Bosch is a leading global supplier of automotive and industrial technology and of consumer goods and building technology. The Bosch Group comprises some 270 subsidiary companies, of which more than 230 are located outside Germany. The objectives of the Bosch Group's activity are sustained profitable growth and the safeguarding of its independence which allows it to pursue long-term strategies. In 2004, worldwide sales of the Bosch Group came to 40 billion euros. The number of associates employed around the globe in the three business sectors Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology in 2004 rose by almost 11,000 to approximately 242,000.

The headquarters of Bosch is in Stuttgart. Franz Fehrenbach became chairman on July 1, 2003.

Ownership

The Robert Bosch Stiftung ("Robert Bosch Foundation") holds 92% of the shares of "Robert Bosch GmbH", but no voting rights. The Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG ("Robert Bosch Industrial Trust KG") (old members of the company management, agents of the Bosch family and other eminent people from the industry such as Hans Peter Stihl (Stihl powertools)) have 93% of the voting rights, but no shares. The remaining shares and voting-rights are held by the descendants of the company founder Robert Bosch.

Arrangement of the company

Automotive engineering

Bosch's largest business sector is the automotive technology sector, which generated about 63% of the revenue in 2004. This business sector comprises : Gasoline Systems and Diesel Systems with the core-products injection and motor management, Chassis Systems Brakes, Chassis Systems Control,Energy and Auxiliary Systems (ex. alternators, starter motors), Car Multimedia (Brand: Blaupunkt), Car Electronics (control units and semiconductor elements) and Automotive Exchange (spare parts). Bosch was the world's largest automotive supplier in terms of sales for the first time in 2004. In this year, the business sector generated sales of 25.3 billion euros. Aside from the healthy state of the global automotive business, the high demand for modern diesel systems had a positive effect. The share of diesel engines in newly registered cars in western Europe rose to 48% in 2004. Bosch has played a major role in shaping this trend. With third-generation common-rail technology, Bosch has the most advanced system on today's market, with additional improvements in performance, consumption, and eco-friendliness. Bosch is also developing a particulate filter, whose production will start in 2006. Ten years ago, Bosch was the first supplier to bring the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to the market. Studies around the world have proved that this safety system can help significantly reduce the number of accidents. In Europe, the share of newly registered cars featuring ESP reached 36 percent in 2004.

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 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.

With its brands Bosch, Skil, and Dremel, 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, as well as gardening appliances. In 2003, Bosch was the first manufacturer to introduce modern lithium-ion technology for cordless power tools, such as the Ixo cordless drill/driver. Also, Dremel has introduced the Li-Ion battery technology with a 10.8V cordless rotary tool in 2004. This technology is gradually being transferred to more and more cordless tools. In 2004, RotoZip was acquired by Bosch. Rotozip is a professional and contractor tool and system (also known as Spiral Saw or Rotary Saw) commonly used for drywall cutting, in remodelling and used by DIYers.

In thermotechnology, Bosch has meanwhile begun manufacturing heating units and hot water appliances.

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, the Gaggenau, Neff, Thermador, Constructa, and ufesa brands, and a 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.

Bosch also supplies electronic security systems.

History

1886 Opening of Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering in Stuttgart on 15 November
1887 First low voltage-magneto from Bosch for Gasoline Engines
1897 First low-voltage magneto ignition for motor vehicle engines
1901 First plant in Stuttgart
1906 Production of 100.000. magneto ignition
1906 Introduction of 8-hours working day
1910 Opening of plant in Stuttgart-Feuerbach
1913 Start of production of headlights
1926 Start of production of Windshield wipers.
1927 First diesel fuel injection pump
1932 Birth of the Junkers & Co.
1932 First drill from Bosch
1932 First Blaupunkt car audio
1936 First diesel fuel injection pump for passenger cars like Mercedes-Benz 260D
1942 Death of the company founder Robert Bosch on 12 March
1964 Robert Bosch Foundation
1965 Worcester Bosch Group opens in England
1970 Company headquarter moves to Gerlingen
1976 First oxygen sensors
1978 Worldwide first anti-lock braking system (ABS)
1979 First electronic control unit (MOTRONIC)
1986 Traction control system (TCS) on the market
1995 First Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
1997 Common rail diesel fuel injection
2000 DI-Motronic gasoline direct injection system
2003 Acquisition of Buderus AG
2003 Digital car radio with MP3 drive and digital recorder (Blaupunkt)
2004 Third-generation common-rail diesel injection for cars, with piezo injectors
2004 Bosch opens new Technology Center in Abstatt