BMW Group recognises suppliers for outstanding innovations

The BMW Group has honoured suppliers for their outstanding innovations and development work for the fifth time with the BMW Supplier Innovation Award: A total of 15 suppliers were recognised for their achievements and exceptional collaboration on Wednesday evening at BMW Group Plant Landshut. In the categories Productivity, Sustainability, Efficient Dynamics, Digitalisation and Emotional Experience five winners were selected.

The BMW Group’s global network of 3,200 suppliers at 4,500 production locations in around 50 countries plays a decisive role in implementing new developments. Every day, BMW Group vehicle plants worldwide take delivery of more than 31 million parts. The companies that supply the BMW Group ceased to be just suppliers of components years ago and have now become system developers and innovation partners. Over the years, their share of value creation at the company has risen steadily and currently stands at over 70 percent. The BMW Group’s annual purchasing volume totals around 60 billion euros.

“Close cooperation with our suppliers is the basis for guaranteeing supply security at all our production locations worldwide, as well as ensuring innovation in future areas of mobility,” according to Dr. Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. It is no coincidence that the Supplier Innovation Award 2018 was presented at the Landshut plant, explained Wendt in his speech in front of 250 CEOs and managing directors of top suppliers: “This is not only home to a large share of our inhouse component production, but also our innovation hub for components and innovative solutions: The LuTZ, our Lightweight Construction and Technology Centre in Landshut, embodies our passion for innovation.”

The winners of the BMW Supplier Innovation Award 2018 are:

Category “Productivity”
3Con: World’s fastest press laminating system

BMW joined forces with 3Con to build the world’s fastest press laminating system, which can attach sewn leather and synthetic-leather coverings to an injection-moulded part with a cycle time of only 30 seconds. Thanks to rotating combination tools, left-hand and right-hand drive components can be produced in sequence with no integration restrictions. This reduces production costs by more than 80 percent.

Category “Sustainability”
BASF SE: Best CO2 performance with ambitious goals

In the report published by the non-governmental organisation CDP, BASF achieved the best performance in CO2 emissions and anchoring the fight against climate change within the company. BASF is also working to reduce its own suppliers’ emissions and is essentially oriented towards the global two-degree target.

Category “Efficient Dynamics”
LG Chem: 12V lithium-ion battery

Thanks to the 12V lithium-ion battery from LG Chem, the current system using two heavy lead starter batteries can be replaced by a lead-acid battery and a lightweight lithium battery. This saves weight and reduces CO2. The lithium-ion battery is also more powerful than a lead-acid battery, with better recuperation ability – which makes the system even more environmentally-friendly.

Category “Digitalisation”
Inrix: On-street parking

The ConnectedDrive on-street parking service makes it easier for BMW customers to find parking in 68 cities across Europe and the US. The navigation system shows streets where parking is likely to be found in graphic form. This saves time and reduces CO2 emissions. The service was recently improved by integrating ultrasound data from the BMW fleet.

Category “Emotional Experience”
Preh GmbH: Modular centre-console control panel

The modular centre-console control panel combines different technologies in a single component. Instead of many individual switches and outlets, there is just one interface, which allows customers to choose their preferred configuration. Thanks to its modular principle, it can be used in numerous BMW series.