Automotive supplier recognized an unprecedented fifth time for organizational use of process

PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, was recently awarded a Kepner-Tregoe (KT) International Rational Process Achievement Award for 2012. The company was recognized with a bronze award in the organizational deployment category.

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“We’re honored to receive this esteemed recognition from Kepner-Tregoe,” said Harald Buehren, vice president of metals operations for Johnson Controls Automotive Seating. “We continue to develop programs using key tools such as Six Sigma, Lean and the Kepner-Tregoe process and this award is a testament to the process improvements we’ve made.”

The KT International Rational Process Achievement Awards honor the best process users from around the world annually. Winners must have achieved significant results including cost savings, solving complex problems and making effective decisions within business constraints. Entries are submitted by individuals and organizations that have used KT processes to address key business issues.

Johnson Controls won the award by making critical thinking part of its daily operation and creating a culture of problem-solvers. Johnson Controls employees at the company’s Lakewood metals plant in Holland, Michigan led the effort. The plant makes metal mechanisms for automotive seats.

As the team’s successes were communicated, other teams asked to participate in the training and employees began applying the KT process to their operations. Now employees in production, engineering, human resources and finance are using the process.

Johnson Controls has won the KT Rational Process Achievement Award five times since 2007 – an unprecedented accomplishment.

“Kepner-Tregoe extends our congratulations to Johnson Controls for their most recent Process Achievement Award win,” said Ray Baxter, Kepner-Tregoe’s chief executive officer.  “As a five-time winner, Johnson Controls has demonstrated year after year the benefits that companies can receive by integrating critical thinking and KT methodologies into the fabric of their organization—it can be truly transformational.” 

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 240 locations 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. With our global capability, we supply approximately 50 million cars per year.

About Johnson Controls:

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 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. 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 2012, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #5 company in its annual “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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SOURCE Johnson Controls