Johnson Controls' Greenfield, Ohio Plant Achieves Top Honor In 2001 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Program

Automotive supplier, a global leader in lean production,
has earned 10 of the 65 awards presented since 1989

    PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 14 Automotive supplier Johnson
Controls has been honored with a 2001 Shingo Prize for Excellence
in Manufacturing. The company's Greenfield, Ohio plant, which produces
polyurethane foam for automotive seat systems, was one of six Shingo Prize
winners this year.
    The Shingo Prize is designed to recognize manufacturing facilities in
North America that excel in lean manufacturing and elimination of waste.
Johnson Controls is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems
and batteries. Since the launch of the Shingo Prize initiative in 1989, plants
operated by Johnson Controls have won 10 of the 65 top awards presented, more
than any other company nominated in the program.
    "Gaining a Shingo Prize this year, and our outstanding record of
achievement in this awards program, reaffirm Johnson Controls' industry
leadership in lean production and just-in-time manufacturing," said Rande
Somma, the company's president of North American Operations.
    Administered by Utah State University and sponsored by both nonprofit and
corporate organizations, the Shingo Prize program is named in honor of the
late Dr. Shigeo Shingo, who developed the Toyota Production System. It is the
only program of its kind that recognizes world-class manufacturing operations,
rewarding improvements in productivity, quality and customer satisfaction.
    "We're excited by the innovation and excellence we found in place at the
facilities operated by each of this year's Shingo Prize recipients," said Ross
Robson, executive director of the Shingo Prize program. "It's a comfort to see
the measures leading corporations are taking to ensure that they aren't
wasting precious resources."
    Johnson Controls' Greenfield, Ohio facility earned a Shingo Prize for its
outstanding performance in machine utilization, inventory management and waste
reduction. The plant applies lean production principles and tools in the
manufacture of more than 25,000 foam products daily.
    Established in 1966, the 158,000-square-foot facility produces
polyurethane foam cushions for automotive seat systems. These components are
used in vehicles assembled by DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors and Honda.
    "The Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing is a tribute to the
efforts of our facility employees, and their unwavering commitment to lean
manufacturing," said Eric Yeager, plant manager for the Johnson Controls
Greenfield, Ohio operation.
    Other companies honored with Shingo Prizes for 2001 included Baxter
Healthcare Corporation; Benteler Automotive; Ford Motor Company (two
locations); and Freudenberg-NOK.
    The Plymouth, Michigan (U.S.A.)-based automotive business of Johnson
Controls -- which employs more than 77,000 people at 285 facilities worldwide
-- achieved US$12.7 billion in sales for the 2000 fiscal year. In model-year
2001, it will supply interior products for more than 23 million vehicles.
    Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls,
founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (U.S.A.). Its sales
for 2000 totaled US$17.2 billion.

    NOTE TO EDITORS:  For access to other Johnson Controls news releases and
additional company information, visit the company's site on the World Wide Web
at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com
    CONTACT:  Bill Dawson, 734-254-5925, or Debra Lacey, 734-254-5735, both of
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547.

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