Bosch India completes first phase of expansion at Adugodi development centre

Bosch has inaugurated the first phase of expansion of its development centre in Adugodi, Bangalore, today.

The global supplier of technology and services started revamping its oldest facility in India into a technology and development centre in 2014. Since then, the company has invested around Rs 350 crore (around 47 million euros).

“Bosch sees immense growth potential in India. The inauguration underscores our commitment to the country,” said Peter Tyroller, member of the board of management of the Bosch Group responsible for the region Asia Pacific, during the inauguration. The development of the facility will take place in several phases. “For the second phase of expansion, we will further invest in the coming years to develop Bosch Adugodi into a state-of-the-art R&D facility,” he commented further. In 2016, Bosch India will invest around Rs 1,170 crores.

The inauguration was attended by R V Deshpande, Minister for Medium & Large Industries and Infrastructure development, government of Karnataka, Ramalinga Reddy, Minister for Transport, government of Karnataka; Peter Tyroller, member of the Board of management of the Bosch Group responsible for Asia Pacific; Dr. Steffen Berns, president, Bosch Group India and managing director, Bosch Limited and Vijay Ratnaparkhe, managing director, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions.

India a key hub for Bosch’s global development network

“The two newly inaugurated buildings in Adugodi have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and accommodate over 3,000 associates. Adugodi will house the majority of the local development – including R&D centres of Bosch Limited, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions and Bosch Home Appliances,” said Dr Steffen Berns. Engineers at the facility work on key topics such as driver assistance and passive safety, active safety, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP), and hardware development. Other areas of focus include big data and software solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Bosch started its manufacturing operations in India at the Adugodi facility in 1953, when industrialisation in the country was still at an early phase. Since then the company has continuously been expanding its operations in India, while the need for local development was increasing. Following a strong localisation strategy, Bosch focuses on offering products and solutions that are tailored to the needs of the Indian market, including local development.

From bringing common-rail systems to India, Bosch is now offering two-wheeler engine management systems developed in the country. “Bosch has been making conscious efforts to offer superior products that are environmentally friendly, cost-effective and above all possess the ability to connect with the youth,” said Dr. Berns. Today, India is home to the Bosch Group’s largest development centre outside of Germany. At the locations in Adugodi, Bangalore and in Coimbatore, the company employs over 14,000 research and development associates. This makes India an important hub for Bosch’s global R&D network. This role will further increase with the expansion of the Adugodi facility – as increasingly Bosch’s leading edge in technology is the result of a ‘local for global’ exchange of findings and experience.

Aiming for innovation and creativity

Beyond having development and testing labs, the new facilities are designed to offer associates an inspiring working environment. The new facility has an open work space, more discussion rooms and a collaborative work space on each floor. “Today’s youth thrive in a fun, dynamic and transparent work environment. Our current facility has incorporated such elements. We are providing our associates with resource and facilities that will aid them in improving the quality of innovation,” said Vijay Ratnaparkhe, managing director, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions.     

In August 2015, Bosch had relocated part of its manufacturing operations from Adugodi to Bidadi. Spread over 97 acres, this state-of-the-art facility produces diesel products. The developing industrial area in Bidadi offers Bosch the advantage of a larger space and better infrastructure support for future expansion activities.