The BMW plant in Mexico is another important pillar in the company’s global production strategy. The opening of the new site takes account of the constant growth in the region and strengthens the BMW Group’s relationship with Latin America’s most important market.
To mark the opening of the new plant facility in San Luis Potosí, Oliver Zipse, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, welcomed high-level representatives of the Mexican government. Going forward, the plant will have a capacity of up to 175,000 units per year and already employs 2,500 people. The focus will be on production of the BMW 3 Series Sedan. Throughout the company’s more than 100-year history, this model has been the heart of the brand, setting the standard for dynamic performance, efficiency and design.
Innovative approach to vocational training:
At an innovative training centre located on the plant grounds, all new staff and apprentices are trained in the BMW Group’s newest production processes and technologies, based on the dual training model. The newly-opened centre is not just focused on expanding employees’ technical skills, but also boosting motivation, enthusiasm and team spirit. The plant is working with four local colleges in this field and has already successfully trained 250 apprentices for technical occupations.
Digitalisation gaining ground:
The new plant will focus on digitalisation and sustainability, making use of the latest Industry 4.0 technologies. The facility is set up to respond quickly and flexibly to future model variants and production volumes and will use automation solutions and modern assistance systems to set new standards.
The new BMW Group plant is a pioneer in the field of intelligent maintenance. A so-called Smart Maintenance Assistant Software used for the first time allows maintenance throughout the plant to be planned proactively, thereby increasing equipment availability. Service activities are based on current, intelligently organised system data instead of predefined maintenance intervals. Using smart devices such as tablets and smartphones, staff receive all the information they need on equipment status.
A new level of sustainability:
The plant will set new benchmarks in the focus area of sustainability. From the first full year of production, the facility in San Luis Potosí will be the BMW Group’s most resource-efficient plant. The site, with the production network’s lowest water consumption per vehicle produced, will be the BMW Group’s first paint shop to generate no process wastewater at all. The water needed for the painting process is reconditioned and reused.
The plant will also be supplied with 100% CO2-free electricity – some of which will be produced by an on-site solar energy plant covering more than 70,000 m2. The new plant will therefore not only set sustainability milestones and underline the BMW Group’s commitment to environmental protection, but also make a significant long-term contribution to the company’s commercial success.
