Company is honored for its outstanding record of developing diverse suppliers during the past year

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Johnson Controls has been recognized as a 2010 “Corporation of the Year” by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) for its outstanding achievements in developing diverse supplier companies.

This year marks the 11th time in the past 15 years in which Johnson Controls has gained this prestigious award from the MMSDC. The organization’s representatives recently presented Johnson Controls with the award at its 27th Annual Awards Dinner, “Celebrate the Stars of Supplier Diversity.” The event, which was attended by more than 1,500 people, was held at the Max Fisher Center in Detroit, Michigan. Jim Bos, vice president of Purchasing – North America, Automotive Experience for Johnson Controls, accepted the award.

Johnson Controls has operated an innovative program to recruit and develop diverse suppliers since the early 1990s. The company is a member of the “Billion Dollar Roundtable” that includes just 17 companies that spend $1 billion annually with diverse suppliers, covering more than 50 purchasing categories.

MMSDC, a voluntary organization with more than 1,700 members, creates links between major corporations and minority businesses, and certifies that suppliers are minority-owned.  

“Diversity is a key part of Johnson Controls’ corporate mission and values,” said Beda Bolzenius, vice president and president, Automotive Experience for Johnson Controls. “Being honored by the MMSDC means that we are putting our values to work in a manner that brings economic benefits to the local community.”    

The Corporation of the Year recognition earned by Johnson Controls was for companies in the Manufacturing Sector 1 of MMSDC. It is presented to firms that actively include certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) suppliers in their procurement opportunities; assist in the development of minority suppliers; and promote supplier diversity and business development within their corporation and to their vendors and other businesses and organizations. Johnson Controls spent $678,437,476 with 292 certified MBEs in 2009.

Within the Diversity Business Development model at Johnson Controls, “diverse” suppliers include companies that are owned, operated and controlled by minorities and women in the United States, and internationally, firms that are owned, operated and controlled by historically underutilized population group members in their local country.

Here are highlights of Johnson Controls’ recent activities and achievements in support of diverse suppliers and minority-owned firms.

The company…

• Integrates “diversity business development” as a key component of its strategic business plan. Purchases from diverse suppliers, including those majority-owned by minorities and women, are targeted to grow each year.
• Requires its vendors to develop and implement their own diversity business development programs.
• Pledges to include diverse suppliers in divestitures, lead supplier arrangements, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
• Creates successful partnerships in support of diverse businesses.
• Sponsors educational fellowships for officials from minority-owned companies. Each year since 1998, Johnson Controls has funded fellowships that enable executives to attend continuing-education programs at the Tuck Graduate Business School of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Johnson Controls also has funded fellowships for minority executives at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School and the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
• Convenes trade shows and other events to promote purchases of goods and services from diverse firms.
• Implemented standardized internal processes throughout the company for recruiting, training and using diverse suppliers nationwide.
• Launched a special mentoring and training process for corporations and diverse suppliers in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, Ohio and Wisconsin. It also participates in Project ONE, which mentors minority business enterprises (MBEs) and trains corporations.
• Adopted web-based systems to provide business opportunities for diverse suppliers, measure performance, and promote diversity-oriented business solutions to customers.
• Has provided significant support to the leadership and mission of MMSDC.

About Johnson Controls:

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in over 150 countries. Our 130,000 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.

About Johnson Controls Automotive Experience:

Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics. We support all major automakers in the differentiation of their vehicles through our products, technologies and advanced manufacturing capabilities. With more than 200 plants worldwide, we are where our customers need us to be. Consumers have enjoyed the comfort and style of our products, from single components to complete interiors, in over 200 million vehicles.

SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.