Which foundation holds roughly 94% of Robert Bosch GmbH's share capital?

The Robert Bosch Stiftung holds roughly 94% of Robert Bosch GmbH’s share capital.

This unusual ownership arrangement reflects Robert Bosch’s intention that his industrial fortune should support public-benefit work. The foundation, established in 1964 from structures linked to Bosch’s estate, is based in Stuttgart and works in areas including health, education, and global issues.

The 94% figure refers to capital ownership, not voting control. The Robert Bosch Stiftung has transferred the voting rights associated with its shares to Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG. That separation allows the foundation to receive economic returns while keeping corporate control in a different institution.

This is why the foundation is sometimes misunderstood as simply owning and running Bosch. It owns most of the company’s capital, but it does not exercise the corresponding voting power. The remaining shares and voting interests are connected to descendants of company founder Robert Bosch and the trusteeship arrangement.