Johnson Controls Inc., Milwaukee, is a manufacturer and supplier of automotive systems, installed control systems and facility management services. In the automotive market, the company is a supplier of integrated seating and interior systems and batteries. For nonresidential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. The company's seating and interior services are sold to automotive manufacturers, including DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, NUMMI, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota and Volkswagen. Its lead-acid automotive batteries also are sold to major car manufacturers as well as to auto parts stores.
History
In 1883, Warren S. Johnson, a professor at the State Normal School in Whitewater, Wis., received a patent for the first electric room thermostat. His invention launched the building-controls industry and prompted him and a group of Milwaukee investors to incorporate the Johnson Electric Service Co. in 1885 to manufacture, install and service automatic temperature regulation systems for buildings. After Johnson's death in 1911, the company continued to develop new control technologies to help customers better manage their increasingly larger and more complex buildings. In the 1950s, the company introduced its Pneumatic Controls Center, enabling a building operator to monitor and operate all the temperature control devices in a facility from a central site. In 1974, the company was renamed Johnson Controls. Four years later, the company acquired Globe-Union, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of automotive batteries. In 1985 the company entered the automotive seating and plastics machinery industries with the acquisition of Hoover Universal Inc. Today, the company is a major manufacturer of complete seats.
Officers
John M. Barth was elected president in 1998 and CEO in 2002. In 2004, he was elected to the additional role of company chairman. Barth joined the company in 1969 and served in a variety of operating management positions, including heading Johnson Controls' Automotive Systems Group. He was elected to the company's board of directors in 1997. R. Bruce McDonald was named vice president and CFO in May 2005. Since joining the company in 2001, he served as vice president and corporate controller and was named assistant CFO in 2004. Sabhash Valanju served as CIO since joining the company in 1996 and was elected a corporate vice president in 1999.
In The News: Hybrid Batteries Fuel Partnership
High fuel prices have automotive manufacturers scrambling for ways to provide consumers with fuel-efficient vehicles. Johnson Controls has joined the industrywide effort by teaming with French battery maker Saft SA to develop, manufacture and sell nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).
Nickel metal hydride is currently used in hybrid vehicles, but lithium ion technology is expected to become the preferred hybrid battery technology in future years because of its smaller size and increased power.
"Saft's expertise with high-performance advanced battery technologies greatly complements our high-volume manufacturing capabilities and our automotive knowledge," said Gregg Sherrill, Johnson Controls' group vice president and general manager in an Oct. 11 press release. "By working together, we will be able to provide industry-leading batteries for the HEV market globally."
-- Compiled By Jonathan Katz. This appeared in IW's Dec. 16, 2005 issue.
Primary Industry
Motor Vehicle Parts
Executive 1
John M. Barth, Chmn., CEO, Pres.
Executive 2
R. Bruce McDonald, VP., CFO
Revenues (US$ Millions)
26553.4
Revenue Growth (%)
17.25
Earnings Per Share (US$)
4.24
Total Equity (US$ Millions)
5206.3
Profit Margin (%)
3.08
Return On Equity (%)
19.18
Debt To Equity Ratio (%)
0.31
Market Capitalization (US$ Millions)
10812.13
Revenue Growth (%)
17.25
Note: Financial data appeared in IW's August 2005 issue.
IW 50 Best Manufacturing Company
