Robert Bosch GmbH ( pronunciation ), or Bosch, is a German multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components measured by 2011 revenues. The company was founded by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart in 1886. Bosch is 92% owned by Robert Bosch Stiftung.
Bosch's core products are automotive components including brakes, controls, electrical drives, electronics, fuel systems, generators, starter motors and steering systems; industrial products, such as including drives and controls, packaging technology and consumer goods; and building products, including household appliances, power tools, security systems and thermotechnology.
History
1886 - 1920
The history of the company started in a backyard in Stuttgart-West as the Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik on 15 November 1886. One year later, Bosch presented the first low voltage magneto for gas engines. Twenty years later, the first magneto for automobiles followed.
The first factory was opened by Bosch in Stuttgart in 1901. In 1906, the company produced its 100,000-th magneto. In the same year, Bosch introduced the 8-hours day for workers. In 1910, the Feuerbach plant was founded and built close to Stuttgart. In this factory, Bosch started to produce headlights in 1913.
In 1917, Bosch was transformed into a corporation.
Until 1945
In 1926, Bosch started to produce windscreen wipers, and in 1927, injection pumps for diesel. Bosch bought the gas appliances production from Junkers & Co. in 1932. In the same year, the company developed its first power drill and presented its first car radio.
In 1937, Bosch was transformed into a limited liability company.
Bosch's subsidiary, Dreilinden Maschinenbau GmbH (DLMG) was an arms manufacturer in Kleinmachnow. This subsidiary employed forced laborers, prisoners of war and concentration camp detainees. There are two books published by Angela Martin and Hanna Sjöberg that report about Bosch's use of slave labor. Since 2006, there is a commemoration in the former forced labor camp.
On 12 March 1942, the company's founder, Robert Bosch, died at the age of 80.
Until 2000
After the second world war, Bosch established a partnership with the Japanese company Denso.
In 1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung was founded. Bosch founded a new development center in Schwieberdingen in 1968, and headquarters moved to Gerlingen in 1970.
In 1981, the company participated on an equity basis in the Telefonbau & Normalzeit GmbH that was renamed Telenorma in 1985, and acquired completely in 1987. In 1994, this part of the company was renamed as Bosch Telecom GmbH.
The most relevant inventions of the company until 2000 were the oxygen sensor (1976), the electric motor control (1979), the traction control system (1986), the xenon light for cars (1991), the electronic stability control (1995), the common rail direct fuel injection (1997), and the direct fuel injection (2000).
In 2000, Bosch sold the Private Networks area (nowadays, Tenovis and Avaya, respectively).
21st century
In 2001, Bosch acquired the Mannesmann Rexroth AG, which they later renamed to Bosch Rexroth AG. In the same year, the company opened a new testing center in Vaitoudden close to Arjeplog in north Sweden. A new developing center in Abstatt, Germany followed in 2004.
Important inventions in these years were the electric hydraulic brake in 2001, the common rail fuel injection with piezo-injectors, the digital car radio with a disc drive, and the cordless screwdriver with a lithium-ion battery in 2003.
Bosch received the Deutsche Zukunftspreis (German Future Prize) from the German president in 2005 and 2008. A new development center was planned in 2008 in Renningen. In 2014, the first departments moved to the new center, while the remaining departments followed in 2015.
In 2006, Bosch acquired Telex Communications and Electro-Voice.
In 2009, Bosch invested about 3.6 billion Euro in development and research. Approximately 3900 patents are published per year. In addition to increasing energy efficiency by employing renewable energies, the company plans to invest into new areas such as biomedical engineering.
China has developed into an important market and manufacturing base for Bosch. In 2012, Bosch had 34,000 employees and a revenue of 41.7 billion Yuan (about 5 billion Euro) in China.
- 2012 - Purchased SPX Service Solutions
- 2012 - Bosch sold its foundation brakes activities to KPS Capital Partners, that led to the establishment of Chassis Brakes International
- 2013 - Bosch announced, it would exit its solar business
- 2014 â€" Bosch entered talks to acquire Red Bend Software.
- 2014 - Bosch takes over 100% of the shares from the former BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH joint venture
- 2014 - Bosch received the 2014 U.S. Smart Partner award for Physical Security from Ingram Micro Inc.
- 2015 - Bosch takes over 100% of the shares of the former ZF Lenksysteme (Steering Systems) GmbH joint venture (was 50/50 with ZF Friedrichshafen)
- 2015 - Bosch purchases Seeo, Inc, a start-up working on solid state lithium ion batteries.
Operations
Bosch comprises more than 440 subsidiary companies. In addition to automotive components, which generate around 60% of its revenues, Bosch produces industrial machinery and hand tools.
Locations
Although most of the company's plants and employees are located in Germany (112,300 employees), Bosch is a worldwide company.
