Bangkok--20 May--Oasis Media Bosch confirms its leading position in power tool market and have plans to organize its 80th anniversary celebration to stimulate sales throughout 2008. It targets to achieve a double-digit growth target in 2008 after a successful year in 2007, when its power tools division enjoyed more than 11% growth and a combined sales value of 150 bn Baht (3.1 bn Euro) on a global level. Bosch also reveals today that the booming property market has driven its growth in 1Q08 to be as expected and further plans to launch its latest battery cordless impact driver V. GDR 10.8V-LI into the market. Bosch’s battery impact driver is most outstanding with its compact size of only 16x17 cms. It is light weighted (approximately 1 kg), but gives a powerful torque of 100 Nm and equipped with lamp light as well as Bosch lithium-ion battery technology. Mr. Tang Kim Kok, Sales Director (ASEAN) at Bosch, discloses today about Bosch’s growth in 2008 that Bosch still enjoys continuous growth in Asia, thanks to its most outstanding quality assurance and unending product innovations that quickly pump in new products into the market. And most of all, Bosch owes it to the vast number of its loyal customers, who appreciate and trust in Bosch’s constant brand development. All these factors have made 2007 one of the most fruitful years for Bosch’s power tools division with a combined sale revenue of more than 3.1 bn Euro or 150 bn Baht implying 11% growth. Asia is still a region where Bosch sees a strong and continous double digit growth in 2008, while the fact that 36% of Bosch power tools’ combined sales revenue comes from the sales of new products which were launched into the market in less than 2 years is a living proof of Bosch’s success and its leading position in technology innovation. “Looking back in 1928 or 80 years ago, Bosch’s first power tool was ‘Forfex’.This first electric clipper received much success and was in demand till 1932. Then Bosch introduced its battery impact rotary driver, which was popular to such extend that it was commonly called as the “rotary driver”. With its untiring developments, Bosch later succeeded in its lithium-ion battery technology which we take much pride as the first to introduce this technology on earth. Lithium-ion technology has tremendously reduced more than half the weight and size of our cordless power tools making them more compact and troubles free from memory effect problem. Currently, the main product in this cordless range is Bosch cordless screwdriver “IXO”, which one of Bosch’s best selling items with more than 6 million units sold since it was first produced in 2003.” Mr. Tang Kim Kok further added. Bosch Power Tools’ contributing success factors come mainly from the fact that it continuously innovates as well as constantly launches new products into the market. Annually, Bosch launches more than 100 new products into the market. On average, Bosch applies for 14 patents a day or more than 3,000 patents last year and yet Bosch Power Tool is still wholly committed to constantly innovating with the ultimate aim of increasing new product contribution to 36% of Bosch’s total turnover. Mr. Chaiyaporn Rattanachetakul, General Manager at Bosch Power Tools Thailand, also reveals today that Bosch still enjoys strong and continuous growth in Thailand. In addition, Thailand is considered as one of the contributing factors for Bosch power tools’ success in Asia. In 2008, Bosch is committed to outperform the market through its double-digit growth target and has so far delivered its 1Q08 result as expected, thanks to the successful implementation of its ‘QIK’ strategy, which represents quality, innovation and cares towards Bosch’s customers, in every single process and activity to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation as well as to continuously serve the general public in accordance with Bosch’s “Invented for Life” mission. Another important factor which contributes to Bosch’s success and growth is the government’s property stimulus package, which continuously drives the sector as well as Bosch’s growth as Bosch’s power tools are an integral part of the construction industry. 2008 is especially a special occasion for Bosch as it celebrates its 80th anniversary of its power tool division.To mark this auspicious occasion, Bosch has crafted out special activities and promotions to stimulate its sales in 2008 and to thank its customers who have continuously supported by choosing Bosch as the power tools of their choice. Starting from February through to June 2008, Bosch will initially organize “Bosch’s Wood Working Roadshows” to promote Bosch’s wood working power tools, e.g. jigsaws, circular saws, sanders, planers and trimmers at every major city in each part of Thailand, e.g. Nakorn Ratchasrima, Khonkaen, Udornthani, Ubolrajathani, Chiengrai, Chiengmai, Nakhornsawan, Ayudhaya, Krabi using Bosch van as a symbol to demonstrate and to sell Bosch special prices products at the premise of Bosch’s trade partners in each province. In April, Bosch has rolled out a special activity, namely the “80th Anniversary, 80 Ideas with Bosch” contest, to high school as well as university students to spend their time wisely during their summer vacation and to develop their ability and craftmanship by participating in this constructive competition, which could lead them to commercial as well as professional developments in the future. Moreover, Bosch also plans to launch its battery cordless impact driver V. GDR 10.8 V-LI into the market. With Bosch’s latest lithium-ion battery technology, this GDR 10.8 V-LI is a 16x17 cms compact size driver. It is light and weights only 1 kg, which makes it so easy to carry around or even conveniently put in your shirt pocket, while providing top work efficiency with a powerful torque of more than 100 Nm. On top of all these, Bosch also plans various campaigns and activities throughout 2008. From its array of continuous innovations, Bosch will launch many new tempting products to delight the market and, as parts of its 2008 marketing plan, it is expected that all these exciting activities will help contribute and drive Bosch towards its targeted market expansion. Contact person for press inquiries: Robert Bosch Limited Ms. Yuparat Laotanapat Corporate Communications Manager Tel. 02 — 631 1879 ext. 160 ; Mobile 01 — 845 1596 E-mail : [email protected] OASIS Media Co., Ltd. Mr. Tanapon Kaewhwan Tel. 02 937 4658 ; Mobile 01 614 9334 E-mail : [email protected] About The Bosch Group The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2005, some 250,000 associates generated sales of 42 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering,” the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 270 subsidiaries and more than 12,000 service centers in over 140 countries. Additional information : www.bosch.com About Bosch in Thailand Robert Bosch Limited is a sales subsidiary of the Bosch Group. Established in 1991, the company is mainly responsible for the marketing and distribution of bosch automotive spare parts, power tools, security systems as well as the group’s Blaupunkt car multimedia in Thailand. The Bosch Group is very committed to the growth of the country and thus has made capital investment and manpower in setting up the factory called “Bosch Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. In 1996. There are 2 manufacturing plants manufacturing of automotive parts located in the Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong province. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.co.th