Since BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant opened its doorways in 2019, the high-tech manufacturing unit has develop into a number one instance of sustainable automotive manufacturing and deep-rooted group engagement. Situated in jap and central Mexico, and bordered by seven different Mexican states, this pretty new BMW plant produces the three Collection for North and South America, and now additionally builds the M2 and a couple of Collection Coupe—two fashions solely manufactured in Mexico and exported globally.
In alignment with BMW’s bold environmental targets and company social duty, the plant operates with the best requirements of power effectivity, water conservation, and social duty. The BMW Group’s choice to take a position over $1.5 billion right here has not solely bolstered its manufacturing community but in addition reworked lives within the surrounding area. We’d been that means to go to the plant for a few years now, so we have been genuinely excited to hitch BMW for 2 days throughout what they referred to as “Duty Days.”
One of many Largest Investments in a Manufacturing facility
The San Luis Potosí plant is one in all BMW’s most vital investments in North America, masking 300 hectares and using over 3,700 folks, 36% of whom are girls—a determine that stands as a benchmark for workforce variety inside BMW’s international community. With a manufacturing capability of greater than 450 models every day and over 400,000 autos produced as of September 2024, the plant has develop into a key contributor to BMW’s international provide chain. The plan serves over 80 markets.
Led by CEO and President Harrald Gottsche, the ability helps the area by means of job creation, native provider partnerships, and group funding. Beneath Gottsche’s management, the plant is now increasing to incorporate high-voltage battery manufacturing, making the plant the primary in Mexico to assemble batteries. So it comes as no shock that BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant is making ready to play a central function within the manufacturing of the upcoming Neue Klasse.
The new enlargement, spanning 80,000 sq. meters, will add essential capability to its international community of EV battery crops. Initially, there will likely be one shift engaged on the battery meeting line, however a second shift will likely be added sooner or later bringing the entire capability to 140,000 battery packs.
Vitality Effectivity and Clear Vitality
The plant operates on 100% renewable power, with an enormous 71,000-square-meter photo voltaic panel set up offering 30% of its electrical energy wants. This photo voltaic setup performs a serious function in supporting BMW’s intention to chop CO₂ emissions per car produced by 80% from 2019 ranges by 2030. Moreover, the plant makes use of a digital twin expertise to optimize power consumption and useful resource administration throughout its 300-hectare web site, additional enhancing effectivity.
Situated in a water-scarce area, the plant has applied a “waterless” manufacturing system that recycles water and requires no freshwater for its industrial processes, decreasing conventional water consumption by 40%. Moreover, to cut back waste, BMW has established a packaging recycling system that reuses 100% of its packaging supplies. Moreover, optimized logistics processes contribute to BMW’s goal of halving CO₂ emissions in logistics by 2030.
First attention-grabbing tidbit of the day: The Paint Store makes use of a residual warmth system to save lots of pure fuel.
Investing in Neighborhood: Workforce Range, Training, and Native Engagement
The plant’s dedication to sustainability is mirrored in its funding in group improvement and workforce variety. Girls characterize 36% of the three,700 workers, and the variety of girls in management roles is steadily rising, with girls holding 23% of management positions. The plant’s workforce additionally spans 15 nationalities, with Millennials making up 62% of the staff.
Throughout a number of workshops, we met numerous engineering college students enrolled within the BMW Group Expertise Campus apprenticeship program. A number of these college students joined the coaching program with no prior automotive expertise, however the intensive and high-tech program prepares them for his or her subsequent journey. Amongst many automotive subjects, the scholars study 3D printing, AI and Digital Actuality environments, and even the best way to practice robots for the meeting line.
Subsequent on our go to checklist is the BMW Group’s Twin Program which helps workforce improvement by offering technical coaching to younger folks. For the reason that program started practically 5 years in the past, 51.5% of its members have been girls—above the trade common in Mexico. This program is instrumental in making ready native expertise for high-skill jobs in superior manufacturing, with greater than 500 college students benefitting so far. There are 15 coaching rooms and labs with a capability of 400 concurrent folks.
