• Inauguration of one of the largest manufacturing facilities of Bosch Chassis Systems Brakes worldwide in Dalian, northeast China
• Fully integrated local production capability

June 6, 2008 Dalian - Bosch, the global leading automotive technology supplier, inaugurated its new facility named Bosch Chassis Systems ( Dalian) Co. Ltd in Dalian, the famous seaport located in the Northeast of China. Through the new facility, Bosch will achieve fully localized manufacturing capabilities for Chassis Systems Brakes products and will be able to better serve its customers in China.

In 2007 Bosch completed the acquisition of 75.3 percent of shares of the former holding company Pacifica. The plant in Dalian covers approx 83,000 square meters and has more than 500 associates at present. It was established in 2005 and formerly named Pacifica Automotive Technology ( Dalian) Co., Ltd. Bosch plans to expand the employment to reach more than 700 associates by the end of 2008: Dalian will then become one of the largest manufacturing bases of Bosch Chassis System Brakes in the world. Before the acquisition t he original investment of the plant including production facilities stood at 45 million €. Bosch will expand the production capacity to meet local and export market needs with further investment of 12 million € by the end of 2008.

“ The positive business development in China encourages Bosch to invest further. Bosch business results in China reached consolidated growth of 41% last year mostly from local production.”, said Peter Pang, President of Bosch ( China ) Investment Ltd. “ Our new facility in Dalian where we'll produce brake systems demonstrates our commitment to continuously localize and support the local automotive industry with the latest Bosch technology.”

Bosch Chassis Systems ( Dalian) Co., Ltd delivers innovative solutions in braking systems, supported by a complete integrated production process from aluminum and cast iron foundry, plating, machining to assembling . The core products are aluminium and cast iron calipers, parking brakes, brake rotors and master cylinders .

“With the Dalian plant and the Suzhou R&D facility, Bosch Chassis Systems Brakes division has the full local capabilities which include R&D, application, production and service” emphasized Markus Bube, Regional President of Bosch Chassis Systems Brakes China. “The new facility will enhance our capability to offer latest automotive safety innovations on the OEM market which will in turn enable us to generate more business and employment 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: June 2008