BMW and SGL Group are up to something pretty cool over in Moses Lake, Washington, in what feels like the middle of nowhere. They have teamed up to create SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (ACF), and they have a huge new facility that creates carbon fiber for the new BMW i-series cars. SGL ACF was just awarded as the 2013 Manufacturer of the Year by the Association of Washington Businesses. I toured the facility and made some photos on assignment for Bloomberg recently, and some of the pictures are below. Thanks for looking.
Carbon fiber is seen at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
The exterior of the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant is seen in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Carbon fiber precursor is pictured before being heated and converted into carbon fiber at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Carbon fiber precursor is pictured before being heated and converted into carbon fiber at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
A worker walks past large furnaces at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Carbon fiber precursor is pictured before being heated and converted into carbon fiber at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
An employee monitors equipment at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Carbon fiber leaves a glowing furnace at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Steam rises from freshly made carbon fiber at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Steam rises from freshly made carbon fiber at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
Freshly made carbon fiber is pictured at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
An employee prepares spools of carbon fiber for shipment at the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. on October 9, 2013. The plant is a joint venture of SGL Group and BMW Group, and it produces carbon fiber to be used in the making of reinforced plastics (CFRP), which will be used in the new BMW i vehicles. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg