Bosch contributes more than $420,000 to Greenville Technical College

FOUNTAIN INN, S.C., March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Bosch Rexroth donates more than $400,000 in equipment and the Bosch Community Fund awards a $20,000 grant for new hydraulic lab on campus
• Bosch is committed to enhanced training and cultivating a skilled workforce
• The on-campus lab will provide state-of-the-art technology for students, Bosch associates and customers to improve their knowledge and skills

Bosch Rexroth has committed more than $400,000 worth of training equipment to Greenville Technical College, in addition to a $20,000 Bosch Community Fund grant, to support the creation of a mobile hydraulic lab and Greenville Technical College lab curriculum. Through donations such as this, Bosch continues to assist educational institutions in developing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills of the next generation.

The announcement was made during the ribbon-cutting ceremony in which Bosch showcased an $80 million expansion of its Bosch Rexroth Fountain Inn, S.C., facility. The expansion will add 160 jobs over five years beginning in November 2011.

"Finding technically skilled associates has become one of the most pressing issues in our business, especially as we expand to meet the needs of our customers," said Berend Bracht, president and CEO of Bosch Rexroth Americas. "Greenville Technical College has worked with us closely to establish programs that address this critical need. The top-of-the-line training equipment is a further, significant step in making the training center even better. We are eager to see how the lab develops, and look forward to a continued close partnership with Greenville Tech."

The lab will serve as a tool for Greenville Tech students and as a training center for Bosch customers and associates. Equipment incorporated into the lab includes three DS4NA fluid power training systems, various on/off manual and mobile hydraulic component sets, and one drive pump trainer. Along with equipment, Bosch is supplying textbooks, online training and manuals for teachers and students.

"At Greenville Technical College we are committed to partnering with industry to shape the workforce of today and tomorrow," said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College.  "We appreciate the generosity Bosch has shown in ensuring that we can produce highly skilled graduates. We are grateful to have Bosch aid in this initiative by providing us what we expect to be an outstanding addition to our program. We are thrilled with the company's donation and their efforts to support us as we prepare our students."

The new facility, able to accommodate 18 people, will be used for hydraulic technology training, hydraulic performance testing and industry research. The lab will be housed at the Buck Mickel Center on campus.

"Collaborating with educational institutions on state-of-the-art advancements to their programs is right in line with the Bosch Community Fund's mission," said Bracht.  "At Bosch, driving innovation and inspiring students focused on STEM education is of the utmost importance; they are the future of innovation and technology."

Every year the Bosch Community Fund grants more than $3 million nationally with the goal of improving community programs and institutions, with an emphasis on supporting STEM education and environmental sustainability initiatives.

For a photo of the contribution, visit http://www.boschrexroth-us.com/country_units/america/united_states/en/Company/Press/press_releases/corporate_news/Rexroth_GreenvilleTech2013/index.jsp

About the Bosch Community Fund:
The Bosch Community Fund, a U.S.-based foundation established in September 2011, awards more than $3 million annually in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions. The BCF focuses primarily on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.

About Bosch Rexroth:
Bosch Rexroth AG is one of the world's leading specialists in the field of drive and control technologies. Under the Rexroth brand name, the company supplies more than 500,000 customers with tailored solutions for driving, controlling, and moving. Bosch Rexroth is a partner for Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, Factory Automation and Renewable Energies. The company provides customized solutions tailored to the needs and specifications of each individual market. As The Drive & Control Company, Bosch Rexroth develops, produces, and sells components and systems in over 80 countries. As part of the Bosch Group, Bosch Rexroth and its 38,400 associates generated approximately 6.4 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in revenue in 2011. To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth-us.com.

About Bosch:
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, active in the fields of automotive technology, energy and building technology, industrial technology, and con­sumer goods. According to preliminary figures, more than 306,000 associates generated sales of 52.3 billion euros ($67.2 billion) in 2012. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 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 4.5 billion euros ($5.8 billion) for research and development in 2012, and applied for over 4,700 patents worldwide.

The Bosch Group's products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is "Invented for life." Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com.

In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy, healthcare telemedicine and software solutions. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 22,500 associates in more than 100 locations, with sales of $9.8 billion in fiscal year 2011.  For more information, please visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca.

SOURCE Bosch