Bosch to sell its packaging machinery business

Bosch — a global supplier of technology and services — has announced its plans to sell its packaging machinery business (PA), specifically the pharmaceuticals and food units of the Packaging Technology division.

The company revealed it made its decision after intensive and thorough consideration of all strategic options and is now looking to focus its resources. As the packaging technology is not part of the group’s core business, with few business or technology synergy effects within the group, the company is certain it would be better placed on ‘a different footing’.

“This decision will allow Bosch to narrow its focus on issues of importance for its future, such as the transformation of the Bosch Group and its future digitalisation strategy, including the internet of things, and to pool its resources accordingly,” explained Dr Stefan Hartung, the Bosch board of management member responsible for the Energy and Building Technology and Industrial Technology business sectors. “Both PA and Bosch will benefit from this decision. A reorganised packaging technology business will be able to adapt more flexibly to the diverse requirements of this typically SME market, while Bosch will be free to focus its attention entirely on the group’s impending profound transformation.”

“My colleagues in PA executive management and I are confident of future business success. We’re one of the biggest companies in our industry, and the path we have chosen is clearly the right one. We will stay together as a strong and stable unit. Under new ownership as well, our tried and tested team will continue to provide our customers with excellent manufacturing solutions and services,” commented Dr Stefan König, chairman of the managing board of Robert Bosch Packaging Technology. “PA has always led a largely independent existence within the Bosch Group, and will in the future be able to respond even better to the requirements of the packaging industry. Our customers will benefit from this.”

Currently, PA employs around 6,100 associates and the aim is that all these people wll be retained by the new buyer.