Bosch [Robert Bosch LLC] Business Report FY ended Dec. 2017
Recent Years
Financial Overview (North America) |
(in billion USD) |
| FY ended Dec. 31, 2016 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2015 | Rate of change (%) | |
| Net Sales | 13.7 | 14.0 | (2.1) |
Contracts
-In 2014, the Company announced that its third-generation long-range radar (LRR3) sensor and electronic stability program (ESP) are featured on the 2015 Chrysler "200". The LRR3 sensor and ESP help enhance the vehicle's adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, thus increasing vehicle safety. (From a press release on September 29, 2014)
-In 2014, the Company produces numerous components found in eight of the ten engines featured in Ward's 10 Best Engines award. Bosch Diesel Systems North America produces parts such as common rail injectors, engine control units, high-pressure pumps and rails, and sensors for engines found in the Chevrolet "Cruze", BMW "535d", and Ram "1500" EcoDiesel. Bosch Gasoline Systems North America produces components for engines found in the Fiat "500e", Volkswagen "Jetta", Ford "Fiesta", Porsche "Cayman", and Audi "S5". Most notably, the latter four models feature components such as direct injection pumps, oxygen sensors, and engine controllers. The Company supplies the battery pack, inverter, electric machine (a system which acts as both a motor and generator), and regenerative brake hardware for the 83-kW electric motor on the Fiat 500e. (From a press release on January 23, 2014)
-In 2013, the Company announced that its clean diesel technology is featured on the 2014 Chevrolet "Cruze" Clean Turbo Diesel. The Company supplies the fuel injection system, ceramic glow plugs, engine control module, exhaust gas treatment technology and sensors for the vehicle. (From a press release on July 9, 2013)
-In 2013, the Company announced that its Bosch Car Multimedia division and GM have developed a new MyLink infotainment system for the 2014 Chevrolet "Impala". The MyLink system combines entertainment, navigation, communication and operating functions in a single electronic unit. (From a press release on January 24, 2013)
-In 2013, the Company announced that it partnered with Nissan to design a new NissanConnect with Navigation multimedia system. The system is available as an option on the 2013 Nissan "Sentra" as a 5.8-inch, 480x272 pixel, color touch screen monitor. NissanConnect with Navigation is also available as an option on the 2013 Nissan "Altima". (From a press release on January 15, 2013)
Awards
-In 2014, the Company announced that it was named a Supplier of the Year by Chrysler for its performance in product design and manufacturing process and control, earning the Design for Six Sigma award. (From a press release on July 10, 2014)
-In 2014, the Company was recently recognized by Cummins Inc. as one of its top suppliers to its U.S. operations. (From a press release on May 2, 2014)
-In 2014, the Company was awarded a 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award. The Company earned this recognition in the Product category for its laser-drilling technology used for spray enhancements in gasoline direct injection. This technology was first launched on the 2012 Audi "A3" and is currently used by nine customers on 14 projects globally. (From a press release on April 9, 2014)
>>>High pressure injector exhibited at 2015 JSAE Automotive Engineering Exposition (Robert Bosch GmbH)
New Company
-In 2012, Bosch Group and Samsung SDI of Korea announced that they have agreed to dissolve their joint venture SB LiMotive, which develops, manufactures and sells lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. In conjunction with the dissolution of SB LiMotive, the Company established Robert Bosch Battery Systems and will integrate the Orion, Michigan and Springboro, Ohio-based Cobasys LLC which manufactures NiMH energy storage systems, intensifying its electromobility activities.
R&D Facilities
-In 2014, the Company announced that it has broken ground on a USD 40 million expansion of its technical center in Plymouth Township, Michigan, U.S. The 220,500-square-foot expansion, which is expected to be completed in November 2015, will nearly double the size of the existing technical center. The completed site will be more than 445,000 square feet and have capacity for 1,400 people. The Company expects to add up to 200 new jobs in Michigan through 2017. The expansion will further enable the growth of several key technologies, including automotive electronics, start/stop motors, electrical drives, and a variety of safety and driver assistance systems. (From a press release on August 25, 2014)
-In April 2014, the Company celebrated the opening of an Engineering and Business Solutions Development Center in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Company plans to invest USD 5 million in the coming years into the facility to generate over 200 new jobs. The development center will provide engineering services to other Company sites in the Americas, and external customers, particularly those in the automotive industry.
