IBIS @ Automechanika – 10th December 2025, Pitstop 2, Sheikh Saaed Body and Paint Hall, Automechanika Dubai
11am to 12pm – Session 1 – Lessons and Learnings from a Dubai Start Up in 2025
There are many similarities between Dubai and South Africa … but also many differences. We discuss the vision for Star Centre Dubai, why is it 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 start-ups and what opportunities they see for the UAE market to improve safety, skills and standards, now they have experienced both outside and inside perspectives.
Speakers:
Julian Pretorius, Founder and Owner, Star Centre Dubai
Kerry Watts, Founder and Owner, Star Centre Dubai
12pm to 1pm – Session 2 – Digitised, Connected and in Real Time – the future for leading GCC workshops
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.
Speakers:
Sanel Hodžić, Founder and CEO, Cyber Automotive Solutions
Richard Crawley, Group COO, Cyber Automotive Solutions
1pm to 2pm – Session 3 – The Future for Collision Repairability in the Middle East
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.
Speakers:
Wim Van Loo, General Manager – MENA Operations, MSX International
Stephen Louis, Body and Paint Consultant, MSX international
2pm to 3pm – Session 4 – Leading with Certainty in an Uncertain World
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.
Speakers:
Andrew Tindall, Commercial Director, INDASA Group
Closing Remarks, Key Takeaways and Further Advice: Robert Snook, Conference Director, IBIS