BMW Hams Hall Engine Plant

Photo: BMW

Munich/Hams Hall, Germany - BMW's new Hams Hall Engine Plant in England will be starting production as planned in January 2001, after a construction period of less than three years. The BMW Group is investing DM 1 billion (approximately GBP 400 million) in the 170,000-square meter production plant near Birmingham, creating some 1,500 jobs once production starts at full scale. Opening the Hams Hall Plant, the BMW Group is furthermore creating numerous jobs in the supply industry and at BMW's existing locations in Berlin, Landshut and Steyr.

New generation of four-cylinder engines

The new generation of BMW's four-cylinder petrol engines between 1.6 and 2.0 litters capacity will be built in Hams Hall, making BMW's new plant the competence center for the production of these new VALVETRONIC engines within the BMW Group's international plant network. This innovative VALVETRONIC technology replaces the throttle butterfly with variable valve control, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and without any throttle losses. The positive result is not only an improvement in power and performance, but also a significant reduction in fuel consumption and, accordingly, exhaust emissions. Engines from Hams Hall will go to BMW's car production plants in Munich, Regensburg, Dingolfing, Spartanburg (USA), and Rosslyn (South Africa).

Responding to the very great demand for BMW cars worldwide, production at BMW's new Hams Hall Engine Plant will be boosted significantly within just a few months after the original start-up. In the first year of operation BMW will be producing some 60,000 engines in Hams Hall, with an annual production volume of up to approximately 400,000 units in the years to follow. The Hams Hall Engine Plant has the most advanced production facilities with a high degree of automation providing the foundation for excellent product quality to BMW's usual superior standard. The highly qualified and motivated workforce as well as flexible working time concepts will also help to guarantee a high standard of productivity.

The start of production in Hams Hall will give BMW's Steyr Engine Plant the opportunity to further expand the production capacities especially for diesel engines in order to meet growing demand for this type of engine.

(Dec. 8, 2000)