Worcester, Bosch Group 50th Anniversary brochure

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 2

Half a century of warmth The first 50 years of Worcester, Bosch Group – innovation, quality and customer obsession

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 2

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 3

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 4

4

Worcester, Bosch Group

I am extremely proud to introduce this book, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of our company and presents an overview of where we are today, how we got here and our vision for the future.

From humble beginnings in an old vinegar factory in Worcester to market leader in energyefficient heating systems, for decades our company has stood at the forefront of British manufacturing. It is the combination of old-fashioned values and cutting edge technology that I believe makes our brand stand out from the crowd. Leaders in innovation, product design and quality, we always have and always will strive to achieve greater reliability and performance for our customers.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I would like to personally thank every employee who has worked so diligently for our company, every installer who recommends and installs our products and every homeowner who has purchased one of our products – we are where we are today because of you.

Richard Soper CEO Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 5

Half a century of warmth

5

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 6

6

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 7

Half a century of warmth

Half a century of British manufacturing

7

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 8

8

Worcester, Bosch Group

As a company we are proud of our heritage and all that we have achieved over 50 years. Our history has spanned periods of economic growth, as well as some difficult economic periods in the country’s recent history.

We are proud of our brand and brand values and the fact that Worcester has become one of the most respected names in the heating industry. Throughout the last 50 years we have continuously invested in people, manufacturing processes, product development, quality control, value-added services for our customers – and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Part of a global family The Worcester brand is part of The Bosch Group which is a leading global supplier of technology and services. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. In 2010, Bosch spent more than €3.8 billion on research and development, and applied for some 4,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The majority shareholder of the Bosch Group is the Robert Bosch Foundation, a charitable foundation that receives donations from all Bosch Group companies. Since its founding in 1964, the Robert Bosch Foundation has donated over €950 million to a wide range of causes.

At Worcester, we also undertake regular charity events for both national and local causes. In the last 10 years alone, we have raised over £400,000.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 9

Half a century of warmth

The reception and main entrance to our Worcester headquarters.

9

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 10

10

Worcester, Bosch Group

Right here, right now Today Worcester, Bosch Group is the UK’s leading boiler manufacturer.

Worcester employs approximately 1,700 people including a network of over 300 service engineers and more than 80 technically trained field sales personnel.

We are currently manufacturing 300,000 boilers per year in our factories in Worcester and Clay Cross.

Our turnover has grown dramatically over the last 50 years. In 1962, our turnover was £24,000, in 2011 this figure has increased to £370 million.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 11

Half a century of warmth

From past to present: Managing Directors of Worcester during the past 50 years (from the left) Kevin Lee, founder Cecil Duckworth OBE, Bosch Thermotechnology CEO Richard Soper and present Managing Director Carl Arntzen.

11

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 12

12

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 13

Half a century of warmth

Product innovation The period since the turn of the millennium has been the most prolific time for product development and new product launches.

It began with the introduction of the first Worcester condensing boilers and has continued with the introduction of a comprehensive range of renewable technology products.

Products launched since the millennium 2001 – Greenstar HE series of condensing boilers.

2008 – Greensource air to air and air to water heat pumps.

2004 – Greenstar Highflow 440 combi boiler and

2011 – Greenfloor underfloor heating.

Greenstar Ri regular boilers.

2011 – Greenstore TC cylinders.

2005 – Greenstar i Junior, Greenstar Si and Greenstar CDi series of combi, system and regular boilers.

2011 – Worcester GB162 commercial boiler.

2005 – Greenskies flat panel solar thermal water heating.

2011 – Greenskies evacuated tube solar thermal water heating.

2007 – Greenstore ground source heat pumps

2012 – Greenstream mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.

and unvented cylinders.

2012 – Greenspring commercial water heater.

2007 – Greenstar Camray, Greenstar Camray External and Greenstar Heatslave oil-fired boilers.

13

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 14

14

Worcester, Bosch Group

By royal appointment In 2009, we were honoured to receive a Royal Warrant in recognition of supplying goods to Her Majesty, the Queen, joining one of 850 companies and individuals to hold a Royal Warrant. At Worcester, quality products and Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. received the Royal Warrant in 2009.

services are at the very top of our agenda and the Royal Warrant helps to further reinforce our commitment to achieving the highest standards possible in everything we do.

