Robert Bosch opened his small "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering" in Stuttgart in the year 1886. He soon began to specialize in ignition systems for engines of all types. From these modest beginnings the Bosch Group has expanded to become a worldwide presence, manufacturing state of the art products in the automotive industry, consumer appliances, power tools, electronics, industrial drive & controls and packaging equipment.

Bosch employs more than 225,000 people and has over 140 manufacturing locations worldwide. Subsidiaries, affiliates, and foreign representatives are present in 128 countries. In the United States, the Bosch Group employs some 14,700 individuals at over 40 locations.

One interesting feature of the Bosch Group is that 92% of its stock is owned by the Robert Bosch Foundation, which by corporate charter is fundamentally charitable in nature. Apart from the return of an unusually large proportion of corporate earnings to research and development, the company supports a wide range of projects in health care, international understanding, social services, welfare, education, arts and culture.