BMW - Powered by the West Midlands

Customers around the world drive BMWs powered by engines built in the West Midlands. The new £400 million BMW factory at Hams Hall, near Birmingham - the first BMW engine plant to be built outside Germany and Austria - produces 4-cylinder petrol engines. These are shipped to the four car assembly plants in Germany and South Africa which build BMW's highly successful 3 Series models. In a few years' time, the factory will begin assembling engines for new variants of the MINI - a cult car with a worldwide following which was named North American Car of the Year 2003.

The success of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has been driven, to a large extent, by the skilled, flexible workforce of the West Midlands. In a region famous for engineering expertise and innovation, BMW employees - 680 in all - have been quick to embrace new manufacturing processes and leading edge logistics technology. Communications Manager, Jason Reakes says: "We've taken excellent people and made them even better through extensive training and personal development programmes. For example, there is no demarcation here between production and maintenance responsibilities. All of our production employees in the highly automated machining areas are fully competent in both."

These skills are going to be further tested next year when lead times to assembly plants in Europe are cut from six days to four. Jason explains: "Our engines are built to order. From next year, we will have just four days from receipt of the order to build, ship and dovetail the engine into the production process at the customer plants. Not only that, but we will also be required to deliver engines in the correct sequence to correspond with ordered cars on the assembly line. The demand for agility, speed and accuracy will be paramount."

The West Midlands plant is well located to meet these tough delivery targets. It is at the heart of the UK motorway network, with 30 trucks per day delivering components and shipping out engines to and from all over Europe. It is a complex logistical exercise, with some 200 parts and components being sourced from over 100 specialist suppliers. For BMW employees, the proximity of Birmingham International Airport makes it a simple exercise to jet across to Munich for meetings.

The choice of the West Midlands for BMW's first non-German or Austrian engine plant was a strategic one. Britain is the third largest market in the world for BMW Group products. Jason explains: "BMW Group invests on a long-term strategic basis and is not swayed by short-term factors such as currency fluctuation. Our production follows the major markets. We are a major player in the UK economy and automotive industry. The BMW Group has invested substantially in the West Midlands and the Hams Hall plant draws its employees from across the region. We have three premium car brands - BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce - which are spearheading the biggest product offensive in the history of our company. Our manufacturing facilities at Hams Hall are contributing to the continuing success of the BMW Group in the UK and worldwide."

As production at Hams Hall increases in coming years to over 400,000 engines a year, a growing number of drivers all around the world will know how it feels to be powered by West Midlands' skill, expertise and dedication.

Interview given by Jason Reakes, Communications Manager.

For more information about BMW Plant Hams Hall contact Jason Reakes on +44 (0)1675 460241 or email jason.reakes@bmwgroup.com