PETALING JAYA: Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, recorded an increase of 24% in net sales to RM3.6bil in Malaysia, with third party sales registering a 14% rise to almost RM552mil.
This figure includes associates from the Bosch Group’s global acquisitions of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (formerly BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH) and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH (formerly ZF Lenksysteme GmbH) that were previously joint ventures.
Both companies have already been present in Malaysia with a BSH Hausgeräte GmbH sales office in Petaling Jaya and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH manufacturing arms in Penang.
The company currently expects the number of its current 2,500 associates in Malaysia to increase in the coming years.
The company has been adamant on educating Malaysian talents, which is part of Bosch’s localisation strategy in the country.
“A highly skilled workforce is imperative not only to develop expertise for innovative excellence, but also to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of Malaysian economy,” said Bosch Malaysia managing director Simon Song.
In May 2015, the company had signed a strategic partnership with University Malaysia Pahang, which now offers two scholarships for students in the field of mechatronic and automotive engineering.
The partnership also includes topical and practical workshops on Bosch technologies in the mobility solutions field, mentorship as well as internship placements at the Bosch’ research and development centres for car multimedia and power tools in Penang.
In 2014, Bosch’s car multimedia plant in Penang was selected as the worldwide development centre - catering to several of the company’s car multimedia product lines.
Alongside engineering services, the centre provides navigation and infotainment systems for passenger cars, entertainment systems for trucks and coaches as well as connected vehicle applications for the global market.
The reason for choosing this location was due to the availability of the qualified engineers and the strategic location of the plant to supply and export its products worldwide – and now it intended to double its headcount to 200 associates.
To further strengthen Bosch’s presence in Malaysia, the company has invested roughly RM260mil into the country over the past three years, with three out of the six Bosch locations in Malaysia having undergone expansions and enhancement in 2014.
The corporate office in Petaling Jaya received newly enhanced training centres for power tools, vehicle diagnostics, diesel technologies as well as security systems.
In addition, the power tools plant in Penang moved to a new location situated in Phase 4 of the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park and the car multimedia plant expanded by taking over the previous power tools plant site.
The company expects that expansions and enhancements will translate to additional research projects, an increase in manufacturing output and quicker service time.
“We are driving connectivity forward in all our business sectors and playing an active role in shaping it,” said Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner.
