We asked David Fulker why Bosch decided to make another trip to the NEC for Automechanika Birmingham 2023 he responded hastily,
‘It’s very exciting for us because it’s our anniversary. 125 years ago, Robert Bosch decided that after Germany the first overseas market that he would like to set up a sales office in, is the UK. So, we are celebrating today, 125 years of Bosch in the UK. On our stand, we have got a very early Magneto which obviously was one of the first inventions by Robert Bosch for engine mobility due to sparking the engine. Right through to the vehicle you can see behind us (In Bosch’s exhibitor stand), which now is full of software sensors and ECUs for a modern-day vehicle. It’s important for Bosh Mobility solutions to be here during the 125th anniversary as Robert Bosch’s first business partner was Frederick Sims, and Frederick Sims was the founder of the SMMT and so, therefore, it’s right that we celebrate together in the SMMT automotive supply chain Hall.’
Finally, he was asked what type of customer he would like to see at the show and how Bosch are making efforts to attract them. ‘While we know a lot of our customers, today it is a meet the buyer event and my colleagues have to go and see our customers, and our customers have to come across to us as well. Clearly, we have an existing relationship with those customers, the vehicle manufacturers. So, for us, it’s to celebrate 125 years not only with the people visiting, but also our vehicle customers here; so lots of conversations. Yesterday, was the main day for the automotive supply chain. So, in addition to an exhibition, we were able to also be part of the what’s called the SMMT forum. Moving forward, technology, certainly for a lot of our customers, is software and of course, very, very importantly, what’s happening right now in the UK, is the electrification of the powertrain. We have exhibits of battery and hydrogen solutions for the electronification of the powertrain. So, we thought we would put it all in one car to show people where the various components that sit on a car. You don’t normally see them and it seems to have gone down very well.’