560 Jobs Affected: Bosch Expands Site in Waiblingen - Bosch to shut Waiblingen plant by 2028, cutting 560 jobs

Bosch will close its automotive connectivity production line at the Waiblingen plant by 2028, impacting around 560 jobs. The company cites falling sales and high costs as key reasons. The decision follows years of shrinking output and employment at the site. The shutdown was first announced in September 2021 after a long decline in demand. Over the past eight years, the European market for connectivity components has halved, with further drops expected. Bosch confirmed no new products had emerged to keep the division viable. To ease the transition, the company will offer early retirement, part-time work schemes, and voluntary severance. Around 220 employees will have the chance to relocate to other Bosch sites. Production of the affected components will shift to plants in China and Thailand. The closure will not affect other Bosch subsidiaries at the Waiblingen location. These operations will continue as usual despite the job cuts in connectivity production. By 2028, the Waiblingen plant's connectivity division will cease operations entirely. The company's restructuring plan aims to minimize job losses through relocation and voluntary schemes. Bosch has ruled out new investments to revive the struggling unit.