VOLUME 25 NUMBER 20 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM
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DECEMBER 12-DECEMBER 25, 2022 ■ $2.25
Automaker starts production of new BMW XM By Ross Norton
rnorton@scbiznews.com
Current change
Company that bought Hubbell Lighting moves HQ to Greenville Page 8
P
roduction of the BMW XM has begun in Spartanburg County. It is the first high-performance vehicle with an electrified drive system from the BMW M line. BMW Manufacturing, which says the future has a place for both
electric and gas vehicles, will make both of them on the same assembly line at Plant Spartanburg, where the X5, X6 and X7 roll off the line at a rate of about 1,500 a day. “We are excited to add the first-ever BMW XM to our plant’s portfolio,” Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said in an announcement. “This modern, future-oriented
design and powerful performance of the BMW XM has generated a lot of enthusiasm. As the center of competence for X models, BMW Plant Spartanburg is prepared to build this vehicle with the highest premium quality that our customers deserve.” The BMW XM has a plug-in hybrid system with a V8 gasoline engine and a powerful electric
motor, according to a news release. It will arrive at dealers worldwide in the spring, with key sales markets identified as the United States, China and the Middle East. The M line of BMWs — meaning BMW Motorsports — was created in 1972 as a division of the company’s racing teams. See BMW, Page 8
A change of menu
Rick Erwin Dining Group goes for something different. Page 9
Supply chain boost The S.C. Ports Authority will double Inland Port Greer. Page 10
Growth industry
Christmas tree farmers stake a place in economy. Page 2
SHARING SPACES
The commons area of Expansive provides a quiet space for a coworker to get her work done. Members and operators say the pandemic has been good for the sector. (Photo/Provided)
COVID-19 pandemic brings work alternative to the forefront INSIDE
Leading Off .......................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 C-Suite ................................ 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction .................... 13 LIST: Commercial Property Management Companies .. 19 At Work ............................. 20 Viewpoint ...........................23
By Krys Merryman
kmerryman@scbiznews.com and Christina Knauss cknauss@scbiznews.com
W
hen Shannon Wilbanks and Joe Erwin, managing partners of Endeavor, left their advertising firm in 2015, they collaborated on how
they could provide an office-working environment with the energy, technology and training opportunities that they could get at larger agencies but weren’t able to access being in business as a sole proprietor or small business. It was out of this concept that they realized they were talking about coworking.
Upstate Under Construction
“We hadn’t planned on being in the coworking game,” said Wilbanks. “It really grew out of that (concept). Our mission is to do whatever we can to help our members succeed, and that’s coming from a very genuine place.” Coworking is the use of a collaborative workspace that offers an alternative way to work. In cowork-
Take a look at the Upstate’s latest construction projects. Page 15
ing spaces, people work independently or in groups to complete projects. This concept is popular, because it provides a sense of community and a conducive working atmosphere you wouldn’t be able to receive if working for a larger company. See CO-WORKING, Page 6