Bosch arrival a major boost for science park and Coventry

ENGINEERING and technology giant Bosch has chosen The University of Warwick Science Park in Coventry as the first permanent UK home for its motorsport business.

Bosch Motorsport has taken the 5,600 sq ft Viscount Building at the park in Coventry and will base around 30 automotive engineers at the complex.

Science park executives believe the arrival of Bosch to the site underlines its position as one of the leading commercial research centres in the UK.

The new Bosch Warwick Technology Centre will provide engineering support and services for its UK customers.

David Grindrod, interim director of the University of Warwick Science Park, said the quality of the research capability offered through the university as well as its location at the centre of the automotive industry had been the major pull for the German firm.

“Bosch is a world renowned name and the fact it felt its needs were met here at the science park, I think says a great deal,” he said.

“The founding vision of the park was to ensure there was a link between the commercial and academic so that the research undertaken here could help drive industry forward. Three decades later that vision is as strong as ever and attracting international inward investment.

“Bosch is engaging in collaborative research with WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) at the university and also sponsors the University of Warwick’s Formula Student team so it is a very natural fit.”

Grindrod added that Bosch’s arrival also added to the range of automotive companies on the park’s four sites.

“We cover the whole range of companies from small design and research agencies, through to firms dealing in automotive software and then on to international names such as Bosch and Jaguar Land Rover.

“Recent announcements including the National Automotive Innovation Campus and the simulation technology engineering research programme, both at WMG, will only help add to our reputation in the automotive and engineering sectors.”

Bosch engineers based at the new centre will provide engineering support to vehicle manufacturers in order to optimise Bosch technologies for specific applications, but will also develop new applications for certain systems.

Bosch, which has been involved in motor racing since 1901, services all types of racing from club to GP and FIA-mandated series.

The Bosch Group is a global supplier of technology and services. In 2012 it generated sales of around £45.3bn.

It also has a base at the MIRA technology park near Nuneaton.