Johnson Controls to Acquire KEIPER and Automotive Seat Business of Recaro

Johnson Controls, a supplier of automotive interior systems and electronics, announced on Dec. 30 that it has signed an agreement to acquire KEIPER and the automotive sport and specialty seat business of Recaro.

KEIPER, a leader in recliner system technology, is renowned for its engineering and manufacturing expertise in metal components and mechanisms. Its headquarters and engineering center are located in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The acquisition will include approximately 4,750 employees globally in seven countries. Excluded from the transaction are KEIPER's operations, business and entity in Brazil.

"This acquisition further strengthens our metal components and mechanisms business through the addition of the KEIPER and Recaro brands which are synonymous with quality, technical expertise and innovation," said Beda Bolzenius, Vice President, Johnson Controls and President, Automotive Experience. "It provides leading technologies that we can leverage across our current seat component portfolio, and expand in China and North America."

Johnson Controls says it expects these acquisitions to strengthen its competitive position in key seating components with expanded opportunities to develop new differentiating products and technologies.