PressClub South Africa · Article.
BMW Group South Africa invests a further R400m in local operations.
Wed Mar 22 13:00:00 CET 2017 Press Kit
BMW Group South Africa will be investing R400m into a new Regional Distribution Centre and the expansion of its Midrand Headquarters over the next two years. The company has had a presence in South Africa for 44 years, contributing to the upliftment of the country and its people.
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- BMW Group increases its investment into South Africa, continuing 44 years of commitment to the upliftment of the country and its people.
- New state-of-the-art warehouse will double in size and further refine customer service.
- South Africa is a key IT skills base for the global BMW Group. SAP Shared Services Centre and IT Operations will increase to 600 jobs and move to Midrand Campus to accommodate further growth.
- New Training Centre prioritises dealer staff development
Midrand, South Africa – BMW Group South Africa will be investing R400m into a new Regional Distribution Centre and the expansion of its Midrand Headquarters over the next two years. The company has had a presence in South Africa for 44 years, contributing to the upliftment of the country and its people.
The R400m investment is in addition to the R6bn injection announced in November 2015, preparing the company’s Rosslyn Plant to build the next generation BMW X3.
Multi-phased approach will transform the BMW SA Headquarters into a Power Hub
“The world of mobility is ever-changing and dynamic. As a global business, we stay ahead of the trends and deliver superior products and services,” says CEO BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Tim Abbott. “The revamp of our Midrand Headquarters and the new Regional Distribution Centre will allow us to remain relevant to changing customer needs by bringing together cross-functional disciplines in one centralised powerhouse.”
The investment project will be multi-phased, starting with the construction of the new Regional Distribution Centre at the Waterfall Distribution Campus in March 2017. This customised warehouse will double in size and further refine the service to customers of the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands not only in South Africa, but also to tap into the growth potential of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Relocation of parts warehousing to this new site in 2018 opens space on the Midrand campus to build a state-of-the-art dealer training centre, where BMW Group South Africa dealer staff will be empowered to take premium customer service to the next level.
“As a leader in the future of mobility we are a company focussed on learning, innovating, and inspiring. Our employees are at the centre of this philosophy. By investing into the training and development of our staff we also contribute to the upliftment of South Africa,” says Abbott.
Technology has become the back-bone of the BMW Group’s future plans
In keeping with the BMW Group’s strategic focus on technology and digitalisation, the Midrand Campus will in future also house the SAP Shared Services Centre and IT Operations.
“We are becoming a digital mobility solution provider,” says Abbott. “Information Technology has already become an essential enabler for the company. BMW Group South Africa is a key hub of IT services for the global group of companies. This service will grow further in future,” he adds.
Existing office space will be expanded and revamped to accommodate the growth of the Information Technology function and the need for more jobs. BMW Group South Africa was selected from the 140 countries in the BMW Group network as a key hub for SAP system development, due to the unique skillset of its Information Technology personnel. Employees are empowered through local and international assignments.
The expanded Midrand Campus will bring together staff for corporate services, Sales and Marketing, Information Technology, dealer training and Financial Services. “As the primary influencer of the mobility of the future, the skills and inventiveness of our people are what gives us the edge. We believe that providing a premium work environment will further elevate this strategic advantage by creating a space where employees collaborate and learn together,” Abbott concludes.
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If you have any queries regarding this press release, please contact:
BMW South Africa Group Communications:
Mrs Lynette Kamineth
BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Manager: Business Communications
Mail: Lynette.Kamineth@bmw.co.za
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and 145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately € 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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