100 years old and not a bit old!

Munich. Two successful days behind the BMW Group plant in Munich, despite not a single car being built. On the occasion of the centenary of the main plant in Munich, all employees of the BMW site in Munich as well as their families and friends are invited to BMW Anniversary Days. A total of about 70,000 people attended and experienced a colorful theatrical program, amazing driving routines and special insights into the production.

“Together we make history! It is the employees who have shaped the success story of our flagship plant and are now leading it into the future together,” said Milan Nedeljkovic, Member of the Production Management Board of BMW AG. The Munich plant is being prepared to start production of the new series in 2026. Among other things In addition, three new frame-building and assembly buildings, including logistics areas, are being built for this purpose.”At the same time, the current models are being produced at full speed here,” emphasized the production manager. Such ingenuity characterizes work! “

Hours of work are converted into donations to non-profit organizations

Elka Horstmaier, Member of the Board of Directors of Human Resources and Real Estate, also underlined the great commitment of the workforce in thanking the more than a thousand volunteers from all BMW Group locations in Munich, who ensured that the anniversary days went smoothly and in an atmosphere. atmospheres. The hours worked by the employees on both days were not paid, but were donated to five non-profit organizations in Munich.

“The commitment of our employees is extraordinary. Because we not only celebrated the anniversary of our factory, but also support many Munich residents who count on assistance. A total of 150,000 euros has been raised for social purposes. This once again demonstrates that we are a responsible employer and responsible at the same time “This is typical BMW,” says Ilka Horstmeier. Representatives of the Munich Food Bank, Arche, the Association Civic Courage for All, Horizon eV and the Crisis Intervention Team from ASB Munich accepted donation vouchers in person from Ilka Horstmeier, and plant manager Peter Weber and Public Works Board Chairman Martin Kimmich.

As a symbol of the structural and technological transformation of the Munich plant, the production manager, plant manager and works council have filled in a time capsule that will be integrated into the construction site of the new body shop. The construction of the new hall will begin in the next few days. “Despite the conversion, we continue to produce more than 900 high-quality BMWs every day at the Munich plant. This requires a great deal of flexibility and commitment on all of us. We see this challenge as an opportunity to shape a successful future for our plant. I am absolutely certain that the conversion of the plant to E-Mobility and iFACTORY will succeed with our highly motivated and highly qualified team,” says Plant Manager Peter Weber.

by employees for employees

BMW Group employees not only themselves organized most of the BMW Anniversary Days, but also tailored the varied program in more than 25 stations. Whether blues, rock, pop, cabaret or classical – talents from across the BMW Group locations perform on both stages of the event. The employees of the Munich factory also guided visitors through the production halls, showing their workplaces, displaying innovations, and informing guests of structural changes in the factory.

A former employee of the Munich factory provided another advantage: comedian and composer Willy Astor had completed his apprenticeship as a toolmaker at the Munich factory as a teenager and was now on BMW’s anniversary stage with his current programme. There he was given a new work jacket with an embroidered name as a clear sign of his loyalty to BMW and is now an honorary employee for life.

There was also great interest in the “RedBull Driftbrothers” performances, the children’s motorcycle course and ride campaigns at the BMW Driving Academy. In about 30 food trucks and in the company’s restaurant, guests were able to enjoy a variety of delicacies.

“It’s fantastic what the workforce has brought together over these two days,” says Martin Kimmich, Head of BMW’s Public Works Council. This reflects the unique BMW team spirit and social responsibility of colleagues at BMW. We are delighted that, as an important employer in the city at the heart of Munich, we were able to provide insight into the forward-looking transformation of our flagship plant.”

good neighborly

As a production site in the heart of the state capital Munich, the Munich factory also plays an important role as a neighbor. In addition to supporting local clubs and organizations in northern Munich, a personal dialogue with the immediate vicinity of the factory is an important concern for the company. Nearly a hundred neighbors accepted the invitation to BMW Anniversary Days and were given a guided tour of the factory premises.

Good relationships and an environment worth living in are also the goals of the “BMW Munich – Urban production” architecture competition, which was successfully completed last year. The designs for the two winning offices take into account the factory’s special location in the city center and aim to make the entire complex more accessible and open to the neighborhood. This vision of the future of the Munich production site serves as the basis for the development of a post-2026 master plan.

With the master plan and structural improvements already planned for the production of the new series, the Munich plant will be based on the principles of the future BMW iFactory “LEAN”. green. Digital”. Together they guarantee maximum flexibility, excellent operations and outstanding integration capacity for decades to come in this special location – the BMW Group’s flagship factory for 100 years.

(Editor’s note: BMW’s anniversary days fell on the 101st year of the Munich plant’s existence, after the pandemic situation for the originally planned rendezvous in fall 2022 was not yet foreseen when planning began in 2021.)