Bosch Announces Expansion and Green Initiative in Dorchester County
December 3, 2010
$125 million investment expected to create approximately 300 new jobs over five years
DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC – December 3, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford, the South Carolina Departmentof Commerce, Dorchester County and the Charleston Regional DevelopmentAlliance today joined Robert Bosch LLC, a leading automotive supplier inNorth America, to announce the company’s plans to expand its DorchesterCounty operations. Over the next five years, Bosch will investapproximately $125 million in the company’s manufacturing facility inDorchester County and create approximately 300 new jobs.
“We are very pleased to announce this investment which is designed tohelp us continue to strengthen our business at our plant in DorchesterCounty,” said Gene Oswalt, vice president and commercial plant manager,Robert Bosch LLC. “Working with our colleagues from the state, thecounty and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, we have beenable to develop a plan through which we can invest in our facility andassociates, strengthen our business and support Bosch’s global focus onenvironmental sustainability.”
Bosch will add personnel and equipment to support production of itslatest passenger car diesel and gasoline fuel injectors, and nextgeneration anti-lock brake and electronic stability control systems forthe North American automotive market. The company expects to begincreating new jobs based on this investment beginning in the second halfof 2011. Additionally, as part of the company’s expansion, DorchesterCounty plans to provide reclaimed water for the company’s manufacturingprocesses. This initiative aligns with Bosch’s commitment toenvironmental sustainability while reducing the company’s utility costsand increasing its competitiveness. This sustainable alternative, whichwill be developed with the assistance of a grant from the U.S.Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) andmatching funds from Dorchester County, will conserve 80,000 gallons ofwastewater per day. The EDA grant is currently pending final approval.
“Today’s announcement is another positive sign that our efforts toimprove the state’s business climate are paying dividends. Thisannouncement adds to the growth we have witnessed in the manufacturingsector over the past several months. In fact, South Carolina has added4,500 manufacturing jobs over the past seven months and Bosch’s jobcreation adds to this encouraging trend in our state. As well, Bosch’sexpansion serves as an indication that our state’s automotive industrycontinues to present opportunity. The company is one with a longhistory in our state, but its decision to expand and create jobs herereiterates Bosch’s confidence in South Carolina’s workforce and itsability to meet the demands of a growing international corporation,”said Gov. Mark Sanford.
“Bosch is a world-class company, and its Dorchester County facilityhas been an important part of the state’s economy for more than 30years. The company’s decision to make another large investment at itsfacility in Dorchester County is a strong testament that our state’sfocus on the business fundamentals such as keeping taxes and regulatoryburdens low are working to attract new investment. We thank Bosch forchoosing to grow in South Carolina and wish the company continuedsuccess for decades to come,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
The facility, located at 8101 Dorchester Road, currently employs morethan 1,500 people and produces a wide range of diesel, gasoline andchassis products. The Dorchester County facility has been in operationsince 1974 and was the company’s first operation in South Carolina.
“Since 1974, Bosch has called Dorchester County home,” saidDorchester County Council Chairman Jamie Feltner. “We are proud to seetheir success and growth continue within the county.”
“By choosing our region for this latest expansion, Bosch is sending apowerful message to companies around the world,” said Sean Bennett,chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “Collectively,our three counties offer an incredible combination of assets forworld-class manufacturers, and this expansion proves just howcompetitive we’ve become. Congratulations to Bosch, and to everyoneinvolved in this valuable economic development win.”
About Bosch
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology andservices. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumergoods and building technology, some 275,000 associates generated salesof $53 billion (38.2 billion euros) in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Groupcomprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries andregional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and servicepartners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing and sales networkis the foundation for growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than $5billion (3.5 billion euros) for research and development, and appliesfor some 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services,Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are bothinnovative and beneficial.
In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures andmarkets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products,industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security andcommunication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, householdappliances, solar energy and healthcare products. Having established aregional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 20,000 associates in morethan 70 locations, with reported sales of $7.3 billion in fiscal 2009.
For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economicdevelopment professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs andinvestments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has beenrecognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economicimpact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C.Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic developmentorganizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from BusinessFacilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awardedthe S.C. Department of Commerce the “Deal of the Year” for the 2010SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selectionof North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant tosupport the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investmentrecruitment, the agency provides a range of business support servicesand offers grants for community development and infrastructureimprovements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
