Robert Bosch to Increase Outsourcing to Taiwan This Year

Taipei, Aug. 27, 2008 (CENS)--Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany will increase subcontract manufacturing orders to Taiwan and expand the operation of its Taiwan center for Internet-Protocol (IP) surveillance cameras this year, according to the company's Taiwan branch.

According to the Taiwan branch, the German diversified technology-based corporation delivered over 100 million euro (US$146 million at 1 euro:US$1.46) worth of contracts to Taiwan throughout last year.

The branch's executives pointed out that procurement increases would include increased orders to chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), carmakers including Yulon Motors Co., Ltd. and likely solar-equipment manufacturers.

The Taiwan branch yesterday launched a high-end surveillance system, which targets markets of military equipment and luxury-house security.

The German company had revenue of 63 billion euros last year, with over 60% coming from automobile-components sales. It has ramped up security-surveillance sales after acquiring Extreme of Canada early this year. The company has also diversified into solar-energy segment through some acquisitions.

Bright about Taiwan's surveillance market, Robert Bosch's Taiwan branch opened a facility to develop IP surveillance cameras, making it the group's second such facility after the one in Europe. Now the facility has around 20 research and development engineers, who develop the cameras for global shipments.

The Taiwan branch was opened in October 2006. Its staff has doubled from 40 when it was opened. The number is estimated to increase to around 100 in 2010.