As a thriving British company, we were also privileged to have the chance to demonstrate our manufacturing facilities and the products we produce at Worcester to His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent. During the prestigious visit, our aim was to provide HRH with an even greater understanding of the importance of upgrading home-heating systems to meet Government targets in years to come.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 15

Half a century of warmth

Success that’s recognised As a company we pride ourselves on delivering world class products and services to our customers and therefore have exacting quality standards and processes to ensure that we meet our objectives. We continually challenge ourselves as a company to continuously improve so we are delighted when we receive independent recognition for the work that we do. We are proud of each and every award that we have won, (some of which are listed below) and we are particularly proud of our latest award from Which? magazine’s readers.

Awards 2005 – CORGI Award for Best Technical Support.

CORGI Award for Boiler of the Year – Greenstar.

Investors in People Accreditation.

2006 – CORGI Award for Domestic Heating Product of the Year.

2007 – CORGI Award for Boiler of the Year – Greenstar.

CORGI Energy Efficient Product of the Year – Greenskies Solar.

OFTEC Regional and National Training Centre of the Year.

2008 – CORGI Energy Efficient Product of the Year – Greenskies Solar.

OFTEC Award for Excellence for Green Initiative of the Year.

Investors in People re-accreditation.

2010 – OFTEC Award for Best Technical Support.

Customer Service Awards for Top 50 Call Centres.

2011 – Winners of 23 Which? Best Buy Awards – Greenstar gas-fired boilers.

Customer Service Awards for Top 50 Call Centres.

Investors in People re-accreditation.

Bo

ile

20 rs Se ptember

11

Receiving the Customer Service Awards for Top 50 Call Centres (top).

One of 4 consecutive wins from CORGI (bottom).

15

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 16

16

Worcester, Bosch Group

As committed to the environment as we are to our customers Worcester’s dedication to quality and continuous improvement extends beyond our products. As part of the Bosch Group, corporate 100% recyclability.

responsibility is an intrinsic part of our business and this is demonstrated by the commitment we have to being an environmentally responsible manufacturer. From detailed environmental policies to our Environment 2020 awards, from Energy Homes across the country to creating a children’s book aimed at educating future generations, we are continually looking for new ways to minimise our impact on the planet.

Environmental milestones 1999 – Environment 2010 was launched.

2007 – Launch of ‘Picture a Greener Future’ children’s book.

Joe Swift and Alan Titchmarsh on our Gold award winning Chelsea Flower Show garden.

2008 – Environment 2010 re-branded as Environment 2020 in line with the Government’s carbon reduction targets for 2020.

Energy Homes project commenced.

2010 – A partnership was set up with a Swansea-based company which transforms Worcester’s previously non recyclable waste, including some plastics, into an eco-friendly concrete replacement.

100% recyclability for all our products was accomplished, thereby achieving zero waste to landfill.

2011 – Worcester wins award for investment and commitment to sustainability.

2011 – Worcester wins Royal Horticultural Society gold medal

Energy Homes.

at the Chelsea Flower Show.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 17

Half a century of warmth

Pupils from Eldersfield Primary School on a visit to the Worcester Energy House.

Since it was first published in 2007, we have sent out over 110,000 copies of our ‘Picture a Greener Future’ children’s book (above).

Keith Jones of the Wolseley Group with Children’s Competition 2011 winner Donna Thomas and Steve Lister of Worcester (left).

17

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 18

18

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 19

Half a century of warmth

19

How we got to where we are

Late 1960s – Cecil Duckworth with members of his team and a prototype Firefly pressure jet boiler (left).

2011 – Carl Arntzen with some of the team behind the development of our cutting edge Greenstar condensing boiler (above).

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 20

20

Worcester, Bosch Group

Highflow

Hoppamat Firefly Heatslave Senior

Delglo

62

19

75

19

82

80

19

19

9.24 Electronic

87

19

90

19

OUR PRODUCTS THR

70

19

77

19

82

19

Danesmoor Heatslave

85

19

92

19

Heatslave 9.24 Heatslave Junior

230, 240 & 280

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 21

Half a century of warmth

Greenskies

Greenstar HE CDi

evacuated tube solar thermal

Greenskies

flat plate solar thermal

Si

96

19

Greenstar Camray

98

01

19

20

05

07

20

20

11

20

HROUGH THE DECADES

97

19

00

20

20

05

06

20

CBi Series

08

20

Greensource

air source heat pumps

i Series

21

Greenstar Ri, Si, i Junior & CDi

Greenstore

ground source heat pumps

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 22

22

Worcester, Bosch Group

50 years of brand development It’s not just our products which have seen significant development over the last five decades. Our logo and brand imagery have also seen massive evolution, from the ‘engineering’ look of the early sixties, to the more modern, consumer-oriented look of today’s logo and marketing communications material.

