Bridgewater Interiors Named a General Motors 2001 Supplier of the Year

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 9 -- Bridgewater Interiors, LLC -- a minority joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and Detroit- based Epsilon, LLC -- was named a General Motors Supplier of the Year for its superior performance in quality, service, technology and price.

The award was presented to officials from Bridgewater Interiors at a ceremony held on Saturday, April 27 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

"Bridgewater Interiors is an industry role model that through performance has set an example during the past year for other companies to follow," said Bo Andersson, vice president, GM Worldwide Purchasing Production Control & Logistics. "It is a pleasure to work with a company that excels at meeting our priorities for quality, service, technology and competitive pricing."

"We're extremely pleased that General Motors has recognized Bridgewater Interiors with this award," said Ron Hall, chairman of Bridgewater Interiors. "The dedication of Bridgewater employees and their commitment to providing our customers with superior products is what makes recognition like this possible."

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a global program in 1992. Award-winners are selected by a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics who base their decisions on supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, General Motors honored 91 suppliers from 18 countries for their excellence throughout 2001.

Established in 1996, Bridgewater Interiors produces seating systems for GM's Cadillac DeVille models. Its product has received the 2000 J.D. Power and Associates Best in Class Award, and the highest rating for any domestic vehicle in the "Things Gone Right" category in the 2001 J.D. Power and Associates Seat Quality Report. Bridgewater was also honored with the 2002 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing -- a top industry award that recognizes North American companies that excel in lean manufacturing and the elimination of waste.

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 2001 totaled US$18.4 billion.