The Chairman of the Bosch Board of Management, Franz Fehrenbach (57), received the "Eco-manager of the year 2006" award on November 22, 2006, at a ceremony attended by the governor of Baden-Württemberg, Günther H. Oettinger. The environmental foundation WWF Germany and the magazine Capital award this title to business people who show exemplary commitment to environmental protection and sustainable, resource-conserving development. The "Eco-manager" prize has been awarded in the "Group" and "Small and medium-sized enterprise" categories every year since 1990. The panel of judges includes representatives from the environmental foundation WWF Germany, the German Working Group for Environmental Management (B.A.U.M.), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), "Future e.V." (a German businesspersons' environment initiative), and the magazine Capital.
"I am delighted with this award. It is recognition for the entire company and for all our associates. I am accepting the award on their behalf," said Fehrenbach at the ceremony in Berlin. "I am particularly pleased that the judges have given the award for the first time to a company from the automotive industry, thus recognizing this sector's commitment, and that of Bosch in particular." In awarding the prize, judges praised the "Bosch Group's outstanding and innovative commitment to environmental protection," said Prof. Detlev Drenckhahn, president of the WWF in Germany. Other key factors for the decision included the fact that the Bosch Group has made protection of the environment and conservation of resources a long-term cornerstone of its overall strategy.
Bosch's long tradition of protection of the environment and conservation of resources and the importance it attaches to this issue are illustrated by the following examples. The first guideline on environmental protection applicable to all Bosch sites around the world was adopted as early as 1973. The "3S program," which aims to make driving safer, cleaner, and more economical, has been in existence since the 1970's. It has led to numerous product innovations, which Bosch, in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, was the first to launch in the market. These include the ESP® Electronic Stability Program and high-pressure diesel-injection systems. The 3S program continues to shape Bosch's policy of innovation and plays a vital role in molding the company's research and development activities. In developing new products, Bosch thinks far beyond the short term. Projects range from alternative automotive drive concepts to renewable energy supplies, such as solar thermal technology, which uses the sun to generate heat. Ten years ago, Bosch was one of the first large enterprises to establish an integrated environmental management system. The company has been reporting on its environmental activities since 1999. The first comprehensive publication on "corporate social responsibility" was published in mid-2006. In this 70-page publication, Bosch provides numerous examples to highlight the importance and value of corporate social responsibility for associates, society, and the environment. Responsible management and actions are the focus for all activities in the Bosch Group worldwide – a commitment that is firmly anchored in the Bosch principles of work safety and environmental protection.
