(Photo courtesy of BMW)

BMW Manufacturing is celebrating a historic milestone as the seven millionth BMW rolled off the assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

To commemorate the event, associates assembled a BMW ALPINA XB7 painted ALPINA Green Metallic and powered by a 4.4-liter BMW ALPINA Bi-Turbo V8, 32-valve engine, producing 631 horsepower.

Due to its significance, officials said the vehicle will remain at the factory and become part of the BMW historic collection.

"This beautiful BMW ALPINA XB7 is a testament to the great products we have, the quality of our supplier network, and the unwavering commitment and dedication of our valued associates,” said Robert Engelhorn, Ph.D., president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.

Engelhorn added, “For over 30 years, BMW has proudly invested in South Carolina and its people, creating a remarkable legacy. We are excited about our future as we prepare to assemble fully electric vehicles at this plant."

Associates finished assembling the seven millionth BMW at the end of March.

However, special “white glove” modifications by Plant Spartanburg’s ALPINA team were made during the next week. This included a specially designed ALPINA front apron, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler; floormats with the ALPINA emblem; and the installation of an ALPINA commemorative badge.

Other special features of the BMW ALPINA XB7 include 23-inch ALPINA CLASSIC CS16 wheels, Tartufo Full Merino Leather upholstery, ALPINA Walnut Nature Black trim, Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof, and second-row captain’s chairs.

The leather steering wheel has blue and green stitching with an ALPINA badge in the center.

Associates at the South Carolina plant assembled nearly 400,000 BMWs in 2024 with nearly 225,000 of these vehicles exported to 120 countries around the world.

The milestone dates for BMW Manufacturing’s “millionth” vehicles:

1 Millionth BMW – February 28, 2006 – Z4 M Roadster

2 Millionth BMW – January 12, 2012 – BMW X3 xDrive35i

3 Millionth BMW – March 24, 2015 – BMW X5 M

4 Millionth BMW – September 8, 2017 – BMW X3 xDrive M40i

5 Millionth BMW – June 4, 2020 – BMW X5 M Competition

6 Millionth BMW – September 2, 2022 – BMW X6 M

7 Millionth BMW – April 30, 2025 – BMW ALPINA XB7

The BMW Group is investing more than $1.7 billion in its U.S. operations, including $1 billion to prepare Plant Spartanburg for the assembly of electric vehicles and $700 million for Plant Woodruff, a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in nearby Woodruff, S.C.

By 2030, Plant Spartanburg will assemble at least six fully electric vehicles along with internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the same site.

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested more than $14.8 billion in its South Carolina operations.

BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, assembling more than 1,500 vehicles each day.

Officials say the plant is an important part of BMW’s global production network and plays a critical role in meeting the high demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes in the U.S. and around the world.

Nearly 57 percent of its vehicles are shipped to 120 global markets, making BMW the largest automotive exporter by value in the United States for more than a decade.

In 2024, nearly 50 percent of BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. came from Plant Spartanburg.

The model portfolio includes six top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models.

The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people. 

United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) completed its merger with ANB Holdings, Inc. effective May 1, 2025.

In the transaction, ANB’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, American National Bank was also merged into United’s bank subsidiary, Greenville, South Carolina-based United Community.

Officials said ANB Bank will operate under the United Community brand after all core systems, signage, and branding are converted to those of United Community on the weekend of July 11, 2025.

ANB Bank is headquartered in Oakland Park, Florida, a northern and fast-growing part of the Miami metropolitan area.

Founded in 1985, ANB Bank primarily services Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

It is a franchise with an experienced management team led by President and Chief Executive Officer Ginger Martin.

As of March 31, 2025, ANB Bank reported total assets of $452 million, with total loans of $317 million, and total deposits of $387 million, of which over $300 million are non-CD core deposits.

“We are delighted to welcome American National Bank’s outstanding group of bankers to the United Community team. We’ve been working closely with this group for some time now, and we continue to be impressed with their community-focused, service-first approach to banking. The cultural alignment between our teams is very strong,” said Lynn Harton, chairman and chief executive officer of United.

Harton added, “This partnership will add a customer service focused hub in an attractive market. We look forward to continuing to invest in growth, employee engagement, and community development in the South Florida market.”

