• Brand change from Loos to Bosch mid-2012
• Renewable energy generation broadens product offer
• Introduction of new diagnostics equipment to the service network

Zagreb – Sales of the Bosch Group on the markets of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina rose about 15 percent to 32 million euros in fiscal 2011. The leading supplier of technology and services employs about 60 associates in Croatia. At a press conference in Zagreb, Javier Gonzalez Pareja, General Manager for Bosch in the Adriatic region, said: “The demand for cutting-edge technology is increasing and this trend will allow us to further strengthen our market position”.  

Bosch offers products for the entire large facility heating segment
Bosch Thermotechnology will integrate further products under the Bosch brand by mid-2012. Industrial boilers, now offered under the Loos brand, and combined heat and power plants, manufactured at Bosch KWK Systeme, will be sold under the Bosch brand. Bosch covers the entire large facilities heating segment, ranging from industrial boilers and cogeneration systems to central heating boilers, steam and hot water boilers. Increasing demand for solar thermal and photovoltaic modules
From this year onwards, together with the current heat pumps, solid fuel and pellet boilers, Bosch offers products using renewable energy sources also on the Croatian market. The range now includes solar thermal collectors for hot water preparation and heating support, as well as photovoltaic modules which convert solar radiation into electric energy. With its accession to the EU, Croatia shall take on the obligation to significantly increase the utilization of renewable energy sources. “Due to our comprehensive offer and strong competencies in this segment we are well positioned for further business development”, said Pareja.

Extended automotive aftermarket product range
With the introduction of several new diagnostic products to the market in 2011, Robert Bosch d.o.o. offers a wider automotive aftermarket product range from this year on. One of the favourites in truck diagnostics is KTS TRUCK testing device with ESI software, a new field in Bosch diagnostics. Bosch workshop equipment has been successfully accepted by the market and the product range was complemented with tyre mounting and balancing devices. Bosch’s Car Service network is the world’s largest independent workshop chain equipped with the latest technology, offering a wide range of services. The 33 Bosch Car Service workshops in Croatia belong to a network of about 15 000 workshops spread around the globe.  

Innovations and new technology for Power Tools
The Power Tools division continued with its introduction of innovative products and technologies. As in the previous year, over 100 new products were introduced to the Croatian market. An important innovation was an electric motor used in the new generation of cordless tools. Longer product life and extended battery duration are the two main characteristics in the new range of power tools. For example the new professional angle grinders introduce new standards of longevity – as confirmed by an independent testing institute in Germany –, and outlast the main competitor’s product by up to six times.  

Security Systems in major projects in the region
Bosch successfully continues the development and implementation of security technologies and systems in the region. All major projects in the construction industry use these systems. A video surveillance system for the Adriatic pipeline JANAF,  an integrated security system at Maribor airport, congress equipment at the University in Virovitica and a video surveillance, intrusion and access control systems for the Slovenian Railways are just a few examples.  

Commitment to social responsibility based on companies constitution The Bosch Group in Croatia is also active in the area of corporate social responsibility. In 2011 the company started a cooperation with the Croatian Red Cross in equipping the kindergartens Zlata Bistrica and Topusko with Bosch mini toys. The Polyclinic for Speech and Hearing Rehabilitation SUVAG received a donation for equipping and renovating the school workshop for technical education . This is important for children with impaired hearing and speech because it stimulates the development of the senses of sight and touch and develops physical and social skills. In 2012 Bosch will support the Special Hospital for Chronic Diseases of Children in Gornja Bistra, and will as continue to equip kindergartens with toys in cooperation with the Croatian Red Cross.  

Course of business of the Bosch Group 2011/12
In fiscal 2011, Bosch grew more strongly than expected, despite a weaker global economy. Its sales increased by 9.0 percent to 51.5 billion euros. Profit before tax stood at 2.6 billion euros. The company strengthened the market position of all three business sectors. Automotive Technology, the largest business sector, generated sales of 30.4 billion euros last year, and thus grew by 8.2 percent year on year. The Industrial Technology business sector grew the strongest, by 21.0 percent to 8.0 billion euros. The Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sector generated sales of 13.1 billion euros in 2011, an increase of 4.4 percent. As a result of the good business developments, global headcount also increased in 2011, by 19,000 to 302,500 as of January 1, 2012. In 2012, worldwide sales of the leading supplier of business and services are expected to grow between 3 and 5 percent. Investments will remain on a high level with capital expenditure again exceeding 3 billion euros. “In 2012, we expect to spend 4.6 billion euros for research and development, 400 million euros more than in 2011”, announced Dr. Volkmar Denner, the Bosch board of management member for research and development who will succeed Franz Fehrenbach as CEO of the Bosch Group on July 1, 2012, at the recent annual press conference of the Bosch Group.