-In 2011, the Company announced that it has relocated the Bosch Research Technology Center (RTC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., to the city's south side to join Akustica, Inc., acquired by the Company in 2009. Akustica Inc., a Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) spin-off, is a manufacturer of MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) microphones. (From a press release on April 6, 2011)
-The Company established Bosch Research Technology Center North America (RTC) as its first North American operation devoted exclusively to research and development in 1999. The Company has three locations in the U.S.:
- Palo Alto, California
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
R&D Structure
-As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately 2,000 employees working in research and development in North America.
Technological Alliance
-The Company announced that it has collaborated with Jaguar Land Rover to introduce the Company's mySPIN technology on select vehicles in 2015. Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe and Range Rover Evoque models will demonstrate this solution as InControl Apps for the first time during the New York International Auto Show. This smartphone integration solution creates a device-to-vehicle link that provides users with the opportunity to continue using preferred apps in a way they are accustomed to through the vehicle's in-dash display. (From a press release on April 15, 2014)
R&D Activities
Electric vehicle battery technology
-The Company received a three-year, USD 4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) for the advancement of electric vehicle battery technology. Specifically, the Company will use the grant to develop better management and control software to improve battery capacity, safety, and charge rate. The goal of the project is to reach a 30% increase in battery capacity while reducing manufacturing costs by 25%.
Oxygen sensor
-The Company announced that it will receive a USD 2.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With these funds, the Company, in collaboration with Clemson's International Center for Automotive Research and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will develop an oxygen sensor which directly and accurately measures the oxygen concentration in the intake manifold. (From a press release on September 12, 2012)
Waste heat applications
-In 2011, the Company announced that it has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation. The USD 1.2 million grant was awarded to a collaboration among Stanford University, the University of South Florida and the Company's Research and Technology Center North America. The project will address research on waste heat harvesting in vehicle applications. (From a press release on March 23, 2011)
Capital Expenditure (North America)
|
(in million USD) |
| FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2013 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2012 | |
| Overall | 235 | 317 | 425 |
-In 2014, the Company invested USD 235 million in North America. The USD 235 million was used for expansions in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.; Fountain Inn, South Carolina, U.S.; Plymouth, Michigan, U.S.; and several locations in Mexico. (From a press release on July 8, 2015)
-In 2013, the Company invested USD 317 million in capital expenditures. This was a decrease of 10.7% compared to the previous year's investment of USD 355 million. Over the past 10 years, the Company has invested approximately USD 5 billion in the Americas.
-Investments that the Company made in 2013 went towards the following projects:
- Completing a production line for common rail injector nozzles in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
- Starting production of clean diesel emission systems at a facility in Kentwood, Michigan, U.S.
- Starting production of high efficiency, brushless DC-motors for engine cooling in Toluca, Mexico.
Investments in U.S.
-In 2012, the Company established a manufacturing facility in Kentwood in Michigan. The Company will produce exhaust gas aftertreatment modules for on- and off-highway vehicles.
Investments outside U.S.
-The Company expects to invest over USD 460 million for new production lines in its Juarez and Toluca plants in Mexico from 2013 through 2020. The additional production lines will allow the Company to meet increasing demand for automotive components in the Americas.
-In 2011, the Company announced that it has opened its new headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico. The 5,200-square-meter facility houses 220 employees, who manage the Company's regional administration as well as sales and marketing activities for its Automotive Technology (Original Equipment, Spare Parts and Service, Car Multimedia), Power Tools, Security Systems and Thermotechnology divisions, all under one roof. The Company's operations in Mexico manufactures and markets automotive products and systems, including multimedia, communication and surveillance. (From a press release on April 12, 2011)