Automechanika Dubai, the Middle East and Africa’s largest international automotive aftermarket trade show, has announced it will host the inaugural Automechanika Dubai Awards.

Nineteen awards across three distinct categories – Service Providers, People and Products and Training – will be announced on the first day of the three-day show, which will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 14 to 16, 2021.

Dr Eng Mustafa K. Aldah, Head of Light Vehicles Maintenance Section, Dubai Government Workshop and member of the judging panel, said: “We look forward to the awards because it is an initiative that both encourages excellence in the automotive repair sector and raises the standards in the industry to compete with the best international standards.”

Making up the rest of the panel are a collection of technical experts in the automotive aftermarket sector, comprising Graham Threlfall, Global Key Account Manager – Vehicle Refinishes, AkzoNobel; Alan Whaley, Founder and Chairman, AMENA Professional; Nasir AlSeeri, Head of VIP Vehicles Maintenance Section – Mechanical Engineering Department, Dubai Government Workshop; Dr Nima Mehrdadi, Regional Managing Director – Middle East and Africa, Hella Middle East; Dr. Khaled Sabbah, Managing Director, ZF Middle East; Frank Beaujean, President of the German Garage Equipment Association (ASA); Martin Roberts, Transport Manager, Momentum Logistics; and Joerg Mommertz, Managing Director, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East.

The awards are open for submissions until August 31 and will recognise: Commercial Vehicle Workshop of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Bodyshop of the Year, Independent Workshop of the Year, Independent Bodyshop of the Year, Agency Workshop of the Year, Agency Bodyshop of the Year, Workshop of the Year – Public Sector, Bodyshop of the Year – Public Sector and Automotive Quick Services Provider of the Year for Service Providers; Aftersales Manager of the Year, Workshop Manager of the Year, Bodyshop Manager of the Year, Public Sector Manager of the Year and Women in Automotive Aftermarket for People; and Innovation, Sustainability, Safety, Product of the Year and Training for Products & Training.

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Automechanika Dubai’s Show Director, said: “The awards have been designed to celebrate success, prestige and excellence by recognising high performing organisations and individuals. The categories also offer companies a chance to showcase a wide range of achievements and we are excited to see how the industry has adapted and excelled over the past year.”

Shortlisted entries will be announced on September 30 and the finalists revealed on November 20.