Bosch Receives Environmental Excellence Award, Gives Grants to Community Organizations

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bosch's New Richmond and Shell Lake, Wis., facilities received an environmental excellence award from the Green Tier program, which is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In support of the local community and its environmental and educational efforts, the company presented cash awards totaling $35,000 to three community organizations.

As one of only four companies to receive Tier 2 status, Bosch's environmentally friendly projects and its new partnership with the Wisconsin DNR demonstrate a commitment to maintain and improve sustainability efforts within the company, making a significant impact on the environmental health of the company and the community. Bosch received this recognition due to its environmental record, willingness to exceed regulatory requirements, implementation of an Environmental Management System and ideas for improving performance that would benefit both the company and the environment.

"We are especially pleased to have Bosch Packaging Technology show that sustainable practice pays. They are an industry leader and example for others who may be considering sustainability as a way to improve their environmental performance and profitability," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.

According to Pres Lawhon, president of Bosch Packaging Technology in North America, "Bosch prides itself on its sustainability and is respectful of the environment. Worldwide in 2011, Bosch spent nearly $3 billion on technologies to improve energy efficiency, conserve resources and protect the environment. We are continuing to work on current projects as well as implement new ways to reduce consumption and eliminate waste. Achieving Green Tier 2 status in the State of Wisconsin is a testament to our commitment to the environment. We are proud to sign the Green Tier contract and all that it represents."

Some of the key projects that have helped Bosch achieve the Green Tier status include:

• Significantly reducing the amount of industrial waste, energy storage and water usage
• Implementing recycling waste streams for manufacturing processes
• Continuous improvement projects to further eliminate paint related to hazardous waste
• Achieving significant reductions in CO₂ emissions

To commemorate this recognition, Bosch will plant a Wisconsin state tree, the Sugar Maple, at the New Richmond and Shell Lake facilities. The tree itself is another step toward helping the environment, due to its ability to release water into upper, drier soil layers, helping itself and the plants around it. To Bosch, every small step to help the environment makes a big impact.

In addition to planting the trees, Bosch has selected three community organizations to receive cash awards toward environmental projects, including:

• Shell Lake School District – The district will receive $10,000 toward its Edible School Yard Project, a sustainable garden growing organic vegetables that will be incorporated into the school lunch program. The project will help teach students about farming and nutrition.
• New Richmond School District – The district will receive $15,000 toward The Weather Bug project, a weather station to help students learn about meteorology and the science of weather and data collection.
• City of New Richmond – The city will receive $10,000 toward the City Stock Purchase Program, which allows concerned citizens and business to invest in the city for special projects. The funds will be directed to an environmental or technology project.

About Green Tier

Green Tier provides an opportunity for Wisconsin to combine and achieve economic and environmental goals. Building on the leadership of business, environmental and government communities, the program supports the Department of Natural Resources' mandate to protect and enhance the environment, while setting the stage for economic growth.

Green Tier has two tiers, or participation levels. Tier 1 is designed to encourage innovation, collaboration and new environmental goal setting. Tier 2 involves more rigorous participation requirements, placing greater emphasis on superior environmental performance contracts as a means of giving customized regulatory flexibility proportional to environmental performance.

About Bosch:

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 23,000 associates in more than 100 locations, with sales of $9.8 billion in fiscal year 2011.  For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, more than 300,000 associates generated sales of 51.5 billion euros in fiscal 2011. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 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 4.2 billion euros for research and development in 2011, and applied for over 4,100 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.  Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com.

SOURCE Bosch