1970s

1960s

WORCESTER ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED

WE C

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 23

Half a century of warmth

2000s 1980s

1990s

23

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 24

24

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 25

Half a century of warmth

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” Neil Armstrong

The innovative Sixties In post-war 1960s Britain, change was not only necessary for future prosperity but also very much in evidence. As a result, this became a decade of great challenge, opportunity and innovation – the environment into which Worcester Engineering was born. A visionary company founded in 1962 that within a year had already established itself as a pioneer in the fledgling oil-fired central heating market.

• First manned space flight.

• Audio cassette and first computer video game invented.

• The Beatles arrived on the scene.

• President Kennedy assassinated.

• World’s first heart transplant.

• Colour TV first broadcast in Britain.

1960

s

25

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 26

26

Worcester, Bosch Group

Outgrowing our premises as we rapidly expanded was a feature of the company’s development in the 1960s.

This decade saw…

1962 – The first home of Worcester Engineering at the Old Vinegar Works in St. Martins Gate in the centre of Worcester. The company soon moved to Foundry Walk in Worcester.

1963 – Worcester Engineering quickly established itself as a leading supplier of oil-fired central heating equipment – with the Firefly oil boiler range.

1968 – The company had grown to such an extent that it needed to move to new premises – to Diglis, east of the River Severn.

The Firefly was the first boiler manufactured by the Worcester Engineering Company.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 27

Half a century of warmth

27

Where it all began 50 years ago‌ The Old Vinegar Works (top).

Foundry Walk (far left).

Diglis factory (left).

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 28

28

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:29 Page 29

Half a century of warmth

“Pennies don’t fall from Heaven – they have to be earned here on Earth” Margaret Thatcher

The challenging Seventies The 1970s was a decade of milestones and mixed fortunes. Industrialised nations were hit by a world oil crisis, and strike-torn Britain welcomed the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, the birth of glam rock and decimal currency, and elected Margaret Thatcher as the country’s first woman Prime Minister.

For Worcester Engineering it was a time to take the business forward by forging lucrative new opportunities.

• The Arab-Israeli conflict.

• The take-off into service of Concorde and the Boeing 747.

• The UK joined the EEC (which became the EU).

• Globally, throughout the decade, there was growing environmental awareness and opposition to nuclear weapons.

1970

s

29

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 30

30

Worcester, Bosch Group

Lord Walker officially opens the factory in Diglis (top left).

Beatrice and Cecil Duckworth with a model of the new factory (top right).

An aerial view of the factory (middle right).

The Delglo factory at Clay Cross (bottom).

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 31

Half a century of warmth

Despite the economic and industrial problems of the 1970s, the company continued to expand.

This decade saw…

1970 – Worcester Engineering signed a licensing agreement with Sunwave that allowed the Japanese company to manufacture our Firefly Dynaflame boilers and Heatslave units in Japan.

1971 – With conversion of town gas to North Sea gas, Worcester anticipated the increasing demand for gas-fired appliances, introducing a revolutionary new concept to the UK – the combi.

1973 – The 15,000 sq.ft. of floor space at the Diglis factory was doubled with the building of a new extension, officially opened by Lord Walker.

1973 – The Yom Kippur War in the Middle East made people look for ways of reducing their dependency on oil – then the fuel for 95% of central heating boilers in the UK. The tide was turning in the direction of gas.

1977 – Growth through acquisition was the decision made in 1977, when Worcester bought Delglo Appliances (and the already well established Danesmoor brand of oil boilers) from Delta Metals in Clay Cross, Derbyshire.

31

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 32

32

Worcester, Bosch Group

Cecil Duckworth and staff celebrate the re-opening of the factory after the 1983 fire with Peter Walker and his son, current Worcester MP, Robin Walker.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 33

Half a century of warmth

“Feed the world… do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”

Bob Geldof

The eventful Eighties The 1980s were unforgettable for the multi-venue Live Aid concerts held around the world in aid of famine victims in Ethiopia.

