BoschcompletesacquisitionofSPXServiceSolutions

• Acquisition strengthens Bosch market position in workshop and repair business
• Portfolio for brand-dependent workshops extended
• Expansion of global presence in the diagnostics area

12.04.2013 - Karlsruhe, Germany / Canton, USA, MI – Following approval by the antitrust authorities, Bosch has completed its acquisition of SPX Service Solutions, a U.S. automotive diagnostics specialist. The agreement to purchase the company was signed in January this year. SPX Service Solutions develops, manufactures, and sells service equipment, repair-shop accessories, and software for the global automotive market. Based in Canton, MI (USA), SPX Service Solutions generated sales of some 920 million dollars (some 660 million euros) in 2011. The diagnostics specialist employs some 2,800 associates in 17 countries, and has manufacturing sites in the U.S., Germany, France, and China. The purchase price is 1.15 billion dollars (some 885 million euros).

“In acquiring SPX Service Solutions, we will become a comprehensive sup¬plier of solutions in the diagnostics and repair business. In expanding our portfolio and extending our global presence, especially in the U.S., we are strengthening our position,” said Robert Hanser, president of the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division. “We will quickly merge our know-how and wealth of experience in this growing market. Our aim is to become the world’s leading supplier of diagnostics solutions for all makes of vehicles.”

Network of core competencies for a growing market

With automotive electronics becoming increasingly complex, the market for diagnostics solutions has a great deal of potential for growth. Up to now, Bosch has served this market with products and services for diagnosing, servicing, and repairing passenger cars and commercial vehicles, with brand-independent workshops as its main customers. The portfolio of SPX Service Solutions comprises engineering services for automakers, as well as accessories and services for workshops. Combining these complemen¬tary areas of compe¬tence will provide Bosch with a wider range of custom¬ers and a broader portfolio, and open up new market opportunities, espe¬cially in Asia Pacific and Europe.

Areas to be merged in the new “Automotive Service Solutions” business unit

The business activities of SPX Service Solutions will be integrated into the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division, a leading supplier of aftermarket-specific products and services which generated sales of some 4.3 billion euros in 2011. As part of an integration project, the new “Automotive Ser¬vice Solutions” business unit will be set up. The former Diagnostics busi¬ness unit will also become part of this new business unit. All in all, these two business units generated sales of roughly one billion euros in 2011. Tanvir Arfi, who was president of SPX Service Solutions for many years, will be in charge of Automotive Service Solutions and its 4,200 associates. The unit’s world headquarters will be in Canton, MI (USA). The European operations of Automotive Service Solutions will be managed from the Plochingen location in Germany.

The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufac¬tured in-house. More than 11,000 associates in 140 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 450,000 different spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. In its “Diagnostics” operations, AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Service” repair-shop franchise, one of the world’s largest independent chains of repair-shops, with some 15,000 franchises. In addition, AA is respon¬sible for more than 500 “AutoCrew” partners.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive.com

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.