In North America, Robert Bosch LLC (a wholly owned Bosch subsidiary) has corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI. Three Research Technology Centers are located in Pittsburgh, PA, Palo Alto, CA and Cambridge, MA. Factories and distribution facilities are located in Mt. Prospect, Illinois; Hoffman Estates, Illinois; Broadview, Illinois; Kentwood, Michigan; Waltham, Massachusetts; Clarksville, Tennessee; Anderson, South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; South Bend, Indiana (to close 2011); and 11 other cities. There are also two corporate sites in Brazil and ten in Mexico where a central purchasing office for all divisions of Bosch Group is located in Broadview, Illinois. In North America, Bosch employs about 24,750 people in 80 locations, generating $8.8Â billion in sales in 2006.
In May 2015, Bosch Security Systems opened its newly constructed distribution center in Greer, South Carolina. The distribution center adds more than 50 new associates in the state and will receive, store and ship more than 50,000 different products for video surveillance, intrusion and fire detection, access control and management systems and professional audio and conference systems.
There are other wholly owned Bosch subsidiaries in:
and other countries. Bosch employs over 389 000 people in more than 60 countries, supplying a complex distribution network of new products and parts.
India Operations
Bosch entered India in 1922, when Illies & Company set up a sales office in Calcutta. For three decades, the company operated in the Indian market only through imports. In 1951, Bosch set up its first manufacturing plant in India.
Currently, Bosch India has a turnover of over $2 billion and over 26000 employees spread across 10 locations and 7 application development centers. 84% of Bosch India revenues come from its automotive business, with the remaining 16% split between its non-automotive businesses that include packaging, energy and building solutions, power tools and consumer retail. Bosch also has an R&D facility in Coimbatore and Bangalore, India. This is Bosch's largest R&D facility outside its home market of Germany. In September 2014, Bosch announced the launch of a locally developed eye-care solution in India. The company’s new eye screening and detection system offers a combination of hardware and software and provides affordable eye care.
Bosch India is listed on the Indian stock exchanges and has a market capitalization of over $12 billion.
Activities
Automotive components
About 60% of Bosch's worldwide annual sales are produced in automotive technology. Bosch invented the first practical magneto, an early ignition electrical source, which provided the spark to ignite the fuel in most of the earliest internal combustion engines, and is still used in general aviation engines. Bosch's corporate logo to this date depicts the armature from a magneto. Bosch was an early manufacturer of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and as time passed, Bosch became a leader in such specialized fields as traction control systems (TCS), the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), body electronics (such as central locking, doors, windows and seats), and oxygen sensors, injectors and fuel pumps. Even in such humble technological areas as spark plugs, wiper blades, engine cooling fans and other aftermarket parts, Bosch has over $1Â billion in annual sales.
Bosch is a leading supplier of car stereo systems and in-car navigation systems.
Bosch is supplying hybrid diesel-electric technology to automakers, including PSA Peugeot 3008.
The proposed settlement of consumer claims in the Volkswagen emissions scandal explicitly excludes claims that might be made against Bosch.
Industrial technology
Bosch's subsidiary Bosch Rexroth is a supplier of industrial technology, producing hydraulic, electric and pneumatic machinery for driving, controlling and moving machines in applications ranging from automotive to mining.
Bosch's packaging technology division plans, designs, manufactures and installs packaging lines for manufacturers of pharmaceutical, confectionery, food, and similar products. Bosch is one of the largest suppliers of packaging technology.
Consumer goods and power tools
Bosch caters to the areas of consumer goods and building technology with its power tool, thermotechnology and security systems, as well as with its household appliances business within the BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH joint venture. In the US, power tools are provided by the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation based in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
With its brands Bosch, Hawera, Dremel, RotoZip, Freud, Vermont American, and many more, Bosch is one of the largest manufacturers of portable power tools worldwide. Bosch manufactures power tools for the building trade, industry and do-it-yourselfers (DIY-ers). In or around 1956, Dr. Hans Erich Slany worked with Bosch to design one of the first plastic power tools. Prior to this time, power tools were metal castings that often conducted electrical sparks or current into the user as well as being very heavy. Today the power tools designed by TEAMS Design have been winning awards worldwide for many years. In 2011, the 12" Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw won an EID Silver Award. In 2012, the Dremel Saw Max was awarded a Good Design Award and was chosen as an IDEA Award finalist. The product range also includes accessories such as drill bits and saw blades, under its Vermont American brand, as well as gardening and water gardening products under its Gilmour, LR Nelson and Sunterra brands.
Bosch is the largest European manufacturer of thermotechnology (heating units, etc.) with its subsidiary BBT Thermotechnik GmbH. It had revenues of €2.8 billion in 2006. Its brands include Bosch, Buderus, Junkers, Dakon, e.l.m leblanc S.A., Florida Heat Pump (FHP), Geminox, IVT, Nefit, Sieger, Vulcano and Worcester.
Security systems
In 2001, Bosch bought Detection Systems and Radionics, Inc., to build their business in the North American security and life safety products manufacturing/supply business. Through the Detection Systems acquisition, Bosch also obtained additional sales channels in Latin America, Asia-Pacific (including Australia) and Europe.
