Bosch announces the acquisition of sia Abrasives Holding AG Unanimous support of the board of directors of sia Abrasives

· Planned public takeover offer of 435 Swiss francs per share in cash

· Agreement with Behr Bircher Cellpack to acquire nearly 40 percent of the shares in sia Abrasives

Stuttgart (D)/Frauenfeld (CH)/Villmergen (CH) – Yesterday, Bosch signed an agreement with Behr Bircher Cellpack BBC AG, Villmergen (Switzerland) to purchase nearly 40 percent of the shares in sia Abrasives Holding AG, Frauenfeld (Switzerland). The purchase price for the stake amounts to 153.9 million Swiss francs (98 million euros). This is equivalent to a price of 515 Swiss francs per share. The transaction of the shares is subject to approval by the competition authorities.

Bosch also intends to make a public offer to all other shareholders of sia Abrasives Holding AG. Bosch will offer these shareholders 435 Swiss francs per share in cash. This represents a premium of 22.7 percent to the closing price of sia Abrasives shares on August 25, 2008. On the following day Behr Bircher Cellpack announced a takeover bid of 385 Swiss francs per share for the abrasives manufacturer. The Bosch offer is therefore 13 percent higher.

The sia Abrasives board of directors unanimously endorses the public offer by Bosch. It recommends sia Abresives’ shareholders to accept Bosch’s public offer, and to tender their sia shares to Bosch. Following the close of the public offer, Bosch will decide on the new composition of the board of directors.

With this acquisition, the Bosch Power Tools division intends to strengthen its activities in the surface technology, and to extend its existing portfolio of abrasives products. It is expected that the two companies will jointly benefit from their respective competencies in development, application, manufacturing, and marketing.

For this reason, Bosch Power Tools also intends to locate its global competence center for flexible abrasives in Frauenfeld. Accordingly, Bosch views the future prospects for the production site, employees and management as very attractive. Especially in its industrial business, the sia Abrasives brand is to be retained.

“When it comes to innovative abrasives, sia Abrasives is one of the world’s top three suppliers,” says Uwe Raschke, the Bosch board of management member responsible for the Power Tools division. “We are confident that this takeover is a strong signal for growth in an attractive market segment. Our decision to acquire sia is based to a significant extent on its employees’ and managers’ in-depth know-how in the field of surface treatment.”

Peter A. Schifferle, the president of the sia board of directors, commented as follows on the planned acquisition of sia Abrasives and its integration into the Bosch Power Tools division: “Sia and Bosch have been working together closely for many years, both in development and in marketing. By joining forces with Bosch, sia can look forward to the great future potential of new addressable markets and enhanced sales growth. Bosch is the ideal new owner of sia.”

Bosch acknowledges that Giorgio Behr presented a sound entrepreneurial solution for sia Abrasives and pays great respect to him for his decision to waive his own plans, making the present solution possible.

About sia Abrasives:
The sia Group develops, manufactures, and markets complete, customized abrasive systems for the treatment of surfaces of all kinds. In fiscal 2007, sia Abrasives generated global sales of just under 300 million Swiss francs (roughly 190 million euros), and employed some 1,150 employees.

About Bosch Power Tools:
With power tools, accessories, garden tools, and measuring technology, the Bosch Power Tools division generated sales of 3.1 billion euros in 2007. Of this total, 90 percent was generated outside Germany. The division employs a global workforce of roughly 16,000 associates.

Invitation to a media conference
At 11 a.m. today, in the Marriott Hotel, Neumühlequai 42, Zurich, a media conference will be held. The persons responsible from sia Abrasives and Bosch will present the details of the acquisition of sia and answer any questions you may have. You are cordially invited to attend this event.

Registration will not be necessary.


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 271,000 associates generated sales of 46.3 billion euros in fiscal 2007. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in roughly 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3 billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.”

The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.