Bosch opens 1-billion-euro chip factory in Dresden

The modern plant is the company’s largest investment

On 7 June, the German engineering and technology company Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) opened a 1-billion-euro chip plant in Dresden. In a press release, Bosch reported that the development of this new factory is the company’s largest investment.

State-of-the-art technologies

The modern plant was officially inaugurated in the virtual presence of Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, EU Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, and Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschme. Commenting on the factory and the importance of microelectronics, Merkel noted:

“Microelectronics is the basis for nearly every promising technology, for applications of artificial intelligence, for quantum computing, and for automated and connected driving – which is also a Bosch specialty. The new wafer fab is the single largest investment in the company’s history.

This cannot be stressed too much. Its size and additional production capacity alone are impressive. The very latest methods of data-driven continuous improvement in production make the Dresden plant a smart factory. To put it another way: in this plant, natural and artificial intelligence have joined forces with the internet of things to form a productive symbiosis.”

Strengthening Germany’s position

The smart factory in Dresden will have 72,000 square metres of floor space. Currently, 250 people are employed in the plant and the workforce is further expected to grow to approximately 700 employees. Taking this into account, Germany’s position as a tech and business location will undoubtedly be strengthened.

According to Bosch, the production of the first chips for power tools will begin next month in July. This is six months ahead of the original schedule. Moreover, chip production for automotive customers will begin in September – three months earlier than initially planned.  

Chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH Dr Volkmar Denner shared the company’s hopes: “In Dresden, with the help of artificial intelligence, we will take semiconductor manufacturing to the next level.”

A video of Bosch’s new plant in Dresden (Youtube: Bosch Global)