Johnson Controls Expands Manufacturing Plant in Alabama to Supply Interior Systems for Mercedes-Benz Models

Fortune 100 supplier will supply products for automaker's 2006 R-Class and M-Class models

Snides Remarks; A trip to the Mercedes factory in Alabama is well worth the time spent getting there. When a new M series is scheduled to be built and the order is entered into the MB factory computer that same message is sent to a computer at the Johnson Control plant where they begin assembling the parts nessasary to fill an order for a specific M series which is being born "on the line" back at the MB plant. Then at a pre-determined moment, the Johnson Controls completed assemblies are loaded on a shuttle delivery truck that arrives and is unloaded directly onto the assembly line at the MB plant "Just-in-Time" to be meet up with and be installed on the very vehicle the parts were originaly ordered for just minutes earlier...pretty cool.

COTTONDALE, Ala., May 5 -- Automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls recently expanded its manufacturing plant in Cottondale, Alabama to supply interior systems for two vehicles to be assembled by Mercedes-Benz.

The facility's size was nearly doubled -- expanding from 168,000 square feet to 320,000 square feet -- to handle new business and additional automotive seating and interior product lines.

In December 2004, Johnson Controls launched production of a number of interior systems and components for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class sport- utility vehicle. The company currently supplies automotive seat systems, door panels, overhead systems, hard trim, compass modules and its HomeLink(R) Wireless Control Systems for M-Class vehicles. Since the Cottondale plant opened in 1996, Johnson Controls has been manufacturing products for M-Class models assembled in Vance, Alabama.

Beginning later this year, the facility will supply a number of automotive products for 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Grand Sports Tourer vehicles. For the all-new model, Johnson Controls will produce seat systems, door panels, overhead systems, hard trim, second-row floor consoles, compass modules and its HomeLink(R) Wireless Control Systems. The R-Class will be the second vehicle manufactured by the automaker at its Vance assembly plant.

The automaker will receive shipments of seats and other interior systems -- manufactured on a "just-in-time" basis at the Johnson Controls plant -- as they are required on vehicle assembly lines. The expansion of the Johnson Controls facility in Cottondale created approximately 500 new jobs at the site.

"As a primary supplier of automotive seating and interior products to Mercedes-Benz in North America, we look forward to expanding our manufacturing operations in Cottondale," said Brian Kesseler, group vice president and general manager, North America for the Automotive Group of Johnson Controls. "Johnson Controls is committed to the community and to providing world-class products for our customer."

Currently, Johnson Controls supplies seats, overhead components, electronics, other interior components and batteries for a number of popular Mercedes-Benz models in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. They include the A-Class, C-Class, CL, CLK, CLS, E-Class, G Model, M-Class, S-Class, SL, SLK, SLR, Sprinter, Vaneo and truck.

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is the largest supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non- residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.