Bosch is a leading global supplier of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods and building technology. Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1886 by Robert Bosch, the company originated as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” Including its 300 subsidiaries and affiliated companies today, the Bosch Group is present in more than 60 countries, and has some 275,000 associates, 159,000 of them outside Germany.
Global Ownership
92% of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by a charitable foundation - Robert Bosch Stiftung, which carries on the social commitment and endeavors of the company founder in the areas of science, health and humanitarian aid, international understanding, and youth, education, and civic society. Its special ownership structure guarantees the company’s financial independence and makes it possible for the company to develop a long-term perspective in its actions. 7% of the share capital is held by the Bosch family. 1% share is held by Robert Bosch GmbH.
Global Sales
2009 sales of the Bosch Group were over 38 billion euros ($53 billion), down 15 percent over 2008.
Worldwide:
· Automotive Technology achieved 21.7 billion euros ($30 billion) in revenues, or 18 percent loss in 2009, and accounts for roughly 57 percent of business.
· Consumer Goods and Building Technology fell by 4.8 percent in 2009 to nearly 11.3 billion euros ($15.8 billion), accounting for about 30 percent of the overall business.
· Industrial Technology fell by 24 percent to 5.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in 2009 and accounts for about 13 percent of the business.
Global Research & Development (R&D)
Worldwide R&D expenditure in 2009 was 3.6 billion euros ($5 billion), roughly 9 percent of sales. With nearly 33,000 associates working in R&D globally, Bosch has over 12 percent of its workforce involved in research and development all over the world.
Each year, Bosch spends roughly 9 percent of its sales revenue for research and development and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company filed 3,872 patents in 2009, an average of 15 submissions per working day and an increase of 1 percent from 2008. About 45 percent of these patents were directed at protecting the environment and conserving resources.
Bosch in North America
In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, drive and control technology, power tools and accessories, security systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy and healthcare. Bosch, which established its presence in the U.S. in 1906, today has approximately 20,350 employees in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. North America is the company's largest market outside of Germany.
Bosch's sales in North America represent 14 percent of the company's global sales. The Automotive Technology business contributes 62 percent of sales in the region. By 2015, Bosch North and South America sales should contribute 25 percent of the Group's global sales. Globally, 50 percent of sales are targeted to come from automotive and the balance from the Consumer Goods & Building Technology, and Industrial Technology business sectors.
2008 2009
Sales of Bosch Group
in North America: $8.6 billion $7.3 billion
Automotive Technology $5.3 billion $4.5 billion
Industrial Technology $1.3 billion $0.9 billion
Consumer Goods & $2.0 billion $1.9 billion
Building Technology
Key Executive
Peter Marks
Chairman, President and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC
Member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH
Recent Bosch North American mergers and acquisitions include:
· Cobasys LLC, an acquisition of SB LiMotive, Bosch’s 50/50 joint venture with Samsung SDI, that develops, manufactures and markets nickel metal hydride batteries for use in hybrid vehicles.
· Akustica, Inc, which develops, manufactures and sells a complete portfolio of digital and analog micro electromechanical microphones.
· aleo solar AG, a solar module manufacturer, in which Bosch is the majority shareholder.
Automotive Technology
As one of the largest North American automotive suppliers, Bosch develops, manufactures and supplies precision components and systems - including electrical and electronics, chassis and powertrain products - for vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Automotive Technology is Bosch’s largest business sector in North America, with sales of approximately $4.5 billion in 2009 and employing over 12,000 associates at approximately 30 primary locations.
· Gasoline Systems
Develops and manufactures modern gasoline-engine systems that contribute to making vehicles more dynamic, cleaner and more economical.
· Diesel Systems
Develops engineering and production of high-precision diesel technology including injection and starter systems, as well as exhaust-gas treatment systems.
· Chassis Systems Brakes
Manufactures individual components for braking systems.
· Chassis Systems Control
Develops innovative solutions for active driving safety.
· Electrical Drives
Develops and manufactures mechatronic components and systems for body applications.
· Starters Motors and Generators
Develops starter motors and generators for passenger cars and commercial vehicles produced in a worldwide manufacturing network.
· Car Multimedia
Develops, produces and sells radio and navigation equipment.
· Automotive Electronics
Develops, produces and sells microelectronic products for automotive applications.
· Automotive Aftermarket
Responsible for the supply, sales and logistics of automotive parts for vehicle service; also manages the diagnostics, including workshop equipment and car multimedia.
· Bosch Engineering Services
Founded in 2007 as a fully owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch LLC and offers flexible engineering services with global expertise.
· Steering Systems
Develops, produces and sells steering systems for passenger and commercial vehicles.
· Other joint ventures and partners (ETAS, AFCO, ZFLS)
Industrial Technology
Bosch’s North American Industrial Technology business sector reported sales of approximately $900 million in 2009. With roughly 2,900 associates in approximately 20 primary locations, Bosch makes a strong impact in this sector with its drive and control, packaging and solar energy portfolio.
· Drive and Control Technology
Bosch Rexroth offers a complete range of best-in-class products, systems and services for drive, control and motion technologies from mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics to electronics and associated services.
· Packaging Technology
Specializes in packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as processing and packaging solutions for the confectionery industry.
· Solar Energy
Specializes in renewable energy systems including photovoltaic systems, which includes wafers, solar cells, thin-film modules and crystalline PV modules.
Consumer Goods & Building Technology
With 2009 sales of $1.9 billion, the Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sector employs roughly 5,100 associates at approximately 20 primary locations and supplies products that include power tools, security systems, thermotechonolgy and household appliances.
· Power Tools
Designs, manufactures and sells power tools and accessories, rotary tools and accessories and lawn and garden equipment under the brand names such as Bosch, Skil, Dremel, RotoZip, Vermont American, CST Berger, and Gilmour.
· Security Systems
Offers complete security solutions for intrusion, fire, closed circuit television surveillance, access control and management systems for airports, banks, government offices, businesses and homes. Also includes communications systems with brands such as Electro-Voice, Telex, Extreme CCTV and RTS.
· Thermotechnology
Provides heating, hot water and ventilation systems, including Bosch tankless water heaters, Buderus-brand boilers and geothermal systems by FHP.
· Household Appliances
This joint-venture between Robert Bosch GmbH and Siemens AG is the third-largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Products include dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, ranges, ventilation, refrigerators and small appliances sold under the Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau brands.
· Healthcare
Develops and sells technologies that allow clinicians to remotely manage patient health under the brand names Visual Telecommunications Network, Inc (ViTel Net) and Health Hero Network.
Research and Development
· Innovations are a key element to Bosch’s market strategy, and that is why we invested over $5 billion globally in research and development in 2009. Some 33,000 associates work in this area, more than 1,800 of them in North America.
· The Bosch Research and Technology Center, with facilities in Palo Alto, Calif., Cambridge, Mass. and Pittsburgh, Pa., is devoted exclusively to R&D of Bosch products and systems, including advancements in Automotive Technology and enhanced security and safety systems. Bosch supports the advancement of engineering at many notable universities across the U.S., including Stanford University and Kettering University.
CONTACT:
Chandra Lewis
Robert Bosch LLC
(248) 876-6731
Chandra.Lewis@us.bosch.com
www.boschusa.com
Note: 2009 conversion rate: 1 Euro = $1.395 USD
Corporate Backgrounder - June 2010 |
top of page
Headlines
Bosch Household Appliances