The company began in Stuttgart-West as the Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik (Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering) on 15 November 1886. From 1897, Bosch started installing magneto ignition devices into automobiles and became a supplier of an ignition system. In 1902, Bosch chief engineer Gottlob Honold unveiled the high-voltage magneto ignition system with a spark plug.
In 1901, Bosch opened its first factory in Stuttgart. By 1906, the company had produced 100,000 magnetos and introduced the eight-hour day for workers. In 1910, the Feuerbach plant was founded near Stuttgart, where Bosch began producing generators and headlights (“Bosch-Light”) in 1914. Bosch’s international development began in 1898 with a branch in London, followed by Paris, Vienna, and Budapest the next year. By 1909, Bosch was represented by trading partners on every continent.
In the 1920s, Bosch expanded its product range to include electric horns (1921), windshield wipers (1926), and direction indicators (“trafficator”, 1927). In 1927, Bosch launched injection pumps for diesel engines. In 1932, the company developed its first electric drill and presented its first car radio, followed by its first electric refrigerator for private households in 1933.
Like many German businesses, Bosch had links to the Nazi Party. Prior to World War II, Bosch began relocating armament production to Germany's interior under the direction of the Nazi Party. Bosch founded two factories in 1935 and 1937 for armament production, built secretly and in close cooperation with the Nazi authorities. During the Second World War, Bosch’s Hildesheim factory produced starter elements for German tanks, and held a monopoly position in outfitting German Luftwaffe aircraft.
In 2001, Bosch acquired Mannesmann Rexroth AG, later renamed Bosch Rexroth AG. In 2002, Bosch acquired Philips CSI. In 2012, Bosch purchased SPX Service Solutions. Bosch exited its solar business in 2013. In 2014, Bosch acquired 100% of the shares of the former BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH joint venture. In 2015, Bosch acquired 100% of the shares of the former ZF Lenksysteme (Steering Systems) GmbH joint venture. Also in 2015, Bosch purchased Seeo, Inc. In 2019, Bosch sold its packaging machinery business unit to CVC Capital Partners. In 2022, Bosch acquired Five.ai and Arioso Systems. In 2025, Bosch announced plans to cut 13,000 jobs at its auto parts business by 2030, relying more on artificial intelligence. Bosch won the German Future Prize again in late 2025, for developing a zero-emission fuel-cell power module to power heavy vehicles.
Bosch’s business is organized into four sectors. The Mobility sector, accounting for 61% of global revenues in 2024, develops solutions for vehicles and fleet management, including software, vehicle electronics, and systems for vehicle energy and automation. The Consumer Goods sector contributes 22% of total sales, encompassing household appliances from BSH Hausgeräte GmbH and power tools. The Energy and Building Technology sector generated €7.5 billion in sales in 2024, offering systems for building security, energy efficiency, and heating. The Industrial Technology sector generates roughly 7% of total sales, focused on drive, control, and linear motion technologies.
Bosch also operates several other business areas. Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH, established in 2015, focuses on healthcare and medical technology. The Grow Platform GmbH (now Bosch Business Innovations) incubates internal start-ups. Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (Rbvc) invests in innovative start-up companies. Bosch maintains a global presence with over 468 subsidiaries and regional entities in over 60 countries, and approximately 90,100 employees in research and development worldwide.
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