The winners of the Automechanika Dubai Awards 2022 were announced at a ceremony during the second day of the Automechanika Dubai exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Among the winners was CARBEAT by AkzoNobel, which claimed the coveted Product of the Year award, for its innovative and practical digital process control solution, a product that improves communication and production efficiency for both individual bodyshops and multi shop operators.
Designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding performance in 19 categories encompassing the whole automotive aftermarket, the second edition of the Awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and key players. This year the panel selected Aqil AlJanahi of Dubai Government Workshop to receive the prestigious Jury’s Special Recognition Award, in honour of his leadership of the implementation of numerous projects focused on developing the automotive aftermarket further in the UAE, including the creation of several events dedicated to the development of the collision repair market in the region.
Upon being presented with the Jury’s Special recognition Award, Mr AlJanahi said, “It’s an honour to be among the award winners across the GCC and the region, a great initiative in awarding the hard-working industries that deserve recognition and those who promote improvement in professional standards among different fields in the automotive business.”
He continued, “The Automechanika Dubai 19th edition was very inspiring and quite a memorable show. I have been a long supporter and really appreciate the important role it plays in the automobile industry. It is by far the best international trade show in automotive aftermarket and service industry around the globe. The global recognition of Automechanika Dubai keeps on growing every year and I trust this year’s show will be more successful than previous editions. We are in the best position to fully utilize the platform as an opportunity to harness the vast potential in promoting various businesses in the industry and to access a large international network of contacts including foreign automotive organizations that will provide a positive influence in the UAE economy.”
Speaking about AlJanahi, an Automechanika Dubai Awards 2022 judging panel spokesperson said, “This industry needs heroes, people who are respected for their relentless passion to see their business and the industry thrive, people who motivate us all to be our best version.”
They concluded, “Aqil AlJanahi is one such hero of the industry. He has given his time freely to the initiatives which help to drive this industry forward in the region.”
In addition to AlJanahi honour, the Women in Automotive Aftermarket winner was Amina Ali Mohammed, Mechanical Engineer at Dubai Government Workshop. DGW continued its success with wins in an incredible three further categories: Bodyshop of the Year – Public Sector, Workshop of the Year – Public Sector and the award for Sustainability in the product category, for its implementation of many sustainability initiatives, resulting in reduction of electricity and water consumption by 5282 MWh & 2,325,809 IG respectively, and a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint.
Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, show director of Automechanika Dubai, says, “The second edition of the Automechanika Dubai Awards has really illustrated how much talent and innovation in the automotive aftermarket industry is present in the region.”
The Automechanika Dubai Awards also celebrated innovation in the industry, with Warif Premium by Aphcarios winning the Innovation of the Year Award as the world’s first product that combines a roof rack and fully cantilevered, automatic awning designed in one sleek and ergonomic unit.
In addition, Training Provider of the Year Award went to Emirates Motorsports Organization while Viloj Padmanabhan, service manager at Al Shirawi Enterprises was presented with the Workshop Manager of the Year Award.
Bilikozen added, “I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the winners and finalists in all 19 categories, as well as thank our judging panel. We can truly see that the automotive aftermarket in the region boasts some incredible people, products and training providers, which will serve to underpin its burgeoning growth in the future.”
The Automechanika Dubai Awards 2022 were held with the support of Central Trading Company, Michelin, ACDelco, Blue Star, Davanti, Tyre Plus, Castrol and Al Dobowi. A full list of all 19 winners is available on the Automechanika Dubai website here.
