50 Manufacturing Companies – BMW Group Plant Chennai

At BMW Group Plant Chennai, 2018 has been the year of focus on ‘Lean Management’. The Plant started its journey in Lean Management through a structured rollout of Value-added Production System (VPS). With a clear VPS vision, road map and management commitment, the involvement of every associate across the organisation has improved multifold. More than process implementations, Lean Management has been ingrained as an attitude and thought process among all levels of the workforce. Multiple workshops, team sessions and support from headquarters has further strengthened various aspects of lean production within the system. Efficiency levels of all processes such as production, planning, quality, logistics and direct/indirect services have been enhanced, including even the smallest of activities.
“For us, the term ‘sustainable production’ means investing in our future. We are integrating this commitment through clear actions in our business model and production. Since 2006, the BMW Group has reduced its global consumption of energy and water in vehicle production, waste and waste water volume as well as solvents and CO2 emissions per vehicle produced by an average of 53.2%. In the same period, due to efficient use of resources, cost savings totaling ₠161 million were made. The Group is increasingly using renewable energies at its locations worldwide. In 2017, we further increased our use of renewable energy for our electricity supply to 81%,” says Stallkamp.
In India, at Chennai, the company has implemented the Environmental Policy under the Integrated Management System which is aligned with IS0 14001:2015 requirements. At BMW Group Plant Chennai, the 1,350kwp Solar Photovoltaic system caters to 61% of the plant energy consumption. “We save 50% of the lighting usage by utilising LED lighting. Besides this, fresh air fans have been replaced by energy efficient high-volume low-speed (HVLS) fans, saving 30% of energy in the ventilation system,” he adds.
Sustainable manufacturing and innovations will reduce footprint and will be the key to the future.