Johnson Controls, Plastech Engineered Products Form Joint Venture
23 March 1999
Johnson Controls, Plastech Engineered Products Form Joint Venture To Supply Vehicle Overhead Systems, Headliners for Ford Models
Minority business venture plans to launch operations
at Michigan and Ohio locations in spring of 1999
PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 23 -- Johnson Controls, Inc.
and Dearborn, Michigan-based Plastech Engineered Products have
established TrimQuest, L.L.C., a joint venture that will supply integrated
vehicle overhead systems and headliners to Ford beginning in spring 1999. As a
result of the new venture, 300 new jobs will be created in Michigan and Ohio.
Johnson Controls is the world's leading supplier of automotive interior
systems. Plastech is a full-service supplier of metal stampings and injection-
molded and blow-molded plastic components for vehicles.
TrimQuest -- which will have headquarters in Walker, Michigan -- has been
awarded a multi-year contract to supply interior systems for 1999 model-year
cars, trucks and vans manufactured by Ford. It will operate an 110,000-square-
foot plant in Walker, Michigan and a 50,000-square-foot plant in Ohio. The
plants will supply automotive interior systems on a "just-in-time" basis.
TrimQuest is seeking "minority business enterprise certification" from the
National Minority Supplier Development Council. The joint venture -- a first
between Johnson Controls and Plastech -- brings together two companies that
have had a strong business relationship during the past eight years. Plastech
supplies a variety of plastic components for seating and interior systems
manufactured by Johnson Controls, including seat side shields and back panels,
and parts for door panels and overhead systems.
"Through this joint venture, we will provide quality interior systems to
automakers and follow through on our commitment to develop minority business
enterprises," said Mike Johnston, president of the Americas Automotive Group
for Johnson Controls. "We applaud Ford for supporting our efforts."
Ford and Johnson Controls are among the major automakers and suppliers
that have formal programs to develop relationships with minority businesses.
With $2.5 billion in purchased products and services from minority suppliers
during 1998, Ford leads the automotive industry. The automaker's innovative
minority supplier development programs were recognized in 1998 by the National
Minority Supplier Development Council, which awarded Ford its top honor --
Corporation of the Year.
Julie Brown, chief executive officer for Plastech, will serve as chairman
and chief executive officer of TrimQuest. Brown says she welcomes the prospect
of working in partnership with one of the world's premier suppliers of vehicle
interiors.
"This is a great opportunity for us to expand our business and strengthen
our ties with an industry leader," she said. "The key players in this
initiative -- Ford and Johnson Controls -- should be congratulated for
promoting minority businesses and the creation of new jobs."
Mike Melinn has been named vice president and general manager for
TrimQuest. He previously held various management positions at Johnson Controls
in the company's Ford Business Unit.
Headquarters for TrimQuest will be in Walker, Michigan, which is located
northwest of Grand Rapids. The company will supply integrated overhead systems
and polyurethane headliners for the following 1999 production models in North
America: Ford Crown Victoria, Econoline van, F-Series pickup; Mercury Grand
Marquis and Villager minivan.
Plastech, a recognized Michigan minority business enterprise (MBE), will
be the majority partner of the joint-venture operation. Founded in 1988, the
privately held company achieved 1998 sales of more than $400 million. It
employs 2,500 people at 16 locations in North America and South America. A
full-service automotive supplier, Plastech provides stampings, injected-molded
assemblies, interior and exterior painted components, and laser fabrication.
Its customers include DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and
Nissan.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls --
which employs more than 57,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved
US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year. In model-year 1999, it will
supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles. The company is a
leading innovator and top producer of fully integrated vehicle overhead
systems.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global 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. Its sales for 1998
totaled US$12.6 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: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
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