BMW executive says would shut UK plants if Brexit hits supply chain

Reuters  |  LONDON/FRANKFURT 

By David and Edward Taylor

The warning follows concerns voiced last week by the of Siemens' operations in Britain, who told that the country should stay in the customs union, contrary to the British government's policy.

"We always said we can do our best and prepare everything, but if at the end of the day the will have a stop at the border, then we cannot produce our products in the UK," was quoted as saying.

Around 60 percent of the 378,000 Minis made by last year rolled off the production line in Its factories in Swindon, and currently employ around 6,300 workers to make BMW engines and Mini vehicles.

has also warned that British jobs would be under threat from a 'no deal' Brexit, drawing criticism from government ministers who said such comments undermined Theresa May's negotiating position.

Freismuth added that the company wanted to keep its British plants open and was working on contingency plans, but that any disruption to imports of components would increase costs and damage its 'just in time' manufacturing model.

About 90 percent of the parts used in British factories come from mainland

"If you have a stop for one day, it costs a lot of money, but at the end if there are more stops our management have to decide how this can be sorted," he said.

A BMW said: "We remain committed to our in the UK and continue to operate business as usual, as we work through a range of possible Brexit outcomes and their potential impact on our business."

BMW however warned that the lack of clarity surrounding future customs arrangements remains a cause for concern.

"As previously stated, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations is not helpful when it comes to making long-term business decisions," BMW said.

just-in-time production system requires the free movement of parts and goods.

"Clearly if parts cannot physically get to a factory at the expected time, that factory will not run as smoothly and reliably as is desirable," BMW said.

(Reporting by David and Edward Taylor; editing by and Alexander Smith)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, June 25 2018. 23:02 IST