Bosch Domestic Appliances Group

For Bosch American Fridge Freezer Water Filters Click Here

The world over Bosch is often regarded as the premier German manufacturer of electrical domestic appliances. Their extensive range cover all types of small appliances to cooking, heating, refrigeration and laundry appliances.

Bosch, origins begin with founder Robert Bosch forming his automotive business back in 1886 producing a low voltage magneto's for early internal combustion engines and later anything from windscreen wipers to fuel injection pumps were produced from his factories in Stuttgart.

Bosch entered the world of domestic appliances by producing its first refrigerator at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1930. Their first washing machine was made in 1952 and their first fully automatic washer-dryer in 1967. Today they produce all manner of electrical domestic appliances including food mixers, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, ovens, hobs, dishwashers etc and have factories and power bases throughout the world. It is thought that Bosch have established a world-wide 30% market share in washing machine sales alone.

BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH was founded in 1967 as a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH (Stuttgart) and Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich). Over the past fifteen years, BSH has grown rapidly. It is expanded its operations to 42 factories in 15 countries in Europe, USA, Latin America and Asia. BSH now boasts over 70 companies in 40 countries with more than 35,500 employees. BSH headquarters are based in Munich. 

In 1976 BSG acquired a stake in Pitsos A.E., Athens (Greece), which is now BSH Ikiakes Syskeves A.B.E.

In 1982 BSH took over the "Neff" brand name entirely.

During 1988 and 1989 a stake was acquired in Balay, S.A., Zaragoza (Spain) and Safel, S.A., Pamplona (Spain) was acquired. Then in 1993 acquired the factory for small domestic appliances, MAG Mali Gospodinski Aparati d.o.o., Nazarje (Slovenia)

In 1994 BSH acquired Gaggenau Hausgergate GmbH (Germany)

Also in 1994 BSW Household Appliances Co., Ltd. Was founded as a joint venture between BSH and the Wuxi Little Swan group: production and sales of washing machines in Wuxi (China). Rumours persist that some of these Chinese built appliances have found their way into the European and UK markets.

In the same year the voting capital of the Brazilian domestic appliance manufacturer Continental 2001 S / A Paulo (Brazil) was acquired also, now BSH Continental Eletrodomisticos Ltda.

In 1995 the Turkish brand of Profilo was taken over and then in 1995 the Peruvian domestic appliance manufacturer Coldex was taken over.

In 1997 BSH established a trading arm in the United States and then in 1998 took over the Thermador brand in the US.

In 2002 a new factory opened in Kabinburi, Thailand and also a dishwasher plant at Lodz in Poland as well as the foundations laid for a new factory in New Bern, North Carolina, USA.

2004 saw BSH acquire 50% of Fedders shares in Estella, Spain to manufacture air conditioning equipment.

2005 saw further expansion to the Asian operation with foundations laid for a new 370,000 square meter appliance park at Nanjing in China. This will form four plants with headquarters for sales as well as research and development.

Brands Owned

• Bosch
• Neff
• Siemens
• Gaggenau
• Pitsos
• Balay
• Profilo
• Safel
• MAG Mali Gospodinski Aparati
• Coldex
• Viva
• Thermador
• Wuxi (joint venture with Little Swan)
• Fedders (50%)
• Continental (Brazil)

Retail Prices

Bosch dominate the mid sector of the "High street" market, producing a quality product at realistic prices, many of their goods carry an extended warranty beyond the accepted first years guarantee. Washing machines and dishwashers for example all carry a comprehensive two year guarantee.

Recently BSH have moved the bottom end Bosch brand slightly downmarket into the high volume, low cost sector using machines made in Spain in the Balay factory.

In 2005 BSH launched the "Viva" brand name in the UK to further capitalise on the low-end sector since consumers seem to be led strongly on price allowing the low cost machines not produced in Germany to be sold at lower retail prices whilst leaving credibility in the core brands of Bosch, Neff and Siemens.

Spares Pricing

Surprisingly the cost of Bosch spare parts overall are mostly reasonable but there are some spare parts that are frighteningly expensive. The spares considered to be high wear and tear parts such as belts, seals, hoses and pumps can even be assessed as bordering on cheap in some cases. Motors and electronic control modules on the other hand are quite costly, but in the unlikely event of early failure their cost is not too unrealistic considering the cost of a replacement appliance of similar quality.

Most Bosch spares are readily available in our online store from this link with a good many cheap compatible spares available for the most commonly used spares, especially elements and doors seals etc.

A new development is that that Bosch appear to be following other German brands (since we can hardly say they're made in Germany these days) in attempting to restrict DIY and third party repairs. We see this through the supply of, for example, electronic control modules on newer dishwashers that are delivered in an un-programmed state and, no-one except Bosch can program it for you which they will do, for a fee of course.

After Sales Service

Bosch have a nationwide after sales service through their sub-division BSH Appliance Care Ltd and many independent companies throughout the UK specialise in repairs to their products also many through our service. Therefore spare parts and servicing on all Bosch products throughout the UK can be summarised as being okay overall barring a few notable exceptions but, these do appear to be on the rise.

Another development in recent times is the use of a system where you may call for service and actually be talking to someone who's job it is to sell you an insurance policy. Bosch Group do use this system and you may feel pressurised into taking on a maintenance contract which can work out considerably more expensive than a simple repair. You can read more about such systems in this article all about fixed cost repairs.

It is worth noting that, if you choose Bosch appliances, that in the future your freedom of choice on repairs due to spares restrictions and servicing restrictions may be limited to Bosch Service only and you may be forced to pay their charges as there will be no other option.

The good news however is that almost all the independent repairers do repair Bosch products and you can search for a repairer using our free service from this link. Please do compare prices and options on repairs before committing to any one of the options available as it could save you a considerable amount of money by doing so.

You will also find support from the engineers for Bosch appliances in our forums.