There are many reasons to be optimistic about the
aftermarket, and especially the Tool & Equipment segment. Our $9.6 billion
industry is growing at a rate of 4.3%, with the number of vehicles in operation
— 240 million — creating a steady demand for service work.
According to Babcox Media and AAIA research, 97% of
technicians bought a hand tool in the past 12 months; 73% of shops purchased
electronic diagnostic equipment in the past 12 months. The changing vehicle
marketplace, along with advancements in technology require shops and techs to
continually invest in new tools and equipment.
Attendees of the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
(AAPEX) were able to see many of these new tools and equipment up close. The
entire AAPEX event featured a total of 2,292 exhibitors, 230 more than last
year, and filled both floors of the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas with 4,984
booths, 540 more than last year.
At AAPEX, AAIA produced the Shop of Tomorrow to showcase an
innovative approach to vehicle service using connected technology. In the Shop
of Tomorrow, management and service information systems communicated with
equipment in the back shop. New this year, the shop also communicated with a
cloud-based telematics service and an automotive service smartphone app.
The tools and equipment in the Shop of Tomorrow included
diagnostic and service information delivered from the cloud by ALLDATA; a
plug-in telematics device and cloud-based services powered by Carma Systems;
and alignment and service solutions by Hunter Engineering.
The Tool & Equipment section of AAPEX saw a big
increase in both exhibitors and attendees.
“As a vender I noticed a steady amount of traffic with a mix
of users and buyers,” said Luke Tucker, sales manager, E-Z Red. “We were always
busy, and the new products were a big hit. It is always great to see everyone
in the industry under the same roof.”
Consider TechShop your print and online trade show for when
you can’t be there in person. We bring you the new tools and equipment
information you need to run your shop of today, tomorrow and beyond.