Repco to celebrate 100 years at AAAE

REPCO will celebrate a century in the automotive aftermarket business at this year’s Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAAE). 

The Australian spare parts provider says it is “thrilled” to be the naming rights sponsor of this year’s Expo and encourages its contemporaries – large and small – to get behind the event after its three-year hiatus.

Speaking to GoAuto News this week, GPC Asia Pacific’s Automotive Division CEO Wayne Bryant said the organisers of the AAAE were to be commended for their efforts in bringing the Expo together through challenging times. He added that businesses' collective support for the event had been pivotal to getting it off the ground.

“Repco would really like to congratulate the AAAA on being able to pull together this event in what have been pretty difficult times. They’ve really worked hard to forge ahead and resolve challenges to make sure this event can occur and, as a naming rights sponsor, we’re thrilled to partner with the AAAA to help get this year’s Expo off the ground,” Mr Bryant said.

“We feel very fortunate and privileged to secure the naming rights sponsorship for this year’s event, particularly in this, our 100th anniversary year. That makes it even more special for us. 

“But it isn’t just Repco making this happen, it genuinely is a collective effort, and I’d really like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all of the other participating sponsors and exhibitors who have got behind the AAAA in bringing this event to life,” he added.

Mr Bryant said the AAAE remained a prized opportunity for all within the industry to come together and said that the many of the significant changes that have occurred in the industry (since the last Expo in 2019) would make this year’s event especially valuable. 

He cited the increase in lower- and zero-emissions vehicles, the recently announced Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme, and workshop sustainability as focal points for all attendees.

“Whether it’s the suppliers themselves, the trade and repair crews, or the crash-repair industry crews that all come together for the Expo, I think that they’re really looking forward to being under one roof… I think attendance will be particularly strong,” Mr Bryant enthused.

“The Expo is very important at any time, but there has been a lot of change in the industry over the past three years. I think 2022 is a year where change is particularly obvious. Whether that’s because of the rise of zero- or lower-emissions vehicles, or what’s happening with choice or repairer, or even advancements in vehicle technology in general, it’s another key time in the evolution of our industry,” he added.

What’s more, the Expo would allow businesses to meet the ongoing changes of business in general, Mr Bryant said. Given the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and an increasing reliance on electronic diagnostics and technology, the Expo was an important chance to “see how others do things”.

“This ‘change journey’ that we’re all on is going to bring the whole industry along with it, and I think that really well-run businesses will adapt to these changes,” Mr Bryant emphasised. 

“If you ask good businesses what they’re thinking about, it isn’t just today or tomorrow. They’re continually trying to anticipate what’s around the corner and are adapting and evolving their businesses to meet new challenges – and the Expo plays a big part in that. 

“The networking that takes place here is crucial. It allows you to take a step out of your business for a few days and go to an event where you learn about what’s coming in the future, and then to go away a think ‘How do I adjust? How does my business evolve?’ and then take that next step.

“And that’s a big part of what the Expo is about. It’s getting together to network and discuss new ideas. There’ll be early adopters that embrace the change that our industry is going through and if attendees get on board with the innovations, they could create opportunities to bring about a wave of change,” he added.

Mr Bryant said he believed the aftermarket industry was ready to embrace the changes ahead, adding that the Expo would bring more opportunities for businesses – including Repco – looking to take the next step.

“The Expo is a big deal for Repco – as it is for anyone in the industry. It’s an opportunity to showcase the key initiatives that we’ve got in our business, particularly those that support the trade such as our digital workshop solutions, tools and equipment, and that all-important chance to talk to our audience about our product range,” Mr Bryant told GoAuto News.

“You get a lot of opportunities out of this event: to meet customers that you may never otherwise get to meet, and to benchmark yourself against your competitors and other suppliers in the industry – you actually learn a lot from each other at this event, that’s why it’s such an important event for us,” he concluded.

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo is scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 7 to 9 April. This year’s AAAE will be co-hosted with the Collision Repair Expo and is the only exhibition to showcase Australia’s $25-billion aftermarket industry. 

The event is expected to welcome over 10,000 visitors from across the country and, with more than 250 exhibitors currently registered, is close to being a sell-out success.

Registration for the Expo and seminars is free of charge, however limited tickets are available for each session. To confirm your place, please register for the Expo and select your seminars of interest at www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au.