Bosch has opened its second automotive technology manufacturing plant in Romania. The new location in Cluj will produce electronic components and control units for the European automotive industry. These components are used in driver assistance, safety systems and energy management. In the future, Cluj will also make the electronic heart of Bosch’s eBike drive. The company has invested more than 70 million Euros in the new location, which lies around 300km northwest of Bucharest with a total floor space of 38,000sqmt. By year end, Bosch will employ 750 associates at the location.
“The new location in Romania is an important pillar for Bosch and will strengthen our European manufacturing and engineering network. Moreover, localising more of our manufacturing in Eastern Europe will help us increase our competitiveness,” said Dr Dirk Hoheisel, member of the Bosch Board of Management. The new plant forms part of Bosch’s Automotive Electronics division, which develops and manufactures electronic control units, semiconductors, and sensors for the automotive industry and other sectors. With 13 locations around the world, the division employs some 24,000 associates.
Bosch has had a presence in Romania since November 2013 through its R & D centre in Cluj, which is focused on developing electronics and software for the products manufactured at the location. In addition, it offers engineering services to other Bosch locations as well as local customers. “It was the access to well-qualified engineers and the opportunity to work actively with the excellent local universities that were decisive factors in choosing this location,” said Hoheisel.
The Bosch Group has been represented in Romania for 20 years and today employs a total of some 1,700 associates at four locations in the country. In addition to the new R & D centre and automotive production plant in Cluj, Bosch has a production location for linear-motion technology and automotive technology in Blaj, as well as a communication centre in Timisoara. It has a sales company for power tools, heating systems, security systems, and products for the automotive aftermarket in Bucharest.
