Bosch has announced the appointment of Robert Hesse as its new President for Southeast Asia and Oceania, alongside his role as Managing Director of Bosch in Singapore, effective January 1, 2026. In his expanded leadership position, Hesse will be responsible for shaping corporate strategy, overseeing operations, and steering the group’s overall business direction across one of Bosch’s most dynamic regional markets. He takes over from Vijay Ratnaparkhe, who has departed the company.

With nearly 30 years of professional experience, Robert Hesse brings extensive expertise spanning consumer electronics, security systems, and power tools. Throughout his career at Bosch, he has held senior executive roles across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and North America. This global exposure, combined with his deep familiarity with Bosch’s diverse portfolio, positions him to guide the company’s continued expansion in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Hesse’s appointment underscores Bosch’s long-term commitment to the region, where the company has maintained a presence for more than a century. Speaking on his new role, he expressed enthusiasm about building on Bosch’s strong foundation. He highlighted the strategic importance of Southeast Asia and Oceania within Bosch’s global growth plans, noting that the company aims to introduce more advanced technologies and broaden its service offerings in line with evolving local customer needs from 2026 onwards.

The leadership transition comes at a time of strong financial performance for Bosch in the region. In Southeast Asia, the company recorded total net sales of 2.35 billion euros in 2024, including non-consolidated companies and internal deliveries—representing a year-on-year growth of 17.8 percent. Consolidated sales to third parties reached 1.15 billion euros. This growth was largely driven by robust performance in Bosch’s mobility and mobility aftermarket businesses in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as sustained demand for home appliances in Vietnam.

Bosch’s operations in Oceania also delivered solid results, with total net sales reaching 803 million euros in 2024, reflecting a 9.4 percent increase year-on-year. Consolidated sales to third parties in the region amounted to approximately 690 million euros, reinforcing Oceania’s role as a key contributor to Bosch’s regional performance.

As Bosch looks ahead, Robert Hesse’s leadership is expected to play a central role in navigating global and regional challenges while capturing new growth opportunities. With strong momentum already established, the company is poised to further strengthen its footprint across Southeast Asia and Oceania under his direction.