Bengaluru, Aug 27 (IANS): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday inaugurated technology and services giant Bosch's manufacturing plant - its 14th in India - at Bidadi near here.
"It is heartening to note that Bosch chose Karnataka and Bengaluru in particular for establishing its fist manufacturing facility in India in 1954. MICO Bosch was one of the first MNCs to start manufacturing when Karnataka was known as Mysore state," he said.
The plant is Bosch's fifth plant in Karnataka.
Located 40 km away from Bengaluru, the new manufacturing plant occupies 38,000 square foot of built-up area at came up at an investment of Rs.340 crore.
"India is a key pillar of our growth strategy in Asia Pacific. A strong local presence is the basis for further growth in the region. Bosch has set a target to double its sales in Asia Pacific by 2020," said Bosch Group board member Peter Tyroller.
This first phase of Bidadi plant was constructed in 20 months after the foundation-laying in 2013 while the second phase is planned to be completed by 2018.
The new plant will manufacture single cylinder common rail pumps, conventional fuel injection pumps and new generation products for supporting Bharat Stage IV, V and VI emission norms in the future.
"We see a lot of growth potential in India and strive to bring more projects, products and manufacturing to the country also in the future," said Bosch India president and Bosch Ltd MD Steffen Berns.
"Bosch employs 29,000 people in India, 17,000 people in Karnataka and 12,000 people in R & D. Bosch India filed 20 patents in 2008 and 150 patents in 2014," he added.
The company also has seven application and development centres in India and clocked consolidated revenues of Rs.15,250 crore in 2014.
The German company invested Rs.5,400 crore in India from 2010 to 2014 and Rs.650 crore in 2015.
Bosch operates through nine companies in India: Bosch Ltd, Bosch Chassis Systems India, Bosch Rexroth India, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions, Bosch Automotive Electronics India, Bosch Electrical Drive India, BSH Home Appliances, ETAS Automotive India and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering India.