Johnson Controls teams up with adidas Group and other partners to develop SPEEDFACTORY for automated sewing / German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy sponsors research project

Burscheid (ots) - Johnson Controls, a global multi industrial
company with core businesses in the automotive, building, and the
energy storage industries is working with leading sportswear
manufacturer adidas Group and other partners to redefine the way
textiles are manufactured. The partners want to increase automation
in the production of textiles. In doing so, Johnson Controls as the
leading manufacturer of vehicle seats and seating components, intends
to optimize seating trim cover production.

"Process innovations are just as important to Johnson Controls as
product innovations," said Andreas Eppinger, group vice president
technology management at Johnson Controls Automotive Seating. "The
majority of sewing required for vehicle seat covers nowadays is
largely done by hand. Although increasing automation in this area is
very complex, we are convinced that it is feasible."

SPEEDFACTORY, as the project is known, aims to combine the
capabilities of humans and machines. At the project's conclusion, the
prototype of a system should be in place in which humans and robots
work together to produce textile products.

While adidas Group aims to automate the production of sports
goods, the goal of Johnson Controls is to automate the entire
production process of vehicle seat covers. The company intends to
optimize the cutting and sewing process as well as the complete
handling of textiles. This new process will involve textiles being
cut in a certain way, aligned, and then joined to make trim covers.

Johnson Controls is working on SPEEDFACTORY with the leading
manufacturer of sports clothing and accessories, adidas Group, the
mechanical engineering company, KSL Keilmann Sondermaschinenbau, the
Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University, and
fortiss, an institute associated with the Technical University of
Munich, Germany, with the mandate to facilitate research and
technology transfer in software-intensive systems and services. The
research project is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of
Economics and Energy.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial
leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 170,000
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

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