BMW Group have announced plans to invest over £100 million to increase capacity at its Oxford MINI plant. The increase in production could create an extra 200 jobs.
Plant Oxford will see major expansion, including modernised machinery and a new body shell production building. There will also be a phased increase of assembly line capacity and a new paint shop.
The new investment will help meet demand for a car which has sold more than 500,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2001. Norbert Reithofer, the BMW group board director, attributed the plant’s success to its 4,500 strong workforce. Using a flexible working-time model, the factory operates seven days a week on three shifts, boosting productivity.
Plant Oxford has been a success story. With investment of £280 million, output has already exceeded expectations. In 2004, the 500,000th MINI was made, two years ahead of schedule. The MINI plant is now the fourth biggest vehicle producer in the UK.
