Johnson Controls Joint Venture Offers Patented Instrument Panel Process
28 June 1999
Johnson Controls Joint Venture Offers Patented Instrument Panel Process That Reduces Waste, Labor and Increases Value
Supplier has exclusive rights in
North America for innovative process
PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 28 -- Further strengthening its
commitment to becoming the preferred supplier of instrument panel systems in
North America, Johnson Controls, Inc. -- through its Intertec Systems joint
venture with Inoac Corporation of Japan -- is currently offering the North
American auto industry instrument panels made using a patented, proven process
from Japan that yields several advantages for automakers and consumers.
The processing technology used to produce the high-performance instrument
panels -- called HPI -- can reduce waste, create integration opportunities,
offer more styling flexibility and enhance aesthetics.
Available in North America exclusively through Intertec Systems and in
Japan by Inoac, products made with the HPI process currently are featured on
several vehicles built in Japan -- the Mitsubishi Montero Sport and
Challenger, as well as the Toyota Camry, Century, Corolla, Corona and Land
Cruiser. The Montero Sport and Land Cruiser are sold in Japan and North
America.
"This proven processing technology provides automakers with exciting new
opportunities to create quality, cost-competitive, integrated instrument
panels with a whole new range of styling options," said Ronald J. Carzoli,
vice president of sales and program management, Intertec Systems. "Vehicle
buyers also benefit from a complete one-piece, more elegant-looking instrument
panel that has a softer feel and fewer squeaks and rattles often associated
with conventional instrument panels."
According to Carzoli, HPI's self-sealing feature eliminates the need for
extensive pre-molding preparation and secondary trimming operations --
significantly cutting foam and skin usage during manufacturing. The single-
pass processing technology creates parts integration opportunities, which can
also reduce tooling costs up to 30 percent.
The HPI process offers a number of other benefits as well, Carzoli said.
The powder-cast skin used in HPI's operation provides improved grain
definition and sharper radii compared to conventional vacuum formed skins. It
also is possible to selectively cast soft areas of the instrument panel
surface. This gives designers greater styling flexibility through an unlimited
combination of soft and hard surfaces, textures, logos and colors.
Through the HPI process, Intertec Systems also can integrate various
secondary components -- including defroster grilles, end panels and bezels --
into a complete one-piece instrument panel. This enhances fit and finish
details and dramatically reduces buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) issues.
Intertec Systems was formed in 1996 as a joint venture between Inoac and
Johnson Controls. It is the third largest independent producer of instrument
panels in North America.
Inoac has 56 plants in Japan and operations in Europe, Asia and North
America. With expertise in thermoplastics, polyurethane, rubber and
composites, the company is the largest independent producer of instrument
panels in Japan.
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.
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. Its
sales for 1998 totaled US$12.6 billion.
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
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