This was also the age of Yuppies, BMX bikes, two British royal weddings and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

For Worcester it was a very eventful time too – recovering from a fire which destroyed the Diglis factory and overcoming water bye-law objections to develop the cost-saving and space-saving combi boiler concept.

• Rubik’s Cube puzzled the world.

• Clive Sinclair launched the C5 electric vehicle.

• Argentina invaded the Falklands.

• Ernie Wise made the first UK mobile phone call.

• Tim Berners-Lee’s worldwide web was proposed.

1980

s

33

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 34

34

Worcester, Bosch Group

The 1980s was a decade which saw so many developments come after what could have been a disaster.

This decade saw…

1983 – On the 8th July, the factory at Diglis was destroyed by fire.

1987 – Worcester Engineering was renamed and Worcester Heat Systems was born.

1987 – Construction started on Worcester’s very first Training Academy.

Within three weeks the company was manufacturing boilers again… and 104 days later the factory had been rebuilt.

1988 – The phenomenal growth of the company saw us looking for new, larger premises. An 11 acre site was purchased to

1984 – Despite obstructions from the Water Authorities, Worcester continued to develop the combi concept,

the North of the City of Worcester, that would eventually allow the company to operate from just one site.

eventually winning its battle in the early 1980s as the water bye-laws were relaxed.

1988 – Also saw the acquisition of a training centre in Amersham.

1986 – Worcester needed to increase equity capital and was floated on the London Stock Market. The share price went from £1.10 to £13.00 in 18 months.

The Worcester Sales Team in the 1980s (above), with Richard Soper, Ray Young and Malcolm Cox who are still with Worcester today.

Cecil and Beatrice Duckworth about to cut the cake at our 25th anniversary party (right).

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 35

Half a century of warmth

35

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the workforce the factory was fully operational in just over three months.

Group shot with the first Heatslave Junior produced after the fire of 1983. Carl Arntzen (6th from left) and Graham Mann (5th from right) are still with Worcester today.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 36

36

Worcester, Bosch Group

“It is an unbearable thought to me that while checking one of my products, somebody could show that I in some way performed inferior work. For this reason, I have always endeavoured to only deliver work which will pass any objective test, work that is, so to say, the very best of the best.�

Robert Bosch

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 37

Half a century of warmth

“The time is always right to do right” Nelson Mandela

The notable Nineties The last decade of the 20th century saw the release after 27 years’ imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most popular statesmen. Other major events included the collapse of the Soviet Union, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the return of Hong Kong from Britain to China.

For Worcester it marked the opening of the advanced new production facilities and headquarters at Warndon on the outskirts of the city – the beginning of a whole new era.

• Hubble telescope launched into space.

• Launch of the National Lottery.

• Worldwide web was launched.

• Nelson Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize and was elected President of South Africa.

• Copper Age man found frozen in a glacier.

1990

s

37

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 38

38

Worcester, Bosch Group

The 1990s was a landmark decade for Worcester.

This decade saw…

1990 – ‘Phase 1’ of our new Worcester headquarters was opened.

1990 – Acquisition of Radson – a leading manufacturer of condensing boilers with a good market share in both Belgium and the Netherlands.

1992 – The company was operating fully from its new headquarters in Worcester.

1992 – After two years of negotiations, Worcester Heat Systems joined the Bosch Group to become an important element of Europe’s premier domestic heating equipment company.

1995 – Cecil Duckworth became president of the Bosch Heating Division, the first Englishman to head up a Bosch Division.

1996 – Saw the launch of the 24CDi, the first model in the CDi series, which took Worcester’s gas combi range to a new higher level.

1996 – Cecil Duckworth retired.

1999 – Worcester’s focus on important environmental issues led to the launch of Environment 2000 (an award scheme celebrating environmentally-friendly installations). This quickly developed into a long term vision for the company and subsequently became Environment 2020.

Technical and consumer contact centres (top and centre).

Building of the Worcester headquarters (bottom).

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 39

Half a century of warmth

Donations to the 1990 Romanian Appeal (below).

Research and development, the training academy and manufacturing during the 1990s (top, centre and bottom).

Cecil Duckworth and Dr. Clemens Bรถrsig, main board member, Bosch Group.

