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Gauteng Premier David Makhura paid a visit to BMW Plant Rosslyn on Wednesday to assess the company’s compliance with Covid-19 emergency regulations.
Under Level Four restrictions automotive production can take place under strict health and safety conditions. The Minister and his entourage were received by BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa CEO, Tim Abbott, and Director BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, Johan Mouton.
Joined by MEC for Health, Dr Bandile Masuku, MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural development, Ms. Morakane Mosupyoe, as well as City of Tshwane Administrator: Compliance and Law Enforcement, Ms Lebogang Mahaye, the Premier inspected screening and isolations procedures established at the gate to the plant.
The delegation then visited the assembly line, where the Premier was able to assess working conditions.
Focus on health and safety
BMW Group South Africa has made the health and safety of its associates its primary concern. Strict measures to protect returning staff have been put in place, including mandatory daily screening, the supply of four masks a day, the appointment of dedicated Coronavirus compliance officers and health services personnel at each of its sites. All associates have undergo compulsory training, and sanitiser is widely available across the company’s facilities.
BMW X3s already on their way to overseas customers.
Production at Plant Rosslyn restarted this week in alignment with national regulations and with the rest of the BMW Group production network according to global demand. Since the restart, cars have already reached the port of Durban for export.
Premier Makhura happy with compliance at Plant Rosslyn
Speaking during his visit to Plant Rosslyn, Premier Makhura said he was “pleased to see that at BMW, not only are they continuing to build a high-quality product, but they are also doing so in a responsible manner.”
According to the Premier, “They have taken big steps to look after workers’ health and safety during this time, and we applaud them for it.”
A collaborative effort
Responding in his welcome remarks, CEO Abbott said: “We’ve been working hard to make sure Plant Rosslyn is ready for a safe return to production. We welcome the Premier’s visit. I’m pleased we’re able to show that we can build cars here in a safe and compliant way.”
Commenting further, Abbott said: “It’s exciting to see X3s rolling off our line again for customers around the world. It just goes to show that with togetherness and resilience we will get through this difficult time.
“Our operation here is a joint project. Our success here is thanks to many people, not least our employees and their families. But I want to thank our suppliers and the government for coming together at this time of crisis to work for solutions. That is why we are able to build cars at Rosslyn again today.”
A helping hand in a time of need
BMW Group South Africa’s contribution to the fight against the spread of Covid-19 grew last week as the company offered 17 BMW cars on loan to the South African Red Cross Society.
The Red Cross asked for help to assist it reach marginalised and poor communities that have been impacted by the lockdown regulations required to mitigate against the uncontrolled spread of the virus.
The cars, majority of which are Plant Rosslyn-built BMW X3s, are being used by the Red Cross to support these communities with the provision of contact tracing, screening, hot meals and food parcels, the dissemination of information in six local languages, as well as the provision of psycho-social support to volunteers and emergency personnel engaged in anti-Covid-19 operations.
