Autoquip '82 shows whN UK satisfies the work
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IF NOTHING ELSE, the opening of Autoquip '82 at the unearthly hour of 9.30am last Sunday (March 14) gave home and overseas visitors the rare opportunity of an almost trafficfree journey into London writes MIKE RUTHERFORD.
Autoquip '82, which ran from Sunday until Thursday (March 18), was the "automotive after-market trade exhibition" organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Demand for space at the exhibition has been growing since its inception in 1975 at a London hotel.
For the first time, Autoquip was staged at London's Olympia this year, after being held at the Wembley Conference Centre for the past five years.
Having outgrown Wembley, Autoquip '82 boasted 196 exhibitors, occupying 3,600 sq metres of Olympia — more than twice that of the previous Wembley show which was itself the largest to date.
David Howell officially opened the exhibition with a short speech. He said that his one purpose was to dispel the myth that business is all about imports. Britain exports more than it imports, he said. "It's increasingly about exports, not imports. We're winning all the way," he claimed.
After visiting some of the stands at the exhibition, Mr Howell said that he liked the "safety angle being developed", and said that he heard from exhibitors that "things are picking up."
He also told visitors and exhibitors that the recent Budget was a Budget for Industry.
In 1980, exports of automotive parts and accessories totalled some £2,000 million, according to Geoffrey Moore, president of the SMMT.
"The world's automotive manufacturers are constantly reaching out for higher standards of efficiency and demanding steadily bettermade, keenly priced and more sophisticated components for their products", he said.
The response of British manufacturers of automotive components and accessories to these demanding standards is evidenced in the fine products which visitors to this year's Autoquip will see on the many stands at Olympia.
In 1983, Autoquip and the SMMT's other trade show, Garagequip, will combine for an exhibition at Earl's Court in London. A small sample of some of the items on display at Autoquip '82 is featured here.