Two people assembling a chair in a workshop setting, demonstrating a DIY project supported by Bosch power tools.

Gerlingen, Germany

2024

Transforming Power Tool Rental with Innovative DIY Solutions

Bosch partnered with Formist Studio to reimagine DIY beyond tools — building a rental ecosystem that connects makers, logistics, and digital platforms. The solution integrates curated project kits, seamless Amazon delivery, and reverse logistics, empowering DIYers while reducing waste. Together, these shifts moved Bosch from product sales to an ecosystem model that makes DIY more accessible, affordable, and circular.

  • Close-up of a Bosch circular saw cutting through wood during a hands-on workshop.

    Research

    Research began with on-site observations and fieldwork, studying how DIYers and professionals use Bosch tools in real-world settings. These insights grounded the project in authentic user behaviors and unmet needs, and directly shaped the design of the app features — from curated project “recipes” to confidence-building instructions.

  • Bosch angle grinder in use, producing sparks while cutting wood.

    Insight

    Insights revealed the growing demand for flexible access over ownership, highlighting how tool rental could lower barriers for casual users while creating new opportunities for Bosch to expand into service-based ecosystems.

  • Bosch chainsaw on a table with accessories in the background.

    Strategy

    The findings guided us to design an app for Bosch that lowered barriers to access while embedding sustainability through reverse logistics. By combining durable product design with new service models, Bosch delivered reliability and affordability, opening pathways into ecosystems that empower DIYers and reduce waste.

  • Bosch power tools, protective gear, and extension cords arranged on a workbench outdoors.

    Future

    The future vision outlined a scalable rental ecosystem where Bosch products, accessories, and safety equipment are bundled into seamless DIY solutions. By integrating digital guidance with reverse logistics, the platform ensures tools remain accessible, refurbished, and ready for use — making sustainable DIY possible for every skill level.

Ecosystem Strategy Case Study

Challenge

DIYers faced high upfront costs, limited access to professional-grade tools, and low confidence in their skills. Bosch needed a solution that lowered these barriers, offered guidance, and promoted sustainable consumption models.

Integrations

To deliver a seamless and scalable ecosystem, we designed:

  • DIY Recipe Platform — Curated projects blending Bosch content, influencer insights, and tool recommendations to inspire makers.

  • Amazon Logistics Integration — Fulfillment powered by Amazon for delivery, returns, and payments, reducing friction for DIYers.

  • Reverse Logistics System — Sustainable processes ensuring tools were collected, refurbished, and reused, extending lifecycle and reducing waste.

  • Consistent UX/UI — A unified digital interface tailored to both novice DIYers and experienced makers.

  • Community Engagement — Features enabling DIYers to share projects, tips, and inspiration.

Development

The Bosch DIY rental platform was built through a design-led process that balanced user needs with technical and operational realities.

  • User Research & Ethnography — Conducted fieldwork across the DACH region to uncover barriers to tool ownership, confidence, and sustainability.

  • Experience Mapping — Defined end-to-end customer journeys, from project inspiration to tool returns, ensuring pain points were addressed at every stage.

  • Prototyping & Testing — Iterated on low- and high-fidelity prototypes to validate usability, desirability, and adoption potential.

  • Platform Architecture — Designed a modular system integrating Bosch content with Amazon’s rental and logistics APIs.

  • Sustainability Integration — Embedded reverse logistics into the platform to enable tool collection, refurbishment, and reuse.

  • Cross-Team Collaboration — Partnered with Bosch stakeholders, Amazon teams, and logistics experts to align design, business, and operational execution.

Solution

The Bosch DIY rental platform delivered a user-centered app that combined inspiration with practical logistics. We created a rental ecosystem that reduced barriers for DIY enthusiasts. From curated project “recipes” to Amazon-enabled logistics, the platform empowered users to take on projects with confidence while promoting circular consumption.

Key Features:

  • Seamless DIY Ecosystem — Connected the full journey from project inspiration to tool rental and Amazon-enabled delivery and returns, all within a single app.

  • Empowering DIYers — Increased confidence and accessibility by making professional-grade tools available on demand, reducing upfront ownership costs.

  • Sustainability by Design — Integrated reverse logistics to ensure tools were collected, refurbished, and reused, empowering DIYers while reducing waste.

  • Scalable Architecture — Built a modular system that could expand across markets and categories, supporting Bosch’s long-term rental and retail strategies.

Bosch DIY customer journey map highlighting personas, motivations, pains, gains, and touchpoints

A detailed journey map that visualizes the DIY customer experience, outlining key personas, motivations, challenges, and opportunities to improve tool rental and project engagement.

Bosch Built to Build mobile app showing project kit and DIY tool options.

The Built to Build app interface, offering users recipes, curated project kits, and tool rental options, making it easier to start and complete DIY projects with confidence.

Bosch Built to Build app experience flow showing the step-by-step digital customer journey.

An end-to-end digital experience flow that maps how customers interact with the Bosch Built to Build app, from browsing and customizing projects to fulfillment, community engagement, and ongoing support.

Results

The Bosch DIY rental platform created value at every level — for consumers, the business, and sustainability.

  • For Consumers — Lowered the cost of entry for DIY, enabling access to professional-grade tools without long-term ownership.

  • For Bosch — Opened a new service-based revenue stream and positioned Bosch as a leader in circular economy solutions.

  • For Sustainability — Reduced waste and extended the lifecycle of tools through circular logistics.

  • For Scalability — Created a repeatable framework to expand Bosch’s rental ecosystem globally.

By transforming tool rental into a curated DIY ecosystem, Bosch and Formist Studio demonstrated how design-led innovation can unlock new business models, strengthen partnerships, and drive sustainable consumer behavior.

The future of DIY isn’t just about tools — it’s about ecosystems which empower creativity, accessibility, and sustainability.

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