Robert Bosch GmbH

Infobox Company
company_name = Robert Bosch GmbH
company_
company_type = GmbH
foundation = November 15 1886 (adopted current name in 1937) by Robert Bosch
location = flagicon|GER Gerlingen, Germany
key_people = flagicon|GER Robert Bosch, founder
industry = Automotive, Automation, Small appliance, Major appliances, Packaging, Security
products = Automotive parts, Power tools, White goods, Security systems
revenue = gain EUR 46.320 billions (2007)
operating_income =
net_income = gain EUR 3.794 billion (2007)
num_employees = 271,265 (2007)
parent =
subsid =
slogan = Invented for life
homepage = [http://www.bosch.com www.bosch.com]
footnotes =

Robert Bosch GmbH is a German diversified technology-based corporation which was started in 1886 by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany. cite web|title=Robert Bosch GmbH Company Profile| work=Yahoo! Finance| publisher=Yahoo!| url=http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41437.html]

Robert Bosch GmbH is the world's largest supplier of automobile components and has business relationships with virtually every automobile company in the world. The headquarters of Bosch is in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart. Franz Fehrenbach became chairman on July 1, 2003. The Bosch Group comprises more than 275 subsidiary companies.

tatistics

Operating in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, the Bosch Group reported sales of €43.7 billion [cite web| url=http://www.bosch.com/content/language2/html/2226.htm| publisher=Bosch| title=Bosch facts and figures] in fiscal 2006, an increase of 5.4% over the previous fiscal.

In 2005, worldwide sales of the Bosch Group came to €41.5 billion (reported as US$49,102,300,000) , with about US$8 billion in US sales. In the auto-component supply market, the top competitors of Robert Bosch GmbH are: Delphi Corporation, Visteon, DENSO Corporation, and, Continental AG.

In 2004, Robert Bosch GmbH was 17th on the list of "Top 20 Patent Winners" in the United States, with 907 new patents. This was an improvement from 20th (758 patents) in 2003, and 23rd (683 patents) in 2002. [cite news| url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=137568| work=PR Newswire| title=IFI CLAIMS(R) Compiles List of Year's Top Patent Winners| date=2005-01-11]

Ownership

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 ploughed 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"). [ [http://www.bosch-stiftung.de/content/language1/html/389.asp Robert Bosch Stiftung: Über uns] , retrieved on 2008-08-11 ]

For example, in 2004 the net profit was US$2.1 billion. But only US$78 million was distributed as dividends to shareholders. Of that figure, US$72 million was distributed to the charitable foundation and the other US$6 million to Bosch family stockholders. The remaining 96 percent of the profits were pumped back into the company. In its core automotive technology business, Bosch invests 9 percent of its revenue on research and development, nearly double the industry average of 4.7 percent. [cite news| work=Forbes magazine| url=http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1128/204_print.html| date=2005-11-28| title=Parts for the Sensitive Car| author=Joann Muller]

Arrangement of the company

Notable subsidiaries

The Bosch Group comprises more than 275 subsidiary companies. In addition to auto-component supply business, which brings in more than 90% of its revenues, the company produces industrial machinery and hand tools. It also owns 50% of Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte, the European appliance maker. Bosch's "Blaupunkt" unit is a main manufacturer of vehicle audio equipment. The subsidiary "Bosch Rexroth" produces hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic machinery for applications ranging from automotive to mining.

Worldwide presence

Although most of the company's plants and employees are located in Germany, Bosch is a truly worldwide company.In North America, Robert Bosch LLC (a wholly owned Bosch subsidiary) has corporate headquarters in Broadview, IL; with factories and distribution facilities in Mt. Prospect, IL; Hoffman Estates, IL; Farmington Hills, MI; Kentwood, MI; Waltham, MA; Clarksville, TN; Anderson, SC; and 13 other cities. The Research Technology Center is located in Palo Alto, CA near Stanford University. There are also two corporate sites in Brazil and ten in Mexico where is a central purchasing office for all divisions of Bosch Group.Fact|date=March 2008 In North America, Bosch employs about 24,750 people in 80 locations, generating $8.8 billion in sales in 2006. [cite web| url=http://www.bosch.us/content/language1/html/867.htm| publisher=Bosch| title=About Bosch in the USA| accessdate=2008-03-11]

There are other wholly owned Bosch subsidiaries in:

*India (15,250 employees);
*Brazil (14,190);
*China (12,370);
*France (9,720);
*Czech Republic (8,690);
*Japan (8,130);
*Spain (7,950);
*Turkey (6,700);
*Hungary (6,280);
*Italy (5,160);
*United Kingdom (4,920);
*Portugal (3,940);
*The Netherlands (3,320);
*Switzerland (2,780);
*Malaysia (2,220);
*Austria (2,140);
*Belgium (2,040);
*South Korea (2,000);
*Russia (1,730);
*Australia (1,700);
*Poland (1,640);
*Sweden (1,230);
*South Africa (1,010);
*Tunisia (770);
*Australia (2,400);

and other countries. Bosch employs over 271,000 people in more than 50 countries, supplying a complex distribution network of new products and parts. [ [http://www.bosch.com/content/language2/html/2222.htm The Bosch Group - Locations ] ]

Logo

The Bosch logo represents a simple motor armature and casing, one of the core components produced by the business.

