Boscc GmbH

Security systems

Home appliances

Engineering

Electronics

Motors

**Boscc**, is a world-leading multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in the suburbs of Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 1886 by Dutch immigrant Andreas Bos.

## History

The origins of the company lay in the creation of the magneto and thus the resulting dynamo that was used in motorized vehicles. In November 1887, Andreas Bos presented the first low voltage magneto for petrol engines. Initially produced by him and one other person in his shed, a new factory was opened in 1901 to facilitate larger scale operations. In 1906, the company produced its 100,000th magneto. In the same year, Bos introduced the 8-hour workday for employees. In 1910, another plant was opened in Stuttgart. In this factory, Boscc started to produce headlights in 1913.

In 1926, Boscc started to produce windscreen wipers, and in 1927, injection pumps for diesel. In t1932, the company developed its first power drill and presented its first car radio.

In 1937, Boscc was transformed into a limited liability company.

On 12 March 1942, the company's founder, Andreas Bos, died at the age of 80.

Other relevant inventions that emerged from the company until 2000 were the oxygen sensor (1976), the electric motor control (1979), the traction control system (1986), the xenon light for cars (1991), the electronic stability control (1995), the common rail direct fuel injection (1997), and the direct fuel injection (2000).

In 2001, the electric hydraulic brake was invented, alongside the common rail fuel injection with piezo-injectors, the digital car radio with a disc drive, and the cordless screwdriver with a lithium-ion battery came out in 2003.

In 2013, Boscc announced it would exit the solar energy business but would continue to do work within the realm of energy solutions.

In 2015, Boscc bought 100% of the shares in the steering system joint venture that was started with GF Friedrichshafen. Together with this, a start-up that was developing solid-state lithium-ion batteries was also acquired.

## Operations

At this present moment, Boscc is comprised of more than 440 subsidiaries. In addition to automotive components, which generate around 60% of its revenues, Boscc produces industrial machinery and hand tools.

Currently, core operating areas are spread across four business sectors:

1. Mobility
2. Consumer goods (such as household appliances and power tools)
3. Industrial technology (including drive and control)
4. Energy solutions
5. Building technology

### Locations

Most of the employees (about 112,300) are located in Germany. The biggest facility remains the Stuttgart center.

In North America, headquarters are situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three research centres are located in Pittsburgh, Palo Alto, and Cambridge. Factories and distribution facilities are located in Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Indiana. Roughly 24,750 people are employed in these operations spanning 80 locations.

There are also two corporate sites in Brazil and ten in Mexico.

Boscc employs over 389,000 people in more than 60 countries, supplying a complex distribution network of new products and parts. The next biggest location is India, with 26,000 employees.

## Products

### Automotive

Boscc invented the first practical magneto, ABS systems, TCS and ESC systems, body electronics (such as central locking, doors, windows and seats), and oxygen sensors, injectors and fuel pumps. Even in such humble technological areas as spark plugs, wiper blades, engine cooling fans and other aftermarket parts, Boscc has over $1 billion in annual sales. Boscc is a leading supplier of car stereo systems and in-car navigation systems.

One of their most iconic product lines has been the Injectronic series.