Around 150 professionals from car repair workshops in Ibiza and Formentera gathered at a convention organised by the parts distributor Recambios Ibiza to prepare for the changes facing the sector in 2026.
The event
The convention brought together workshops that belong to the Millennium network, a programme of independent garages linked to the distributor and to the national purchasing group it belongs to. Speakers covered regulation, technology and training.
New obligations
Recambios Ibiza’s commercial manager, Gabriel Árbol, outlined some of the regulatory changes that workshops will need to address, including requirements for extracting exhaust fumes in workshops and the gradual introduction of compulsory electronic invoicing for businesses in Spain.
Training
Marc Rodà, who heads the Millennium programme nationally, presented new training courses in electromechanics and bodywork. Training is a priority for the sector: vehicles are increasingly complex, with more electronics, driver-assistance systems and electrified powertrains, and workshops across Spain report difficulties finding qualified mechanics — a problem that is even more acute on the islands, where housing costs make it hard to attract workers.
Network benefits
Workshops in the network receive technical support, parts identification tools, marketing materials and training in diagnosing hybrid and electric vehicles, helping independent garages compete with official dealerships.
A family business
Recambios Ibiza was founded in 1960 and has grown from a single shop into one of the main parts distributors in the Pitiusas, delivering to workshops across Ibiza and Formentera. It joined the AD Parts network, one of the largest groups of parts distributors in Europe, in 2010.
The challenges ahead
Independent workshops face several changes over the coming years: the growth of electric vehicles, which need less routine maintenance but specialised skills; access to vehicle data, increasingly controlled by manufacturers; and stricter environmental rules. On islands where most residents depend on their cars, a strong network of local workshops remains essential.
The evening ended with a reception for attendees.
