The Bosch Group, a global supplier of technology and services, has acquired parts of the water gardening and outdoor decor business of L.R. Nelson Corp., headquartered in Peoria, Ill. By purchasing the Nelson Consumer Products and Sunterra divisions, Bosch broadens its garden product portfolio.
All relevant regulatory approvals have been granted. The purchase price for the acquisition was not announced. The acquired product portfolio includes hose end and water gardening products such as sprinklers, nozzles, filters, pumps and fountains. About 250 associates affiliated with this business generated sales of $80 million in 2007.
"The Nelson product range is an excellent complement to our existing garden business," said Manfred Seitz, president of Bosch Power Tools division in North and South America. "Through this acquisition, we will boost our worldwide sales in garden technology to $500 million," Seitz added. The acquired parts of Nelson will be integrated into the U.S.-based garden and watering division of Bosch.
Bosch's other garden business includes Gilmour, a well-established garden and watering brand in the U.S. In 2007, Bosch generated more than $130 million with garden and watering products. Additionally, the company increased sales with electric garden tools by 30 percent to about $280 million.
With power tools, accessories, garden tools, bench top tools and measuring technology, Bosch generated sales of $4.2 billion in 2007. The Bosch Power Tools division employs a global workforce of approximately 16,000 associates.
In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs approximately 25,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2007. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com
