BoschCompletestheTakeoverofUnipointGroupTaiwan

01-12-2011 | China | Corporate News

Starters, Alternators and Wiper Blades Set to Strengthen the Aftermarket Business

• Bosch strengthens and enhances its position in Asia with starters, alternators, temperature control parts and wiper blades
• Integration in the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division

STUTTGART/TAIPEI — By December 1, 2011, the Bosch Automotive After-market division will have successfully completed the takeover of the Uni-point Group, based in Taipei, Taiwan. The takeover was approved by the antitrust authorities. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

In 2010, the Unipoint Group achieved sales of USD 124 million. It currently employs around 2360 associates at two production locations in mainland China and Taiwan, as well as at various sales locations. The Unipoint and NSA brands will be retained.

"By taking over the Unipoint Group, we can secure our position as the leading supplier of starters, alternators and wiper blades in the automotive aftermarket, as well as consistently ex¬panding our business in Asia," said Robert Hanser, Chairman of the Divi¬sional Board of the Automotive Aftermarket division. The acquisition of the Unipoint Group represents an effort by the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division to invest in the temperature con¬trol product segment, and also adds another Asian production base to the wiper blade business unit.

The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufac-tured in-house. More than 10,000 associates in 140 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 450,000 different spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. In its "Diagnostics" operations, AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the "Bosch Car Service" repair-shop franchise, the world's largest independent chain of repair-shops, with some 15,000 franchises. In addition, AA is respon-sible for more than 500 "AutoCrew" partners.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive.com.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In 2012, its roughly 306,000 associates generated sales of 52.5 billion euros. Since the beginning of 2013, its operations have been 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 roughly 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. Bosch spent some 4.8 billion euros for research and development in 2012, and applied for nearly 4,800 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.”

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861–1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant upfront investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com .