39

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 40

40

Worcester, Bosch Group

Worcester’s first TV commercial went on air in the autumn of 2010 and featured Piglet, a talking dog.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 41

Half a century of warmth

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected” Steve Jobs

The new millennium The arrival of the 21st century heralded huge advances in technology and communications. The Internet, wireless broadband, Smartphones, hybrid cars and computer-generated imagery in films and animation are now the norm.

Concerns over climate change and global warming are higher on the agenda than ever – and addressed by Worcester with a growing and increasingly innovative family of renewable heating and hot water solutions.

• Terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre.

• Detailed images and data transmitted to Earth from the Red Planet by the Mars Exploration Rover.

• The Euro became the new common currency of 12 European countries.

• Barack Obama elected as the USA’s first black president.

2000

s

41

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 42

42

Worcester, Bosch Group

It’s been a busy time for Worcester since the turn of the century.

This decade saw…

2000 – CBi series and a wall hung Danesmoor oil boiler launched.

2001 – The Greenstar HE series is introduced.

2003 – The opening of the new Training Academy at Worcester.

Purpose-designed, purpose-built, the first of its kind in the UK. 2004 – The launch of our all new high efficiency range of condensing boilers, starting with the Greenstar Highflow 440 and Greenstar Ri. 2005 – The Greenstar i Junior, Greenstar Si and Greenstar CDi are added to the new boiler range.

Advanced robot welding technology at Clay Cross.

2005 – We complement our heating and hot water range with Greenskies solar thermal water heating.

2005 – We win a CORGI award for ‘Best Technical Support’ and the Greenstar CDi wins its first CORGI award for ‘Boiler of the Year’.

2006 – The £2 million Energy Atrium is opened by Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy.

2006 – The launch of Greenstore ground source heat pumps.

2007 – New products arrive including the Greenstar Camray and Greenstar Heatslave and Camray external models.

2008 – We were awarded ‘Regional’ and ‘National’ Training Centre of the Year from OFTEC. 2008 – The renewables portfolio was extended with the introduction of Greensource air to water and air to air heat pumps.

2008 – Further developments in our unique ‘Energy Homes’ project with the opening of a purpose-equipped showcase property in Worcester.

2009 – An official visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent and Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. received the Royal Warrant.

We also launched our own YouTube channel.

2011 – Worcester awarded 23 Which? Best Buy Awards.

Changing condensing boiler legislation saw Worcester pioneer ‘A’ rated condensing boilers.

Pictured (L-R): Steve Lister, Martyn Bridges, Richard Soper and Neil Schofield.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 43

Half a century of warmth

Mr Rudolph Colm, G5, Robert Bosch GmbH visiting the Worcester factory in 2009.

Our Technical Helpline handles over 450,000 calls a year.

43

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne visits the Worcester factory – 17th November 2011.

40 years of Worcester in 2002. Pictured (L-R): Richard Soper, David Hall, Keith Jones, Cecil Duckworth, Brigitte Malige and Hans-Dieter Eckhardt.

The millionth boiler comes off the production line in 2009 (left) and a unique ‘pink’ Greenstar boiler was auctioned in aid of Breast Cancer Research in 2010.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 44

44

Worcester, Bosch Group

What has two decades of investment bought to Worcester?

As a leading supplier of technology and services, the Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries in over 60 countries.

With all its products and services, Bosch enhances quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. The 285,000 Bosch employees make these solutions possible.

Bosch has three business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods & Building Technology.

Worcester belongs to the latter.

Since becoming part of the Bosch Group, Worcester has benefitted enormously from the considerable and on-going investment across all areas of its operation.

ÂŁ400 mio

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Turnover since becoming part of the Bosch Group.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 45

Half a century of warmth

Continuing investment, growing success

Research and Development Both Worcester, and the Bosch Group as a whole, allocate R&D budgets that are reflective of the company’s commitment to continuous improvement in product quality and service.

Numerous recent investments have resulted in the following improvements: – £2 million investment on updating offices – £1.5 million investment in a new R&D lab – £500k investment on new test rigs at Clay Cross.

Manufacturing Worcester has invested heavily in new Friction Stir Welding* technology – a first for the UK heating industry. This state-of-the-art manufacturing process will be used for the production of the heat exchangers for the next generation of Worcester gas-fired condensing boilers.

Flue gas testing rig in R&D (top).

Friction Stir Welding in action (bottom).