One other attention-grabbing tidbit: Mexico is the eight nation with most STEM graduates, forward of France and Germany, for instance.
The BMW Group’s Neighborhood Partnerships
BMW’s dedication to group improvement goes past workforce coaching. In partnership with UNICEF, BMW helps initiatives that improve the standard of life and alternatives for youngsters and younger adults within the area. Moreover, underneath Gottsche’s management, BMW reworked one in all its authentic building websites right into a department of the Membership de Niños y Niñas (Boys and Ladies Membership). This facility, serving over 250 kids from low-income households, gives academic and leisure actions that construct abilities and open pathways for future careers, probably even at BMW.
Gottsche was joined on stage by Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Administration of BMW AG, Folks and Actual Property, Labour Relations Director, who spoke at size concerning the success of this program. Thus far, over 200 kids have benefited from scientific actions, leisure actions, vitamin, arithmetic, artwork and music programs, amongst different issues.
“You possibly can’t come right into a market and take what we have to function and never do something for the market or make investments locally,” Gottsche stated. “So when it got here time to resolve what to do with that facility, as an alternative of closing it, we renovated it and gave it to the Boys and Ladies Membership to help this group in one other manner.”
Strengthening Native Provider Partnerships and International Networks
Working with over 100 Mexican suppliers, the San Luis Potosí prioritizes native sourcing to cut back transportation emissions and stimulate the regional economic system, based on Oliver Haase, SVP Buying, High quality and Provider Community BMW Group Americas. To additional help provider improvement, BMW established the Rising Markets Expertise Fund (EMTF), which helps native suppliers undertake superior manufacturing strategies and encourages innovation in sustainability. This fund ensures a resilient, sustainable provide chain whereas enhancing Mexico’s manufacturing capabilities.
BMW says 85 Mexican suppliers are presently delivering elements to the plant. This provider base, primarily situated in Mexico’s Bajío area, enhances BMW’s provide chain stability whereas supporting native financial progress. A brand new attention-grabbing tidbit: 31 of those suppliers are situated in San Luis Potosí.
The plant’s connection to BMW’s international manufacturing community can also be evident in its expertise change initiatives. Presently, 165 associates from San Luis Potosí are sharing their experience in BMW services in Leipzig and Regensburg, Germany, in addition to Debrecen, Hungary, and crops in China.
Cubing
The final cease within the Duty Days tour is a top quality management one. CUBING is BMW’s dedication to a “zero defects” strategy, serving as an ultra-precise software to evaluate the standard of every part. Even the smallest deviations in dimensions or drill positions of physique elements fall wanting the strict requirements that CUBING enforces.
Primarily, earlier than beginning full-scale manufacturing or implementing updates, BMW receives pattern elements from its suppliers to check their compatibility with the construction of a brand new mannequin. These elements are fastidiously put in to guage their match and general end. Utilizing a 3D scanner, BMW conducts detailed measurements to substantiate alignment with the physique, taking paint thickness into consideration the place crucial. If any half doesn’t meet strict tolerance necessities, BMW works immediately with the provider to refine and regulate it to fulfill exacting requirements. We can have extra particulars on CUBING in a separate article.
Subsequent Milestone
The subsequent milestone for the BMW San Luis Potosí plant is in 2027 when the Mexico-based manufacturing unit will start producing their first Neue Klasse mannequin. The electrical crossover (its title has not been confirmed by BMW) will hit the meeting line about two years after it enters manufacturing in Debrecen. Initially, the mannequin (which we consider is known as iX3 with codename NA5) goes to be solely constructed at BMW’s new manufacturing unit in Hungary.
San Luis Potosí will not be the one BMW manufacturing unit in North America that may construct electrical autos. The Spartanburg plant will make six EVs by the tip of the last decade.
