Philippines is ‘most important market’ for Bosch

GERMAN technology provider Bosch considers the Philippines its “most important and fastest growing market” in the Asia-Pacific region, an official said.

Andrew Powell, managing director of Bosch Philippines, said a big market for the automotive industry is waiting to be tapped in the Philippines.

“The automotive industry in the Philippines has not kept in step with other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia,” he said during Bosch’s anniversary celebration here on Friday.

“The Philippine market is not our most important [market], because it is not the biggest. But we have 100 million people here and 7,000 islands. We are trying to promote the Philippines more within the company,” he added.

Bosch has been operating in the Philippines for 20 years.

Powell said they have established footprint in all four business areas – mobility solutions, formerly known as automotive technology; industrial technology; consumer goods; and energy and building technology.

He said the challenge was how to be able to do more, with more depth.

Bosch said the company plans to put up warehouses, including one in Manila. He did not give details. Without any warehouse in the country at present, Bosch products made in Germany are sent here for packaging and then exported back to Germany.

“It is not always easy or correct to have products made in one side of the world and then shipped to the other side of the world,” he said.

He said he aims to offer Bosch products, systems and solutions to every Filipino.

“It is important to move towards customers. This is not an easy task here, with over 7000 islands,” he said.

Bosch has regional sales and services hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao, with 368 associates. Worldwide, Bosch has about 440 regional subsidiaries and 360,000 associates. A third of its business originates in Asia-Pacific region.