Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. is growing its presence in China by opening a new automotive battery manufacturing plant that will produce 6 million automotive batteries per year in the world’s largest new vehicle market, where 22 million new vehicles are produced annually.
The global multi-industrial company’s new 133,000-square-meter facility in Chongqing City reflects an investment of $154 million. Located in Fuling District of Chongqing, in Western China, the new plant will bring state-of-the-art technology and services to customers. It was built with the industry’s leading sustainability and environmental standards.
“The opening of our Chongqing plant builds on Johnson Controls’ deep history in this region and demonstrates our long-term commitment to China, which is a key strategic market for Johnson Controls,” said Kenneth Yeng, vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls Power Solutions China. “This facility will not only enable us to meet increasing demand from our customers in China, but will also allow us to demonstrate our global leadership in technology and sustainability.”
The new plant in Chongqing is expected to create more than 500 jobs once at full capacity.
Johnson Controls entered the Chinese automotive supply market with batteries in 2005 and continues to invest in bringing advanced technologies, capacity and technical capabilities to China. Today, Johnson Controls employs tens of thousands of people in China. Johnson Controls is in the process of building a new corporate headquarters in Shanghai, and recently announced that two members of the global executive team will be located in the new headquarters.
At the opening ceremony, Johnson Controls also welcomed representatives from customers and local governments.
“We appreciate the support from the Chongqing and Fuling governments, and we look forward to contributing more to the development of the local economy as well as to the local community,” said Yeng.
This also marked the beginning of a one-year community partnership between Johnson Controls China and Fuling Children’s Welfare Center. Community involvement in China is a top priority for Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls employees at the Chongqing plant will volunteer throughout the year to help more than 100 orphans living at the center. Johnson Controls will donate furniture, toys and snacks to the center and employees will decorate student dormitories. Members of the Johnson Controls leadership team will also actively support the program with visits to play games and read with the children.
