Johnson Controls to convert Ohio plant to new battery technology
By Thomas Content of the Journal Sentinel
Updated: June 27, 2011 11:05 a.m. |(7) Comments
Glendale - Johnson Controls Inc. said Monday it will invest $138.5 million to convert a battery factory in Toledo, Ohio, to produce batteries that enable start-stop technology to boost gas mileage.
This will be the company's first factory in the state to produce absorbent glass mat, or AGM, batteries for the start-stop technology.
The $138.5 million investment is projected to create 50 jobs and retain 400 jobs. Final local and state aid packages have not been signed, but the company is expecting tax credits and incentives from the state of Ohio valued at $25 million.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with the first line scheduled to start production next spring.
Start-stop technology enables gasoline-powered vehicles - without a hybrid battery - to shut the engine off when the car is idling to reduce fuel use and emissions. The technology can cut both by 5% to 12%, according to the company.
The company is forecasting that the technology will be on more than half of new vehicles produced globally by 2016.
The investment was announced at the company's power solutions analyst day at the company's Glendale corporate and power solutions headquarters.
"Start-stop vehicle technology is emerging globally as one of the most affordable options for consumers who want to buy a more fuel-efficient car for very little added cost up front," said Alex Molinaroli, president of the power solutions business.
The company is projecting the global market for the start-stop AGM batteries to reach 15 million batteries worldwide by 2015. The Toledo factory will be capable of supplying 6 million batteries a year.
Johnson Controls supplied 3 million of these batteries in Europe through its Varta brand last year, and the company is expanding its manufacturing there to enable it to produce more than 11 million batteries a year by 2015.
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