BMW Group has opened a new tool maintenance facility at its Swindon plant.

The facility houses the heavy machinery that maintains and repair press tools used for Mini body panels.

The new facility cost £3.3 million to construct and covers an area of 4,600 square metres. It’s also a key phase of the three-year £40 million investment programme in new production facilities announced in June 2004.

The third major change to the tool maintenance facility is the introduction of a dedicated apprentice training school.

First year engineering apprentices will be based in the tool maintenance facility allowing them to move into the plant at a far earlier stage in their careers. Currently there are six first year engineering apprentices out of a total of 40 apprentices employed at the plant.