Johnson Controls Names Gentex and Microchip Technology
28 March 2000
Johnson Controls Names Gentex and Microchip Technology As Associate Sponsors for 2000 Team HomeLink Racing Season
Peer partners co-sponsor BFGoodrich Trans-Am
Series race team for second consecutive year
PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 28 Two of Johnson Controls'
Peer Partners(TM) are extending their relationship from the office
to the race track. Gentex Corporation and Microchip Technology Inc., have
signed on as associate sponsors with Team HomeLink Racing for the 2000
BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. This is the second consecutive year that the
two companies have been involved as associate sponsors.
Both Gentex and Microchip Technology play important roles in the ongoing
success of Johnson Controls' HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver product -- an
electronic communications device that enables drivers to remotely activate
gates, garage doors, entry door locks, home lighting, security systems and
other radio frequency (RF) convenience products.
Zeeland, Michigan-based Gentex Corporation , the world's
leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, provides an
integration location in vehicles for HomeLink, and Johnson Controls' PathPoint
electronic compass, through the company's mirror products.
Microchip Technology Inc. is a Chandler, Arizona-based
supplier of microcontrollers, and other products for embedded control
applications. The company supplies Johnson Controls with the KEELOQ(R) code-
hopping technology, which provides product compatibility and security for
HomeLink.
"We are pleased that Gentex and Microchip Technology have once again
signed on as associate sponsors with Team HomeLink Racing," said Michael
Suman, group vice president of advanced sales, marketing and development.
"These partners have been important to our success with HomeLink, and continue
to play an important role as Paul Gentilozzi begins his quest for a third
consecutive championship."
Gentex Corporation is the leading supplier of electrochromic, automatic-
dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry. The Company
also maintains an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications. Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in
Zeeland, Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive
sales and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom;
and four regional offices for the Fire Protection Group.
Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the PICmicro(R) family of RISC-
based microcontrollers-with OTP, Flash, and ROM memory technologies; serial
EEPROMs; KEELOQ(R) code-hopping devices; related microperipheral products
including RFID, analog and system supervisor ICs; and other specialized
semiconductor products. These products target thousands of embedded control
applications in the consumer, automotive, office automation, communications
and industrial markets. Microchip's quality systems are ISO 9001 (1994
version) and QS-9000 (1998 version) certified. Headquartered near Phoenix in
Chandler, Arizona, Microchip employs approximately 2,500 people worldwide and
has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls --
which employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved
US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 fiscal year. In model-year 2000, 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 1999
totaled US$16.1 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For access to other Johnson Controls news releases and
additional company information, visit the company's web site on the World Wide
Web at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
For more information about Johnson Controls' HomeLink(R) and Team HomeLink
Racing visit the following sites on the World Wide Web:
http://www.homelink.com and http://www.rocketsportsracing.com .
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, Inc., 734-254-5632.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547.