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“We are shifting our manufacturing unit to Bidadi as we do not have any space left in our existing facility at Adugodi in Bangalore for further expansion. It is also difficult for us to bring heavy trucks inside the city for movement of products. So, we have decided to build the new plant at Bidadi and start the construction this year,” Steffen Berns, Managing Director, Bosch Limited, said.
He said, the new plant would be constructed in two phases, between 2012-13 and 2015-16. The company has committed an investment of Rs 600 crore for this purpose. Production will begin by the first quarter of 2014 with transfer of some 1,000 employees. Phase-I shall see production of common rail pump, common rain and glow plugs in the new facility.
Construction in Phase-II will take place from 2015 to 2016. While production of inline pumps, elements, delivery valves, conventional and PF pumps will begin by the first quarter of 2017. With this, the remaining nearly 3,000 employees will relocate to the new location in Phase-II. “Once we shift our factory from Adugodi, we will use the existing premises for expanding our research and development centre and also continue to operate the corporate office,” he said.
He said, the company would also bring all its other divisions which now function out of rented premises within Bangalore city and consolidate them at one place. It will also use the existing premises for expansion of Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (India) to create a modern technology and engineering centre. “Bosch continues to be strongly committed to India and is looking for further growth especially with products designed for the local market. We also continue to invest in the training and development of our biggest asset, our associates, while continuing to retain and attract talent for our further expansion plans,” Berns added.
Bosch has been present in India for over 80 years — first through a representative office in Calcutta (now Kolkata) since 1922 and from 1951 through its subsidiary Bosch Ltd. It moved to its present location in Adugodi in 1953.
Headquartered out of Bangalore, Bosch Ltd has its manufacturing plants in Bangalore, Nashik, Naganathapura (on the outskirts of Bangalore), Jaipur and Goa.
For year-ended December 31, 2012, the company has reported a sales turnover of Rs 8,511 crore, a growth of 6.4 per cent over the previous year.
