"Our friends ... fully honored the spirit and letter of our agreement." Robert Bosch was full of praise for Joseph Lucas Ltd. of Birmingham, UK. The alliance between the two companies, which was sealed with the founding of C.A.V.-Bosch Ltd. in 1931, proved to be a hands-down success.
Bosch opened its first sales office outside Germany in 1898 in the United Kingdom. The UK-based business was expropriated during the First World War, but Bosch was able to re-establish a selling company in the UK in the 1920's. However, as the UK had since introduced import duties, access to the market became increasingly difficult. Bosch therefore felt compelled to begin production on British soil.

Working with a UK partner

Negotiations with Joseph Lucas Ltd. led to the founding of C.A.V.-Bosch Ltd. in 1931. This was the first time Bosch had actually manufactured its products in the UK. The agreement provided for the unlimited exchange of all patents owned by Robert Bosch AG and Joseph Lucas Ltd. Cooperation with the British partner proved to be a resounding success

A gentlemen’s agreement

When the threat of a new war became imminent, Bosch began considering how it might prevent the company's sales offices outside Germany being expropriated once more. Consequently, Bosch sold its capital stock in C.A.V.-Bosch Ltd. and its Bosch Ltd. stock to Lucas in 1937. At the same time, the two companies agreed that their tradition of sharing ideas and patents should be safeguarded for the long term.
The close relationship between the two firms is also documented by the letter entitled "Declaration of friendship and peace" published in the "Bosch-Zünder" in-house newspaper in 1938. In the letter, Lucas associates call for cooperation "so that we can continue to work in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding." The Second World War broke out just a few months later.

After 1945, Lucas very quickly began marketing Bosch products again. In 1954, Bosch was able to buy back the British selling company and also regained its trademark rights. However, Bosch was only able to resume production in the UK in 1991 when it opened an alternator plant in Cardiff, Wales.

Setting off on a works outing in 1931. Associates of C.A.V.-Bosch Ltd. in front of the factory in the Acton district of London.