Germany’s thriving wind-turbine industry could face “irreversible damage” along with the economy if innovators like drive and control company Bosch Rexroth fail to find the engineers needed to keep expanding.

Bosch Rexroth AG chairman Manfred Grundke told reporters this week that despite the engineering shortage, Group sales of €4.9 billion were up seven percent over 2005.

Along with its 3,400 patents, the company makes the gear boxes which give wind turbines their generating power, a business that grew 60 percent in 2006 to €120 million.

Grundke said wave power being tested off Scotland and Norway used Bosch Rexroth hydraulics and gearboxes. Worldwide, 100 locations are deemed wavy or tidal enough for sea power built on “articulated-tube” and “tide turbine” technology. Together, their power potential approaches “100 nuclear power plants” he said.

Grundke warned however that “stiffening competition” for engineers could force relocation to countries where they could be found. Meanwhile, wind-turbine gear plant is being built in Brno, Czech Republic and Blaj, Romania.

Despite European growth, “Asia has remained the growth driver of the world economy,” Grundke said, although the same growth has produced “a shortage of raw materials.

“The situation is tight,” Grundke said of the ball-bearings supply. Together with the skills shortage, “The capacity for mechanical engineering is at its limits.”

Bosch’s staff has grown just 15 percent in Germany, but 30 percent in China in 2006, it was understood.

Bosch R&D spending was up 14 percent over 2005, an investment of €220 million for which Bosch developers earned 260 patents.

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