AutoInform Live a new, innovative technical and hands-on training event has been hailed a major success by the organisers and delegates.

The weekend event attracted 180 technicians from all parts of the UK as well as a good number of visitors from Ireland with the organisers confident that next year’s event will be even bigger and better.

The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA), which promotes the benefits of fitting original equipment (OE) parts, was the driving force behind AutoInform Live, which was organised in conjunction with leading technical trainer Frank Massey to provide visitors with a ‘Hear it, See it and Touch it’ experience.

The interactive weekend event was held at the state-of-the-art GTG Training Academy in Wolverhampton where exhibitors carried out detailed, hands-on training on live-running vehicles, vehicles up on ramps, and staged a series of technical seminars on a variety of topics.

OESAA Chairman Nigel Morgan, Managing Director of Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, owner of the LuK clutch, INA tensioner & FAG wheel bearing OE brands, said, "Schaeffler as a company, OESAA members and more importantly the delegates thought AutoInform Live was a fantastic success. Those who attended felt the venue and format were incredible as they not only had the opportunity of meeting the suppliers, but also to take to part in hands-on training on the products and really discovering what OE parts are all about in a superb environment.”

Frank Massey was equally positive about the future of the event: "Those who attended thought it was excellent and loved the venue. The model is good, but is one that we can improve and I am sure we will attract even more people next time.”

More than 60 training sessions were held over the two-day event on all aspects of vehicle technology from on-board diagnostics, through to battery management and start-stop technology, ignition products, and the latest powertrain and clutch developments.

Although the event was powered by 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, other companies such as ADS, Sykes-Pickavant, Pico Technology Ltd, Rozone Limited (Midtronics), BG Products and ASNU also participated.

The success of the event and the number of Irish visitors clearly shows the thirst for training and knowledge improvement in the aftermarket. OESAA says it will look at the possibility of staging further regional events as well as AutoInform Live2015.

For more information on OESAA visit www.oe-suppliers.org