Columbia, South Carolina
December 3, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford,
the
South Carolina Department
of
Commerce,
Dorchester County and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance today joined Robert
Bosch LLC, a leading automotive supplier in North
America, to announce the company’s plans to expand its Dorchester County operations. Over
the
next five
years, Bosch will
invest approximately $125 million in the company’s
manufacturing facility
in
Dorchester County and create approximately 300 new jobs.
"We are very pleased to announce
this investment which is designed to
help
us continue to strengthen our business at our
plant in Dorchester County," said Gene Oswalt, vice
president and commercial plant manager,
Robert Bosch LLC. "Working with our colleagues from
the
State, the County and the Charleston Regional
Development Alliance, we have
been able to develop a plan through which
we can invest in our facility and
associates, strengthen
our
business and support
Bosch’s global focus on environmental
sustainability."
Bosch will
add personnel and equipment to support
production of its latest passenger car diesel and gasoline fuel injectors, and next generation anti-lock brake and electronic stability control systems for
the
North American automotive
market. The company expects to
begin creating new jobs based on this investment beginning in the second half of 2011.
Additionally, as part of
the
company’s expansion, Dorchester County plans to provide reclaimed water
for
the
company’s manufacturing processes. This initiative
aligns with
Bosch’s commitment
to environmental
sustainability while reducing the company’s utility costs and increasing
its competitiveness. This sustainable alternative, which
will be developed with the assistance of a grant from
the U.S. Department
of
Commerce, Economic Development
Administration (EDA) and matching funds from Dorchester County, will
conserve 80,000 gallons of wastewater per
day.
The EDA grant is currently pending
final approval.
"Today’s announcement is another positive sign that our efforts to improve
the
state’s business climate are paying dividends. This announcement
adds to the growth
we have witnessed in
the
manufacturing
sector over
the
past several months.
In
fact, South Carolina has added
4,500 manufacturing jobs over the past
seven months and Bosch’s job creation adds to this encouraging trend
in our state.
As well, Bosch’s expansion serves as an indication that our state’s automotive
industry continues to
present opportunity. The company
is one with
a long history in
our state, but its decision to expand and create jobs here reiterates Bosch’s
confidence in
South
Carolina’s workforce and
its ability to
meet
the
demands of a growing international
corporation,"
said Gov. Mark Sanford.
"Bosch is a world-class company, and its Dorchester County facility has been an important part of the state’s economy for more than thirty years.
The
company’s decision to
make
another large
investment
at its facility in
Dorchester County is a strong
testament that our state’s focus on the business fundamentals such as keeping
taxes and
regulatory burdens
low
are working to attract
new
investment. We thank Bosch for choosing to grow in
South
Carolina and wish the company
continued success for decades to come,"
said Joe Taylor,
Secretary of Commerce.
The facility, located at
8101 Dorchester Road,
currently employs more than
1,500 people and produces a
wide
range of diesel, gasoline, and
chassis products.
The Dorchester County facility has been in
operation since 1974 and was
the
company’s first operation in
South Carolina.
"Since 1974, Bosch has called Dorchester County home," said
Dorchester County
Council Chairman Jamie Feltner. "We are proud to
see their success and growth continues within the county."
"By choosing our region for this latest expansion, Bosch is sending a powerful message to companies
around
the
world," said Sean
Bennett, chairman of the Charleston Regional
Development Alliance. "Collectively, our three counties offer an incredible combination of assets for world-class manufacturers, and this expansion proves
just how competitive we’ve become.
Congratulations to Bosch, and to everyone
involved in this valuable
economic development win."
About Bosch
The Bosch Group is
a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 275,000 associates generated sales of $53 billion (38.2
billion euros) in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and
regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in
roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for growth. Each
year, Bosch spends more than $5 billion (3.5 billion euros) for research and development, and applies for some 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing
solutions which are
both innovative and beneficial.
In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures
and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives
and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems,
packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy and healthcare
products. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 20,000 associates in more than 70 locations, with reported sales of $7.3 billion in fiscal 2009.
For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic development professionals throughout the state to recruit
new jobs and investments and help existing businesses grow.
Commerce has been recognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economic impact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in
2009 and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award
from Business Facilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awarded the S.C. Department of Commerce the "Deal of the Year" for the 2010 SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant to support the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investment recruitment, the agency
provides a range of
business support services and offers grants for community development and infrastructure
improvements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
