Johnson Controls to Join Forces with MAC S.A. to Strengthen Its Central and South American Automotive Battery Market Leadership
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 8 -- Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) and MAC S.A. have announced they have signed an agreement to form a joint venture in Colombia to produce and sell lead-acid batteries in the Central and South American regions to strengthen their market leadership in these fast-developing emerging markets. Johnson Controls is a global diversified company in the building and automotive industry, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. MAC S.A. is an automotive battery supplier based in Yumbo, Colombia.
"Johnson Controls Power Solutions has had a presence in South America for more than a decade and our Heliar® automotive battery brand is nearing its 80th year in the market. We have a strong South American business now and we'll continue to invest in the region to maintain our leadership as the market grows," said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager of the Americas for Johnson Controls Power Solutions.
Johnson Controls sells several key brands of batteries in Latin America, including Heliar®, VARTA®, LTH® and OPTIMA®. The company is the market leader of automotive batteries in South America.
MAC is the most recognized brand in Colombia for automotive batteries, and has a strong presence in the Central and South American regions and in the Caribbean, selling to the aftermarket and to major automakers.
Working together, the two companies will expand their footprint, bringing new technology and innovation to the market and increasing their exports from Colombia, mainly to the countries in the Andean Region.
"This alliance is a good business fit for both Johnson Controls and MAC," said Maria Fernanda Mejia Castro, president of MAC S.A. "We have common business principles such as customer satisfaction, employee development, continuous improvement in product and processes and respect for the environment."
In addition to manufacturing batteries, MAC owns a recycling facility in Yumbo, Colombia, which currently recycles 30,000 tons of lead annually, the equivalent of 3 million batteries per year.
This joint venture supports two strategic objectives of Johnson Controls Power Solutions' strategic objectives: growth in emerging markets and vertical integration of the lead business through investments in lead recycling capability.
The proposed joint venture is subject to local authority approvals.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in over 150 countries. Our 130,000 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.
Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Our 30 plants supply more than one third of the world's lead-acid batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers. Through our innovations we are building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles. Our joint venture, Johnson Controls-Saft, is the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles. Our commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.
About MAC S.A.
MAC S.A. is a Colombian company founded in 1957. Its activity is dedicated to the production, distribution and sale of lead - acid battery types for both cars and motorcycles in the Colombian market and in over 25 other countries in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa.
Its production facilities are vertically integrated, with the production of much of its own raw materials using highly technical processes that are environmentally friendly for the recycling of used batteries. Its production capacity reaches 3,400,000 batteries per year. Nearly 64% of its production is being exported to world markets.
MAC S.A. has the broadest distribution network in the Andean Region, through direct investments in its own branches in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Today the company creates more than 600 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities through its marketing and supply networks.
MAC S.A. is a Colombian multinational enterprise that is full of energy, committed to the protection of the environment and social development, focused on its global expansion, and seeking to be a main player in the world markets by offering products and services with technology and environmental sensibility.
SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.
CONTACT:
Carlos A. Espinosa,
(57) 310 3005967,
carlosa@espinosaasociados.com,
for MAC S.A.;
or Rebecca Fitzgerald of Johnson Controls, Inc.,
+1-414-524-2945,
Rebecca.K.Fitzgerald@jci.com
Web Site: www.johnsoncontrols.com
