The company took its first steps on the Asian continent back in 1909 with the founding of its first trading office in Shanghai. Today, Shanghai is the site of the Bosch headquarters in China and all the company’s divisions are represented in the country. Last year, Group sales in China amounted to 2.2 billion euros.
“Our technologies enable us to support China in meeting the challenges of striving for sustainable economic development and a harmonious society,” said Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the Bosch board of management, at a press conference focusing on the company’s 100th anniversary. In 2009, Bosch invested some 160 million euros (1.5 billion CNY) in China, particularly in the areas of renewable energies and electrification of the powertrain. The production facility for large wind-turbine gear units opened by Bosch Rexroth in Beijing in 2008 has already supplied 500 gear units to customers in China. To support China’s goal of increasing the number of new energy vehicles to 500,000 by 2011, Bosch is also stepping up its activities in alternative drive systems.
By the end of 2009, around 35 engineers will be working in the area of hybrid and electric drives, with plans to increase this figure to around 100 in the near future. China makes up Bosch’s second-biggest workforce after Germany, with locations there accounting for 20,200 associates. A total of 1,500 associates are tasked with the development of new technologies for the local market. In 2008, Bosch invested more than 3.8 million euros (36.3 million CNY) in the ongoing training of its staff, thereby making a key contribution to the loyalty and development of its associates. Some 100 Chinese associates are taking part in the 2-year “Bosch China Trainee Program.”
Several locations – in the area of production, too – have already received awards in recognition of their endeavors to achieve high environmental standards. All locations have now implemented the Bosch environmental management system. In March, the Xian location received the “Environmental Protection Advanced Unit” award from United Automotive Electronic Systems (UAES). Bosch Rexroth’s Changzhou location has been awarded the “Green Company” rating for the last two years. Thanks to these and many more developments, Bosch is on the right track for another 100 years in China.
