SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY

MW Group Classic is a place which achieves an enviable combination of nostalgia and innovation. With its museum of classic BMWs, Rolls-Royces and MINIs, it demands reminiscence and a certain amount of sentimentality. But the automotive giant’ s heritage division also demonstrates state-of-the-art sustainable supply chain principles through parts remanufacturing and vehicle restoration services.

Long before circular economy became an industry buzz phrase, BMW Group Classic was practising its principles. The division maintains more than 60,000 original parts for vehicles dating back to 1952. When stocks deplete, advanced manufacturing recreates components to original specifications.

Sustainability through longevity It is a relatively complex supply chain, but a straightforward approach – sustainability through longevity.

By keeping historic vehicles roadworthy, BMW Group Classic prevents premature disposal while demonstrating resource efficiency. The division operates from Munich’ s Moosacher Strasse facility, where restoration workshops employ master technicians. The operation spans BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce heritage vehicles. Its parts catalogue continues expanding, recently adding a faithfully reproduced gearbox for the BMW 328.

Such remanufacturing projects require meticulous reverse engineering and collaboration with original suppliers.

HEADQUARTERS: MUNICH, GERMANY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 159,000 MARKET CAP: US $ 59.8BN NUMBER OF COUNTRIES: 12

Supply chain complexity presents unique challenges Demand for rare components remains unpredictable, requiring sophisticated inventory management.

Storage costs must balance against global availability requirements – a challenge that mirrors those facing BMW’ s wider sustainability transformation. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, articulates the company’ s vision for sustainable design.“ We must design our vehicles for sustainability from the very first day of development: reducing the amount of material used to manufacture them and, above all, planning for reuse and recycling from the very beginning,” Oliver explains.

BMW Group Classic’ s work is BMW’ s philosophy in practice. By maintaining production capability for historic parts, the division extends vehicle lifecycles indefinitely. This contrasts sharply with linear“ take, make, waste” manufacturing models.

70 March 2026