Company to provide products on ‘just-in-time’ basis to Kia’s new vehicle assembly plant in West Point

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 20 /PRNewswire/ — Officials at multi-industrial corporation Johnson Controls today announced that the company is planning to open a new manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia to build and supply vehicle seating and interior products to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. beginning in summer 2009.

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Johnson Controls’ West Point plant, which is located about 70 miles from Atlanta, is expected to employ approximately 310 people when it reaches full production. The company is building a 130,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres at the Northwest Harris Business Park in Harris County, Georgia.

When it launches production in fall 2009, Johnson Controls will supply complete seat systems and door panels for a next-generation Kia SUV.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) began construction of a new, $1.2 billion automotive assembly and manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia in October 2006 to produce vehicles for the North American market. The automaker’s first U.S. manufacturing plant will begin production in late 2009, and is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles annually when it reaches full production.

“Johnson Controls is pleased to support Kia with quality seating and interior products as they launch production at a new site in Georgia,” said Beda Bolzenius, president of the automotive experience business of Johnson Controls. “We’re also proud to open a new facility and bring jobs to the West Point area. We are grateful for the support we have received from the local and state government officials in Georgia for their assistance on this project.”

This new plant further expands Johnson Controls relationship globally with Kia. The company currently manufactures seat systems and interior components for Kia in Europe and Asia.

Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

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SOURCE: Johnson Controls

CONTACT: Debra Lacey of Johnson Controls, +1-734-254-5735

Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/

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