Mixed year for Bosch

In 2006, the Bosch Group increased its North American sales by five per cent, reaching US$8.8 billion.

All three of the company’s business sectors — Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology — contributed to the result.

Increased sales, however, could not surmount the impact of key market factors (i.e., rising raw materials and fuel costs, production cuts among key automakers and a slowdown in construction) on capacity utilization and productivity.

“2006 proved to be a mixed year for Bosch in North America,” said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC, and member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. “Challenges within the U.S. manufacturing sector and particularly within the automotive industry have impacted the company’s return. Yet, we have expanded our activities in security systems and heating systems by means of acquisitions. In future, we remain committed to investing in innovation and are focused on securing long-term profitable growth.”