08/07/2008
Robert Bosch puts attitudes into action
Environmental production and innovation drive growth
Research and development funding of 3.6 billion euros in 2007 was highlighted as a major factor in the rapid development of technological solutions for environmental and climate protection by Robert Meier, Managing Director for Bosch in the UK, at the recently held Bosch Forum 2008.
Speaking at the event, that also featured an address from Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of The Energy Saving Trust, Mr Meier revealed how 40% of the R&D budget went into products that protect the environment and conserve resources – in 2007 amounting to 1.5 billion euros.
The Group’s sales of renewable technologies grew to 750 million euros in 2007 and this is expected to increase to over 1.2 billion euros by 2010 as ecological solutions become more prevalent. This is especially true in the light of the comments by Franz Fehrenbach, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH who said recently, “There is no convincing energy policy that responds to the huge increase in the oil price.”
Examples of that which Mr Meier terms ‘Attitudes translating into Actions’ are numerous across Bosch in the UK, the diverse technology group that manufactures automotive parts and systems, power tools, industrial automation equipment, domestic appliances and both domestic and industrial heating technology.
Worcester, part of the Bosch Group has a growing renewable energy product portfolio including Greenskies solar panels, Greenstore ground source heat pumps and the soon to be launched Greensource air to water heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps can be installed via a bore hole to bury the horizontal collectors, which makes them a very good choice for new or self-build projects. However, upgrading a three bedroom terraced house can be more of a challenge but this is exactly what has been demonstrated at Worcester’s new full-scale Energy House at its headquarters in the Midlands.
In the vital area of automotive technology, the Cardiff plant of Robert Bosch is part of the Starter Generators Division that is responsible for the Start/Stop technology. A leader in the fight to reduce the environmental impact of automotive transport the Start/Stop technology is able to reduce fuel consumption by up to 8% during city driving by switching the engine off when the car is stationary and restarting it instantly when the clutch is depressed ready to select a gear again. The Start/Stop System is being used by a number of motor manufacturers and is standard on the BMW 1 and 3 series and the MINI. Also, the Group’s work in engine thermal management and developments in vehicle alternator design are all helping to make car engines more efficient. In addition, the exciting Tata Nano, the Indian ultra-low price vehicle has a Bosch engine management and brake system on board.
Other examples of Robert Bosch’s commitment to environmental innovation are seen in a range of products from the new Bosch ActiveWater Logixx dishwashers, that use as little as 10 litres of water per wash (compared to at least 40 litres by hand), to the AXT Rapid Garden shredders that reduce the amount of garden waste. As well as these the Blaupunkt Lucca 3.5 portable navigation assistant has an environmental route function to help plan the most fuel efficient journey and the continued development of compact, powerful Lithium-ion batteries for power tools.
Inevitably, the attitudes that Bosch in the UK demonstrates today have been shaped by the foresight of the company’s founder. As Robert Meier says, “We must embrace technology as a mechanism to deliver solutions for conserving scare resources. We have to stimulate innovation and deliver efficient and effective products that make all our lives better and we must be cognisant of both our personal and business actions that will impact the environment.”
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