SHANGHAI: Bosch Rexroth AG, the world's largest drive and motion control maker, is aiming for sales growth of more than 30 percent in China this year by expanding its manufacturing capacity and product portfolio, a company executive said.

Bosch Rexroth, a wholly owned subsidiary of global auto parts giant Bosch Group, saw its sales in China surge by 32 percent to hit 2.8 billion yuan last year, making China its fastest growing market.

"We expect to maintain the rapid momentum in 2007 and continue growing at a rate that is at least equal to the levels experienced last year," said Theo Ramhorst, managing director and CEO of Bosch Rexroth China.

Globally, the German firm chalked up sales of more than 4.9 billion euros last year, up 7.1 percent over 2005.

Bosch Rexroth, Ramhorst said, is planning to invest further in China, which is its third-largest single market after its home turf Germany and the United States.

"We are committed to investing further in the country to expand our capacity," the CEO said, without giving specific figures.

Some of Bosch Rexroth's products sold in China are currently imported due to its limited local manufacturing capacity, Ramhorst said.

The drive and control company last year poured about 290 million yuan into China, which was mainly used to expand its manufacturing facilities in Beijing and Changzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province.

The company plans to introduce and expand its product portfolios, particularly in the wind power sector, to drive its business growth in China, Ramhorst said.

(China Daily 04/06/2007 page14)

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