Toyota: Recognizes Johnson Controls and Its Joint-Venture Operation for Outstanding Quality, Delivery and Supplier Diversity During 2003

PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 23 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America has recognized automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) — and one of its joint-venture operations — for outstanding performance during 2003.

On March 2, Toyota honored its best suppliers in North America for their 2003 achievements during its annual supplier business meeting and awards ceremony in Covington, Kentucky. Approximately 500 North American suppliers met to hear Toyota’s expectations for the coming year and for recognition of outstanding performance among the firm’s supply base.

The prestigious supplier-achievement awards were presented to Johnson Controls, as well as the company’s Trim Masters Inc. joint-venture operation. The firm has operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Johnson Controls and Trim Masters received a total of 18 awards from Toyota for outstanding performance in 2003 at its facilities in the United States and Canada. In addition, Johnson Controls was recognized with the first-ever Toyota Superior Award for Supplier Diversity for its outstanding efforts on minority business development initiatives. It was the only firm to gain this recognition for 2003.

Performance measures that enabled Johnson Controls and its affiliate to win Toyota honors included meeting the automaker’s highest standards of quality; 100 percent on-time delivery; value improvement; supplier diversity; and overall excellence for work done during 2003, in supplying various automotive interior and battery products. The awards also recognize those suppliers whose exemplary work during the past several years greatly contributed to a smooth launch of three new models — the Toyota Sienna minivan and Solara coupe, and the Lexus RX 330 sport-utility vehicle.

“Launching three new North American-built vehicles in the same calendar year was extremely challenging,” said Osamu “Simon” Nagata, vice president of purchasing for Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America. “Our success in 2003 would have been impossible without the remarkable work of our suppliers.”

Several Johnson Controls and Trim Masters facilities have won Toyota performance awards for consecutive years, demonstrating their long-term commitment to quality throughout the organizations.

Johnson Controls organizations that gained honors supply products for many top-selling Toyota and Lexus models — including the Corolla, Matrix, Camry, Solara, Avalon, RX 330, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia. These products include original-equipment automotive batteries and interior systems and components — such as seat systems, door panels, headliners, overhead consoles, sun visors, and HomeLink(R) Wireless Control Systems.

“We are pleased that Johnson Controls and Trim Masters continue to receive this recognition from our customer for providing outstanding vehicle interior and battery products,” said Jeff Edwards, group vice president, North America/Japan for the Automotive Group of Johnson Controls. “These honors reinforce our long tradition of delivering quality, craftsmanship and support for Toyota throughout the world — and are a wonderful reflection of the hard- working, customer-focused teams at our facilities as well as those of our suppliers.”

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non- residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services, including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (U.S.A.).

Editor’s Notes: For access to other Johnson Controls news releases and additional company information, visit the company’s site on the World Wide Web at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ .

For access to information about Trim Masters Inc., visit the company’s site on the World Wide Web at http://trimmasters.com/ .