YESTERDAY was the 28 November 2024, and the day marked an important milestone for BMW Group Malaysia and what I believe is also an important hallmark for the Malaysian automotive industry. The group commemorated the 20th Year Anniversary of the BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Malaysia, marking this significant milestone with a landmark expansion of the very modern facility, located at the Free Industrial Zone of the Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru.
BMW Group Malaysia also flew a bunch of us media folks to witness the ceremony and show us the facility. This was much appreciated as I got to see how the parts supply chain actually works and you get to see how much work goes into keeping parts in stock for a whole region or two. In this case, the regional parts centre caters to over 20 markets in the Asia and Pacific regions. This centre even delivers to Tahiti in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Bloody marvelous as it makes Malaysia one of its regional hub for BMW Group to supply its spare parts so that customers get to keep their BMWs, MINIs, and Motorrads on the road.
The regional parts centre was first established at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Gelang Patah in 2004, it relocated to its current state-of-the-art facility in 2016. As one of the largest BMW facilities of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, the current BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre originally spanned 45,000 square metres of warehouse space and with the completion of its new expansion, the facility now spans an even larger 65,000 square metres. It shows BMW Group’s commitment to operational excellence in the region and investments in the country.
The recent expansion of the BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre had introduced several notable improvements in the setup, these includes a purpose-built High Voltage (HV) Battery Storage Area and a modern Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking system (which features the use of a dedicated electric forklift system which utilises floor rail electro-magnetic wire guidance and also a very high lift with a 9 metre lift height for narrow aisles . The facility’s two-story configuration provides opportunities for future expansion, while the integration of a solar panel roof supports BMW Group's sustainability initiatives.
This parts centre has brought in singnificant amounts of invesment and also financial success to the country. Since its establishment at the Free Industrial Zone of the Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, the BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre has demonstrated sustained growth in its annual turnover, growing its business capabilities from EUR 141 million in 2017 to EUR 277 million in 2023, over 97% and almost double from when the facility first began operations.
The facility handles over 100,000 lines of inventory in and out monthly, maintaining around 90% service level to over 20 diverse markets in the region, reflecting its robust capability of meeting varying market requirements. The facility manages on stock nearly 52,000-part numbers, around 30 of which are High Voltage Batteries, while maintaining an on-time picking and packing rate of over 99% and a rate of 99.5% on items delivered in excellent condition. 15 units of 40-foot containers to BMW Group’s sea freight markets are dispatched weekly, while 33,000 cubic metres of airfreight delivery are made each week. Closer to home, the facility manages 42 trucks for outbound deliveries to Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand each week.
Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), congratulated BMW Group Malaysia on the 20th Anniversary and the launch of Phase 2 of its Regional Parts and Distribution Center in Senai, Johor. Highlighting the significance of this milestone, he said, “BMW Group's growth journey in Malaysia over the past 20 years is not just a story of business growth; it is a testament to shared vision, technological advancement, and exceptional performance. This expansion is a powerful affirmation of Malaysia’s position as a strategic gateway to the region, where innovation and opportunity converge. This facility is more than an operational hub; it symbolises the BMW Group’s trust in our ecosystem while reinforcing Malaysia's role as an integral part of its Asia Pacific supply chain, serving a dual purpose of supporting the BMW Group’s after-sales operations Malaysia and functioning as a strategic base for their regional supply network. With our excellent connectivity, skilled talent pool, and forward-thinking policies, MIDA remains committed to paving the way for the BMW Group's continued success and inspiring others to invest in Malaysia’s boundless potential.”
Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia also said, “As we celebrate 20 years of our Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Malaysia, we reflect on the significance of this facility, not only in terms of the success of the BMW Group as the leading premium automaker in Malaysia, but also in reinforcing the status of Malaysia as a strategic logistics hub for the group in the Asia Pacific region. Since the beginning, the facility and its capabilities has stood as a symbol of operational excellence, having evolved into a state-of-the-art facility that is recognised regionally and globally.”
The expanded BMW Group Regional Parts Distribution Centre not only strengthens the BMW Group’s logistical capabilities but also positions the facility to support the region’s evolving automotive landscape. The BMW Group’s continued investments in Malaysia ensures it remains at the forefront of operational excellence, reinforcing the country’s pivotal role in the Group’s success for years to come.
Just imagine the number of extra jobs this created to expand this facility, the number of new and old jobs provided and more. For me personally, such milestones are important in the long run of this country and also show to me the commitment of a company to where it sells its products. When these companies contribute to the growth of a country and its people, this is more important than even press blurbs of larger infotainment screens or going full electric or what not. The backbone of any product is the aftersales supply chain and this matters.
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