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HALF CENTURY FOR BMW This month BMW Group Plant Swindon reaches its 50th anniversary of manufacturing pressings at its site in Bridge End Road, Swindon. During the past 50 years the site has established itself as a significant employer in Swindon as well as a key supplier to the British motor industry manufacturing for a variety of marques including Triumph, MG, Rover, Jaguar, Land Rover and most recently MINI. The plant’s history dates back to 1954 when the Pressed Steel Company* purchased the land in Stratton St Margaret to establish a car panel production facility. The following year in December 1955, the plant produced its first panel. The plant was owned by Pressed Steel Fisher until 1968 when it changed hands to British Leyland. Eighteen years later in 1986, Rover Group / British Aerospace took the helm until 1994 when the plant was bought by the BMW Group. Since BMW Group’s ownership the plant has benefited from a significant programme of investment. The plant’s greatest success in recent years came in 2003 when it beat fierce competition from other production facilities within the BMW Group and external suppliers to become the main supplier of pressings and sub-assemblies for MINI. Bob Bolam, Managing Director of BMW Group Plant Swindon said “Winning the MINI contract was the recognition of nearly 50 years worth of skill, knowledge, dedication and commitment by associates at the plant. It was a significant moment in the plant’s history and its future.” Since that decision in 2003 BMW Group has invested over £40 million in Plant Swindon and designated the plant as the supplier of all MINI doors, bonnets, tailgates and roof assemblies. Bob Bolam commented, “There is no doubt in my mind the Plant Swindon faces a very bright future as we continue to strengthen our links with Plant Oxford and MINI production. This year Plant Oxford has built a record 200,000 MINIs. To date, 766,290 MINIs have been produced worldwide. It is quite an achievement to reflect that every single one contains parts manufactured in Swindon.”
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