Johnson Controls announces partnership with Lawrence Technological University

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company with core businesses in the automotive, building and energy storage industries, announced today it will partner with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, Mich. to identify and validate new energy storage technologies within the total vehicle system.

The research will facilitate Johnson Controls' ongoing efforts to help automakers meet fuel economy and emissions standards, help consumers save money at the pump, and deliver improved vehicle performance and functionality.

Johnson Controls will donate and install state-of-the-art test equipment and deploy technical resources to the university to propel academic and applied research into optimizing vehicle and battery design.

"We believe strongly in building the next generation of technical leaders through academic partnerships," said MaryAnn Wright, vice president of Engineering and Product Development for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "Our partnership with LTU is an example of our commitment to developing new battery technologies. It is also an investment in both the future of academic research in energy management as well as the development of the talent pipeline for our industry," said Wright, who joined LTU's board of trustees in 2013.

The partnership with Johnson Controls is part of a broader effort by Lawrence Tech to proactively respond to the needs of its corporate partners with innovative academic and research programs. "We are helping corporate partners develop market-based solutions while providing highly talented students with real-world experiences and skills that positively impact the companies they work for," said Virinder Moudgil, president of LTU.

LTU is leveraging its faculty expertise and research facilities in energy storage systems, electrification applications, modeling and simulation, and vehicle testing to assist Johnson Controls in meeting its progressive research-and-development objectives.

"Strong industry relationships have long been the foundation of LTU's theory and practice model of education. This corporate partnership with Johnson Controls signals a new era of applied research and systems engineering that advances our theory and practice model of education to a new level of engagement," said Moudgil. "Our students will benefit from the real-world experiences and opportunities provided by Johnson Controls that will prepare them for great leadership positions in energy storage technology and management."

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company's 170,000 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. Johnson Controls' commitment to sustainability dates back to its roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through its growth strategies and by increasing market share, Johnson Controls is committed to delivering value to shareholders and making its 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.  Its 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 its innovations the company is building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles.  Johnson Controls was the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles.  The company's commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.

About Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, is a private university founded in 1932 that offers more than 100 programs through the doctoral level in its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. PayScale lists LTU among the nation's top 7 percent of universities for return on undergraduate tuition investment, and highest in the Detroit metropolitan area.  LTU is also listed in the top tier of Midwestern universities by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. Students benefit from small class sizes and experienced faculty who provide a real-world, hands-on, "theory and practice" education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech's 102-acre campus include over 60 student clubs and organizations and a growing roster of NAIA varsity sports.

SOURCE Johnson Controls