Head of Bosch in the UK Peter Fouquet talks to Chris Edwards about reindustrialisation through green technologies. THE UK REPRESENTS industrial giant Bosch's fifth largest market, with the bulk of its sales split between automotive and consumer goods, including its gas heating appliances. Close to 400 engineers are dedicated to supporting the UK's vehicle manufacturers to whom Bosch supplies powertrain and engine-management systems. From Bosch UK's perspective, recovery in the local economy has come faster than expected. Sales last year slid 15 per cent compared with 2008 and the initial forecasts were not good, especially for the badly hit automotive sector. But the picture has changed. "We went through this big recession and everybody expected that we would have to deal with this downturn into 2012 or 2013 before we recover. Now we are quite enthusiastic that we will be able to shorten that period of recession," says Klaus Peter Fouquet, president of Bosch's UK operations.
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