Bosch plans to acquire Unipart’s Autoparts Garage Programmes
Investment to support Bosch Automotive Aftermarket growth strategy
2019-11-26
- Investment to support Bosch Automotive Aftermarket growth strategy
- Bosch to provide Automotive Parts, Diagnostics and Workshop Services to over 700 garages in the Unipart automotive garage programmes
Denham, UK – Bosch has announced its intention to acquire Unipart Group’s (UG) Automotive Aftermarket workshop programmes in the UK. These programmes include the Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCC), a network of independently run garages, the KiS online garage management software, which helps to organise all daily workshop activities, and the Unipartner Consumer App. It is planned for all existing customer contracts to be transferred to Bosch.
“This acquisition perfectly fits with our growth strategy for the United Kingdom and Ireland”, Steffen Hoffmann, President Bosch UK and Ireland, said. “It is a significant step that increases our network of partner garages creating new sales channels for our automotive parts, diagnostics, and workshop services with these customers.”
Established in 1995, Uniparts’ Car Care Centres are one of the most recognised workshop programmes in the UK and are committed to high standards of work, quality and customer care. Bosch will take over the marketing support and training services for the garages plus ensure access to Bosch’s full range of automotive parts, diagnostics and workshop services.
The KiS online platform, one of the leading garage management systems in the industry, has been enhanced consistently since it was launched in 1992.
The Unipartner Consumer App enables car owners to manage key aspects of vehicle ownership such as MOT, Road Tax, Insurance and Servicing due dates to ensure they stay legal and safe. It also directly connects the consumer with the UCCC’s and Bosch Car Service networks at the touch of a button for all their service and repair needs.
“Robert Bosch has been at the forefront in offering servicing, repair and diagnostics services to car drivers via its global network of premium independent workshops, Bosch Car Service, for almost 100 years”, said Robert Hilbert, Head for the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division in the UK. “We are very excited to increase our UK footprint in the Independent Aftermarket with these new garage partners and are very much looking forward in welcoming our new colleagues from Unipart to Bosch”.
Following a detailed strategic review, the Unipart Group board recently decided to identify a partner that could take their Programmes business to the next level and Bosch was deemed the right strategic partner. Mike Ferris, Unipart International Managing Director said: “We’ve been working in close partnership with Bosch for many years on a number of joint initiatives and they share many of Unipart’s core values and principles. I am delighted that the Unipart Autoparts Garage Programmes will be transferring to a trusted business in Bosch who will further develop the programmes, whilst maintaining the needs of the garage and consumer at the forefront of their plans."
It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed.
Contact person for press enquiries
Rianne Ojeh
Phone: +44 (0) 1895 83 8820
Rianne.ojeh@uk.bosch.com
Basic information
The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with modern diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufactured in-house. About 17,000 associates in more than 150 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Service” repair-shop franchise, one of the world’s largest independent chains of repair-shops, with some 15,000 workshops, and more than 1,000 “AutoCrew” partners.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 410,000 associates worldwide (as of 31 December 2018). The company generated sales of 78.5 billion euros in 2018. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 460 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At nearly 130 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 68,700 associates in research and development.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPress.