizing the immense potential, Sika, on back of its strong quality, showcased a primer-less windshield adhesive at the show.
“At Sika we promise quality products and we have been working on this for years. The first bonded windshield was done for BMW in 1987. We also have products for plastic repair, neither the OEMs nor the workshop work on plastic repair, they go for easy replacement and create huge toxic waste for the country. We are showcasing plastic stapler as well as plastic adhesive systems to rejoin the clamps typically on a headlight and other plastic components,” informed Mr. Amit Asija, National Business Development Head (Automotive Aftermarket), Sika India.
The company did a preliminary launch of its “Safe or Save” Campaign on the windshield side of the business through which it tried to educate and sensitize car owners on the importance of using the correct adhesive while getting their windshields replaced.
Sika’s Primerless Windshield Adhesive – Sika Titan Solo was the star attraction for visitors who were also curious to know about the 30-minute Safe Drive Product – Windshield Adhesive – Sika Tack Go along with Primer 207.
The Sika Flex Auto Tape for sealing the hem flange areas of doors, bonnet, trunks, etc. was also explored with keen interest by visitors.
Sharing details of the company’s offerings on the car care side at the expo, Ms. Kamini Madan, National Business Development Manager – OEM (Automotive Aftermarket), Sika India, explained: “Visitors also enquired about our Sika Gard range of products – anti stone chip protection and cavity wax and were impressed with both our solvent-based and water-based offerings. Sika Power 4720 (Panel Bonding Adhesive) was something people wanted to understand more in detail by virtue of trials conducted at their workshops – a shift from hot welding to cold bonding on the Crash Body Repair side of the business.”
Two of Sika’s unique offerings – Sika Power 2901 and Sika Power 2903, the NVH baffle repair foams evoked a lot of appreciation since no other company had such products on offer. Another product that was uniquely displayed and demonstrated was Sika Damp 610 used to reduce the vehicle body panel vibrations.
Overall, Sika was very satisfied with the response it received at the show. “We had lesser crowd, but more serious and genuine knowledge-seekers which was a good sign for us. We received quite a good number of enquiries which we shall soon follow up and try to convert into business”, shared Mr. Asija.