Johnson Controls sets up plant for automotive fabrics in Haining, China by forming new joint venture

Haining, China / Burscheid, Germany (ots) -

Company will supply its customers with state-of-the-art fabrics
products manufactured locally in China

Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, overhead
systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics, today
signed an agreement with Zhejiang Wanfang New Materials Co., Ltd.
("Zhejiang Wanfang") to set up a new fabrics joint venture in Haining
City, Zhejiang Province. Johnson Controls will become one of the
first Global Fortune 500 companies to invest in Haining.

The new joint venture will be called Zhejiang Johnson Controls
Wanfang Textile Technology Co., Ltd. It will supply major automakers
in China and abroad with automotive and functional fabrics for
automotive seating and interior products.

"Zhejiang Wanfang is well-known in the warp knitting industry for
its mature technology, advanced management philosophy and
professional operations. Its proven quality is highly appraised by
its customers, including many Japanese automakers," said Johannes
Roters, group vice president and general manager China, Johnson
Controls Automotive Experience. "With the establishment of this new
joint venture, Johnson Controls will combine the strong local
production capabilities with our global leading technologies. The aim
is to reinforce vertical integration in our fabrics business, and
provide our customers with state-of-the-art products manufactured
locally in China."

In recent years, Johnson Controls has developed unique expertise
in automotive fabrics, including world-class capabilities in coating,
weaving, knitting, fine trimming, coloring and lamination, and has
become the market leader in the trim cover industry.

"In the next few years, Johnson Controls' world-class management,
manufacturing, design and sustainable capability will be brought into
the new joint venture," Roters said. "With our partner's support, it
will be built into a domestic and global leading automotive fabrics
plant, and be positioned as Johnson Controls' major manufacturing hub
and Center of Expertise in China and even in the Asia Pacific
region."

The joint venture formation, which is subject to regulatory and
other customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed by
the end of 2013. Financial terms regarding the transaction were not
disclosed

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial
leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000
employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize
energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid
automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric
vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to
sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of
the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and
by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to
shareholders and making our customers successful.

About Johnson Controls Automotive Experience

Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive seating,
overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior
electronics. We support all major automakers in the differentiation
of their vehicles through our products, technologies and advanced
manufacturing capabilities. With 240 locations worldwide, we are
where our customers need us to be. Consumers have enjoyed the comfort
and style of our products, from single components to complete
interiors. With our global capability we supply approximately 50
million cars per year.

For more information, please contact:
Johnson Controls GmbH Automotive Seating
Industriestrasse 20?30
51399 Burscheid
Germany
Oliver Herkert
Tel.: +49 2174 65-4348
E-mail: oliver.herkert@jci.com
Internet: www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk

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