BMW Manufacturing said on Nov. 18, 2021, that it will expand its logistics operations to a new building being developed across Interstate 85 from the plant.

The facility, located off Freeman Farm Road, is being built by Becknell Industrial, and total investment in the project is approximately $100 million, BMW officials said.

When completed, the new logistics center will be nearly one million square feet with an opportunity for future expansion.

“For nearly three decades, BMW has called South Carolina its second home. This expansion in our logistics operation represents our continued commitment to this state, and it will prepare Plant Spartanburg for the future,” said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.

“The new warehouse will allow us to consolidate our logistics processes as well as implement efficiency measures for a more sustainable logistics operation.”

When the new logistics center opens in the middle of 2022, it will allow BMW to consolidate two offsite warehouse operations – one for returnable containers and another for body shop parts – into one efficient onsite location, company officials said.

Inside the warehouse, shipments from suppliers will be sorted, then delivered to their respective Plant Spartanburg technologies. The result is a faster, leaner, more efficient supply chain, the officials said.

To minimize the impact of truck traffic in the area and allow for easy access to BMW, two private bridges will be built to connect the logistics center to the BMW campus: one over Freeman Farm Road and the other over Interstate 85.

The bridges are being built by United Infrastructure Group. Construction of the new bridges is under way.

“More than just a major economic driver, BMW's Upstate operations – and the continued success of those operations – have helped transform South Carolina into a true manufacturing powerhouse," said Gov. Henry McMaster. "South Carolina applauds BMW Manufacturing for their longtime commitment to our state, our citizens and our communities, and we congratulate this great company on yet another expansion within our borders.” 

 

“BMW's presence in South Carolina proved to be a catalyst for economic transformation within our borders, fueling the growth of a robust automotive sector and paving the way for South Carolina’s worldwide reputation for producing highly advanced, premium products," said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. "This new logistics operation is yet another testament to BMW’s commitment and growth plans in our state. Congratulations to BMW on their continued success.”