Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, officially opened a new sales, marketing and service subsidiary in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, on Tuesday.
The Company which views Africa in general and Nigeria in particular as an important long-term growth market, said it has products to improve the life from all four business sectors such as mobility solutions, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology.
Speaking at the launch of its regional subsidiary in Nigeria, Uwe Raschke, member of Bosch’s board of management said, “We see high potential for our business in Africa. Thanks to its rapidly-growing population, low median age, increasing middle class, and optimistic economic forecast we expect a significant demand for Bosch products ‘invented for life”.
He said with about 170 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country as well the largest economy in Africa.
“By opening a location in Nigeria, we’re taking a decisive step forward in expanding our presence in West Africa,” added Markus Thill, the Bosch Group’s President for Africa.
The company said it generated sales of some 350 million euros in Africa in 2014.
Including the new location in Nigeria, Bosch will have a presence in ten African countries by the end of this year. The company currently employs more than 760 associates in Africa. Depending on the further business development, Bosch plans to increase this figure in the next years.
Focus On Food Processing, Energy, And Infrastructure Industries
Raschke added that Robert Bosch Nigeria is operating a sales, marketing and service office in Lagos, covering all of Bosch’s four business sectors Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology.
“The company will particularly focus on catering to demand in the food processing as well as energy and infrastructure industries – working closely with local partners to ensure the best possible customer benefit and, on a larger scale, the benefit of Nigeria’s economy and society,” he said.
Developing Technical Skills In Automotive Aftermarket Sector
Thill disclosed that in October 2014, Bosch set up an alliance with the Nigerian government organisation National Automotive Council (NAC) in the automotive aftermarket sector to pave the way for the development of technical automotive skills and the establishment of a network of automotive workshops in Nigeria.
According to him, as the number of cars on Nigerian streets rises, so will the demand for skilled maintenance and stateof-the-art repair workshops.
He said that the two partners plan to offer technical training as well as innovative solutions in the area of workshop and test equipment to the operators of automotive workshops throughout the country.
“Our partnership with the NAC demonstrates our long-term commitment to Nigeria. Bosch aims to further develop the technical competences of the local workforce especially in the automotive industry for the mutual success of the Nigerian industry and Bosch’s business in this country,” he noted.
Bosch in Africa
All four Bosch business sectors, mobility solutions, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology, have operations in Africa, the Company said.
“The current focus of the company’s manufacturing activities is South Africa, where there are two manufacturing sites, in Brits and Midrand. They primarily manufacture automotive components and assemble packaging machinery. There are additional regional subsidiaries and representative offices in Egypt and Morocco. In 2014, Bosch established a presence in the east African market with the opening of a branch office in Kenya. The company recently also opened representations in Angola and Mozambique. Furthermore, the opening of a representation in Algeria, Ghana and Tunisia is planned for later in 2015. Bosch has been present in Africa since 1906,” Ghislain Noumbessy, general manager said.
The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries; including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries.
In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide as its strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life.