Miskolc – At a special ceremony, Robert Bosch Energy and Body System Kft. of Miskolc has announced a new investment worth more than 14.1 billion forints. Scheduled for completion in 2021, the project comprises production lines for new-generation products and test equipment, and there will also be an office building extension. Accompanying the announcement was the presentation of the 200 millionth product to come off the production lines of the Miskolc automotive plant, the iBooster system motor. The event was attended by Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Daniel Korioth, Representative of the Bosch Group in Hungary, Dr. Frank-Stephan Kupfer, Commercial Plant Manager of Robert Bosch Energy and Body Systems Kft, and Jochen Limberger, the Technical Plant Manager of the plant.
The project will support the operation of assembly lines for new generations of existing products (engine cooling fan and electric bike drives) and additional new products (e.g. smartwheel). The extension of an office building to the site, which is as well covered by the project, has become necessary through the continuous growth of Robert Bosch Energy and Body Systems Kft. The total capital cost of this technology-intensive development is 14.1 billion forints, of which 2.7 billion forints comprises a grant provided by special decision of the Hungarian government. Dr. Frank-Stephan Kupfer, Commercial Plant Manager of Robert Bosch Energy and Body Systems Kft, announced that “the investment will further strengthen the strategic importance of the Miskolc automotive plant and its already high-ranking global position.”
Competence and connectedness: engineering support directly at the point of production
Efficient production demands local support from engineers with a high degree of product knowledge. Jochen Limberger, Technical Plant Manager, said, “Product development at the Miskolc site involves engineering support for the projects at the point of production, to meet special customer requirements. This ensures the optimum utilization of existing and new production lines.” To provide customers’ demands for longer lifetime, lower noise levels and greater efficiency in electric vehicles, there will be a higher level of automation on the new production lines. This calls for new investment and more highly-qualified workers. A prominent feature of the development is the expansion and improvement of manufacturing, testing and development functions for the new-generation e-bike, for which Miskolc is at present the only Bosch production site worldwide.
Bosch plant’s 200 millionth product is also shaping the future
The object of celebration in the Miskolc automotive plant is the motor of the iBooster electromechanical brake assist system, one of the fundamental requirements for electric drives and an important component of hybrid and electric cars. The iBooster makes hybrid and electric cars more efficient, and enhances safety through shorter braking distance, together with the electronic steering system motor. The future-shaping feature of the iBooster is that it provides energy recovery during braking, thus increasing the range of electric vehicles and further reducing harmful emissions from internal combustion engines. The motor has been in production in Miskolc since 2014, and more than two million have already come off the production lines.
About Robert Bosch Energy and Body Systems Kft.
Robert Bosch Energy and Body Systems Kft. was established in summer 2003. It makes automotive components and electric drives, and currently has a workforce of 2500. In addition to manufacturing, the plant hosts research and development and other high added-value activities. One major non-automotive product is the eBike drive, an advanced and intelligent electric motor support system. The complete eBike system – comprising the drive unit, the display, the battery, the cables and all fitting required for electric drive – is sent out to the bike customers in every part of the world from the Miskolc plant.
Mónika Hack
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Bosch has been present in Hungary since 1898 with its products. After its re-establishment as a regional trading company in 1991, Bosch has grown into one of Hungary’s largest foreign industrial employers with currently nine Hungarian subsidiaries. In fiscal 2017 it had a total turnover of HUF 1304 billion and sales of the Bosch Group on the Hungarian market – not counting trade among its own companies – was HUF 244 billion. The Bosch Group in Hungary employs roughly 13,500 people (as per January 1, 2018). In addition to its manufacturing, commercial and development business, Bosch has a network of sales and service operations that covers the entire country.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 402,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). The company generated sales of 78.1 billion euros in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 64,500 associates in research and development.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.hu, iot.boschblog.hu, www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse