• New headquarter facilities in Shanghai strengthen Bosch development in China

May 15th , 2008, Shanghai – Bosch today held the groundbreaking of its new headquarters including R&D function in Shanghai covering an area of 28,631 square meters at the Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Economic Zone. The new facility will be the hub of the Bosch Group in China.

The new Bosch China headquarters has a total government approved investment of 120 million euros and is expected to be completed in 2010. According to the design plan, the building area will be approximately of 51,000 square meters, of which nine floors above ground, and 29,000 square meters below ground . When completed, the new facility will include office areas, R&D facilities and training centres.

"The rapid growth in the last 5 years has come to a point that it makes now a good economical sense for us to build a new headquarter building in Shanghai. " said Dr. Rudolf Colm, Member of the Board of Management of the Bosch Group responsible for the coordination of Bosch activities in the Asia-Pacific region, " China continue s to be one of the major growth drivers for our business in Asia Pacific and the investment in the new facility is part of our long term strategy for China and for the Asia Pacific region . "

As early as 1909, Bosch's first trading office in Asia was founded in Shanghai. In 1926, the first car service workshop was established in Shanghai. Today Bosch operates 37 legal entities in China across all business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods and Building Technology. By the end of 2007, Bosch had already established four technical centers and one winter test facility in China.

"We have chosen Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Economic Zone because of its proximity to the new Shanghai Hongqiao Multi-modal Transportation Hub for air, road and rail connections to the rest of China." said Peter Pang, President of Bosch (China) Investment Ltd. "The new Bosch China Headquarter building represents a key stone of our development which will further strengthen our presence in China. "

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.

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.

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

News sourc: Bosch China
Publish date: May 2008