Johnson Controls Named One of Ford's Best Global Suppliers as Company Gains Automaker's 2002 World Excellence Awards

Manufacturer of seats, interior systems and batteries honored for Six Sigma, warranty reduction, social responsibility performance

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 7 -- Johnson Controls was recognized by the Ford Motor Company with three 2002 World Excellence Awards, honoring the company as one of the automaker's top suppliers in the world for its performance last year. An awards ceremony was held on April 2, 2003 at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Approximately 200 of Ford's largest production and non-production suppliers attended the event.

The World Excellence Awards -- presented annually -- are designed to provide recognition based on quality, cost and delivery performance. A total of 41 suppliers from 13 nations won awards from Ford in various categories.

At the event, Johnson Controls officials accepted three major prizes -- Recognition of Achievement Awards for outstanding consumer-driven, Six Sigma activities in the United States; warranty reduction program performance in the United States; and social responsibility in the United States. Johnson Controls was recognized with three of the 13 Recognition of Achievement awards presented by the automaker.

The Ford World Excellence Award -- Recognition of Achievement is given to suppliers that have an impact on customer satisfaction by leading the following key initiatives at Ford: corporate citizenship for environmental leadership; corporate citizenship for social responsibility; high-mileage improvement; consumer-driven Six Sigma activities; warranty reduction; and consumer-focused technology.

"We are pleased to be recognized for outstanding performance in a variety of areas during 2002 by our customer -- and to accept these prestigious awards," said Rande Somma, president for the Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls. "Our team continues to be committed to maintaining and enhancing our successful global partnership with Ford."

Tony Brown, Ford's vice president for global purchasing, congratulated Johnson Controls and its employees.

"Johnson Controls is one of Ford's most valuable partners," he said. "Without their extraordinary contributions, we could not have achieved many of our goals in 2002."

Ford's consumer-driven Six Sigma award is presented to suppliers that had a black belt lead a project that had a direct impact on Ford customer satisfaction. The automaker's warranty reduction award recognizes suppliers for excelling in warranty improvement. And the corporate citizenship award for social responsibility recognizes suppliers that excel in community involvement and address working conditions issues.

Johnson Controls was honored previously with Ford World Excellence Awards. For its performance in 2001, the company won awards for quality and delivery (South America) and Six Sigma (United States). In 2000, Ford honored the supplier for warrant reduction activities in seating and interiors. And in 1999, Johnson Controls was recognized for the supply of automotive batteries. In its longstanding business relationship with Ford, Johnson Controls supplies the company with automotive seating, interior systems and batteries for various vehicles built in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. For the 2003 model-year, some of Ford's most-popular vehicles built in North America feature content from Johnson Controls, including the Ford Crown Victoria, Econoline, Excursion, Expedition, Explorer, F-Series, Focus, Mustang, Ranger, Taurus, Thunderbird and Windstar; the Lincoln Aviator, LS, Navigator and Town Car; and the Mercury Grand Marquis, Mountaineer and Sable.

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non- residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services, including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (U.S.A.).

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