BMW MD Bob BolamEXCLUSIVE: THERE will be no more redundancies at BMW's Swindon plant, according to its MD, who has revealed that new jobs could be created there.
Business is booming at Swindon Pressings in Stratton following the success of the new Mini, whose parts have been manufactured at the plant since 2003.
Managing director Bob Bolam unveiled the plant's new £3m tool maintenance room and told the Adver that the future is bright for BMW in Swindon.
"The new tool shop really is an example of BMW's commitment to the plant and to its future," he said.
"The plant definitely has a long term future in Swindon.
"We are moving away from a base that used to supply third party customers to a base that supplies Mini.
"Minis have secured around 1,100 jobs long term."
The upbeat mood at BMW is a far cry from last year when in January, 330 job losses were announced. A further 400 were announced in October.
The cuts were blamed on a drop in third party contracts to companies such as MG.
Many of the jobs went to BMW's other plant in Cowley, Oxford, while others were lost through voluntary redundancies.
The job cuts raised fears over the long term future of the plant in Swindon.
But Mr Bolam says this year will see the end of job cuts and the possibility of new jobs being created instead.
"At the moment there are about 1,300 people working here, and in a year there will be about 1,100," he said.
"But this year will be the end of job reductions.
"We will then be in a period of stability with the possibility of growth linked to the introduction of further Mini variations.
"We are looking at a very bright future now. BMW is committed to the future of this plant in Swindon."
The new facility at the plant was unveiled by Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart, who pushed the button to start the first press in the room.
It will be used to service tools used for pressing car parts and was built with an environmentally friendly heating system.
The plant was built as part of a £40 million investment in new production facilities at the plant, which is to be spent over the next three years.
The Mini parts are pressed at the Swindon plant then sent to the Cowley plant where the car is manufactured.
Diana Milne
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