Bosch Rexroth Formed in 2001 Merger

Robert Bosch GmbH officially established Bosch Rexroth AG on May 1, 2001, following its acquisition of Mannesmann's industrial division. This strategic move integrated Mannesmann Rexroth with Bosch's own automation technology sector, creating a significant player in the drive and control technology market.

The company's history traces back to the Rexroth family's iron forge in Spessart, Germany, dating back to 1795. By 1850, Georg Ludwig Rexroth had acquired a foundry in Lohr am Main, leveraging its logistical advantages. The foundry expanded into the hydraulics business in the 1950s, developing pressure-resistant cast iron. Mannesmann Group acquired a majority stake in Rexroth by the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Robert Bosch founded his precision mechanics and electrical engineering workshop in Stuttgart in the 1890s. In the 1950s, Bosch began manufacturing hydraulic products, initially for internal use but later for external customers. The development of its industrial equipment and automation technology accelerated with the integration of electronic control systems.

As Mannesmann AG shifted its focus to telecommunications in the late 1990s, its industrial division was spun off and eventually acquired by a consortium of Siemens and Bosch. The formation of Bosch Rexroth AG marked a pivotal moment, solidifying Bosch's global leadership in drive and control technologies. The company's product portfolio now encompasses hydraulics, NC drive technology, gear technology, linear technology, and pneumatics.