Spartanburg, S.C.  BMW Manufacturing will host the 10th annual Supplier Diversity Conference on Thursday, September 1, at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, SC. The conference, one of the largest supplier diversity events in the nation, is an opportunity for women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses to participate in a day of professional development and to network with BMW’s Tier 1 suppliers.

“The BMW Group believes in the value of diversity,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “We believe that diversity among our suppliers adds value throughout the organization, sparks innovation, and improves productivity.”

This year’s event will be presented in a unique talk show format, hosted by Dion Flynn, actor, director, and frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Flynn’s “guests” will include Dr. Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing and Supplier Network; Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing; Oliver Haase, senior vice president of Purchasing and Supplier Network Americas; Stephanie Vera, operational lead for Supplier Diversity at BMW Manufacturing; and Geoff Foster, president and CEO of Core Technology Molding Corporation. 

“It is important to ensure that BMW and our Tier 1 suppliers include diverse businesses in the competitive bidding process,” said Oliver Haase. “The BMW Supplier Diversity Conference is a great opportunity for each participant to meet many of BMW’s suppliers and showcase their abilities. I know that many of these businesses have been awarded national and global contracts with our suppliers.”

A highlight of the day is the Business Opportunity Networking Event where women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses can meet BMW Tier 1 suppliers and discuss their capabilities. This year’s event includes 232 exhibitors and more than 2,000 registered attendees. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on professional development topics, drive BMWs at the BMW Performance Center, and tour the BMW plant in Spartanburg. Media are invited to attend the Business Opportunity Networking Event from 1 to 5 p.m. 

Since the first conference in 2012, BMW and its suppliers have nearly quadrupled spending with women-, minority- and veteran-owned companies. Registration for this year’s event is closed.

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12 billion in its South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day and 433,810 vehicles in 2021, a record. The plant exports nearly 60 percent of its vehicles to about 120 global markets. For eight consecutive years, it has been the largest exporter by value in the United States. The model portfolio includes five top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The all-new BMW XM, the first electrified high-performance hybrid model in the BMW M portfolio, will begin production in late 2022. The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.