Said Ginger Martin, president and chief executive officer of ANB Bank: “We have built an outstanding banking franchise in South Florida, and we are excited to move into this next phase of our growth in partnership with United Community.”

Martin added, The alignment of our values and priorities, combined with a larger balance sheet and expanded product offerings, will ensure that we continue to provide excellent service to our customers and meaningfully contribute to our community.”

Stephens Inc. acted as financial advisor to United, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as United’s legal advisor.

Hovde Group, LLC served as ANB’s financial advisor, and Smith Mackinnon, PA served as ANB’s legal advisor.

Aerowerks, a manufacturer for the food service industry, announced it selected Cherokee County in South Carolina to establish the company’s first U.S. operation.

The company’s $10 million investment will create 52 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

With more than 40 years of experience, Aerowerks specializes in the manufacture of custom material handling systems, including return conveyers, tray accumulators and dish machines, for the food service industry.

The company operates a production facility in Ontario, Canada.

Aerowerks’ new facility at 330 Huntington Road in Gaffney will design, manufacture and assemble the company’s material handling systems.

Operations are expected to be online later this month. Those interested in joining Aerowerks should contact Ping Chan ([email protected]).

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

"We are excited to establish our first U.S. operation in Cherokee County, a strategic location that will allow us to serve our customers better and expand our footprint in the food service industry,” said Aerowerks Corporation of America President Balbir Singh.

Singh added, “This facility will be integral to our vision of providing high-quality, custom material handling systems, and we look forward to working alongside the community to create a successful and sustainable operation." 

By August M. Spencer

The fourth annual Goodwill Champions of Change Awards honored six individuals and industries that have benefited from Goodwill’s career and education programs.

The ceremony, held May 1, 2025, at the 1881 Event Hall in Spartanburg, featured comments from Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice along with a proclamation from Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft naming May 1 Goodwill Champions of Change Day in Spartanburg County.

In her opening remarks, Chunsta Miller, VP of communication and public engagement for Goodwill Industries of the Upstate and Midlands, focused on “the power of work” and its impact on communities.

Goodwill’s economic impact on the Upstate is estimated to be $106 million, Rice said, adding that “We must invest in people for the greatest returns,” said Rice.

Irmastene Clark, winner of the Bill Hummers Mission Impact Award, was recognized for her dedication to caring for her grandmother during her last years of life.

This inspired Clark to pursue a formal CNA certification through Goodwill’s six-week CNA program. She is now a homeowner and has taken on a second job helping men with intellectual disabilities live more independently.

Tommy Whiteside, winner of the William Wylie Career and Training Center Award, found a career path after several years of incarceration thanks to Goodwill’s Career Services.

He was the top of his class of 16 aspiring truck drivers, and now has his CDL and financial stability.

Whiteside was unable to accept his award in person since he was on his way to a New Mexico delivery.

Winner of the Cecil McFarland Employer Partner Award, Spinx has partnered with Goodwill for staffing support with much success. Spinx, having organized four job fairs at the Hardscrabble Goodwill in Richland County, succeeded in sourcing 30 new hires in October 2024 for its Columbia location.

The Bridge at Green Street, an arm of First Baptist Spartanburg, received the LaCrystal Jackson Community Partner Award. Speaking on behalf of the late LaCrystal Jackson were her mother and son.

The Bridge at Green Street, in an ongoing partnership with Goodwill, established monthly visits from Goodwill’s Mission Mobile unit to provide career services to the Spartanburg area.

The Bridge serves approximately 500 people each month, providing low-cost clothing, food, bikes, and tutoring to the Spartanburg community.

Ron Rhames, winner of the Tony Bell Champion Award, has been a champion of education-access and workforce-development since his time as the first African American president of Midlands Technical College.

Goodwill is one of many community organizations he has partnered with during his many years of service to his community.

Alisha Clopton accepted the Lloyd Auten Achiever of the Year Award.

Born with a rare eye disease causing severe vision loss to her center field of view, Clopton struggled academically and eventually dropped out of high school.

Clopton became a mother at 19, and went to work after connecting with Goodwill’s career services.

Five years of employment with Goodwill led her to become the current assistant manager at the Newberry Goodwill.

The Champions of Change Awards were sponsored by East Coast Graphics (ECG), TD Bank, Dancy Interior Construction, Inc., and Garfield Signs & Graphics.