Jul 22 2008
BMW Group Canada announced today that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to a custom built green facility at the intersection of Highway 404 and Major Mackenzie Drive in Richmond Hill. The new facility will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a Green Building Rating System, which is designed to conserve natural resources.
The new building will use an open concept and natural light to reduce energy consumption. The innovation and design flexibility that LEED certified buildings are famous for will provide BMW Group associates with a premium and comfortable working atmosphere. After 17 consecutive years of sales growth, BMW Group Canada has outgrown their existing facility in Whitby. The new facility will be on 5.75 acres and will accommodate the company and its 300 associates as the operations continue to grow.
"We are thrilled to be moving to a state-of-the-art facility that will represent the Canadian sales operations, BMW, MINI, and Motorrad brands and our BMW Group Financial Services business," said Lindsay Duffield, President and CEO, BMW Group Canada. "We are making significant environmental advancements to our products with our EfficientDynamics strategy and our new headquarters further demonstrates our commitment to environmental leadership."
The new facility, developed by Urbacon and designed by Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co., is located on a greenfield site in the southern portion of the Barker Business park, and backs onto a small tributary and stand of trees. The headquarters is centrally located within BMW Group Canada's largest market. The new building is scheduled to be completed and occupied by BMW Group Canada at the end of 2009.
"We are delighted that BMW, one of the world's most prestigious brands, has chosen Richmond Hill as their new corporate home," said Dave Barrow, Mayor of Richmond Hill. "BMW's new headquarters will have a positive impact on our economy and is further evidence that Richmond Hill is a leader in business. We are happy to welcome BMW Group Canada and their employees as new members of our community."
BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 40 BMW automobile retail centres, 19 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 25 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.