• Weicon: roughly 3 million euros sales, 100 associates
• Bosch Diagnostics bolsters workshop equipment business in China
• Mid-price products added to diagnostic portfolio

STUTTGART  – The Bosch Group is acquiring the assets and business of Shenzhen Wei Ning Da Industrial Co Ltd (Weicon) in Shenzhen, China. The agreements to this effect were signed on March 11, 2008. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed. The acquisition is subject to approval by the authorities.

Weicon employs some 100 associates, and generated sales of approximately three million euros (roughly 27.4 renminbi) in 2007. The company develops, manufactures, and sells diagnostic equipment and the related software.

With this acquisition, the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division and its Diagnostics business unit intend to further bolster their Chinese sales of diagnostic equipment, and to expand their already existing aftermarket activities. At the same time, Bosch is acquiring its own development and manufacturing base for diagnostic equipment in China, and is further expanding its software development activities there.

“With this acquisition, we are rounding off our product range in the mid-price segment. This segment is attractive for Asia Pacific, and especially for the Chinese market,” says Hans-Peter Meyen, member of the executive management of the Automotive Aftermarket division.

In the future, the acquired Weicon business is to be built up to become the competence center for the development and manufacture of hardware and software components for diagnostic equipment in China.

About the Bosch Group

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 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros in fiscal 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 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. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

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.

About Bosch in China

Bosch founded its first trading office in China as early as 1909. In 1926, the first car service workshop opened in Shanghai. Today, all Bosch business sectors are present in China: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods and Building Technology. The company operates 44 legal entities in China and has a holding company in Shanghai. Consolidated sales in China reached 2.2 billion euros in 2008. Some 20,200 Bosch associates in all legal entities and facilities are committed to bringing to Chinese customers the latest technology as well as the most reliable services to help improve their quality of life.

For more information on Bosch China, please visit http://www.bosch.com.cn

News sourc: Bosch China
Publish date: Mar. 2008