DETROIT – The Bosch Group recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in the United States, a presence that began in 1906 when Bosch opened a sales office for its magneto ignition devices in New York City. The United States is the Bosch Group’s largest market outside Germany.

“The U.S. will also be a key market for us in the future, and one where we are looking to achieve significant continued growth,” said Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the Bosch Board of Management, during a recent gala event in Detroit. “By 2015, we wish to increase the America region’s share of total sales by another 6 percentage points to 25 percent.”

Bosch sales in the U.S. have quadrupled the past 10 years. Sales in North America in the first half of 2006 rose 10 percent. More than 23,000 associates generated sales of $8.4 billion at more than 80 sites in 2005. The U.S. alone has 16,700 associates, 70 sites, and sales of $7 billion.

The company said its strong growth is attributed, in part, to its security systems, especially for video surveillance and fire protection.

To celebrate its centennial, Bosch is publishing a brochure in the United States on the 100-year history of the company, featuring accounts from numerous contemporary witnesses. A rolling exhibition in a 75-foot truck will be stopping by customer locations, Bosch plants, large trade fairs and technology museums until the end of the year.

Events and competitions for Bosch associates will be held nationwide to raise money for charitable projects. The company will donate $100,000 dollars to the Society of Automotive Engineers Foundation for the “A World in Motion” project. The project’s goal is to stimulate students’ interest in science and technology through educational games and experiments.

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