Company is honored for its outstanding record supporting diverse suppliers

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — This week, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) recognized Johnson Controls as a 2012 “Corporation of the Year” for its achievements in developing and working with diverse supplier companies. Johnson Controls, a global diversified company in the building and automotive industries, was honored for its excellence and commitment to minority business enterprises, and its significant contributions to partnerships with minority businesses in all procurement processes.

This year marks the 13th time in the past 17 years in which Johnson Controls gained this award from the MMSDC. The organization’s representatives presented Johnson Controls with the award at its 29th Annual Awards Dinner, which had the theme “Celebrating the Stars of Supplier Diversity,” on Oct. 2. The event was held at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Mich. Jim Bos, vice president of Purchasing, Interiors, and Albert Louis, director of Supplier Diversity and Business Development, accepted the award for Johnson Controls.

“Diversity is a very important part of the corporate mission and values of Johnson Controls,” said Chuck Harvey, the company’s vice president, Diversity and Public Affairs. “Being honored by the MMSDC means that we are living our values every day, while also bringing great benefits to the local community.”

Also at the event, the MMSDC recognized Reginald Layton, executive director of Supplier Diversity and Business Development at Johnson Controls, with its President’s Award for his outstanding efforts to enhance the life of minority suppliers in the community.

Johnson Controls has operated an innovative program to recruit and develop diverse suppliers since the early 1990s. The company is a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable that includes just 18 companies that spend US$1 billion annually with diverse suppliers, covering more than 50 purchasing categories.

The Corporation of the Year Award honors corporations that actively include certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) suppliers in their procurement opportunities; assist in the development of minority suppliers; and promote supplier diversity and business development within their corporation and to their vendors and other businesses and organizations. Johnson Controls spent $1.68 billion with diverse-owned corporations last year.

MMSDC, a voluntary organization with more than 400 corporate members and 900 certified MBEs, creates links between major corporations and minority businesses.

The Corporation of the Year recognition earned by Johnson Controls was for companies in the Manufacturing Sector of MMSDC. It is presented to firms that actively include certified minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities; assist in the development of minority suppliers; and promote supplier diversity and business development within their corporation and to their vendors and other businesses and organizations.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2012, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #5 company in its annual “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

SOURCE Johnson Controls