Annual financial results 2014
Bosch registers growth in Belgium
Connectivity is main strength for the future
- Turnover in Belgium amounts to 843 million Euros in 2014
- Mobility Solutions sector further strengthened its position on the Belgian market
- Bosch counts approximately 1,700 associates in Belgium (as of April 1st 2015)
Anderlecht – Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, increased sales by 7.4 percent in Belgium in 2014. The turnover on the Belgian market amounted to 843 million euros, compared to 785 million euros in 2013. This growth is largely the result of the good performances of the Mobility Solutions sectors as well as the Security Systems and Drive and Control Technology divisions. Bosch continues to be an important player on the Belgian job market. Following the full integration of BSH Home Appliance N.V., Bosch now employs approximately 1,700 associates in Belgium (as of April 1st 2015).
“Our technical expertise and our high quality in traditional business areas remain key factors of Bosch’s strength globally and also in Belgium. In addition, connectivity plays an important role in all our divisions. We expect an increased demand for our innovative products ‘invented for life’”, said Laurent Strauch-Hausser, Managing Director of Bosch in the Benelux.
Mobility Solutions remains largest business sector in Belgium
The Mobility Solutions sector, formally called Automotive Technology, registered healthy growth in Belgium in 2014. In the Automotive Aftermarket division, the further expansion and reinforcement of the existing distribution network continues to pay off. Bosch’s network of independent garages and workshops under the company’s Bosch Car Service and Autocrew brands has reached a total of 162 members.
The increasing popularity of e-bikes in Belgium also strongly contributed to the positive performance of the Mobility Solutions sector. An increasing number of bicycle manufacturers are choosing a Bosch eBike system. The newest system, equipped with a Nyon on-board computer, combines all the different applications in a single device: information about speed, cadence or reach, GPS navigation or an analysis of the fitness of the cyclist. Thanks to the “eBike Connect” application by Bosch, Nyon can also be connected with a smartphone.
In June 2014, Robert Bosch Produktie N.V. in Tienen announced plans to strengthen its overall competitiveness. In the past two years, two assembly lines for the new generation of wiper blades have been taken into operation and Bosch will keep investing in the production lines of wiper arms and blades in Tienen. This year, an additional line will be installed.
Innovative products and solutions for infrastructure projects
The business sector Industrial Technology reported slight growth on the Belgian market in 2014 despite the difficult economic situation. Thanks to its unique drive & control technology, knowhow and experience, this division delivers tailor-made solutions for mobile applications, machinery production, engineering, factory automation and sustainable energy under the Bosch Rexroth brand. In 2014 the installations at the railway line in Dudzele and the lock of Lanaye were completed. For both Civil Engineering projects, Bosch Rexroth delivered and installed the hydraulic drive system of bridge and lock, by means of hydraulic power units and cylinders.
In the business sector Consumer Goods, the Power Tools division is a strong player on the Belgian market. The division generates more than one third of its sales with products that are less than two years old. In 2014, Power Tools launched the “Wireless Charging System”, an inductive charging system for professional tools. In the area of household appliances, Bosch completely acquired BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (formerly BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH) in early 2015. As a result, BSH Home Appliance N.V., based in Jette, is now part of the Bosch Group in Belgium. The company has recently opened a new Brand Center where customers and suppliers can experience the latest BSH sustainable technologies to save energy.
In the Energy and Building Technology business sector the Security Systems division registered strong growth. The positive performance was due to the success of the high-resolution DINION and MIC cameras and the IP-based DCN multimedia conference system that integrates audio, video, meeting documents and internet access in individual meeting units with touchscreen. A similar system was installed in the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels, where the Council of the European Union holds its assemblies. At the airport of Zaventem, Bosch’s Public Address System was installed, resulting in a better sound quality when announcing message at the airport. The Thermotechnology division had to cope with challenging market conditions, but reinforced its position during the second half of the year. The division gained new projects with combined heat and power installations in a number of hospitals last year and expects to further stabilize its business performance.
Commitment to people and society
In order to increase the awareness of electromobility, Robert Bosch N.V. installed a connected charging station on its grounds in Anderlecht at the end of August 2014. “The connected charging station should also inspire our associates to consider alternative mobility options. Our associates also have the opportunity to test an e-bike to commute to and from work and we have installed bicycle parking boxes with a battery loading infrastructure”, said Strauch-Hausser. “For longer drives to customers, our associates can use our hybrid pool car.”
Bosch also continues to demonstrate its commitment to people and society in other areas. For many years now, the company has been supporting the Brussels-based organization “La cité Joyeuse” that offers a home to children in difficult situations. Last year, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the organization, Bosch contributed to building a new sand pitch for the children. And recently the company sponsored the renovation of the playground, making it wheelchair friendly. “Social responsibility has been one of the key strengths of Bosch since the company was founded and we aim to carry this commitment into the future,” emphasized Strauch-Hausser.
Bosch Group business outlook for 2015
The Bosch Group expects global sales to grow within an exchange rate-adjusted range of 3 to 5 percent in 2015. Speaking at the company’s recent annual press conference in Germany, the Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner said: “Our economic and technological strength in established business fields is enabling us to tap into new market segments.” Web-enabled products and internet-based services are one of the focal points of the company’s future business. “We are driving connectivity forward in all our business sectors and playing an active role in shaping it,” Denner added. In 2014, Bosch launched many new products and connected solutions, including software solutions for smart heating systems and buildings as well as for connected industry and connected mobility. With the complete acquisitions of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH, Bosch has strengthened its position in the fields of smart homes and automated driving.
