Bosch Launches Cutting-Edge Electronics Components Plant in China
Bosch recently opened a new electronics components factory in Changzhou, a city in southeastern China. Klaus Meder, president of Bosch Automotive Electronics, emphasized that this new facility strengthens Bosch’s localization strategy and demonstrates their confidence in the Chinese market.
By 2019, Bosch will have invested over €100 million in this plant, which is expected to create 1,300 new jobs. Meder mentioned that the new plant aims to meet the rising local demand for connected products. Studies suggest that connected driver assistance systems can potentially prevent around 20,000 accidents with injuries in China each year.
The Changzhou facility will mainly produce electronics components for automated driving and connected products, such as cameras and radar sensors for driver assistance systems, ECUs for automotive steering, and central gateways for connected vehicles. The plant, situated in the Wujin Economic Development Zone and covering 34,000 square meters, is primarily focused on the Chinese market. By 2019, it’s set to produce approximately 41 million electronic control units annually.
Since 2006, Bosch’s automotive electronics division has operated a plant in Suzhou, China. Across the country, Bosch has over 60 sites. In the new Changzhou plant, Bosch plans to combine its established Bosch Production System (BPS) for standardized lean processes with advanced connected manufacturing techniques.
Meder highlighted Bosch’s investment in Industry 4.0, aiming to better meet diverse market demands quickly and effectively. Already, Bosch’s 14 Chinese plants use connected technologies. Additionally, Bosch collaborates with the Development Research Center of the Chinese State Council to promote connected manufacturing nationwide.
Bosch has had a presence in China since 1909, representing all four of its business units. China is Bosch’s second largest market after Germany and hosts the company’s largest workforce outside its home country.
