Dr. Berns will take over the responsibility of Mr. VK Viswanathan, who will retire in end December 2012, but will be the Vice Chairman of Bosch Limited as a Non-Whole time Director
The Bosch Group, a leading provider of products and services in the areas of automotive technology, industrial technology, consumer goods and building technology, today announced the appointment of Dr. Steffen Berns as Managing Director of Bosch Limited and President of Bosch Group in India. The announcement was made after the Board Meeting of Bosch Limited in Goa today. Dr. Berns will also lead the operations for Bosch group in India.
Dr. Berns will be taking over on January 1, 2013 from Mr. VK Viswanathan who was heading Bosch India operations for the past five years.
A doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Berns joined the Bosch Group in Stuttgart, Germany in 1990. He has a broad spectrum of technical and managerial experience combined with rich international exposure. He worked in the Bosch Group in India from 1996 to 1999, responsible for OE Sales and R&D and later as Managing Director of Robert Bosch Engineering Business Solutions. Prior to his new role, Dr. Berns headed electronics business of the Diesel Division and since 2006 has been member of the Board of Bosch Gasoline Systems Division at its Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
Sharing views on his new role, Dr. Berns said “Bosch in India has an excellent track record with its strong growth, good customer relationships, local development, strong talent base and manufacturing capabilities. We will continue and extend the journey further by strengthening local innovations and will additionally focus more on opportunities in the non-automotive business fields, e.g. power tools, security technology, thermo technology and capital goods.”
Congratulating Dr. Berns on the appointment Mr. VK Viswanathan said, “Steffen brings with him a wide range of experience and expertise in several automotive domains. His prudent insight garnered from his various technical and senior management roles will augur well for Bosch in India. I firmly believe that Bosch in India would continue to grow under his leadership and I would like to extend my best wishes to him on his new role”
Bosch Group
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, more than 300,000 associates generated sales of 51.5 billion euros in fiscal 2011. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 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 4.2 billion euros for research and development in 2011, and applied for over 4,100 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.
Bosch in India
In India, Bosch is a leading supplier of technology and services in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods and building technology. Additionally, Bosch also has in India, the largest development centre, outside Germany, for end to end engineering and technology solutions. The Bosch Group operates in India through six companies, viz, Bosch Limited, Bosch Chassis Systems India Limited, Bosch Rexroth India Limited, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Limited, Bosch Automotive Electronics India Pvt Ltd, Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt Ltd.. In India, Bosch set up its manufacturing operation in 1953, which has grown over the years to include 13 manufacturing sites and 7 development and application centers. Bosch Group in India employs over 25,000 associates. In India it generated consolidated revenue of over Rs. 11,300 crores in 2011.
