BMW Manufacturing welcomed more than 2,000 participants to its 10th Supplier Diversity Conference Sept. 1 at the Greenville Convention Center.
The event provides an opportunity to businesses — especially women-, minority- and veteran-owned firms — an opportunity to network and connect with many of the Tier-1 suppliers to one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world.
During a luncheon panel discussion, BMW Manufacturing President and CEO Robert Engelhorn explained the event’s significance.
“The BMW Group believes in the value of diversity,” he said. “We believe that diversity among our suppliers adds value throughout the organization, sparks innovation and improves productivity.”
At the heart of the conference is the business opportunity networking event where participants can pitch their capabilities to Tier 1 suppliers. BMW officials also say an ancillary, but important benefit of the conference is the opportunities attendees have to network among themselves.
Since the first conference in 2012, companies attending the event have gone on to be awarded national and global contracts with BMW suppliers, said Oliver Haase, BMW senior vice president purchasing and supplier network Americas.
“The BMW Supplier Diversity Conference is a great opportunity for each participant to meet many of BMW’s suppliers and showcase their abilities,” Haase said.
According to BMW, since 2012 the company and its suppliers have nearly quadrupled spending with women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses.
BMW Manufacturing fast facts
- Since 1992, BMW Group has invested more than $12 billion in S.C., and its Spartanburg County plant is the largest BMW Group plant in the world and employs more than 11,000 people .
- The S.C. plant produces more than 1,500 vehicles each day, totaling 433,810 in 2021.
- The plant has been the largest U.S. exporter by value for eight consecutive years and sends 60% of its vehicles to 120 global markets.
