By Eva Yeong, The Sun

August 18, 2010

PETALING JAYA (Aug 17, 2010): Bosch Malaysia aims to grow its 2010 sales by 40% from last year’s RM396 million and expects its Malaysian division to grow with its plant expansion and new R&D (research and development) centre.

“We are looking to strengthen our presence through expanding our production base, especially for future-oriented innovative products; the establishment of a R&D company; as well as an increase of our market shares in our business fields in Malaysia,” said Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd president and managing director Cem Peksaglam.

Malaysia will be Bosch's manufacturing base in the region to produce its latest car multimedia systems for customers worldwide.

Although Bosch Malaysia recorded a dip in sales revenue last year, down 21% compared with 2008, sales recovered this year with a 40% growth in the first half (H1) of 2010 compared with H1 2009.

According to Peksaglam, Bosch aims to establish a strong presence in the car infotainment segment with a wide range of next-generation multimedia systems customised for different car segments including compact, medium and premium classes.

He said the Bosch Car Multimedia division’s plant in Penang will focus on producing next-generation devices and by 2013, 70% of the plant’s production will be car infotainment systems.

It also aims to increase the number of associates at the plant by more than 1,000 by 2013 to support the launch of new products.

The car multimedia devices will come with applications such as dual-view touch screen display for the luxury segment as well as Bluetooth connectivity interfaces to the iPhone and iPod, MP3, DVD, CD player support, TV and GPS navigation.

The navigation system would not only be able to offer the shortest and fastest route but will also feature an eco mode that offers fuel-efficient routes for the driver.

Robert Bosch (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd technical managing director Tan Chee Kiang said the company is already in talks with all local car manufacturers to expand its navigation systems.

The car multimedia plant recorded a 60% increase in production in H1 2010 compared with the same period last year and the surge in sales came from increased orders by major customers in Europe and Asia, said Peksaglam.

Its power tools plant production volume rose 80% in H1 2010 compared with H1 2009 and 11 new products were engineered at the Penang plant.

Meanwhile, its security systems would focus more on the oil and gas sector and the Putrajaya federal administrative zone, as well as to cater to the SME sector through competitive product pricing. Sales for this segment rose 10% in H1 2010 compared with H1 2009.