Bosch signs lease for new Automotive Steering plant in Querétaro

- Bosch to invest approximately $80 million U.S. over the next four years - New facility initially will assemble three automotive steering products - Around 600 new jobs to be created by end of 2019, with further growth planned QUERETARO, Qro, Mexico – Bosch announced today that it has signed a property lease agreement for a greenfield site and will establish a new facility in Querétaro, Querétaro, Bajio region, in central Mexico. The announcement was made with the support of the governor of Querétaro state, Francisco Dominguez Servien; Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, minister of Sustainable Development of the state; and Marcos Aguilar Vega, mayor of Querétaro City. This new facility represents the first time that Bosch’s Automotive Steering division will have operations in Mexico. Bosch will begin construction of the facility soon, with completion scheduled for the end of this year. Bosch is investing approximately $80 million U.S. over the next four years to establish the 15,000-square-meter (160,000-square-foot) facility in Querétaro. Production lines will be installed beginning in January 2017, with start of production in December 2017. Bosch plans to hire approximately 600 associates by the end of 2019, with further growth planned. “Each of our locations worldwide enables Bosch to maintain a competitive advantage and market position, ensuring that high-quality products reach regional customers in a timely fashion,” said Werner Struth, member of the board of management, Robert Bosch GmbH, and chairman of Robert Bosch LLC. “We are pleased to continue expanding our regional footprint in Mexico and look forward to the Querétaro facility supporting Bosch’s global strategy.” The facility will initially assemble three products for passenger cars: manual-adjust steering columns and two variants of electric power steering, Servolectric® column type and Servolectric dual pinion. Servolectric by Automotive Steering enables driver assistance functions and helps to reduce the vehicle’s fuel consumption. The production of this technology marks the first time that Bosch is producing this innovative steering system in Mexico. “Due to growing customer demand, the Automotive Steering division of Bosch is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to Mexico,” said Christian Sobottka, president of Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH. “Today in North America, Automotive Steering has a U.S. manufacturing facility in Kentucky with some 1,500 associates. The opening of a new facility in Mexico will expand the manufacturing footprint of the newest division of Bosch in North America.” Expanding presence in Mexico Bosch is actively expanding its operations in Mexico. Over the last 10 years, Bosch has invested more than $400 million U.S. in Mexico. Over the next few years, investment and employment in the country will significantly increase; between 2016 and 2020 Bosch will invest a total of $500 million U.S. at different sites in Mexico, enabling the company to meet the growing demand for the manufacture of new high-tech automotive products for the Americas. This investment is expected to generate up to 5,000 new jobs over the same period. “This new plant in Querétaro demonstrates our commitment to quickly and efficiently meet customer needs in Mexico and the Latin American markets,” said René Schlegel, CEO of Robert Bosch Mexico. “This opening will offer significant opportunities not only to our customers, but also to the residents of Querétaro. We are excited to bring even more talented, dedicated and hardworking employees to our Bosch Mexico team.” Bosch has had a presence in Mexico since 1955. In 2014, it had sales of $988 million U.S. Over the past 10 years, Bosch’s Mexican workforce more than doubled to 13,000 associates by April 2015. All four Bosch business sectors – Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and building Technology – are represented in Mexico. The company has 10 manufacturing facilities in the country, where it produces automotive components, power tools, security systems, drive and control systems, engineering solutions, and thermotechnology. The largest plants are situated in Toluca and Juarez. About Bosch Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs some 28,700 associates in more than 100 locations, as of April 1, 2015. In 2014, Bosch generated consolidated sales of $11.3 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 375,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2015). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of more than $77 billion (70 billion euros) in 2015. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2015, Bosch applied for some 5,400 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com and twitter.com/BoschPresse. Exchange rate: 1 EUR = $1.1095