The BMW Group has announced the investment of an additional R400-million into its South African operations, to facilitate the creation of a new regional distribution centre and the expansion of its Midrand headquarters over the next two years.
The new investment is in addition to the R6-billion injection announced in late 2015 to prepare the German automaker’s Rosslyn Plant for production of the next-generation BMW X3.
The local arm of the Munich-based automaker says the project will be “multi-phased”, starting with the construction of the new regional distribution centre at the Waterfall Distribution Campus this month. The warehouse will effectively double in size, which BMW says will allow it to “further refine the service to customers” in South Africa, as well as “tap into the growth potential of Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Relocation of parts warehousing to this new site in 2018 will furthermore open space at the Midrand premises, which the brand plans to fill with a new “state-of-the-art” dealer training centre.
“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,” said Tim Abbott, CEO of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“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 Midrand premises will in future also house the SAP Shared Services Centre and IT Operations.
“We are becoming a digital mobility solution provider. 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,” Abbott promised.
The brand says that existing office space will be “expanded and revamped” to accommodate the growth of its IT function and the need for more jobs.