JSE-listed Attacq has welcomed BMW Group South Africa’s (BMW SA's) decision to invest in the construction of a 32 000 m2 regional distribution facility at the Waterfall Distribution Campus, in Midrand, Gauteng.
The value of this investment and the revamp of its headquarters, also in Midrand, totals R400-million.
Attacq CEO Morné Wilken said the company was “delighted” to welcome a leading international brand like BMW to Waterfall.
“Waterfall is one of South Africa’s largest mixed-use developments, which is attracting top international companies such as BMW,” he said, adding that having BMW move its regional distribution facility to Waterfall was beneficial, as it would lead to the vertical integration of some of BMW’s suppliers.
“I believe this will give us a lot more momentum; a lot of development can come from this - which is a big benefit for Attacq in the long term,” he said.
BMW SA will start construction on the facility this month.
Distribution from the purpose-built facility is expected to start by mid-2018.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, on Wednesday, BMW SA and sub-Saharan Africa CEO Tim Abbot said that improved warehousing and distribution was a key success factor, and that the group “keeps upping our game in customer service delivery.
“Space limitations restrict the expansion of the warehouse in our current location in Midrand. By moving the warehouse to a larger site, we also free up space on our campus to create a power hub,” he added.
Abbot noted that the facility, which is twice the size of the previous warehouse, would help BMW service sub-Saharan Africa more efficiently.
He pointed out that the location of the facility, 7 km from BMW SA headquarters, in Midrand, provided a strategic advantage in servicing the region.