Johnson Controls Honors Leading Parts Suppliers

BURSCHEID, Germany, October 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Twenty-three suppliers receive European Supplier Performance Awards 2012

Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, interiors and electronics, has once again honored its top-performing suppliers at the BAYARENA in Leverkusen with the European Supplier Performance Awards. The awards, given for the second consecutive year, emphasize the value the company places on effective supplier management. A total of 23 suppliers received awards, seven more than in 2011.

The European Supplier Awards 2012 include Performance Awards and Leadership Awards. They honor achievements in Continental Europe in electronics, fabric and trim, metals and mechanisms, plastics and resins and chemicals and foam.

"As a global leader in the automotive industry, our suppliers play a crucial part in our success," said Terry Nadeau, group vice president of purchasing for Johnson Controls' Automotive Seating business. "In addition to awarding these suppliers new business, this is our way of expressing our gratitude for the outstanding commitment shown this year, and is also an incentive for suppliers to maintain or strive for this level in the future."

Judges for Johnson Controls awarded points for important factors such as quality, cost awareness, logistics, design, technology and service. Depending on the total number of points achieved, Johnson Controls awarded suppliers a Supplier Performance Award in platinum, gold, silver or bronze. Heckler AG, a manufacturer of cold-forged steel parts from Niefern-Öschelbronn in the northern Black Forest in Germany, was the first-ever recipient of a Platinum Supplier Performance Award. Higa S.R.O. from Slovenia and the Polish company Gabec S.C. P.J. Kotkowscy received Gold awards. Johnson Controls awarded the Silver Supplier Performance Award to Freescale Semiconductor (USA), Nichia Europe B.V. (the Netherlands), Coatex NV (Belgium), Ruba Fermuar San A.S (Turkey), Scherdel GmbH (Germany), Estampaciones Industriales S.A. (Spain), Barton Cold-Form Ltd., TR Fastenings Ltd. (both England), Omega Technology Plastic GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Izo-Blok S.A. (Poland) and Harbort GmbH & Co. KG (Germany). The Bronze award was received by Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (USA), American & Efird (USA), Naish Felts Ltd. (England), Fico Cables Lda. (Portugal), Leggett & Platt Automotive (USA), Industrias Garita S.L. (Spain) and Rabugino SP Z.o.o (Poland).

Three companies honored with Leadership Awards

Leadership Awards in the categories of Quality, Continuous Improvement, Sustainability, Customer Satisfaction, Innovation or Global Growth were shared by three companies. Mabuchi Motors, a manufacturer of electric motors for the automotive sector, was honored in the Innovation category. It received the award for responsibility and flexibility in the face of increasing technical requirements and fluctuating raw material prices. For example, the company succeeded in eliminating the higher costs in the delivery of rare-earth magnets through the design and use of technical alternatives.

Estampaciones Industriales (EISA), a manufacturer of cut and pressed metal components from Spain, won the Leadership Award in the Quality category in addition to a Silver Supplier Performance Award. "Quality assurance has been implemented in all phases of the manufacturing process," the judges said. "In addition to this, the company has 30 years of experience in the areas of stamping and tool making with high standards and continuous process checks."

The final Leadership Award was given to the German I.G. Bauerhin GmbH, global market leader in electric heated seats and a well-known manufacturer of automotive electronics and seat occupancy sensors. The specialist in car seats, which joined the Material Best Business Practice (MBBP) initiative to support Johnson Controls' continuous cost improvements and standardization of technical specifications, reliably meets the expectations of Johnson Controls in terms of quality, delivery performance, engineering solutions and customer satisfaction.

Digital images are available online from http://www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk/press.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 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 Experience
Industriestraße 20-30
51399 Burscheid
Germany

Ulrich Andree
Tel.: +49-2174-65-4343
Fax: +49-2174-65-3219
E-Mail: ulrich.andree@jci.com

Astrid Schafmeister
Tel.: +49-2174-65-3189
Fax: +49-2174-65-3219
E-Mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com