The BMW Group, collaborating with NTT DATA, has inaugurated BMW TechWorks Romania, a pivotal software and IT hub to hasten digital transformation. Situated in Cluj-Napoca, this center will spearhead European IT projects, boosting BMW’s digital capabilities and customer experience.
Alexander Buresch, CIO and Senior Vice President of BMW Group IT, highlighted the importance: “With BMW TechWorks Romania, we are strengthening our footprint in the EU and contributing significantly to the digital experience of our customers. Our global IT hubs secure our Business IT and software expertise in the long term and accelerate the implementation of our IT strategy based on latest technologies such as cloud innovations and AI.”
Partnership with NTT DATA
NTT DATA, a trusted partner of BMW, brings extensive agile software development experience and a robust network within Romania’s IT sector to this joint venture. Chieri Kimura, EVP of NTT DATA, CEO EMEAL, remarked, “Our collaboration with the BMW Group is a testament to our mutual respect and shared vision for the future of the automotive industry. By combining our strengths, we are poised to deliver innovative and transformative solutions that will benefit our customers worldwide.”
Maria Metz, CEO of NTT DATA Romania, emphasized the collaboration’s significance: “BMW TechWorks Romania is driven by two strong partners, with the objective of becoming a reference for the digital transformation of the BMW Group’s industrial ecosystem. It is a mission of honor which NTT DATA received in the wake of a 30-plus years old valued partnership between our two companies.”
Ambitious Growth and Development
The joint venture plans to significantly expand its workforce, doubling to 250 developers by year-end and targeting a four-digit number of employees long-term. This growth aligns with ambitious business targets, including a double-digit million turnover by year-end.
Ralf Waltram, Vice President and Head of Global DevOps Hubs, noted, “BMW TechWorks Romania joins a global network of IT hubs that already includes locations in Germany, South Africa, the USA, Portugal, and China. Cluj-Napoca, known for its innovation-friendly ecosystem, entrepreneurship, start-ups, and high density of IT talent, offers ideal conditions for the joint venture.”
European IT Project Focus
The hub will develop key components for various IT projects, particularly in Europe:
- Connected Procurement: Networked IT systems for managing complex supply chains and control systems.
- Digital Shopfloor: Modern production IT underpinning the BMW iFactory.
- Direct Sales Model: Central IT components for implementing BMW and MINI direct sales in Europe.
Expanding Global IT Presence
Globally, over 9,400 employees work in IT and software development for the BMW Group and its joint ventures. Establishing BMW TechWorks Romania reinforces BMW’s dedication to leveraging global talent and technology, driving innovation, and enhancing its competitive gain in the automotive industry.
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