*The Friction Stir Welding process is used under license from The Welding Institute.

45

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:30 Page 46

46

Worcester, Bosch Group

Processes Our House of Orientation comprises our Vision, Mission, Values, Core Competencies and the Bosch Business System (BSS). It guides, leads, strengthens, and drives us. It gives us security, strength, and awareness of our capabilities, as well as the tools to help us continuously change and improve.

Quality control is implemented at every stage of the manufacturing process.

Vision

Mission

Bosch Business System Core competencies

Values

Training The company has 5 purpose-designed training academies, including our latest Training and Assessment Academy at Worcester – a £1.5 million investment.

The £1.5 million Training and Assessment facility at our Worcester headquarters.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 47

Half a century of warmth

Personnel Over the last 20 years investment in personnel has increased year-on-year, from 551 in 1992 to our current labour force of 1,700. All staff are encouraged to undertake on-going training to improve their own career development and to raise their skill levels.

We also operate a wide range of apprenticeships and trainee schemes for both school leavers and graduates. Our field service apprenticeships offer up to 15 placements each year around the UK, as well as our Engineering and Commercial apprenticeships at our Worcester and Clay Cross sites.

Working with local schools we offer work place The Leader of the Opposition, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband with our manufacturing apprentices.

visits and a 2 year work experience scheme, which supports student academic studies with practical work experience. These rewarding activities are underpinned by our enthusiastic management team, with the support of Young Enterprise and Arkwright Scholarships.

Sales & Marketing Due to the continued growth in sales part of the profits are being used to promote awareness of the brand and its values to the trade and increasingly the consumer. This included a ÂŁ2.5 million consumer campaign using national TV, radio, press and outdoor media.

47

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 48

48

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 49

Half a century of warmth

Technically speaking Martyn Bridges – 26 years of service I started at Worcester in 1986 and over the past 26 years have

when the engineering

worked my way up from being a Technical Services Engineer to my

services department

current position as Director of Marketing and Technical Support.

was added to the now four departments I am

My first role in the technical services department included a

involved with.

variety of tasks; although I was mainly answering telephone calls from installers that needed assistance. I also used to

Throughout my career

create heating designs; at that time we only had one other

I have seen many changes,

person in that department providing a free of charge heating

not just within the company

design service. The nice thing is that this still happens today

but in the market and in

but on a CAD system (Computer Aided Design) whereas in

technology. When I first

my day we did it on a drawing board. I also used to help out

started at Worcester, the

in the research and development department – mainly with

water regulations didn’t

the installation instructions and wiring diagrams.

allow you to fit a combi boiler, you had to apply to

I was in that role for two or three years, during which time the

the water authority for

training department was starting to grow. At that point, I joined

dispensation – which seems

Neil Schofield (a name most in the industry will know) in the

odd by today’s standards.

training department as a Training Engineer from 1989 to 1994.

Similarly, wall-hung boilers

Between ourselves we covered the country, Neil basically looked

were just in their infancy

after the South of the country and I did the North.

and now they are common place. In the seventies and

In 1994, I became a Product Manager. I was given the task of

eighties nearly every boiler

analysing the products and the market to identify gaps and future

was floor standing and now

trends. I would then be required to create a specification for any

that trend has reversed.

new products and help with the development and market launch.

Things have changed, as of course they were bound to,

After five years as Product Manager, I was asked to manage the

but I suppose the biggest

training department as well, so my title was changed to Technical

change I have seen is how

Manager. By this point another three product managers had

reliable boilers have become, even though they have hundreds

joined the team so my new job involved overseeing product

more components in them than boilers did thirty years ago.

management, heating design, and training.

This constant change fascinates me.

My role expanded further in 2005 as I became responsible for the

Worcester, Bosch Group has supported me through all

marketing department and was promoted to Director of Marketing

of my career advances and I am so proud to be part of

and Technical Support. The final change to my role was in 2008

such a fantastic company.

49

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 50

50

Worcester, Bosch Group

Laying foundations for a strong future Employees have always played a vital role in the success of Worcester. As a company we have always been committed to employee training and development. This has helped to ensure their loyalty and commitment to the company. As well as having a significant number of long serving members of the workforce – some of whom are listed here – we have many members of the same families who work for us, sometimes covering three generations.

