BMW Manufacturing and the SC Council on Competitiveness (the Council), with support from S.C. Commerce, Clemson University, University of South Carolina and the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, hosted the inaugural “SCFUSA Innovation Day” to highlight the research taking place through the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance (SCFUSA) and recognize advancements in automation and technology at BMW Spartanburg.
Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt spoke at Tuesday’s event and recalled to the 100 invited guests his memories of the early days at BMW Spartanburg – noting the spirit of collaboration and innovation as a determining factor in BMW’s growth and success in the Palmetto State.
The SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance, a partnership between S.C. Commerce and Fraunhofer USA – and led by the Council – is an example of that collaboration in action. SCFUSA matches S.C. companies with the state’s leading research universities and colleges, together with Fraunhofer USA expertise and matching funds from S.C. Commerce in order to advance innovation in the state and make S.C. more competitive worldwide.
BMW Manufacturing President and CEO Knudt Flor and Council President and CEO Susie Shannon also spoke at the event and highlighted the state’s commitment to adopting new technologies.
Read more about the event from the Council and check out photos from a tour of BMW here.