OREANDA-NEWS. The Bosch Group, a leading global supplier of technology and services, will open its first North American communication center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in early 2014. At the new location, the business unit Bosch Communication Center, the Group's international service provider, will expand its global network and begin offering a range of services for U.S. and Canada customers. The new service center is expected to generate approximately 100 jobs by the end of 2014.

“The North American market is a key strategic growth market for us. The new location in Fort Lauderdale will provide us a strong operational basis to establish our business in the United States and Canada and effectively support local customers,” says Robert Mulatz, head of Bosch Communication Center.

Services for the automotive, travel and transportation industries
In Fort Lauderdale, Bosch Communication Center will focus on services for the automotive industry that increase safety and convenience for drivers and passengers. The international service provider plans to offer a range of services, such as 24/7 emergency call service, roadside assistance as well as customer services for carsharing companies. “Innovative mobility concepts are gaining more importance,” said Mulatz. “Having successfully introduced new mobile solutions in Europe, we now aim to support North American customers with these solutions.”

In addition to the automotive sector, Bosch plans to utilize its service portfolio in Fort Lauderdale to support the travel and transportation industry with customer services as well as security for sea freight. Fort Lauderdale provides a favorable location due to its close proximity to Port Everglades, a major gateway for international trade and third busiest cruise port in the world.

Expansion of international presence
Establishment of the new Bosch Communication Center in Fort Lauderdale will increase the business unit's international footprint. Established in 1985 as a monitoring center, Bosch Communication Center has significantly expanded its international network, offering more than 1,000 customers unique services including service and information hotlines, technical and field service support, feedback management, video surveillance and mobile security. Today, some 5,000 Bosch Communication Center associates within 26 locations provide services in more than 30 languages, conducting approximately 90 million transactions across all communication channels.

With the opening of this facility, the Bosch Group also expands its footprint in Broward County. Bosch Thermotechnology North America, a leading provider of water source and geothermal heat pumps, solar thermal systems, tankless water heaters and condensing boilers for residential and commercial applications, employs some 300 associates in Fort Lauderdale.