But it’s not always about what we do for our employees in the working environment. We also have a strong social conscience and believe in being ‘family inclusive’. We hold regular family fun days and other local events, as well as providing support for those who wish to take part in charity raising events.

1. Allan Jones Returns Operative 40 years service

14. Mark Asher

2. David Shaw Scheduler 37 years service

15. Kevan Mulliss

3. Robert Hays Welder 36 years service

16. Mavis Price

4. Eric Lloyd Payroll Manager 36 years service

17. Trevor Martin

5. Harold Clissett Driver 36 years service

18. David Scaysbrook

6. Paul Mulliss Support Team Leader 36 years service 7. Robert Starkey Senior Team Leader 35 years service 8. John Shacklock Despatch & Returns Supervisor 34 years service 9. Paul Warman Senior Team Leader 34 years service 10. Sarah Lawrence Personal Assistant to the Finance & Administration Director 34 years service

Quality Technician 32 years service

Welder 32 years service

Factory Operative 32 years service

Material Flow Operative 32 years service

Quality Team Leader 32 years service 19. Graham Mann Production Leader 32 years service 20. Christopher Slater Quality Technician 31 years service 21. Andrew Steeples Welder 31 years service 22. David Rossiter Factory Operative 30 years service 23. Keith Owens Toolroom Team Leader 29 years service

11. John West Field Service Engineer 34 years service

24. Terence Wallbank

12. Malcolm Cox Technical Sales Manager 34 years service

25. Kristian Arntzen

13. Colin Cartwright Factory Operative 33 years service

26. Jane Ormrod

Product Audit Technician 29 years service

Distribution Manager 29 years service

Production Delivery Manager 29 years service

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 51

Half a century of warmth

27. Samantha Grundy Rebate Claims Co-Ordinator 29 years service 28. Simon Smith Factory Operative 29 years service 29. Mark Duckworth Factory Operative 29 years service 30. Mark Suthard

39. Jack Ormrod 5S Project Leader (Production Leader) 26 years service 40. Neil Golding Senior Production & Project Engineer 26 years service 41. Martyn Bridges Director of Marketing & Technical Support 26 years service

Packer 29 years service 31. Martyn Lewis Factory Operative 28 years service 32. Johanna Malcolm Office & Purchase Ledger Supervisor 28 years service

42. Peter Holt Factory Operative 26 years service 43. Melvyn Day Factory Operative 26 years service 44. David May Product Audit Team Leader 26 years service

33. Paul Fowler Spares Operative 27 years service 34. Shaun Clarke Heating Design Engineer 26 years service 35. Steven Brown Factory Operative 26 years service 36. Andrew Davies Production Leader 26 years service 37. Albert Taylor Factory Operative 26 years service 38. Anthony Hodnett Stores Operative 26 years service

45. Martyn Grubb Factory Operative 26 years service 46. Sean White Group Leader 26 years service 47. Neil Cox Production Operative 26 years service 48. John Baylis Metrology Team Leader 26 years service 49. Robert Kershaw Quality Technician 25 years service 50. Clive Thomas Technical Support Team Leader 25 years service

We would also like to recognise past employees who have made a significant contribution to our success…

Cecil Duckworth Managing Director 1962-1995 Kevin Lee Managing Director 1995-2001 David Steade Research and Development Director David Jones Sales Director – Boilers Arthur Money Customer Services Director Nigel Collis Group Financial Director David Hall Manufacturing Director Roy Hill Customer Service Director Shirley Wickens Internal Sales Manager Terry Kay Team Leader – Manufacturing Roddy Reeves Engineer Fred Penn Driver Brian Sherwood Quality Technician

51

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 52

52

Worcester, Bosch Group

As time goes by Allan Jones, Worcester’s longest serving employee

I started at Worcester in October 1972 at the age of 23. The

and moved on, when you

company was called Worcester Engineering Company back

look at the size of the

then and was much smaller than it is today with less than one

company and the product

hundred employees. I was interviewed by Cecil Duckworth,

innovations and

who was the owner of the company at the time, before it

developments. But the

became part of the Bosch Group.

people here are certainly one of the main reasons

During my time at Worcester, I’ve done most jobs from the

why I have been at

production floor through to parts. Back in 1972, I was a

Worcester for as long

factory operative and started out on the spot welding, for

as I have and why I will

around three or four months. I then moved onto other roles

be here until I retire in

including guillotine operator, which involved cutting the boiler

two years time.

