The BOSAL number is a number identifying the products of the BOSAL company, which has long been a known global manufacturer of automotive and industrial equipment. The company deals with both the original equipment market and the aftermarket. Its product range includes emission control systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, towbars, energy conversion, sockets and tool kits. The BOSAL number has become one of the company’s most important markings in the automotive industry as well as in workshops.
BOSAL – name, history and present
BOSAL name
The BOSAL number comes from the company name. It is currently registered in the Netherlands with headquarters in Lummen, Belgium. However, going back to history, in 1923 Karel Bos founded this company in Alkmaar in the Netherlands. Its name was created from the surname and beginning of the place name.
Since then, the company has grown and its production potential has increased. Its large development was associated with expansion in Europe and Africa in the 1960s and ’70s, when it opened several OEM factories in Europe and in other countries as part of the resulting NAFTA system. Ultimately, in the 1990s, it strongly marked its position as the main automotive supplier OEM and AM. In addition to many production plants, Bosal has also created several research centres around the world.
In 2019, its turnover was estimated at EUR 400 million. It has more than 2,200 employees employed in 12 production plants, 7 distribution centres and 5 research and development centres.
BOSAL business areas
ECS (Emission Control Systems)
BOSAL supplies such systems only to the OEM market for passenger cars and vans. These include complete exhaust systems, heat exchangers, mufflers, catalysts and an exhaust after-treatment system.
The company’s research and development centres in the field of ECS have all the necessary knowledge to develop and manufacture the most modern such systems. Initially, the emphasis was on emission control, including primarily the reduction of harmful gases and particulates. Currently, BOSAL has focused on improving combustion and filtration of exhaust gases.
Recently, the company has also made its contribution to innovation in the field of CO2 reduction. The goal will be 95 g CO2 / km by 2020, by European Parliament. In addition, the BOSAL also dealt with work in other fields of knowledge. It leads to as part of a group in the field of heat exchange innovation and energy conversion in the Energy Industry department.
Ultimately, it can be said that the ECS activities of this manufacturer are focused on 4 areas:
- emission reduction,
- energy recovery at a low weight,
- the lightness of construction, high strength,
- acoustic optimization.
This company also has full competence and know-how in these areas of activity.
All BOSAL manufacturers working in the field of ECS provide products and services to their customers according to agreed requirements of ISO9001: 2015 and IATF16949: 2016.
Aftermarket
BOSAL After Market supplies the entire AM customer base with a wide range of products. They are innovative, competitive and homologized. In this respect, it conducts good and flexible logistics activities also regarding e-business solutions.
Energy Conversion Industry (ECI)
The company also develops and manufactures advanced energy recovery modules with the latest heat exchangers. They generate power from 1 kW to 250 kW and even more. Its products enable greater heat transfer and better energy efficiency.
BOSAL number – where did it come from?
As we mentioned earlier, the company produces a wide range of products for the OEM and AM market. Each of them is marked with the BOSAL number.
What do the abbreviations OME and AM mean?
They are specified in the GVO Directive introduced in the European Union in 2010. It gave the right to each user of their own car to repair it in an independent service without losing the manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, it introduced a clear division of car parts into categories: OE, OEM, OEQ, AM.
OEM means the original part from the manufacturer that supplies the parts for the so-called first assembly. But it has the logo of the component manufacturer, not the car manufacturer. This abbreviation comes from Original Equipment Manufacturer and is a unique number given to mechanical and electrical components.
In turn, AM means parts that do not have a certain quality. This does not mean that they are bad. However, they do not have generally recognized certificates.
Important when choosing an unauthorized service to repair your vehicle is to make sure that it will be done according to the technical documentation. These are the manufacturer’s requirements to preserve the warranty, while saving on repairs at unauthorized services.
BOSAL number – what is it and where do you find the marking on the parts?
The BOSAL number is the original number issued by the manufacturer. It is an OEM that is a universal, international and unique part number (so-called product DNA). The OME number is often a combination of numbers and letters or only numbers. This number is written directly on the sticker, price tag or small plate located on the tool or part housing, usually on the side of the item.
Thus, the BOSAL number is the Manufacturer’s code consisting of 6 digits, with the first 3 digits separated from the next 3 digits by a dash. In addition, BOSAL also provides the EAN (European Article Number) barcode. Then he defines the most important product parameters and his name BOSAL Manufacturer.
In addition to the OEM number, each manufacturer has its own numbering of its products. You can’t confuse the brand code with the catalogue number.
Bosal has implemented in its plants a Quality Management System in the Automotive Industry in accordance with the new requirements of the quality management system ISO 9001. In this way, it obtains benefits from this certification for compliance with the IATF 16949 standard. IATF 16949 – The Quality Management System in the Automotive Industry for new requirements quality management system ISO 9001. This manufacturer has adapted to the requirements of these standards. They are an inseparable element of the competitive market of the automotive industry, both in Europe and in the world.
Other elements of BOSAL product marking
It should be emphasized that these quality standards are detailed and stringent. They apply to vehicles, producers of materials as well as production parts. In addition, OEM OEMs, assembly and finishing service providers must also use them. Original car parts bearing the BOSAL number meet OEM standards that are in accordance with the ISO 90001 quality certificate.
In turn, the serial numbers may coincide depending on the manufacturer and model of the car. If you need the right equipment for replacement or a slight modernization of the vehicle, the OEM number will significantly facilitate the search for car parts. This way you won’t have to apply for mediation in ordering equipment for the repair workshop. Everything you need for repair can be found in the manufacturer’s digital catalogues. You do not know or cannot read the OEM number entered on the tool? Remember that you can also use a simple search by car model or category.