Johnson COntrols

Type:Public
Founded: 1885
Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Key people: John M Barth, CEO & Chairman
Industry:
Products: Automotive components and batteries, HVAC systems, building controls and facility management services
Website: www.johnsoncontrols.com

General Information

Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) is a United States company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of automotive systems, automotive batteries (Optima based in Denver, Colorado) and climate control systems. Its Building Efficiency division also has a prominent facilities management division. It was founded in 1885 by professor Warren S. Johnson, inventor of the first electric room thermostat.

Though the company got its start through the development and implementation of its thermostat technologies, it delved into many other areas including storage batteries, steam and gas powered automobiles, and huge pneumatic clocks. Today it also controls a large stake in the automotive parts industry. It provides automotive batteries and all parts of the interior systems in cars and light trucks.

In 1968 the company acquired Penn Controls which produced refrigeration and gas heating controls. In 1978 the company acquired Globe Union, Inc. and entered the worldwide automotive battery business. In 1985 the company acquired Hoover Universal and entered the automotive seating and plastics machinery business. In 1989 the company acquired Pan Am World Services and started into the facilities management business. In August 2005, the company acquired York International, a manufacturer of commercial and industrial equipment for air conditioning, heating and refrigerating, for $3.2 billion. York International was established in 1874 and currently manufactures HVAC products under the York, Coleman, and Luxaire brand names. Its former stock symbol was YRK.