Bosch Recognised as a Business Superbrand for 2011

DENHAM, March 7, 2011: The announcement of Superbrands 2011 confirms Bosch as one of the UK's leading business to business brands. The announcement follows a robust research process administered independently by The Centre for Brand Analysis, which analysed the views of an Expert Council and 2,000 UK business professionals.

Of the thousands of brands initially considered only the top 500 are deemed to be Business Superbrands; Bosch was placed 10th in the prestigious annual listing, now in its ninth year.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the Expert Council & CEO, The Centre for Brand Analysis, comments: "Congratulations to Bosch on achieving Business Superbrands status. This status confirms the strength and potency of the brand in the UK.

"As we enter another difficult year, the resilience of a business can be boosted by its reputation, helping to stimulate demand and loyalty versus weaker-branded rivals. The company and its employees can be extremely proud to be recognised amongst the UK's leading B2B brands. The achievement reflects the views of experts and professionals who deemed the brand to represent quality, reliability and distinction."

Engineering giant, Rolls-Royce Group, was the number one brand, up from second last year, whilst BlackBerry also moves up one position from last year to take second place. Completing the top three is software giant Microsoft, which fell from number one last time out. Eight of the top ten remain the same as in 2010, proving the buoyancy a strong brand provides.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, some 283,500 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal 2010. 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 further growth. Bosch spent some four billion euros for research and development in 2010, and applied for over 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.

Bosch is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as a "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.