With around 350 participants, the Essen-based auto parts trading cooperative Coparts Autoteile GmbH set impulses for the field staff of its wholesale partners at this year's sales conference "Route25". The Route25 took place over two days at the end of March in Hanover and at the beginning of April in Würzburg. The two-day events focused on current developments in the network, growth strategies – particularly around the private label "CAR1" – as well as central industry trends from the DAT report.
Podium Lectures with Accompanying Trade Fair
The "Route25" not only offered podium lectures but also an interactive trade fair format: In compact “Speed Dating” sessions, Coparts Premium Partners and suppliers of the private label “CAR1” provided information about new products and sales promotions.
“The attractiveness and quality of this sales conference, as opposed to conventional network meetings, lies in its unique format: acquiring comprehensive knowledge of product highlights and trade show promotions in a short time and compact Speed Dating slots with as many experts as possible – that is the concept of Route25,” says Coparts Managing Director Dirk Wittenberg.
Particular emphasis was placed on innovations from the CAR1 range, including a new wheel lifter offered exclusively by Coparts, which is intended to enable efficient and ergonomic tire service. For the first time, this offering was complemented by a hire purchase model for large equipment – a new option in addition to traditional purchase or leasing.
Among the exhibiting industry partners were brands such as Hazet, SKF, NGK/NTK, Textar, Mann Filter, Exide, and Philips. The goal was to strengthen the field service as a central multiplier with clear messages for use in the independent workshop.
"PROFI SERVICE" – digital and in Frankfurt
The upcoming online fair "PROFI SERVICE DIGITAL," taking place in May, was also a topic of the meeting. It has been a regular fixture in the Coparts calendar for years and will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2025.
In addition, the in-person trade fair "PROFI SERVICE Days" will be held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Frankfurt. The established platform annually brings together professionals from the automotive aftermarket to provide information on technical innovations, diagnostic solutions, and industry-specific services.
