OESAA promotes innovative technical and hands-on training
The best independent garages have been invited to a new, innovative technical and hands-on training event, powered by OESAA.
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) promotes the benefits of fitting original equipment (OE) parts and is the driving force behind AutoInform Live – an event organised in conjunction with the UK’s leading technical trainer Frank Massey to provide visitors with a ‘Hear it, See it and Touch it’ experience.
The interactive weekend event is being held at the state-of-the-art GTG Training Academy in Wolverhampton on November 29 & 30 and has already received 165 bookings, with the organisers confident of attracting around 300 delegates.
The GTG Training Academy is the ideal location for AutoInform Live as it gives exhibitors the opportunity to carry out detailed, hands-on training on live-running vehicles up on ramps.
Leading independent garage owner Andy Savva, who runs Brunswick Garage in North London, says it is vital that technicians receive continual training to keep up with modern vehicle technology.
He said: “Training forms a critical part of our business plan and we think very carefully about what type of training suits the work we carry out, the business and also an individual’s personal development.
“I have to be behind anything that encourages technicians to learn new skills from OE parts manufacturers on what are the right products to use and how to fit them correctly.”
Savva – who will be sharing his business experience and technical knowledge with delegates – invests heavily in training, not only for his eight technicians, but for his whole workforce.
Approximately 90 percent of the parts fitted by Brunswick are from OE suppliers. He said: “I can’t afford to fit parts that come in a white box. Some of them may be of a reasonable quality, but they are not OE and have not been manufactured to the same standards that I and my customers demand.”
Members of OESAA, which was formed last year to promote the benefits of fitting OE quality components and to ensure that workshops and distributors can make an informed choice when purchasing spare parts, will be offering hands-on technical training on their latest products.
However the event is not exclusive to OESAA with non-members ADS, Sykes-Pickavant, Pico Technology Ltd, Rozone Limited (Midtronics), BG Products and ASNU also participating.
Frank Massey believes the biggest challenge facing independent garages is technology.
He said: “The growth in technology is like an iceberg, you just see around 10 percent of its size, you don’t see what lies underneath. Mechanical and software changes sneak up on you. It is easy to be complacent, but independent garages cannot afford to be.
“If independent garages do not invest to compete with the dealerships then they don’t deserve the right to repair their customers’ vehicles. They need to get the proper training and AutoInform Live will give them the opportunity of meeting the people who make the parts and receive the best possible advice to help their business.”
OESAA Chairman Nigel Morgan, Managing Director of Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd, owners of the LuK clutch, INA tensioner & FAG wheel bearing OE brands, said: “We think it is vital that independent garages get the right hands-on training they need and we are all determined to provide this at AutoInform Live.
“It is our job to make this an interactive, must attend event, which garages who are willing to make a small investment in time and money to attend can learn skills that will help take their businesses forward.”
Any forward-thinking independent workshop or company wishing to attend the event should telephone 01772 201597 or visit www.autoinform.co.uk
More information on OESAA is available at www.oe-suppliers.org