TITLE: CEO

COMPANY: Robert Bosch

BASED: Gerlingen, Germany

AGE: 62

NATIONALITY: German

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Denner joined Robert Bosch in 1986 as a senior expert in power semiconductors, becoming head of the department three years later. He served as a senior manager in integrated circuit development and electronic control units, rising to the executive vice president level in 2000. He became president of Bosch’s automotive electronics division in 2003 and was named CEO of the company in 2012.

REASON FOR WINNING

Some of the biggest European auto suppliers saw their profits slump in 2018, but Bosch -- the largest of them all -- has been a notable exception. Overall sales increased to 77.9 billion euros, with a profit of 5.3 billion euros and a margin of 6.9 percent. Automotive sales at the Mobility Solutions division rose to 47.6 billion euros, with earnings of 3.5 billion euros and a margin of 7.1 percent. Denner says Bosch’s focus on high-tech areas means that the supplier can continue to increase profits even as the overall global car market faces challenges.