On
May 9, 2014, Bosch opened its second automotive technology manufacturing plant
in Romania. The international supplier of technology and services’ new location
in Cluj will produce electronic components and control units for the European
automotive industry. According to a company statement, these components are
used, for instance, in driver assistance and safety systems as well as for
energy management. In the future, Cluj will also make the electronic heart of
Bosch’s eBike drive.
The company has invested more than 70 million
euros in the new location, which lies around 300km northwest of Bucharest and
provides a total floor space for industrial use of some 38,000 square meters.
By the end of the year, Bosch will already employ a total of 750 associates at
the location.
“The
new location in Romania is an important pillar for Bosch and will strengthen
our European manufacturing and engineering network. Moreover, localizing more
of our manufacturing in Eastern Europe will help us increase our
competitiveness,” said Dr. Dirk Hoheisel, member of the Bosch board of
management, at the opening. The new plant forms part of Bosch’s Automotive
Electronics division, which develops and manufactures electronic control units,
semiconductors, and sensors for the automotive industry and other sectors. With
13 locations around the world, the division employs some 24,000 associates.
Bosch
has had a presence in Romania since November 2013 through its research and
development centre in Cluj. This centre is focused on developing electronics
and software for the products manufactured at the location. In addition, it
offers engineering services to other Bosch locations as well as local customers.
“It was the access to well-qualified engineers and the opportunity to work
actively with the excellent local universities that were decisive factors in
choosing this location,” said Hoheisel.
The
Bosch Group has been represented in Romania for 20 years and today employs a
total of some 1,700 associates at four locations in the country. In addition to
the new research and development centre and automotive production plant in
Cluj, Bosch has a production location for linear-motion technology and
automotive technology in Blaj, as well as a communication centre in Timisoara.
It has a sales company for power tools, heating systems, security systems, and
products for the automotive aftermarket in Bucharest. The capital is also home
to a sales office for BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH.
Source: Bosch