Core businesses

Automotive Technology

About 50 percent of Bosch's worldwide annual sales are produced in automotive technology. Bosch invented the first practical magneto, a predecessor of the alternator, which sparked most of the earliest internal combustion engines. Bosch's corporate logo to this date depicts the armature from a magneto. Bosch also invented the 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 Programme (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 $1 billion in annual sales.

Bosch is a leading player in car stereo systems and in-car navigation systems, which is sold under the "Blaupunkt" brandname.

Robert Bosch GmbH is supplying hybrid diesel-electric technology to automakers, including PSA Peugeot 308 [ [http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070612/ANE01/70612004/1116 Bosch says it has contract for diesel-hybrid parts - Automotive News Europe ] ] .

Robert Bosch GmBH has set up a new project unit in its automotive group to develop high-performance lithium-ion batteries and packs, and to focus the company’s efforts on further developing the core competence it needs for the increased use of electrical motors in drive systems. [ [http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/05/bosch-sets-up-l.html Green Car Congress: Bosch Sets Up Li-ion Project Unit ] ] Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI of Korea plan to launch a joint venture aiming at development, production anddistribution of Lithium Ion systems. [ [http://www.powermanagement-europe.com/208404122 Bosch, Samsung join forces for lithium ion batteries | Power Management DesignLine Europe ] ]

Industrial Technology

Bosch's subsidiary Bosch Rexroth is a supplier of industrial technology. Through this division, Bosch supplies technologies for driving, controlling, and moving machines. These technologies serve Bosch's two core markets – factory automation and mobile hydraulics.

Bosch's packaging technology division plans, designs, manufactures and installs packaging lines for manufacturers of pharmaceutical, confectionery, food, and similar products. Bosch is the largest supplier 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 [http://www.boschtools.com/TermsofUse/Pages/TermsofUseAgreement.aspx] [http://hoovers.com/free/search/simple/xmillion/index.xhtml?query_string=Bosch+Tools&which=company&page=1&search_x=28&search_y=12] .

With its brands "Bosch", "Skil", "Dremel" and "RotoZip", Bosch manufactures power tools for the building trade, industry, and do-it-yourselfers. The product range also includes accessories such as drill bits and saw blades, under its "Vermont American" brand, as well as gardening appliances under its "Gilmour" brand.

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., FHP Manufacturing, Geminox, IVT, Nefit, Sieger, Volcano and Worcester.

"BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH", in which Bosch and Siemens each hold a 50% share, 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, NC. Its competitors include Viking Range, Sub-Zero Refrigerator, Wolf Appliance (a division of Sub-Zero Refrigerator), Dacor, and Miele. Although Bosch is a German brand, most of the new appliances are not made in Germany, but in Spain or Turkey.

ecurity Systems

In 2001, Bosch bought Detection Systems and Radionics, inc., gaining a foothold in the North American security and life safety products manufacturing/supply business. Combining the product portfolio of the nascent business in Europe, which includes installation, supply, and call center business, with the dealer network and product portfolio, allowed Bosch to enter the American market as a major supplier. 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 comprehensive video surveillance portfolio, as well as sales channels, to its business.

Today, Bosch Security Systems, Inc. works closely with an extensive network of certified dealers and integrators to design dependable security and life safety solutions for the market. Like others in this consolidated market, they maintain a broad portfolio of products and systems for video surveillance, access control, and intrusion and fire detection. They count major schools and universities, government agencies, correctional facilities, retail stores, casinos as many of their markets.

History

See also

*Knorr-Bremse

Notes

External links

* Profile at Yahoo! Finance: [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41437.html Bosch-YF-profile] .
* [http://www.bosch.com/content/language2/html/index.htm Home page of Bosch website in the English language]
* [http://www.bosch.com/ Bosch GmbH official website]
* [http://www.bosch.co.uk/ Bosch GmbH UK official website]
* [http://www.clubplug.net/cross.html BOSCH Spark Plug Cross Reference Catalogs]
* [http://www.boschsecurity.com/ Bosch Security Systems official website]
* [http://www.boschtools.com/ Bosch Power Tools North America official website]
* [http://www.boschforum.org/ Bosch Employees Forum for Social Development of Mankind]
* [http://www.bosch.com/content/language2/html/3143.htm Company history]