Innovation Awards 2013: Call for entries
Which are South Africa’s most innovative new automotive aftermarket products? That’s what Automechanika Johannesburg aims to uncover through its call for entries in its exciting, Innovation Awards 2013 competition
Product innovation is what helps to drive any Automechanika trade fair. Members of the industry who were privileged to have attended the brand’s premium show in Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this year will know the impact made by that event’s Innovation Awards – winning products received winning treatment, highlighted and promoted in ways that set them apart.
The intention is for Automechanika Johannesburg – which will be held from May 8-11 at the Expo Centre in Nasrec – to follow that lead. The aim is to find the most innovative automotive aftermarket products in South Africa in a number of categories and utilise Automechanika Johannesburg as the platform to honour their pioneering prowess.
To do that the organisation is in the process of appointing an independent jury of automotive experts who will assess products considered ground breaking from a number of perspectives.
The jury – drawn from a variety of automotive industry segments – will look to uncover items that hold the promise of performing beyond expectation, that are innovative and promote efficiency, are perceived to represent good value for money, are of excellent quality and bring fresh perspectives to the OE or aftermarket segments in which they compete.
Functionality, practicality, styling, benefits to users, environmental friendliness and other qualities perceived as pioneering are among the specifics for which jury members will be searching.
For the 2013 competition, the jury will evaluate entries across a variety of automotive categories: Parts & Accessories; Automotive Systems; Diagnostics; Tuning; Repair and Maintenance; OE Products & Services; IT and Management; and Service Station & Car Wash.
If you manufacture, distribute or supply cutting edge products in any of these categories, you are urged to enter them for the 2013 Automechanika Johannesburg Innovation Awards – the accolades are significant.
HOW TO ENTER:
Prospective entrants are invited to submit by noon on Friday, March 15, photographs and a detailed description of any automotive aftermarket or OE product they have developed, manufactured, imported or distributed in South Africa, which they deem worthy of entry into Automechanika Johannesburg’s Innovation Awards 2013.
Based on the photographs and descriptions – which must include information relating to the technical characteristics and aftermarket relevance of each product – jury members will individually rank each item.
From the returned score sheets, 10 products determined on the basis of highest marks achieved on a collective basis will be deemed to be the finalists. Representatives of the companies whose products have been selected will be asked to submit by Monday, April 15, two examples of the items for physical scrutiny by jury members. Following that evaluation, the winners again will be determined on the basis of highest marks scored on a collective basis.
The organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg have arranged for exhibits of the winning products – along with those selected as runners up – to be highlighted in a separate display at the show under an Innovation Awards banner. Presentations will be made during Automechanika Johannesburg to winners at a prize-giving which will form part of the exhibition’s opening ceremony.
To enter the Innovation Awards, submit by e-mail to wynter@thefuture.co.za
your product motivations, along with pictures of the items at least 1Mb in size. The description of each product must include its country of origin, when it was introduced to the South African market, the category of the aftermarket at which it is aimed – Parts & Accessories; Automotive Systems; Diagnostics; Tuning; Repair and Maintenance; OE Products & Services; IT and Management; Service Station & Car Wash.
The motivation for each product must include:
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Perceived innovative quality;
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The solution the product aims to provide;
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Its functionality and user benefits;
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Perceived economic efficiency;
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Safety aspects it promotes;
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Environmental aspects it promotes;
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Its relevance to the aftermarket or OE.
Don’t forget to include with your entry your name, e-mail address and telephone numbers, along with those of the company you represent. If you have any queries or require more information regarding the initiative, please contact Wynter Murdoch, convenor of the Innovation Awards, at 011 803 2040 or via e-mail at
