Striving to improve and expand its offerings in the aftermarket sector, Bosch AA division in India acquired SPX Service Solution brands three years ago. Some of the brands acquired include RobinAir which provides air conditioning service equipment and OTC which offers special service tools. This strategy of Bosch AA has helped in becoming a one-stop solution provider that caters to the requirements of a variety of stakeholders such as IAM, OEMs, OES, test institutes and educational institutions.
Speaking of the significance of such acquisitions, Mr. Guenter Weber, Regional President of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket said, “The turnover of SPX Service Solutions has doubled over the last three years post the acquisition by Bosch. Such strategic moves help us penetrate the market even deeper which is amply complemented by our relevant product offering.”
Beyond that, Bosch AA in India has also expanded its reach, with respect to engineering know-how, to cater to global demands. “We are well equipped to meet both local and global demands as our core strengths lie in local innovation and having a complete value chain,” Mr. Weber further added. The business division exports equipment to over 60 countries and also offers IT based services to meet global OEM demands.
Comprehensive technological solutions
Newer vehicle models would require advanced technology, improved efficiency and enhanced durability with innovation increasingly becoming the differentiating factor. The resulting chain reaction dictates the need for better equipped workshops, well-trained technicians and state-of-the-art vehicle diagnostic tools. Based on this shift in global trends, rising challenges and OEM demands, a number of innovative solutions like the EPS 610/625 (Diesel Test Benches), ES 200 (ECU Scanner), ACS (Air Conditioning Service equipment, with its proprietary refrigerant recovery technology), Specialty Service Tools etc., have been developed by Bosch AA in India for Independent and OE workshops, as well as an advanced diagnostic tool called Augmented Reality (AR). This tool will guide the technician in the workshop to visualize diagnostic data and superimpose repair information onto a vehicle.
Connected solutions for the vehicle and workshops
The realm of connected services in India has been making steadfast improvement and penetration thanks to the relevant offerings from Bosch AA to the local market. “Global solutions like Connected Vehicles, Connected Workshop and Intelligent Fleet Management will enable Bosch AA in India to realize its transformational drive, while facilitating a host of applications with benefits that could be adapted to different business use cases” commented Mr. Abhijit Kallianpur, Business Unit Head of Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. The concept of Connected Workshop primarily tackles issues related to end-user management, vehicle diagnosis, vehicle repair, and software integration.
Bosch’s Intelligent Fleet Management system allows the user to resolve issues like logistics, efficiency and costs, helping improve value by minimizing wear and tear and avoiding component damage. The added benefit of having a theft surveillance and notification system, effectively improves vehicle security besides enhancing logistics and maximizing utility. Irrespective of the time or location, the system allows users to monitor, analyze and manage their vehicles’ attributes faster, more directly, and in greater detail than ever before using the centrally processed telematics data.
Building competence through skill development
To enhance the competency of service personnel, Bosch AA has been continuously investing in training across its 11 training centres in India. Bosch AA conducts training programs for independent garage mechanics on correct product handling techniques and new technology. Additionally, Bosch AA has been training students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Degree and Engineering colleges from across the country. As on date, Bosch AA has conducted around 1,000 courses and has trained over 13,000 participants during 2015. As an initiative towards Industry Academia interface, Bosch AA has rolled out a Joint Certification Concept (JCC). Bosch AA supports and facilitates colleges (students and faculty included) to set up skill development centers named as JCC.