Bosch Breaks Ground on Technical Center Expansion in Plymouth Township, Michigan

- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder joins Robert Bosch LLC executives to break ground on the 220,500-square-foot expansion to the site that will nearly double the size of the existing site - Total investment of $40 million to design, build, equip and furnish site includes estimated $25 million for construction - Added capacity will allow Bosch to increase efficiencies through co-location and collaboration of associates in Southeast Michigan with up to 200 new jobs expected in the next three years - To be completed in November 2015, the site will include several energy-saving technologies, including the installation of a DC Microgrid PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Michigan – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder joined Robert Bosch LLC President Mike Mansuetti and other Bosch executives today in a ceremonial groundbreaking to publicly announce a 220,500-square-foot expansion of Bosch’s Technical Center located at 15000 Haggerty Road in Plymouth Township. “Bosch’s commitment to expand its presence in Michigan, while also enhancing its research and development work shows that Michigan truly is a great place to do business,” Snyder said. “Michigan’s business climate has improved dramatically, making our state a prime location for global companies like Bosch to expand and invest. It is also exciting that Bosch is an advocate for preparing tomorrow’s workforce through hands-on tech training. Together Bosch and Michigan are tapping into our talent potential and building a bright future.” Expansion will nearly double the size of the Technical Center The expansion, which is expected to be completed in November 2015, will nearly double the size of the existing technical center, which opened in 2007. When complete, the total site, which is located on 75 acres, will have more than 445,000 square feet and capacity for 1,400 people. 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 that will further advance automated driving. In addition, the new site will provide Bosch with the needed laboratory and office space to co-locate certain associates in southeast Michigan, some of whom currently work in different leased facilities, thereby fostering more innovation and greater collaboration. Mansuetti told the group of government officials, community leaders and Bosch associates assembled at the ceremony: “For a company whose heritage – and future – is based on innovation, breaking ground to begin the expansion of this technical center at a time when this market offers so much potential to grow is truly exciting. Our founder, Robert Bosch, believed that education and sustainability were both essential for the success not only of his business, but of society. We are here today, continuing that philosophy and living our company imperative of ‘Invented for life’.” Growing Bosch’s footprint in Michigan Currently, the Plymouth Technical Center houses 850 people. In Michigan, Bosch has approximately 3,200 associates in 15 cities, including Farmington Hills, which is the headquarters for Robert Bosch LLC; Plymouth Township; Ann Arbor; Bridgeport; Buchanan; Canton; Flat Rock; Kalamazoo; Kentwood; Orion; Novi; Rochester Hills; St. Joseph; and Warren. With this expansion and the co-location of certain groups, Bosch expects to add up to 200 new jobs in Michigan in the next three years, Mansuetti said. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Mansuetti thanked community and government leaders: “Bosch is proud to offer good-paying high-tech jobs. Essential to attracting and retaining the best associates is also having thriving communities in which they can work, live and play. Plymouth Township offers this kind of environment. “It has long been our hope to expand the technical center here. Thanks to the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees and Planning Commission, along with county and state agencies, we were able to begin building the first part of the site in 2005. As business increased, so, too, did our need to expand the technical center. “As we built the business case for further expansion, the township allowed Bosch to construct a temporary building on site for about 160 associates, thereby enabling Bosch to keep these jobs in Plymouth Township. With additional business growth on the horizon and a strong, vibrant community in which to work, we are now able to permanently expand the Technical Center and begin co-locating associates to foster more innovation and even greater collaboration.” Bosch gives back to community As a way to give back to the community, the Bosch Community Fund has pledged a contribution of $10,000 to the Friends of the Rouge (FOTR), http://www.therouge.org/, to assist with projects in the Plymouth community. Bosch has worked in support of the FOTR for several years, with associates volunteering with the FOTR in its restoration projects. As the footprint in Plymouth Township has grown, Bosch has also increased its philanthropic activity here. Since the Bosch Community Fund was established in 2011, it has contributed $360,000 to various community organizations in the Township and more than $439,000 nationwide to FIRST Robotics, including $70,000 to the FIRST Plymouth Canton Schools Team 862 Lightning Robotics. FIRST, which stands for: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, designs innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. Schoolcraft College supports Bosch-sponsored FIRST teams Mansuetti also announced a recently established partnership with Schoolcraft College. The College, which has a respected manufacturing and technology curriculum, will work with two Bosch-sponsored FIRST Robotics teams in Schoolcraft College’s labs during the 2015 season. This collaboration will benefit the students who will work with – and be mentored by – professionals from both Bosch and Schoolcraft College. STEM is a key priority for Bosch, as statistics show that the supply of technical talent in STEM-related fields will not meet demand in the years ahead. Expansion also serves as a sustainability technology showcase The expanded site will produce green technology as well as showcase it. The site will include several energy-efficient technologies, including high-efficiency lighting, including LED and induction lighting; photovoltaic solar array; a battery backup system, and high-volume, low-speed fans, and a Direct Current (DC) Microgrid. Site architect is Harley Ellis Devereaux. About Bosch: In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket solutions, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, healthcare telemedicine and software solutions. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs 24,600 associates in more than 100 locations, with consolidated sales of $10.4 billion in 2013. 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. In 2013, its roughly 281,000 associates generated sales of 46.1 billion euros ($61.2 billion). Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 360 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 50 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 2013, Bosch invested some 4.5 billion euros ($6.0 billion) in research and development and applied for some 5,000 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is “Invented for life.” Additional information on the global organization is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and http://twitter.com/BoschPresse. *Due to a change in accounting policies, 2013 figures can only be compared to a limited extent with 2012 figures. The decision to forego the application of proportionate consolidation affects mainly BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (2013 consolidated sales volume of some $9.7 billion). Exchange rate: 1 EUR = $1.32812.