Bosch marks 120 years of commitment and progress in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa – 2026 marks 120 years since Bosch first established its presence in South Africa, a significant milestone that highlights a long-standing relationship that began just two decades after the company’s founding in Germany in 1886. What started as pioneering international expansion has evolved into a deeply entrenched local presence, with Bosch now employing over 1,300 employees and operating out of more than 20 locations across the country. This enduring journey underscores Bosch’s unwavering commitment to South Africa’s industrial growth, technological advancement, and socio-economic development.

With sales revenue reaching 6.9 billion South African rands (352 million euros) in 2025, South Africa stands as one of Bosch’s most established international markets in Africa, supported by a strong local footprint, including manufacturing for electromechanical automotive components in Brits, North West province. There is also a dedicated facility – the Rexroth HUBB – in Kempton Park, Gauteng province, offering “zero-hour overhaul” services for industrial equipment, ensuring complete restoration to original specifications; as well as sales, and technical operations throughout the country.

“Our 120-year journey in South Africa is a testament to enduring partnership and our unwavering belief in the country’s potential” says Dr. Markus Thill, president with responsibility for the region Africa. “We are very proud of our contributions to South Africa’s industrial landscape and are committed to driving innovation and sustainable growth for the next century.”

“As Bosch in South Africa celebrates 120 years, we acknowledge with deep gratitude that we could not have achieved this milestone alone,” says Aras Tscharkhoscht, chief executive officer of Robert Bosch (Pty) Ltd and representative of Bosch in South Africa. “Thank you, South Africa, for welcoming us into your communities. We look forward to continuing our partnership and building an even brighter future together.”

Driving industrial performance through local innovation and strategic partnerships

Further solidifying this local strength, Bosch Rexroth South Africa, located in Kempton Park, Gauteng province, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026. This marks six decades of engineering excellence and innovation in hydraulics and automation. Through its state-of-the-art Rexroth HUBB, the company acts as a crucial driver for industrial localisation, and centralises production, assembly and training in one location. This enables Bosch Rexroth to quickly manufacture and customise heavy-duty hydraulic and pneumatic systems tailored specifically to the unique, demanding environments of the African continent. To maximize operational efficiency and equipment uptime directly on high-pressure mining sites, Bosch Rexroth collaborates with Bosch professional power tools. This strategic partnership integrates rugged, high-performance power tools and precise high-force hydraulic maintenance equipment directly into on-site mining maintenance workshops, streamlining critical repair cycles and preventing costly machinery downtime.

From early presence to local manufacturing strength

Following its founding in Stuttgart in 1886, Bosch identified South Africa as one of its first markets outside Europe, establishing a foothold in 1906. This early move laid the groundwork for deeper local investment, culminating in the formal establishment of Robert Bosch (Pty) Ltd in 1965. From 1965 onwards, the company broadened its presence across multiple sectors, including industrial technology, consumer goods, as well as building and energy solutions, whilst strengthening regional operations in Midrand, Durban, Cape Town and elsewhere in South Africa.

A key part of this footprint is the Bosch manufacturing facility in Brits, North West province, which produces electromechanical automotive components such as starter motors, wiper systems and brake callipers. Through innovation at this plant, Bosch in South Africa has also been successful in contributing to the product and service offering of Bosch globally. In 2023, the first version of the Bosch Asset Tracker, now known as ASTRA, was developed at the Brits production site. This asset tracking solution was developed to meet the needs of local businesses and built for demanding operating environments. The current version, refined in 2024, helps organisations improve visibility, security and control over valuable assets. Its design supports real-time monitoring and efficient asset management across sectors such as logistics, tracking cargo in transit; mining, by monitoring equipment and ensuring safety; automotive, tracking fleets and supporting with recovery of vehicles; and agriculture tracking livestock and machinery.

Bosch’s global reputation for innovation is mirrored in its South African operations. The country has benefited from groundbreaking Bosch technologies, from the introduction of the magneto in the late 19th century to the development of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

South Africa has a network of more than 120 Bosch Car Service workshops and is one of only six countries in the world which have a Bosch Classic Service Workshop (established 2023).

Looking ahead, Bosch continues to work on technologies that could have a significant impact on everyday life. Additionally, our manufacturing capabilities and partnerships, with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have positioned the company as a key player in South Africa’s automotive ecosystem.

From upstream electrolyser technologies to stationary and mobile downstream applications, Bosch is ready to contribute to establishing a resilient local energy supply and demand ecosystem for the hydrogen economy in South Africa and across the continent.

Investing in people and sustainable local development

Bosch’s impact in South Africa extends beyond its industrial footprint. The company has consistently invested in training, education, as well as partnering with local suppliers, contributing to the growth and development of small and medium sized businesses within South Africa and fostering an inclusive economy. Over the past 10 years, Bosch has provided valuable training and development opportunities to some 1,000 people through programmes such as the YES for Youth initiative, Work Integrated Learning (P1 & P2), the Apprenticeship Programme for Millwrights, mechatronics, diesel injection and Auto Electricians as well as the Graduate Development Programme.

Bosch’s enduring commitment to Africa

Building on a legacy that began in 1906, Bosch continues to deepen its long-standing commitment to the African continent with a significant and growing footprint. Today, Bosch is represented in 11 African countries with a dedicated team of over 1,900 employees, underscoring a deep-rooted investment in local talent and regional development.

A testament to this is the Bosch office in Morocco, a revolutionary eco-friendly building that sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction on the continent. This commitment to local value creation is further demonstrated by the establishment of Bosch's first home appliance production site in Egypt. This state-of-the-art factory will produce home appliances for the region, boosting local employment and manufacturing capabilities. These strategic investments reflect Bosch’s dedication to fostering innovation and contributing to a greener, more technologically advanced future for the African continent.

As Bosch looks into the future, its focus remains on advancing sustainable mobility, improving energy efficiency, and driving digital transformation in South Africa. The company reaffirms its commitment to investing in the nation’s future, fostering local talent, and contributing to a prosperous and technologically advanced South Africa.