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IBIS@Automechanika Dubai

📅 10 Dec 2025 | 📍 PitStop 2, Sheikh Saeed Hall 2

IBIS@Automechanika Dubai brings together industry leaders, OEM experts, and workshop innovators for a focused programme exploring the future of collision repair and automotive service in the GCC. Featuring case studies, keynote insights, and interactive discussions, the agenda covers real-world start-up learnings, digitalised workshop models, evolving OEM repairability standards, and leadership strategies for an uncertain market.

Designed for bodyshops, workshops, suppliers, insurers, and service providers, this curated programme delivers practical insights, global best practices, and forward-looking perspectives to help businesses adapt, innovate, and succeed in the region’s rapidly evolving automotive ecosystem.

Robert Snook, Conference Director, IBIS

ModeratorGraham Threlfall, Partner, PER4M
 
Panelists:
  • Ahmed Baker, General Manager, SATA
  • Humberto Ferreira Plácido, Group Technical Manager, Indasa Abrasives
  • Leon Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Travy Works LLC
  • Prashanth Belame Shivananjappa, Regional Sales Manager Gulf, Rupes S.p.A

Synopsis: There are many similarities between Dubai and South Africa, but also many differences. We discuss the vision for Star Centre Dubai, why it is here, how the dream evolved into a plan and what’s next for 2026, now it’s up and running. What obstacles did they face, what surprises showed up along the way, what advice they would give other startups and what opportunities they see for the UAE market to improve safety, skills and standards, now they have experienced both outside and inside perspectives.

  • Kerry Watts, Founder and Owner, Star Centre Dubai
  • Julian Pretorius, Founder and Owner, Star Centre Dubai

Synopsis: You cannot uninvent technology. You cannot ignore the customers’ insatiable appetite for on demand services and online experiences. It is clear today’s future winners around the world are reinvesting to ensure they adapt faster, perform better and be easier to work with than their competitors, instead of trying to maintain manual, analogue processes in a world where everything is becoming connected to everything. We hear from leading regional experts on how the GCC is getting connected and what ROI and benefits the early adopters are getting.

  • Sanel Hodžić, Founder and CEO, Cyber Automotive Solutions
  • Richard Crawley, Group COO, Cyber Automotive Solutions

Synopsis: OEM Innovation continues at unimaginable speed. The global car parc is transitioning from ICE to EV, ADAS is now standard, parts ranges are becoming more diverse, leaving insurers and repairers desperately trying to keep up with all these challenges, all at the same time. So, what does all this mean for the future repairability in the region and where is the customer in all this? We ask a global player for their insights, expertise and their advice, so Middle East workshops can understand the future for repairability in their businesses.

  • Wim Van Loo, General Managre - MENA Operations, MSX International
  • Stephen Louis, Owner, Venn Automotive

Synopsis: This IBIS Interview tackles current industry like; how do you lead your business and team rather than just manage or cope, how can you lead with certainty when everything is so uncertain, how can you keep to a strategy when everything changes all the time and more. Packed full of experience, insights and Aha! Moments, this is the perfect session for anyone wanting to remove obstacles and grasp opportunities in the GCC today.

Andrew Tindall, Commercial Director, INDASA GROUP

Robert Snook, Conference Director, IBIS

Workshop Leaders