The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services in Germany. It comprises the Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Founded by Robert Bosch in 1886, Bosch has since grown into one of the world’s largest privately-owned industrial corporations. With its headquarters in Gerlingen, Germany, Bosch has approximately 400,000 employees worldwide. Its business activities are segmented into four main sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. According to the company’s mission statement, it pursues to develop technology and services that aim to address global challenges, improve quality of life, and support sustainable development.
Robert Bosch has been described as industrialist, democrat and visionary with the mission to balance economic success and societal responsibility. He was owner and managing director of Bosch until his death in 1942. Already decades prior to his death, he began laying the groundwork for the future governance structure of the Bosch Group and started planning for the long-term ownership of his company. Since 1964, the Bosch Group has been held under a trust-foundation structure that has maintained the innovative strength and social commitment.
The trust-foundation structure separates voting and economic rights into two share classes: 92 percent of the economic rights of the Bosch Group lie in a charitable organization, the Robert Bosch Foundation. The Bosch family received 8% of the company’s dividend shares, which they still hold today. All the shares they previously held beyond the 8 percent threshold were bought by the Bosch Foundation at their market rate. 93 percent of the shares with voting rights are held by ten steward-owners. These shares cannot be sold or inherited. Instead they are passed from one generation of stewards to the next. 7 percent of the voting rights remain with the family.
Bosch’s stewards-owners, and those who followed, are responsible for the company’s continued success and its adherence to its mission. This structure has secured the company’s lasting entrepreneurial freedom and innovative spirit, while maintaining its links to the Bosch family and using its dividends to support charitable and social causes.