The ABP Ireland National Meeting and Expo took place in the very impressive surrounding of the Croke Park stadium in Dublin on Tuesday. The popular event was once again sponsored by PPG and NEXA AUTOCOLOR and attracted a wide selection of bodyshop operators, suppliers and industry partners from right across Ireland.

Many key industry suppliers had trade stands for attendees to browse before, after and during breaks in the main conference proceedings. These featured many new product and service innovations, with a particular emphasis on digital information services for bodyshops. Reflecting the more optimistic feel in the industry, many of the accident repair equipment suppliers reported healthy interest, as bodyshops look to re-equip with the latest technology after several years of more limited investment.

The conference part of the event featured an impressive line-up of key note speakers. Alan Nolan of the SIMI gave an overview of the positive signs in the Irish Automotive industry in general, while David Cresswell, Chairman of ABP Club, reported on the major changes and consolidations currently taking place in the UK accident repair and insurance sectors. 

Osvaldo Bergaglio of Symach, gave everyone a glimpse of the future, with his highly impressive Fixline total bodyshop solutions, and Volvo Body & Paint Development Manager in the UK, Steve Plunkett, presented some very interesting information on the Volvo repair network and the latest developments of the company’s accident avoidance technology. 

Rounding off the meeting were two presentations on the hot topic of training and attracting new blood into the industry. Declan Allen of DIT highlighted the latest developments his organisation was making in meeting the training needs of the repair sector, while Brian Head of Solus outlined the availability of apprenticeships for bodyshops and how the programme was presently being reviewed and updated to better meet bodyshop needs. 

You will be able to see a full report and pictures of the ABP Ireland National Meeting and Expo in the October issue of Autobiz Magazine.