Greenville, South Carolina
September 22, 2011 –
Robert Bosch of
Charleston was honored by South Carolina Secretary of Commerce
Bobby Hitt and a full house of industry leaders as the 2011 recipient of the Silver Crescent Award for Manufacturing
Excellence – Large
Manufacturer today at the sixteenth annual Salute to
Manufacturing at the TD Convention Center in Greenville. Competing in the Large Manufacturer category (500+ employees), the global company
manufactures a range of automotive parts in Charleston and currently employs
more than 1,500 associates.
Also honored with 2011 Silver Crescent Awards for
Manufacturing Excellence were Small
Manufacturer Cox Industries of Orangeburg, and Midsized Manufacturer Domtar Paper Company-Marlboro Mill of
Bennettsville.
The awards luncheon was attended by more than 350
business executives, community and political leaders, and manufacturing
industry representatives from across South Carolina. Honorees were chosen from
a statewide slate of finalist companies nominated for product and process
quality improvements; quality of life for employees; environmental stewardship;
community and professional involvement; commitment to economic development; and
community partnerships. Robert Bosch was
selected for top honors in the Large Manufacturer category from a pool of six
finalist companies.
"We are very proud of this recognition. It shows us
that we are on the right path of balancing our efforts between a successful
business and being a good corporate citizen and employer in South Carolina. We
accepted this award for our Associates that made this award reality through
their dedication and involvement in the community," said Larry Lautenschlager,
Senior Vice President Manufacturing of Robert Bosch, LLC. "We are gratified to be honored by such an
outstanding collection of leaders from industry, government and the private
sector."
"Bosch’s
unparalleled reputation to provide valuable jobs, corporate investment, and
community support makes this global industry a tremendous asset to the area,"
said Larry Hargett, Chairman of Dorchester County Council. "Bosch’s well-deserved recognition is further
proof that manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, and Dorchester County
salutes their ongoing success."
Chairman George Tupper of the Dorchester County
Economic Development Board added, "We are extremely proud to have a
globally-led company like Bosch thriving in Dorchester County. We congratulate them on this outstanding
achievement, and wish them many more years of growth and prosperity."
The facility, located at 8101 Dorchester Road,
currently employs more than 1,500 people and produces a wide range of clean
diesel, gasoline, and chassis products. The Dorchester County facility has been
in operation since 1974 and was the company’s first operation in South
Carolina.
South Carolina Secretary
of Commerce Robert M. "Bobby" Hitt III, the former manager of corporate
affairs at BMW Manufacturing Company in Spartanburg, was the keynote speaker at
the event, saluting Robert Bosch and the 20 other finalist companies from
across South Carolina for their achievements and contributions to South
Carolina’s manufacturing industry and quality of life. He also cited South Carolina’s strong
commitment to nurturing and attracting innovative manufacturers of all types
and sizes to the Palmetto State.
The Silver Crescent Award, now in its tenth year,
was established by the Silver Crescent Foundation to honor outstanding small, midsized
and large manufacturers from across South Carolina, and to promote awareness of
the importance of manufacturing to our standard of living and quality of life
in the Palmetto State. The Silver Crescent Foundation’s mission is to increase
awareness of the importance of manufacturing among the general public by
promoting manufacturing vitality and career opportunities in South Carolina.
The 2011 Silver Crescent Awards are co-sponsored by Marketplace
Staffing, one of South Carolina’s leading staffing and productivity
solution providers; by CPM Federal Credit Union, which has
proudly served South Carolina manufacturers since 1955; by Dream
It, Do It of South Carolina, and by SC Biz News, LLC.
"We are excited to honor the accomplishments of all
of the finalist companies, and in particular to salute our three 2011 Silver Crescent
Award winners," said Tony Smith, President of The Silver Crescent
Foundation. "Secretary Hitt’s comments
about the importance of manufacturing to South Carolina’s long-term prosperity
are right on target and much appreciated, and we are gratified to draw such an
outstanding collection of leaders from industry, government and the private
sector to the 2011 event."
About Bosch
In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the
Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and
aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools,
security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology,
household appliances, solar energy, healthcare telemedicine and software
innovations. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over
22,000 associates in more than 100 locations, with reported sales of $8.8
billion in fiscal 2010. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier
of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial
technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 285,000 associates
generated sales of 47.3 billion euros ($62.7 billion) in fiscal 2010. For 2011,
the company forecasts sales of more than 50 billion euros ($70 billion) and a
headcount of 300,000 by the end of the year. The Bosch Group comprises Robert
Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60
countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is
represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development,
manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch
spent 3.8 billion euros (approximately $5 billion) for research and development
in 2010, and applied for over 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products
and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which
are both innovative and beneficial. Bosch is celebrating its 125th anniversary
in 2011. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and www.125.bosch.com.
To learn more about the Silver
Crescent Awards or Silver Crescent Foundation,
visit www.SilverCrescentSC.org
or contact Sharon Halsey at (803) 657-6183.
