Bosch Thailand grows by more than 70 percent Further targeting double digit growth

Bosch Thailand grows by more than 70 percent Further targeting double digit growth and balanced sales structure - Significant growth of 72 percent in 2006 to 4.8 billion baht - Continued growth in all sales business units - Quality , innovation and customers focus are key strategies Paulo Ferreira, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Limited announced the preliminary figures of the Bosch Group in 2006 which reached its growth targets for 2006. Global sales grew by more than five percent to 43.7 billion euros (some 2100 billion baht). The growth drivers were the Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sectors, as well as the Industrial Technology business sector. Once again, the Asia Pacific Region played a significant role and contributed a high growth rate of 13 percent. Bosch will continuously expand its presence in Asia Pacific and intends to generate 25 percent of the Group’s sales in this region by 2015. For Thailand, Bosch achieved the high growth rate of 72 percent in 2006. The total consolidated sales figure of Bosch business in Thailand increased to 4.8 billion baht, of which around 40 percent came from the sales activities of Robert Bosch Limited which includes the business units of Automotive Aftermarket, Power Tools , Security Systems and Blaupunkt Car Multimedia, Another 60 percent was contributed by the Original Equipments sales of Bosch Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd., who produces and assembles automotive components in braking systems and diesel common rail systems, for nearly all the local car manufacturers and many exports through out the ASEAN region. “The impressive growth of Bosch Thailand last year was mainly driven by our Automotive Original Equipment business who successfully supplies components of braking and diesel common rail systems to nearly all local car manufacturers. We have increasingly expanded our presence into the Thai Automotive Industry. For trading activities, Bosch Security Systems was the key driver for last year growth and played a key role in setting up the high technology of security systems in many important locations throughout Thailand, for example, the Suvarnbhumi international airport and the Phuket beach.”, said Paulo Ferreira. Bosch Thailand will continue its double digit growth rate in all business units after successful growth in 2006. To further drive the growth, the ‘QIK’ strategy - which stands for quality, innovation and customer focus – will be implemented in all business processes. The company will continuously introduce the new innovative products to make life easier and more convenient as clearly stated through the company’s slogan ‘invented for life’. Growing need for Security Systems – New, intelligent software Manop Homsuwan, General Manager of the Security Systems Division said about the business performance of Bosch Security Systems in 2006 that the division had a very high growth rate, especially from the CCTV product segment, which achieved the highest growth thus far in terms of value. Some prestigious projects executed last year include the Suvanabhumi International Airport / Custom Free Zone, State railway, Phuket Beach Surveillance and TG new office which is the largest IP CCTV in Asia Pacific. Besides of these achievements, the consumers’ alert in using high quality security systems to effectively protect their investments, has also helped boost up the business. “For 2007, Bosch Security Systems plan to grow at least double the rate of the average market growth rate of 7.5 percent. We are confident to achieve this target. We will focus on educating customers on our new technologies which are suitable for all businesses such as governmental organization, private enterprise or small / single companies. Therefore we will cooperate closely with our local business partners to answer the different needs of consumers”, said Mr. Manop. The intensive enforcement of legal regulation on building inspection and the problem of insecurity situation in many areas will add on to the growth of Bosch Security Systems in Thailand. Bosch also offers intelligent security systems which can prevent and reduce some unwanted situations. A new intelligence software called ‘Video Content Analysis (VCA)’ which can detect suspected objects or persons as well as analyze different situations from the pictures taken will be launched soon. Focus on quality – key strategy of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket “The overall situation of domestic automotive market in Thailand in 2006 was impacted by many factors such as the increase in fuel price and political instability. As a result, the market grew at a lower rate. However, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket could successfully manage to achieve an increase in growth. This is due to the continuous launching of new products plus the intensive marketing activities which make the Bosch brand become better known amongst the Thai people”, said Yingyuad Whangprayoat, General Manager of the Automotive Division. For 2007, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket targets for a double digit growth. The focus activities will be on launching more new products for both European and Japanese applications as well as to continue the intensive marketing activities. In addition, the distribution network will be expanded to cover more of the Japanese parts’ dealers. Bosch plans to further improve quality and service standards of Bosch Service network and to run the consumer campaigns to specifically increase the public awareness to our service network. “We will continue to grow and expand our presence in the Thai Automotive Aftermarket. We are equipped with innovative products, high standard services, information and technologies as well as strong strategic partners like Bosch Car Service, Bosch Diesel Service and Bosch Diesel Center. The new opportunities in Japanese parts segment is very interesting and gives us room to grow.” added Mr. Yingyuad. New innovative power tools to drive further growth In 2006, Bosch Power Tools achieved its growth above the average rate, said Chaiyaporn Ratanachetkul, Marketing Manager of Bosch Power Tools Division. New technology of lithium-ion battery for cordless tools was successfully introduced to the market last year. Participation at the wood street fair and the Thai Metalex 2006 as well as a close cooperation with the Skill Development Institute contributed to the strong presences and success of Bosch Power Tools in the market. “For this year, Bosch Power Tools will intensively launch new innovative products to the market, especially for the cordless segment. Developing of the current distribution network to strengthen the division’s market position and continuous consumer promotion campaigns will be carried out throughout the year to give Bosch Power Tools more presence in our target markets” said Mr. Chaiyaporn. “To additionally serve the market of new professional users and the middle to low market segment, we will this year launch ‘Skil’ a US originated power tools. ‘Skil’ is not just a brand that was founded a few years ago. It was originated in the United States of America some 83 years ago with the invention of the circular saw. ‘Skil’ stands for good quality at an affordable price, in short: value for money. We will start from introducing the basic product range of ‘Skil’ which include circular saw, jigsaw, impact drill, cordless, grinder and hot air gun to the market beginning of this year.”, added Mr. Chaiyaporn. Blaupunkt – a Premium Brand Strategy “The car audio equipment under the “Blaupunkt” brand was another business area that increased its growth in 2006 compared to last years sales,” says Sunil Thomas, General Manager of the Blaupunkt Car Multimedia Division, “The key driver products are the hi-end head units like ‘Bremen MP74’ which is the world’s best MP3 player as announced by the AutoHiFi magazine and has also won awards in Thailand during IASCA competitions last year.” Blaupunkt will continue its strategy as a premium brand and plans to grow its sales 2007 by 50 percent. In 2007, Blaupunkt will again launch new innovative products e.g. head unit model Bremen MP 76 , amplifier model TH PnP and portable subwoofer model V2Go. Due to the change of consumer behavior to using the multimedia connectivity product range, the dealers are required to become experts in this field. Blaupunkt strategy and products support this demand. Blaupunkt will continue extending its distribution channel through their “Blaupunkt Specialists” network in both Bangkok and upcountry. Utmost customer satisfaction is guaranteed through Blaupunkt’s after sales service concept ‘7 working days, repair or replace’. Blaupunkt is also sponsoring an MTV program called “MTV Pimp my Ride” which will enhance both brand awareness and sales. About The Bosch Group The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2006, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering,” the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 300 subsidiaries and more than 13,000 Bosch service centers in over 140 countries. The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. A total of 92 % of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com . About Robert Bosch Limited, Thailand Robert Bosch Limited is a sales subsidiary of the Bosch Group. Established in 1991, the company is mainly responsible for the marketing and distribution of Bosch automotive spare parts and power tools, security systems as well as the group’s Blaupunkt car multimedia in Thailand. The Bosch Group is committed to the growth of the country and thus has made capital investment and manpower in setting up the factory called “Bosch Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in 1996. There are 2 manufacturing plants manufacturing automotive parts such as braking systems and diesel common rail systems, located in the Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong province. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.co.th Contact person for press inquiries: Robert Bosch Limited Ms. Yuparat Laotanapat Corporate Communications Manager Tel. 02 – 631 1879 ext. 160 ; Mobile 081 – 845 1596 E-mail : [email protected] OASIS Media Co., Ltd. Mr. Tanapon Kaewhwan Tel. 02 937 4658 ; Mobile 01 614 9334 E-mail: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net

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