BMW (
www.bmwgroup.com) has appointed a new plant director at its Hams Hall factory in Coleshill, which produces components and engines.
Bernd Gress has 22 years of experience in the automotive industry and has worked for BMW since 1996, most recently at BMW’s engine-manufacturing facility in China.
He starts his new job at a difficult time, as the group is involved in a dispute with trade unions over company pensions and is about to face a number of walk-outs.
The plant produces three- and four-cylinder petrol engines for Mini cars and two plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Mr Gress said: “I am very much looking forward to working at the Hams Hall engine plant. It is an exciting time, as the assembly of the latest generation of engines is in full swing.
“Since I was last working at the plant — as head of quality between 2005 and 2008 — the capability to produce key machined engine components has trebled.”