In 2002, Bosch acquired Philips Communications and Security, Inc., adding a video surveillance portfolio, as well as sales channels, to its business.
In January 2006, Bosch acquired the Telex Group comprising Electro-Voice, Dynacord, Midas, Klark Teknik, Telex and RTS. Midas and Klark Teknik parted company with Bosch on 8 December 2009 and are now part of Music Group.
In 2008, Bosch acquired Extreme CCTV, a rugged camera and IP camera manufacturer, to further expand their video surveillance portfolio.
In October 2016, Bosch Security Systems, Inc. announced seamless integration of its IP and high definition (HD) cameras and recording solutions with Tyco Security Products' C-CURE 9000 security and event management platform from Software House.
Mobile phones
Bosch also used to create mobile phones for a short time. Their first three mobile phones were the Com 906, Com 738 and World 718, all from 1996. In 1997, they released two other phones: Com 207 and Com 607. The Com 908 came out in 1998, and in 1999 they released their final phones: the Com 509, the 909 Dual and the 909 Dual S.
Joint ventures
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, in which Bosch acquired all shares in 2014, is one of the world's top three companies in the household appliances industry. In Germany and Western Europe, BSH is the market leader. Its portfolio includes the principal brand names Bosch and Siemens, Gaggenau, Neff, Thermador, Constructa, Viva and ufesa brands, and further six regional brands. Bosch household appliances for the North American market are mainly manufactured at its factory near New Bern, North Carolina. The distribution of manufacturing workforce in household appliances is:
- 36% in Germany
- 30% in Western Europe (excluding Germany, but including Turkey)
- 15% in Asia
- 10% in Eastern Europe
- 5% in North America
- 4% in Latin America
with 39,000 employees overall.
Purolator Filters
Bosch owned 50% of Purolator Filters in a joint venture with Mann+Hummel until 2013. In 2013 the Mann+Hummel Group has taken over the remaining 50% stake from Bosch.
Bosch owned 50% of the home appliance manufacturer Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte until it acquired the other half from Siemens AG in 2015 and renamed it to BSH Hausgeräte GmbH. The vehicle audio equipment company Blaupunkt was a subsidiary of Bosch until March 2009.
SB LiMotive
In June 2008 Bosch formed SB LiMotive, a 50:50 joint company with Samsung SDI. The company held ground breaking ceremony for a 28.000Â m2 lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing plant in September 2009 and it is scheduled to start production for hybrid vehicles in 2011 and for electric vehicles in 2012. The plant will generate 1,000 jobs in Ulsan, Korea in addition to the 500 employees in Korea, Germany and the United States. SB LiMotive was officially ended in September 2012 with both companies focusing on automotive batteries alone.
Corporate affairs
Robert Bosch GmbH, including its wholly owned subsidiaries such as Robert Bosch LLC in North America, is unusual in that it is an extremely large, privately owned corporation that is almost entirely (92%) owned by a charitable foundation. Thus, while most of the profits are invested back into the corporation to build for the future and sustain growth, nearly all of the profits distributed to shareholders are devoted to humanitarian causes.
As shown in the diagram (above), the Robert Bosch Stiftung (Robert Bosch Foundation) holds 92% of the shares (Beteiligung) of Robert Bosch GmbH, but no voting rights (Stimmrecht). The Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG (Robert Bosch Industrial Trust KG), with old members of the company management, agents of the Bosch family, and other eminent people from the industry (such as Jürgen Hambrecht, CEO of BASF), have 93% of the votes (Stimmen), but no shares (0.01%). The remaining 8% of shares and 7% of voting-rights are held by the descendants of the company founder Robert Bosch (Familie Bosch).
For example, in 2004, the net profit was US$2.1Â billion, but only US$78Â million was distributed as dividends to shareholders. Of that figure, US$72Â million was distributed to the charitable foundation, and the other US$6Â million to Bosch family stockholders. The remaining 96% of the profits were invested back into the company. In its core automotive technology business, Bosch invests 9% of its revenue on research and development, nearly double the industry average of 4.7%.
Accreditations
Almost all Bosch locations are both ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental protection) certified. In addition to that, their management is compliant with OHSAS 18001.
Controversy
Role in Emission Cheating Software
In 2006, Volkswagen executives asked Bosch for help in developing software for their emission defeat devices. Volkswagen is one of Bosch's biggest customers. Volkswagen engineers provided detailed specifications to Bosch, which wrote the necessary code. Bosch was apparently concerned about the legality of software and asked Volkswagen to assume responsibility if the fraud was discovered, but Volkswagen refused.
On 1 February 2017, Bosch agreed to pay consumers in the United States $327.5 million as compensation for its role in devising the software.
See also
- Knorr-Bremse
References
External links
- Robert Bosch GmbH official website
- Profile at Yahoo! Finance: Bosch-YF-profile
