On 22 July 2003, the company SFB Schwäbische Formdrehteile GmbH & Co. KG in Babenhausen, Bavaria, was presented the Bosch Group's coveted "Suppliers Award" at a ceremony in Bamberg. With this award, Bosch commended SFB's outstanding performance with regard to quality, delivery reliability and pricing, as well as its technical and economic performance.

The distinction "For quality and special performances as supplier of the Bosch Group" has been awarded every two years since 1987. The award-winners are selected by Bosch from all its suppliers worldwide. SFB qualified as one of 60 award-winners altogether. In the last year, the Bosch Group purchased goods with a total volume of roughly EUR 20 billion. Above all, Bosch purchases electronic components, as well as electromechanical components and assemblies. Today, Bosch is one of the world's leading purchasers of semiconductor components and mechanical precision parts.

The SFB Group which has been in operation for over 60 years employs a workforce of around 500 men and women. SFB sees this distinction as impressive confirmation of its consistently implemented corporate philosophy "precision is our commitment".

SFB's core business lies in such customized assemblies as hydraulic and pneumatic valves, components for ABS systems, beverage bottling lines and bank-note processing systems, as well as sophisticated high-precision parts. The products manufactured by SFB are used in private cars and commercial vehicles, the aviation industry, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

State-of-the-art production lines for CNC turning, CNC milling, grinding, honing, ECM deburring, surface treatment and heat treatment, as well as assembly of complete modules illustrate the company's consistent implementation of its claim for quality and precision. As a result of the manufacturing depth and competence, SFB's customers profit from the pronounced flexibility of purchasing precision parts when required or completely assembled units on a "just-in-time" basis.

Continuous basic and further training ensures that SFB's employees are always fit to meet the company's ambitious corporate goals. SFB attaches particular importance to promoting and training young people. This year, the SFB Group has roughly 50 trainees in different parts of the company. Last year's acquisition of additional land for expansion at the company's headquarters in Babenhausen established ideal conditions for the Group's continuing, dynamic development.