Automechanika Birmingham 2025: Innovation, Connections & What’s Next for the Industry

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend Automechanika Birmingham 2025, one of the UK’s most significant events for the automotive aftermarket and supply chain. Held at the NEC Birmingham, it brought together professionals, innovators, and leading brands from every corner of the industry - and it did not disappoint. It was massive!

In my past-life (pre-motor industry), I spent 10 years organising International Antiques and Collectors Fairs - I love the buzz of going to a major event where I know the organisers and exhibitors have spent months preparing to put on a show!

Why I Attended

As someone deeply invested in keeping our workshop at the forefront of technology and service standards, events like Automechanika are invaluable. It's not just about new tools or equipment - it’s about understanding where the industry is headed, and how we can better serve our customers with smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions.

Standouts from the Show Floor

There was a real buzz, with several exciting trends and technologies on display:

• ADAS & Calibration Tools: With Advanced Driver Assistance Systems being a huge focus of our business at the moment, it was great to see so many suppliers and trainers such as Leigh at Pro-Tech Academy where Paul and I gained our IMI ADAS training. We also talked to Matthew at A1 ADAS Solutions and Paul, Danny and Tom at Autel - who have been vital in our ADAS journey.

• Castrol Service: As a Castrol Certified Workshop, being on the Castrol stand was like being in a home-from-home. Having a cuppa with the incredible team from The Race Group, it was great to catch up with Josh, Michelle, Maisie, David, Terri, Frazer & Co. We had a good chat with Tim Benson about his new consultancy service, and talked to Adam at The Purple Company and sampled products for our next branded clothing order! All from the comfort of the Castrol Service stand.

  At the Workshop Hub, we listened to a Castrol technical presentation to make sure we're on top of the latest oil developments!

• Workshop Efficiency Tools: From garage management systems such as Garage Hive (which we have had the pleasure of using for over 5 years) to vehicle data such as Alldata (which we use to make sure we have access to the manufacturer information), there’s a real shift toward streamlining garage operations to save time and reduce headaches.

• Talks at the Aftermarket Hub: We heard from James Dillion, Andy Crook and Samantha Clayton - discussing investing in talent and how to create a performing team in a rapidly evolving industry!

  
  

Conversations That Mattered

Automechanika isn’t just about buying tools (although Paul did have a modest budget allocated!) - it's about people. We had some fantastic conversations with other workshop owners, industry leaders such as Alex Lindley and Ray Dilsons, tech providers and concepts such as 1TEC where we chatted with Josie who looks after us with a range of support. We shared ideas, compared challenges, and talked honestly about what it takes to grow a sustainable and customer-focused garage in today’s market.

We also had a lovely chat with Dave at the School of Thought Automotive - and he has already helped me with getting support for a young person!

It was great to see so many people, faces old and new - each person has something insightful or positive to contribute to the industry.

💛 One of the most meaningful stops of the day was at the BEN stand - the automotive industry’s dedicated charity. BEN plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people across the automotive community, from technicians and apprentices to business owners and their families.

The team at BEN are approachable and supportive, reminding us that behind the tech and tools, it’s people who keep this industry running. Whether it's help with mental health, financial worries, or navigating difficult times, BEN is there to listen and to help - and that’s something we should all be more aware of and proud to support.

Ok, tools and parts matter too!

Our tool and parts suppliers are critical - from the giants like LKQ Euro Car Parts and Snap-on, to chatting with Steve, Mark and the team at Pichler Tools (and yes, buying a few cool new tools from) - keeping an eye out for new tools and equipment to do our work more safely and efficiently is always important to us.

We caught up with the team from ZF, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, who Paul has recently had specialist transmission training with on the transmissions they make.

What This Means for Our Customers

Our visit confirmed that we're on the right track - and gave us a few ideas for how to continue to improve. You can expect:

• Continued investment in dealer-level diagnostics and ADAS tools

• A commitment to upskilling our team with the latest tech and training

• A garage who care about doing the right thing for our customers

  
  

Final Thoughts

Automechanika Birmingham 2025 reminded me why this industry is so exciting. It's fast-moving, full of passionate people, and constantly evolving. I’m looking forward to bringing what I learned back to the workshop - and turning it into even better service for the drivers who trust us with their vehicles every day.

Diana Whetton

Director

PW Auto Repairs