German luxury carmaker, BMW has indicated plans to extend its plant logistics operations at Spartanburg. The plan includes expanding to a new one-million sq. ft. facility costing over $100 million, and setting up a training center. The firm aims to commence the new facilities by the summer of 2022.

Like other manufacturers globally, BMW has faced the worst international chip shortage due to the pandemic and temporarily shut down of some of its facilities.

However, the firm's plan to introduce 4 new electric models has enforced it to make some effective changes at its factories.

Sources cite that the plan will enable the new facility to unite two offsite warehouse facilities for returnable containers and body shop parts, making it an effective onsite location. Furthermore, shipments from suppliers will be managed and organized for use at the Spartanburg plant.

Dr. Robert Engelhorn, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said that South Carolina had been called the second home of BMW for almost three decades. This expansion in the logistics operations signifies its continued commitment to the state, and it will further prepare Plant Spartanburg for the future.

The new capability will allow the automaker to combine its logistics processes and deploy proficiency measures for a more sustainable logistics operation, he added.

Reports state that the new training center is being built at $20 million and structures a 67,000-square-foot training center on the BMW campus. Several classrooms will also be built to provide technical training and professional development, along with indoor and outdoor meeting places with an outdoor auditorium.

The new space will also be used for hosting internship programs known as BMW Scholars.

For the record, BMW has invested around $11.4 billion into its South Carolina plant, where its most recognized models such as the BMW X5 and the BMW X3 are manufactured.

Source Credit - https://carbuzz.com/news/bmw-invests-100-million-in-spartanburg-facility