Garage Equipment Suppliers

The Garage Equipment Suppliers section brings together leading Finnish suppliers of equipment, systems and services for car repair shops, tyre dealers and the wider automotive aftermarket. The member companies import and supply measuring, testing, diagnostic, maintenance and repair equipment, as well as related software, training and technical services.

The automotive aftermarket covers vehicle maintenance and repair, spare parts, accessories and related services. Its role is to keep passenger cars, commercial vehicles and other vehicle fleets safe and operational throughout their service life. In Finland, this is becoming increasingly important as the vehicle fleet ages and vehicles remain in use for longer.

At the same time, the industry is changing rapidly. Electrification, new powertrains, advanced driver assistance systems, software and vehicle-generated data are changing both the work carried out in repair shops and the equipment and expertise required. Evolving emissions requirements, including Euro 7, also introduce new requirements for measuring, diagnostics and maintenance.

The Garage Equipment Suppliers section follows developments in technology, regulation and the market and promotes cooperation between its member companies. The section cooperates with authorities and other automotive industry stakeholders on matters including occupational safety, vehicle inspections, calibration, market surveillance and the operating conditions of repair shops.

A vehicle’s life cycle continues long after its first registration. Maintenance, repair, spare parts and technical services determine how safely and reliably a vehicle continues to operate over years of use.

Finland’s ageing vehicle fleet increases the importance of the aftermarket. The condition of the road network and demanding operating conditions also affect the need for maintenance, repairs and spare parts. A well-functioning aftermarket is therefore an essential part of road safety, the smooth functioning of everyday life and the operational reliability of businesses. At the same time, vehicle repairability and the availability of spare parts form part of broader security of supply and help ensure that traffic and transport continue to function even during disruptions.

Alongside authorised repair shops, multi-brand repair shops and other independent operators play an important role in maintaining the entire vehicle fleet. EU competition rules aim, among other things, to safeguard independent repair shops’ access to the spare parts, technical information and vehicle-generated data required for maintenance and repair work.

A modern vehicle is not only a mechanical system but also an electrical and digital one. Fault diagnostics increasingly rely on information obtained from the vehicle’s systems and interpreted using diagnostic equipment and software.

Advanced driver assistance systems have also increased the importance of calibration. Cameras, radars and other sensors must operate accurately, which means that systems may need to be inspected and calibrated after work such as windscreen replacement, suspension repair or wheel alignment.

Electric and hybrid vehicles, in turn, require new types of measuring equipment, high-voltage safety expertise and knowledge of battery technology. New powertrains and technologies continuously create new equipment and competence requirements for repair shops.

The competence needs of the repair shop industry are changing in step with vehicle technology. Mechanical expertise remains the foundation of the work, but it is increasingly complemented by skills in electrical engineering, diagnostics, software, automation and data utilisation. Maintaining and repairing a modern vehicle requires both practical technical expertise and the ability to understand interconnected systems.

The shortage of skilled workers in the industry makes training and continuous learning particularly important. New professionals are needed, while the skills of those already working in the industry must also be continuously updated as technology develops. Garage equipment suppliers play an important role in this, as they introduce new technology to repair shops and train personnel in its safe and efficient use.

Technological development also requires investment. Existing equipment does not always meet the maintenance and repair needs of new vehicles, systems and powertrains. Repair shops must be able to renew their diagnostic, measuring, calibration and safety equipment so that an increasingly diverse vehicle fleet can be serviced throughout Finland.

Investment is not only about new equipment. It also includes software, updates, training, maintenance and technical support. The role of a garage equipment supplier is to help customers build a complete solution that meets today’s needs while also adapting to future changes.

In garage equipment supply, an individual piece of equipment is increasingly part of a broader service package. In addition to equipment, customers may require repair shop planning, installation, commissioning, training, maintenance, calibration, spare parts, software updates and technical support.

Reliable maintenance and support are important to repair shops, as equipment downtime directly affects the smooth flow of work. The combination of garage equipment, software, expertise and services is designed to support a safe, efficient and reliable aftermarket throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.

The Chairman of the section is Arto Palsio from Finntest Oy and Juha Ala-Hiiro is the General Secretary of the section.