Bosch has acquired parts of the garden watering and outdoor décor business of L.R. Nelson Corporation headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, USA. By purchasing the Nelson Consumer Products and Sunterra divisions, Bosch broadens its garden product portfolio. All relevant regulatory approvals have already 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 U.S. dollars (60 million euros) 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 world-wide sales in garden technology to 500 million U.S. dollars”, Seitz added. The acquired parts of Nelson will be integrated into the US-based garden and watering division of Bosch.

Bosch has long-standing know-how in the garden business including Gilmour, a well-established garden and watering brand in the U.S. In 2007, Bosch generated more than 130 million U.S. dollars (approximately 100 million euros) with garden and watering products. Additionally, the company increased sales with electric garden tools by 30 percent to about 280 million U.S. dollars (approximately 200 million euros). Thus, Bosch continues to consolidate its position as a leader in the garden business.