Three Innovative Technologies Earn Top Honors
20 May 1998
Three Innovative Technologies Earn Top Honors for Automotive Interior Supplier Johnson Controls
Advances in sun visors and interior materials
are recognized in key industry awards program
PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 20 -- Three advanced technologies from
Johnson Controls , a leading automotive interior supplier, have
earned the company top recognition in the 1998 Design and Technology Awards
program sponsored by Automotive & Transportation Interiors magazine.
The winning technologies include: CorteX(R) -- an advanced, energy-
absorbent material for vehicle interior applications -- which gained first-
place recognition in the "production-materials" category; SunTracker(TM) --
the automotive industry's first fully adjustable sun visor for cars, trucks
and vans -- which won the first-place award in the "concepts-safety" category;
and Visor 21(TM) -- a sun visor that is easier to design and manufacture than
current-model sun visors -- which achieved honorable mention in the
"production-convenience and comfort" category.
All three technologies were developed by designers and engineers at
Johnson Controls' wholly owned subsidiary, Prince, based in Holland, Michigan.
Johnson Controls is the world's leading supplier of automotive interior
systems, including seats, overhead systems, instrument panels, door panels,
floor consoles, electronics and other products.
"Winning this kind of recognition reinforces and rewards Johnson Controls'
strong emphasis on innovation, which is well-respected throughout the
industry" said Rande Somma, the company's president of interior trim,
marketing and business development. "Being innovative to create the
technologies that will enhance the vehicle interiors of the near future gives
us an outstanding competitive advantage."
Johnson Controls officials accepted the awards at ceremonies last night in
Detroit. The event is part of the Automotive & Transportation Interiors Expo,
which is being held from May 19 to May 21 at the Cobo Exhibition/Conference
Center.
Here are more details about the Cortex, SunTracker and Visor 21 products:
CorteX: This unique material can be integrated into vehicle overhead
systems, door panels and other interior products. Made from recycled materials
derived from used carpets and soft drink bottles, it offers significant
benefits to automakers. CorteX will enable car manufacturers to meet new U.S.
government safety standards that call for vehicle interiors to absorb more
energy in collisions. The new material uses less space than current-generation
products, offering enhanced interior design flexibility and more room for
vehicle occupants.
SunTracker: This innovative product offers vehicle drivers more protection
from the sun than traditional sun visors, enhancing safety. The device is a
sleek, low-profile visor that glides on a continuous track from the vehicle's
rear-view mirror to the door pillar. It can be positioned at any location
along the way. SunTracker provides advantages to automakers because it is
designed for integration into overhead systems and is suitable for modular
installation.
Visor 21: This vehicle sun visor of the near future offers many design,
product development, and manufacturing improvements. As compared with existing
sun visors, it can be produced with less inventory, fewer assembly stations,
and reduced tooling resources. Visor 21 can be updated for new vehicles and
models simply by integrating a new blade design with other components that are
already in production. The new sun visor has less mass than current-generation
visors, and will provide enhancements in product quality and reliability.
The 1998 Design and Technology Awards program is sponsored by Automotive &
Transportation Interiors magazine, a global trade publication with a
circulation base of 12,500 auto executives. The awards are designed to
stimulate creative thinking and recognize outstanding technological
innovations in the interiors industry. An independent panel of judges --
representing designers and engineers, journalists, automakers and suppliers --
selected the 1998 award winners.
Johnson Controls, Inc., with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, is
a global market leader in automotive systems and building controls. Founded in
1885, Johnson Controls had sales of US$11.1 billion in 1997 and operates in
more than 500 locations around the world. See http://www.johnsoncontrols.com for more
information.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls
is one of the world's largest suppliers of vehicle interior systems, and is a
major supplier of batteries. In 1998, the company's worldwide operations will
supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles. The Automotive
Systems Group employs more than 45,000 people at 157 facilities worldwide and
achieved $8 billion in sales for the 1997 fiscal year.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs of the CorteX, SunTracker and Visor 21
products are available. Please call Dave Roznowski, of Johnson Controls, at
734-254-5632.
CONTACT: Dave Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804,
ext. 473547.
Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com