Transforming PCB procurement intercontinental with copperdot
Bosch Business Innovations, emerging from grow platform, has become a hub for groundbreaking ventures that push the boundaries of traditional business models. One of the standout success stories is copperdot, Bosch’s innovative PCB procurement service, which has grown from a fledgling start-up to a global force in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Origins and early steps
copperdot was born out of a simple yet powerful idea: to revolutionize the way companies procure printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Benjamin Ohse, who leads the copperdot business, describes the initial vision: "We saw an opportunity to enhance efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs along the entire value chain of our customers. The first steps were about proving this concept in the market."
The journey began with a proof of concept to validate the business model. "We started by selling the service even before fully building the backend," Benjamin recalls. "This allowed us to gather real-time feedback and make necessary adjustments on the fly." This iterative process, where copperdot combined customer engagement with rapid development, was crucial in fine-tuning their offering.
However, this approach wasn’t without challenges. As Hamza Bilgen, who oversees business development and sales at copperdot, notes, "The biggest challenge in the early days was building a robust service that could deliver on its promises while validating the market at the same time. We had to ensure our infrastructure was solid enough to support rapid growth."
Scaling and global expansion
Once copperdot established its value proposition, the focus shifted to scaling the business globally. "Our approach was always customer-first," says Benjamin.
"We conducted rough market analyses, but the real insights came from talking directly to potential customers. This allowed us to understand their unique needs and adjust our service accordingly before entering new markets."
copperdot's global footprint now spans Europe, the Middle East, the US, India, and China. "Europe and the US have been particularly critical for market validation," Hamza explains. "These regions are home to major OEMs and winning them early meant establishing a strong foothold that could be expanded globally."
In terms of growth, copperdot has seen remarkable success. "We achieved double-digit growth in the first two years," Benjamin notes. "This rapid expansion was possible because we were flexible and quick to adapt to the market’s evolving needs. If we had stuck to our original plans without making these adjustments, we wouldn’t have seen this level of success."
Scaling internationally presented its own set of challenges. "Deciding which markets to enter required careful analysis," Hamza says. "Data fragmentation across regions made it difficult to gather reliable insights, so we relied heavily on customer interviews and initial test deliveries to guide our decisions. This hands-on approach allowed us to learn quickly and adapt our strategy as we went."
Innovative approach to PCB procurement
What sets copperdot apart in the PCB procurement industry is its unique approach that leverages the strength of Bosch's global network. "Our customers benefit from access to Bosch's extensive international supplier base, ensuring they receive high-quality PCBs without the hassle of supplier selection, onboarding, and auditing," says Hamza. "We handle all the complexities, allowing our customers to focus on what they do best – innovation."
One of the standout success stories for copperdot is its partnership with Imecar, an innovative e-mobility company. "Imecar needed to double their production size within a year, and copperdot provided them with the PCB procurement support necessary to achieve this," Hamza shares. "We not only delivered cost-effective, high-quality PCBs but also offered our expertise in navigating the complex supplier landscape. This partnership has been a key factor in their rapid growth."
Future outlook
Looking to the future, copperdot aims to significantly expand its market presence and impact. "Our ambition is to become a market leader along the entire value chain of electronic production," Benjamin states confidently. The team is focused on continuous growth, both in terms of revenue and market reach, and sees immense potential in further integrating their services into the global electronics industry.
Reflecting on the role of grow platform in copperdot's journey, Benjamin succinctly summarizes its impact: "grow platform gave us the freedom, the framework, and the support needed to build this business from the ground up. The culture and environment fostered were crucial in shaping a high-performing team capable of driving copperdot to success."
A testament for beyond innovation
As copperdot continues to scale and innovate, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a bold idea is nurtured in a supportive, entrepreneurial environment. From its inception as a start-up to its current status as a global player in PCB procurement, copperdot is paving the way for the future of electronics manufacturing.
