BMW Group South Africa appoints new Plant Rosslyn Director.

Midrand. BMW Group South Africa announces the appointment of Daniel Bester as the new Director of BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, effective 1 March 2025. Bester succeeds Dr Niklas Fichtmüller, who will return to Munich/Germany to take up a leadership position related to a future car project.

Bester brings nearly three decades of experience with the BMW Group to this role. Beginning his career as a graduate trainee in 1996, he has held senior leadership positions at various plants within the global production network, including Plant Rosslyn, Plant Oxford in the United Kingdom, and Plant Lydia in China.

Bringing a world of experience home for continued success. 

As a South African native, Bester returns home with a wealth of international expertise and a proven track record in operational excellence. His experience spans key areas of automotive manufacturing, including quality, production, and technology steering. Most recently, before assuming his role as Technical Director, Daniel served as the Head of Assembly at Plant Lydia in China. In this capacity, Bester was instrumental in streamlining operations and enhancing assembly processes for the production of the BMW i3. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in the successful launches of key models, including BMW X3 long-wheelbase at Plant Lydia and the third-generation BMW X3 at Plant Rosslyn, where the fourth-generation BMW X3 is now manufactured for global export.

“I am honoured and excited to return to Plant Rosslyn, a place that holds special significance in my career,” said Bester. “I am committed to continuing the legacy of excellence and driving further success by supporting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. I look forward to working with the talented team at Rosslyn to achieve new heights.”

Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa commented, “Danny’s journey with the BMW Group, from graduate trainee to Plant Director, exemplifies the talent and dedication we cultivate within our organisation. His global perspective and deep understanding of our operations, coupled with his forward-thinking approach, make him the ideal leader to build on the strong foundation of Plant Rosslyn. We are delighted to welcome him back to South Africa.”

BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s success story continues.

The organisation also expressed its appreciation to Dr Fichtmüller for his contributions to BMW Group Plant Rosslyn. During his tenure, the plant achieved the successful launch and start of production of the new BMW X3, a remarkable accomplishment for the BMW Group and South Africa. Dr Fichtmüller’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering innovation and securing increased production volumes for the plant.

ENDS

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Angela Konert

Head of Business Communications

Phone: +27 71 666 2472

Email: Angela.Konert@bmw.co.za

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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