Star - German industrial conglomerate Bosch’s Turkish division enjoyed a 17 percent growth in turnover and 20 percent growth in exports in 2011, as revealed at the company’s annual meeting yesterday. The company will add 1,700 people to its 10,000-strong workforce in Turkey during 2012-2013 period, along with EUR 300 million worth of investment in the country.

Speaking at the meeting held in Adana, Bosch Turkey General Manager Steven Young said that the company reached a turnover of EUR 2 billion last year as a result of strong exports and domestic sales performance. “Some 60 percent of Bosch Turkey’s turnover comes from exports. Bosch Turkey expects even higher figures this year, thanks to the improvement in automotive markets,” said Young.

“Bosch plans to invest heavily in research and development (R&D) efforts in Turkey and will increase the number of its R&D staff to 300, taking up EUR 66 million of the investment budget,” he added.

Bosch currently employs 10,250 people in Turkey in the fields of automotive spare parts, home appliances and industrial technology.