Since BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant opened its doorways in 2019, the high-tech manufacturing unit has turn out to be a number one instance of sustainable automotive manufacturing and deep-rooted neighborhood engagement. Positioned in japanese and central Mexico, and bordered by seven different Mexican states, this pretty new BMW plant produces the three Sequence for North and South America, and now additionally builds the M2 and a couple of Sequence Coupe—two fashions solely manufactured in Mexico and exported globally.
In alignment with BMW’s formidable environmental targets and company social accountability, the plant operates with the best requirements of power effectivity, water conservation, and social accountability. The BMW Group’s determination to speculate over $1.5 billion right here has not solely bolstered its manufacturing community but additionally reworked lives within the surrounding area. We’d been which means to go to the plant for a few years now, so we had been genuinely excited to hitch BMW for 2 days throughout what they referred to as “Accountability Days.”
One of many Largest Investments in a Manufacturing unit
The San Luis Potosí plant is considered one of BMW’s most vital investments in North America, overlaying 300 hectares and using over 3,700 folks, 36% of whom are ladies—a determine that stands as a benchmark for workforce variety inside BMW’s world community. With a manufacturing capability of greater than 450 items day by day and over 400,000 autos produced as of September 2024, the plant has turn out to be a key contributor to BMW’s world provide chain. The plan serves over 80 markets.
Led by CEO and President Harrald Gottsche, the power helps the area by means of job creation, native provider partnerships, and neighborhood funding. Underneath 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 getting ready to play a central function within the manufacturing of the upcoming Neue Klasse.
The new growth, spanning 80,000 sq. meters, will add essential capability to its world community of EV battery vegetation. Initially, there can be one shift engaged on the battery meeting line, however a second shift can be added sooner or later bringing the full capability to 140,000 battery packs.
Power Effectivity and Clear Power
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 significant 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 website, additional enhancing effectivity.
Positioned in a water-scarce area, the plant has carried out 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 fascinating tidbit of the day: The Paint Store makes use of a residual warmth system to avoid wasting pure gasoline.
Investing in Group: Workforce Range, Training, and Native Engagement
The plant’s dedication to sustainability is mirrored in its funding in neighborhood growth and workforce variety. Ladies signify 36% of the three,700 workers, and the variety of ladies in management roles is steadily rising, with ladies 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 a lot of engineering college students enrolled within the BMW Group Expertise Campus apprenticeship program. A whole lot 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 be taught 3D printing, AI and Digital Actuality environments, and even find out how to prepare robots for the meeting line.
Subsequent on our go to checklist is the BMW Group’s Twin Program which helps workforce growth by offering technical coaching to younger folks. For the reason that program started practically 5 years in the past, 51.5% of its contributors have been ladies—above the business common in Mexico. This program is instrumental in getting 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 fascinating tidbit: Mexico is the eight nation with most STEM graduates, forward of France and Germany, for instance.
The BMW Group’s Group Partnerships
BMW’s dedication to neighborhood growth goes past workforce coaching. In partnership with UNICEF, BMW helps initiatives that improve the standard of life and alternatives for kids and younger adults within the area. Moreover, underneath Gottsche’s management, BMW reworked considered one of its unique development 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, offers academic and leisure actions that construct expertise 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 in regards to the success of this program. Thus far, over 200 kids have benefited from scientific actions, leisure actions, diet, arithmetic, artwork and music programs, amongst different issues.
“You may’t come right into a market and take what we have to function and never do something for the market or make investments in the neighborhood,” Gottsche mentioned. “So when it got here time to determine what to do with that facility, as a substitute of closing it, we renovated it and gave it to the Boys and Ladies Membership to assist this neighborhood in one other approach.”
Strengthening Native Provider Partnerships and World Networks
Working with over 100 Mexican suppliers, the San Luis Potosí prioritizes native sourcing to cut back transportation emissions and stimulate the regional financial system, based on Oliver Haase, SVP Buying, High quality and Provider Community BMW Group Americas. To additional assist provider growth, BMW established the Rising Markets Expertise Fund (EMTF), which helps native suppliers undertake superior manufacturing methods 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 positioned in Mexico’s Bajío area, enhances BMW’s provide chain stability whereas supporting native financial development. A brand new fascinating tidbit: 31 of those suppliers are positioned in San Luis Potosí.
The plant’s connection to BMW’s world manufacturing community can also be evident in its expertise trade 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 vegetation in China.
Cubing
The final cease within the Accountability Days tour is a high quality management one. CUBING is BMW’s dedication to a “zero defects” strategy, serving as an ultra-precise instrument to evaluate the standard of every part. Even the smallest deviations in dimensions or drill positions of physique elements fall in need of the strict requirements that CUBING enforces.
Basically, 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 total end. Utilizing a 3D scanner, BMW conducts detailed measurements to substantiate alignment with the physique, taking paint thickness under consideration the place mandatory. 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 may 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 named 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 can construct electrical autos. The Spartanburg plant will make six EVs by the tip of the last decade.
