Johnson Controls acquires majority share of MAC

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls has strengthened its commitment to the Central and South American automotive battery market by acquiring 90 percent ownership of Colombian battery supplier MAC.

Johnson Controls and MAC launched a joint venture in June 2011 to produce and sell lead-acid batteries in the Central and South American regions. The partnership allowed both companies to better serve its customers as market leaders in a fast-developing emerging market.

Working together, the two companies have expanded their footprint, bringing new technology and innovation to the market and increasing their exports from Colombia, mainly to the countries in the Andean region.

Johnson Controls sells several key brands of batteries in Latin America, including Heliar®, VARTA®, LTH® and OPTIMA®. The company is the market leader for automotive batteries in South America.

MAC is the most recognized brand in Colombia for automotive batteries, and has a strong presence in the Central and South American regions and in the Caribbean, selling to the aftermarket and to major automakers.

"We are committed to growth in this market," said Jorge Guillen, vice president and general manager, Latin America for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "We will be able to leverage our Brazilian and Mexican operations which will further allow us to capitalize on this investment and continuously improve the products and services we provide to our customers in this region."

In addition to manufacturing batteries, recycling operations in Yumbo, Colombia will continue to serve as a key resource in providing a stable supply chain for operations in the region.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 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 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About Johnson Controls Power Solutions
Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for Start-Stop, hybrid and electric vehicles. Our 50 manufacturing, recycling and distribution centers supply more than one-third of the world's lead-acid batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers.  Through our innovations we are building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles.  We were the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles.  Our commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.

About MAC
MAC is a Colombian company founded in 1957. Its activity is dedicated to the production, distribution and sale of lead-acid battery types for both cars and heavy-duty applications in the Colombian market and in over 25 other countries in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa.

Its production facilities are vertically integrated, with the production of much of its own raw materials using highly technical processes that are environmentally friendly for the recycling of used batteries. Its production capacity reaches 3,400,000 batteries per year. Nearly 64% of its production is being exported to world markets.

MAC has the broadest distribution network in the Andean Region, through direct investments in its own branches in Colombia and Peru. Today the company creates more than 600 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities through its marketing and supply networks.

MAC is a Colombian multinational enterprise that is full of energy, committed to the protection of the environment and social development, focused on its global expansion, and seeking to be a main player in the world markets by offering products and services with technology and environmental sensibility.

SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.