“Inventing for life” has been at the core of our business from the beginning.
In the 125 years since Robert Bosch first opened a location in the UK, Bosch UK & Ireland has grown and developed across 36 locations, fostering a team of 5,500 associates and building a business that continues to shape society, harness the power of technology and transform lives. It is the first country outside Germany to reach its 125 year anniversary milestone.
In what may be a surprise to some, our story begins in the automotive sector. Robert Bosch developed a magneto ignition device that made the first cars in the late 1800s much more reliable and usable. We started manufacturing and selling magnetos in London on 18th March 1898 and the business grew in partnership with Lucas Industries, a Birmingham-based British manufacturer of motor industry and aerospace industry components, founded in 1860. Robert Bosch, alongside his partners, played a key role in establishing the UK automotive industry and making it the leading sector it is today.
WWI and WWII slowed down technological development, but the UK always remained an entrepreneurial environment in which Bosch was able to grow its business. When Germany diversified its products, such as central heating or packaging machinery, the UK was quick to set up its own division to boost the company’s growth in Europe and the world.
We continued to innovate into the 20th Century, developing the diesel injection pump for trucks in 1927, which became available for cars from 1936. Eventually, in the 2010s, Bosch was producing common rail diesel technology in 12 locations across 10 countries, including the UK.
Robert Bosch GmbH was built with strong philanthropic and sustainable principles, and is 94% owned by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, a charitable foundation. We are committed to sustainable development: working together, sharing knowledge, technology and resources to meet societal challenges and improve lives of the generations to come.
We are working on a number of technologies today that could have a significant impact on everyday life; including quantum sensors to help diagnose neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, hydrogen fuel cells to power the automotive industry and a wide variety of buildings and businesses, and tailored advice for farmers around the world using artificial intelligence, including greater understanding of crop rotation and soil use.
Looking to the future, our commitment to the UK & Ireland is clear – we have invested more than £300 million in the past two years, with further commitments planned for our business and key areas including mobility, energy and industry.
