BMW Group board member for production, Dr. Milan Nedeljković, has formally opened a new automated steel pressing facility at the Swindon plant.
The facility, built by McLaughlin & Harvey, contains a new press that will produce steel panels for the MINI plant in Oxford at twice the rate of the old equipment which it replaces. With the steel blanks and finished panels handled by a new fleet of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
The building has numerous environmental features including water harvesting from the roof to provide water to all non-drinking water supplies. There is also a system which uses the heat from the press hydraulics to heat the main hall. This along with smaller touches such as LED lighting and the long glass roof windows running down the centre of the building have a significant impact. Creating a light-bright working environment and reducing the reliance on artificial light. As well as also contributing significantly to achieving energy saving and sustainability targets.
The construction of the new building started in June 2019, after the demolition and the clearing of ‘A’ Building on the Swindon site. During the construction of the 36m wide, 210m long, 25m high building, the team has managed the challenge of the COVID-19 restrictions and an enforced four-week shutdown during the first lockdown.
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have been involved in such an important part of BMW’s continuing commitment to the Swindon Plant. The feedback, on the now operational facility, from both BMW management and staff, has been so positive and shows the clear operational improvements the new building has made to their business. This is a testament to the commitment and excellence of the whole team involved in the project. For McLaughlin & Harvey, the Press Plant Building has been a great success from start to finish and represents the cornerstone of our strong ongoing relationship with BMW.
Douglas McCusker
Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey
Collaboration is at the core of our data-driven vision for the new building, bringing together outstanding academic and clinical expertise within the Usher Institute, alongside companies and health and social care providers. Working together, we hope to find solutions to some of the biggest health challenges facing our country, delivering better health and care for those in the region and across Scotland.
Dr Milan Nedeljkovic
Board Member for Construction for BMW Group
