FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The Bosch Group increased its sales in North America in 2007 by 7 percent to $9.5 billion, with all three of the company’s business sectors — Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods and Building Technology — contributing to the growth. Sales for the Bosch Group globally grew by roughly 8 percent to exceed $63 billion, after adjusting for currency effects.
"Overall, 2007 was a successful year for the Bosch Group," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. "Despite economic circumstances in the U.S. and weakness in the automotive and housing sectors, Bosch was able to realize sales growth in North America over the previous year. Part of this growth was achieved externally. Acquisitions in 2007, including Health Hero Network, which marked Bosch’s entry into the remote health monitoring arena, and our expansion of automotive components and remanufactured parts, in surveillance systems and in leveling-laser tools reflect Bosch’s continued commitment to further grow sales in the Americas region."
Bosch’s North American Automotive Technology sector saw a sales increase of 6 percent to $6.2 billion in 2007. Automotive Technology, which includes original equipment and aftermarket activities, is Bosch’s largest business sector with almost 14,200 associates in North America. The company’s solutions for improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions that impact the environment continue to receive greater acceptance, with sales of clean diesel and gasoline direct injection technologies expected to register strong growth in the U.S. in the coming years. Globally, Bosch expects to sell 12.5 million high-pressure diesel-injection systems and more than 2 million gasoline direct injection systems this year. As the installation of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) gains momentum in the U.S., Bosch plans to reach sales of 3 million ESC units per year.
Bosch remains focused on long-term profitability and growth, and continues to invest in innovation, as evidenced by the opening early 2007 of a new technical center in Plymouth Township, Mich., which houses research and development as well as engineering space for its automotive electronics, starter motors and generators and electrical drives divisions.
Bosch’s brakes business in the Americas received a significant boost through the acquisition of Delphi Corporation’s brake components business in Saltillo, Mexico, as well as a 75.3 percent stake in Australia-based Pacifica Group, a leading manufacturer of brake calipers, parking brakes and brake components. The acquisition of Holger Christiansen in Denmark bolstered Bosch’s leadership in remanufactured automotive parts for the aftermarket.
For more information about Bosch, visit: www.bosch.us.
