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Bosch Starts a New Chapter in Commitment to China


WEBWIRE

Inauguration of New Headquarters in Shanghai


* New corporate base for continued growth in China
* Sales of 37.3 billion CNY in 2010 mark a strong increase of 36 percent
* Newly launched Bosch China Charity Center to intensify CSR activities

Shanghai - The Bosch Group, a leading global supplier of technologies and services in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, officially opened its new Bosch China headquarters in Shanghai today. With a total investment of some 980 million CNY, the new headquarters becomes the largest for the Bosch Group in the Asia Pacific region. The synergy of a common roof ensures that Bosch can create an even stronger foundation for its continuous growth in China.

“Together with our activities across the country, Bosch China’s new headquarters in Shanghai will further strengthen our identity as a Chinese company with deep local roots since more than 100 years.” said Franz Fehrenbach, the chairman of the Bosch board of management. “The new headquarters symbolizes our lasting commitment to the country, and represents our belief in the long-term potential of Bosch China.”

The new Bosch China headquarters
Located in close proximity to the Hongqiao transportation hub, the Bosch China headquarters provides a total floor space of over 78,000 square meters. It will house some 1,500 Bosch associates by the end of 2011 and an additional 500 associates by the end of 2012.

All three Bosch business sectors – Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology – are represented in the new premises. The headquarters also provides extensive R&D facilities such as an advanced materials laboratory. In addition, it will house the Bosch China Training Center.

Year of milestones: 125th anniversary and strong business performance
The Bosch Group will celebrate a landmark year in 2011 with both its 125th anniversary as well as the year of record business performance. In 1886, Robert Bosch opened his “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering” in Stuttgart, Germany. By 1913, Bosch products were being sold on every continent – with 88 percent of sales being generated outside Germany. Today, the Bosch name is well-known across the globe.

For 125 years, Bosch has developed innovative technological solutions and services to respond to the challenges of the times and to strive for continued growth. In 2010, Bosch reported revenue of over 47 billion EUR. This is equivalent to 420 billion CNY and represents an increase of 24 percent over 2009. This makes 2010 the best year in the company’s history and demonstrates that Bosch has left the economic crisis well behind.

For the first time ever, Bosch sales in Asia Pacific surpassed the 10 billion EUR mark, an amount equivalent to almost 100 billion CNY. In this way, sales in Asia Pacific are accounting for 23 percent of the Group’s worldwide sales. In China, growth was particularly strong with sales of over 37 billion CNY, a 36 percent growth year-on-year, making China the third largest market after Germany and the United States for Bosch.

Deep local roots in China
In 2010, all three of Bosch’s business sectors in China showed strong growth; Automotive Technology increased its sales by 38 percent, Industrial Technology grew by 45 percent, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology recorded 21 percent growth. Over the past four years, Bosch sales in China have grown by an annual average of 30 percent.

This growth has been accompanied by a continued investment in expanded business presence, R&D facilities and development of local talent. In 2011, Bosch will invest some 3.4 billion CNY towards enhancing its activities in China. Bosch China now employs over 26,000 associates and intends to hire another 7,000 associates by the end of this year. By the end of 2015, Bosch aims to have some 50,000 associates working in China.

With a strong belief in the principle of developing innovations in the region for the region, Bosch has enhanced its local R&D capabilities in various areas. Today, some 2,100 R&D associates are working for Bosch in China. Four R&D centers for automotive technology and one winter test center in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, have been established. A fifth R&D center in Changsha, Hunan Province, and another auto test center in Donghai, Jiangsu Province, currently under construction, will be put to use in 2012.

Bosch also believes in training and developing a strong local workforce to meet local customer needs. Besides continuous hiring efforts in China, the number of management positions at Bosch China will double to some 1,500 by 2015. Almost all of these new positions will be filled by Chinese associates. Meanwhile, the new headquarters features training facilities that cater to several of Bosch’s business areas. In 2011, 200 courses alone will be offered by the Bosch Training Center to some 7,300 participants.

“Developing the knowledge and expertise of local associates has long been an integral part of our strategy. A strong local presence not only provides better understanding of local needs, but also builds a global network, from which Chinese specialists can benefit and share information.” said Franz Fehrenbach.

Bosch: A corporate citizen for China
At Bosch, meaningful growth and development of the company involves seeing beyond the bottom line. This is why, as a responsible corporate citizen, Bosch uses both innovative management approaches and new energy-saving technologies to reduce CO2 emissions. The new building itself is a shining example of commitment to sustainable development. Many of its energy-efficient features were developed and produced by Bosch divisions.

Bosch’s commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship is reflected not only in its innovative products and services but also in the various activities it undertakes towards society. This year’s opening of the Bosch China Charity Center (BCCC) at the new headquarters is a prime example of the value that Bosch places on corporate social responsibility.

With an annual investment of some 25 million CNY, the BCCC’s aim is to coordinate and steer all activities by Bosch China related to charity and social welfare. The focus will be mostly on education and health, particularly in rural areas.

As Franz Fehrenbach said, “As an established and responsible corporate citizen, we believe in the importance of contributing to the well-being of the societies in which we do business. This year’s opening of the Bosch China Charity Center at our new headquarters illustrates the value we place on corporate social responsibility.”

In China, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, packaging technology, solar energy products, power tools, security and communication systems, thermotechnology, household appliances. Having established a regional presence in China since 1909, Bosch employs over 26,000 associates in 50 legal entities and facilities, with consolidated sales of 37.3 billion CNY in fiscal 2010.For more information, visit www.bosch.com.cn.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 285,000 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros in fiscal 2010. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is repre­sented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent 3.8 billion euros for research and development in 2010, and applied for over 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both inno­vative and beneficial.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and www.125bosch.com



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