According to Andrea Ash, regional vice president with Robert Bosch Tools North America, it’s been an improving year for Bosch. In this Q&A, Andrea shares what’s working for Bosch and how the company will continue to excel in the New Year.
How’s business for Bosch?
ASH: The Bosch power tool business in North America has seen an uptick that tracks with an improving economy. We’re seeing strong sales for products that support our core segments—concrete, general construction, and MRO. There’s no doubt that improvement across the greater economy is a key factor in our success, but so is ensuring we have the right product that’s widely available and offered at the right price. We’ve done that well; we make great products that offer great value. In addition, we’ve deployed our resources more strategically—we have people with answers on the jobsite, our social media presence is engaged and active, and we continue to look for ways to contribute to the overall industry—through better training, innovative products, and sharing industry knowledge. Industry leadership is not something we take lightly at Bosch. We believe it’s an expectation that people have about our brand and an expectation we have for our company.
What has influenced Bosch and its product offerings?
ASH: The key to success for Bosch in the power tool industry has always been commitment to the customer. We listen to the carpenter in Dallas and the concrete contractor in New York. It’s important to know what’s going on at the jobsite, and to develop products and technologies that fit the needs of our customers on the ground. And we pay attention to regions. A contractor in Santa Fe probably doesn’t need a set of SDS-plus mortar knives to remove mortar on a regular basis, but a concrete contractor in Chicago does. Listening never goes out of style; it’s a skill we actively promote and practice.
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The Bosch CM12SD 12” Compound Miter Saw delivers big innovation to miter saw users with easier adjustment, greater capacity, and better material support.
How does Bosch add benefit for the contractor?
ASH: In listening to the contractor, we actually generate ideas that show up in our products. Our rotary hammers offer industry-leading vibration control to enhance safety and to prevent downtime on the jobsite. Our new Speed Clean drill bits for concrete removes dust and debris at the point of contact to deliver advanced dust management solutions and to speed the chemical anchoring process. Our measuring tools offer Bluetooth connectivity and the clearest, cleanest interface screen you’ve ever seen. All of these products and enhancements are the result of input from the customer. When we say we listen to the customer that means we take action on what we hear.
In your opinion, what are the top 3 pressing issues for the construction industry? How can Bosch make a difference?
ASH: The key construction industry issues continue to be recruiting and maintaining a strong professional workforce in North America, improving safety on the jobsite, and training. Bosch is making a conscious effort to contribute in addressing these industry opportunities. First, the company is committed to programs like SkillsUSA, which promotes construction trade careers to high school, trade school, and community college students. We provide product, but we also provide professional guidance, training materials, and access to our Bosch power tool team. On the safety front, Bosch continually looks for opportunities to develop industry-leading technologies that improve efficiency and safety on the jobsite. Safety is always a component of our new product development process. That’s good for business, but also what’s best for the industry. Finally, training is always an important topic in the construction industry. New tools, new technologies, and new materials are always coming online. It’s important to stay ahead of the training curve.
What is your forward outlook for the construction industry? For Bosch? Closing thoughts?
ASH: We believe the construction industry in North America will remain strong for the foreseeable future. We see the investment by material manufacturers and the deployment of training and technology resources by contractors on the ground. So, Bosch is continuing to invest in new power tool technologies that promise to move the industry forward thanks to greater efficiency and improved safety. Our strategy is to the point: Do what’s best for the customer and the market will reward you. It always does. ■
 
About the Author: Andrea Ash is regional vice president, Robert Bosch Tools North America, for Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. She is charged with general management and oversight of the Bosch power tool brand in North America. Her focus is building upon Bosch’s 130-year history of power tool industry leadership and innovation.
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Modern Contractor Solutions – December 2015
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