Bosch Power Tools: Successful with innovations and acquisitions

(March 2010)

The Power Tools Division of the Bosch Group is the world market leader for power tools and power tool accessories. In 2009, its workforce generated sales of some 3 billion euros, 90 percent of which outside of Germany. With brands such as Bosch, Skil and Dremel, the division stands for customer focus and great innovative strength.

The core success factors are innovative strength and pace of innovation. Each year, Bosch launches more than 100 new power tools onto the market. Bosch Power Tools generated 37 percent of its sales in 2009 with products that have been on the market for less than two years. All five business segments of Bosch Power Tools – portable electric power tools, benchtop tools, accessories, measuring tools and electric garden tools – outperformed the market.

Bosch was able to further strengthen its position as the world market leader for portable electric power tools. The main worldwide growth segment in this area is occupied by cordless tools with lithium-ion (LI) battery technology. Bosch is a pioneer in this field, having launched the first power tool with LI battery technology, the Ixo, onto the market in 2003. The Ixo remained the world’s best-selling power tool. Bosch offers the widest and most complete range of LI cordless tools – from the small Dremel Stylus to Europe’s most popular electric garden tool, the lightweight Isio shrub shear, through to the 36-volt rotary hammer for tough applications on the construction site.

In 2009, Bosch gained important market shares in a difficult economic environment. The company was able to further strengthen its position as the world market leader for portable electric power tools and accessories in the past year. After the acquisition of CST/berger, Bosch also became number one worldwide for measuring tools. The company is in second place worldwide for garden tools. Bosch even managed to become the market leader for electric garden tools in Europe, one year after it succeeded in becoming the market leader in Germany. Bosch improved its position for benchtop tools, such as table saws, from fifth place to third place. Thanks to this broad-based footing, which no competitor possesses, Bosch Power Tools was able to in part offset market declines in the professional segment by the DIY and garden business.

Headcount stood at approximately 17,500 associates worldwide on January 1, 2010.