Germany's Bosch Supports American Competitiveness Initiative

Bosch Celebrates 100 Years of Market-Leading Innovation in The U.S.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., March 16 -- U.S. President Bush recently announced the American Competitiveness Initiative as a way to encourage innovation. Under the initiative, funding for basic research and development programs will be doubled over the next decade, with a view toward supporting America's creative minds and improving our quality of life.

At Bosch, new ideas are a thriving tradition. The company's commitment to innovation is particularly notable in the U.S., where, for the past 100 years, it has consistently ranked near the top in new patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In 2005 alone, Bosch received 760 new patents from the USPTO. During a century of innovation in this country, Bosch has amassed more than 5700 total patents in the U.S. for products within all its business sectors.

To maintain its leadership in this area, the Bosch Group invested approximately 7 percent of its total revenue and about 9 percent of its automotive technology sector revenue in R&D in 2005 -- far above the industry average. Currently, Bosch globally employs some 24,300 associates in R&D -- 2000 more than one year ago. This strong commitment to innovation helps secure the company's future growth.

Bosch continues to build upon its commitment to innovation by expanding its network of R&D centers in the U.S., including the construction of its $37.5 million technical center in Plymouth Township, Mich. This facility will house R&D and administration activity for its automotive body electrical and electronics division. With such centers, the company further strengthens its innovation capabilities and its market leadership position.

Bosch associates at the company's Research and Technology Centers in Palo Alto, Calif., and Pittsburgh, Pa., work to develop tomorrow's market-leading innovations. Ongoing research projects include efficient combustion concepts, micro-mechanical sensor and actuator technologies, and software engineering methods. Bosch further addresses these topics through research projects at leading educational institutions including Stanford University, Carnegie-Mellon University, Ohio State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Around the world, thousands of Bosch associates work intensely to develop new and improved products, systems and innovative manufacturing processes," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch Corporation. "The outcome of this collective effort is reflected in the more than 5700 patents issued to Bosch in the U.S. over the past 100 years, and the more than 2800 global patent applications filed in 2005 alone -- over one per working hour."

Since founding its first sales office in 1906, Bosch has been a driving force behind many market firsts and market-leading innovations in the U.S. Highlights of such "firsts" include:

In automotive technology, Bosch introduced the magneto (ignition systems), performance spark plugs, diesel and gasoline fuel injection, electronic engine management systems, antilock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems.

In household appliances, Bosch Siemens Household Group introduced the first dishwasher with a stainless steel interior. In power tools, Bosch introduced the first electric rotary hammer, and the first tool to utilize lithium-ion battery. In security systems, Bosch introduced the first observation system with an integrated multiplexer and the first liquid crystal display (LCD) video monitor designed exclusively for closed circuit television (CCTV) security. In thermotechnology, Bosch is a market leader in tankless, high efficiency water heating equipment.

In automation technology, Bosch introduced the world's first swivel-arm industrial robot in the U.S. Bosch Rexroth introduced mini-ISO cylinders with an industry-first octagonal piston. In packaging technology, Bosch introduced the world's first package maker with quick changeover capabilities.

To commemorate its century of innovation, Bosch plans to host a number of activities this year, including an Innovation Symposium this fall at Carnegie Mellon University.

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2005, some 250,000 associates generated sales of 42 billion euros, or $52 billion USD. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering," the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 270 subsidiaries and more than 12,000 service centers in over 140 countries.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs 22,700 associates in more than 80 primary and 20 associated facilities throughout the region with reported sales of $8.4 billion in 2005. This year marks Bosch's 100th year of operating in the U.S. For more information on the company and the Centennial, visit http://www.bosch.us/.