Cooperation between Proseat and Johnson Controls to expand business in Eastern Europe

Brussels/Burscheid (Belgium/Germany) 29 May (PROTEXT/ots) - Proseat (jointventure between Recticel and Woodbridge) and Johnson Controls have decidedto set up a new manufacturing joint venture for the production of moldedfoam seating cushions in Slovakia and Poland. Each company will carry outits own programs in these new entities in 2007 to support the future growthin the Eastern European markets.

Due to the fact that a lot of automakers are setting up their business inEastern Europe, Proseat and Johnson Controls have decided to invest jointlyin two plants. These are located in Lucenec, Slovakia and Zory, Poland.Both plants are part of the production joint venture in which JohnsonControls will hold the majority with 65% and Proseat the remaining 35%. InSlovakia, they will use the currently existing manufacturing capacity atthe Johnson Controls plant in Lucenec.

The new plant in Poland will be operational in November 2007 and willemploy around 130 people.

Proseat will now have thirteen production sites at its disposal in ninecountries such as Belgium, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Italy,Poland, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Ever since the early 1990s,Johnson Controls has been continually expanding its presence in the newgrowth markets and now has over 23 locations in Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland,Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Russia and Turkey.

The cooperation between Proseat and Johnson Controls enables both companiesto meet the rising demand in Eastern Europe in the future by producingclose to the customer and cost-efficiently.

Further information is available from:

Proseat GmbH + Co KG

Raphael Thienpont

Hessenring 32

64546 Mörfelden, Germany

tel.: +49 6105 2006 23

Fax: +49 6105 2006 60

e-mail: Raphael.Thienpont@proseat.de

Recticel

Jan De Moor

Plejadenlaan, 15

1200 Brussels, Belgium

Tel.: +32 2 775 18 95

Fax: +32 2 775 18 90

E-mail: demoor.jan@recticel.com

Johnson Controls GmbH

Astrid Schafmeister

Industriestr. 20-30

51399 Burscheid, Germany

Tel.: +49 2174 65-3189

Fax: +49 2174 65-3219

E-mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com

Proseat is the joint venture between the Belgian company Recticel, one ofthe leading producers of polyurethanes with some hundred production unitsin 26 countries, and the Canadian company Woodbridge, the worldwide marketleader in automotive polyurethanes with production sites in North and SouthAmerica, Australia and Asia. Proseat is with approx 2000 employees in 11locations in 8 countries one of the main producers of polyurethane mouldedfoam for automotive seating in Europe. Next to moulded foam Proseatsupplies also finished parts, like headrests, armrests and side bolstersmainly based on polyurethanes.

The headquarters are in Mörfelden, Germany. For additional information,please visit http://www.proseat.de.

Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, buildingefficiency and power solutions with 136,000 employees in more than 1,000locations serving customers in 125 countries. The company providesinnovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable,safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services thatoptimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls’automotive product portfolio also includes seating systems, instrumentpanels/cockpits, door and overhead systems, interior electronics andelectrical energy management. The company provides batteries forautomobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineeringand service expertise. Founded in 1885, Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) isheadquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The European headquarters is inBurscheid, Germany.

Please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com for additional information.

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