Allan in 1972, the year he started at Worcester.

panels, press operator, folding the boiler panels. I then became a test operative, checking the finished boilers.

I have so many fond memories through the years; the staff parties were always fun and the work we did with local

I now work within the logistics department and do a bit of

schools was very rewarding. I was often called upon to

everything day-to-day. So throughout my 40 years of service

entertain everyone and have taken on the roles of Frank

I really have worked at every stage of the boiler manufacturing

Spencer, Father Christmas, Noddy and Superman through

process, with my current responsibilities being to inspect and

the years and have run, cycled, swam or canoed for various

test products at the final stages of production. In the last few

events to raise money for different causes; something that

years, I’ve also been involved in our “Zero waste to landfill”

Worcester is very supportive of. In fact, some of the children

recycling project, which has helped us to achieve 100%

I entertained back then now work here and that’s why I am

recyclability for all our products.

proud to say I’ve been here for 40 out of the 50 years Worcester has been going. It doesn’t seem like I have been

When I joined Worcester all those years ago, it was like a

here that long but I’m looking forward to the celebrations

family and despite how much the company has grown since

and I hope Worcester continues to grow in the way that it

then, there is still that feeling. Things have of course changed

has as it’s a great company to work for.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 53

Half a century of warmth

53

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 54

54

Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 55

Half a century of warmth

Way back when Meet Ron Sims, one of Worcester’s longest serving customers I set up my own business in 1974 in the heart of

I think that is why year on year I’ve always used

Worcestershire and right from its infancy, I used

them, because I know that they are reliable and

Worcester boilers. My company is called Ron Sims

that they are the best for the customer. Also I know

Heating & Electrical Services Ltd and although I have

that I have the support base from Worcester.

continued to develop it over the years, it remains a family business today. Before I started up Ron Sims,

Over the years at Worcester, we have built up

my first job was at a company called James Ward of

really good relationships with their personnel.

Worcester. I used to go and see Cecil Duckworth in his

The company has grown significantly and we have

workshop, who was the owner of the company many

watched the people grow with it – it is great to have

years before it became part of the Bosch Group,

been a part of that. Although you can't deny that

it was called Worcester Engineering back then.

things have changed. In 1974 we were collecting boilers from Cecil in the workshop and installing

I’ve been working in the heating industry since

them in homes and I am still doing that really –

1955 and I’ve seen how things have progressed.

things are just on a bigger scale with more advanced

I remember working with Cecil when he was first

product innovations. But the name, “Worcester

starting out and I used to install the Firefly boilers.

Bosch” is sought after, that hasn’t changed for

Times have changed since then and so have we,

50 years and I don't think it will anytime soon.

hence we are now starting to install renewable technologies. Even my customers have changed,

I have had many good experiences through the

twenty years ago the majority of my installations

years; I even did the installer calendar a couple

were for commercial properties and now it’s

of years back which was really fun. I think that

diversified to a fairly high volume of private

is why I have used Worcester for so long. I know

customers. Ron Sims installs in the region of 60

that their products are good, I know that the

Worcester boilers a year mainly in the local area.

people are nice, I know that should I need their support I would have it. But I think mostly before

I do not get involved personally now, but what I and

I even suggest a Worcester boiler to my customers,

my staff notice is that nine times out of ten we will

they have suggested it to me or my employees and

go and service a Worcester boiler that we have

that really is a testament to such a good company.

installed and it will still be in very good health.

55

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 56

56

Worcester, Bosch Group

What will tomorrow bring?

My immediate aim is to take a ‘forward thinking’ approach to the business. We’ve got a great heritage and very strong foundations upon which to build, so naturally we’re focusing firmly on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Whilst there is huge growth potential in maintaining and strengthening our core business, we also have fantastic opportunities for expansion through diversification.

This will involve moving into new markets and product segments that we haven’t traditionally operated in before.

I am excited about what tomorrow will bring to our brand.

Carl Arntzen Managing Director Worcester, Bosch Group

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 57

Half a century of warmth

57

Carl Arntzen in the new Training and Assessment Academy at Worcester.

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 58

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:31 Page 59

BBT2455 50Year brochure update v2 26/01/2012 11:28 Page 1

Worcester, Bosch Group,

worcester-bosch.co.uk Part No. 8 716 116 402 A 02/12

Cotswold Way, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 9SW