TITLE: Regensburg Plant Director

COMPANY: BMW

BASED: Landshut, Germany

AGE: 64

NATIONALITY: German

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Erlacher took over BMW’s factory in Regensburg, Germany, in early 2017. Prior to that he led BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, overseeing a massive expansion during his 38 months there. He was in charge of BMW’s factory in Leipzig, Germany, from 2009-2013. He retired in 2019 after 35 years with the German automaker.

REASON FOR WINNING

Under Erlacher’s guidance, Regensburg was named Europe’s best plant, earning a gold award from J.D. Power in its 2019 Initial Quality Study. Regensburg, which assembles the X1, X2 and 4 series, had just 18 defects per 100 models produced. In addition, in January the World Economic Forum named Regensburg a Lighthouse of the Fourth Industrial Revolution because of its pioneering role in the digitalization of production.