Johnson Controls' Plant Wins 1998 Shingo Prize
15 May 1998
Johnson Controls' Plant in Lexington, Tennessee Wins 1998 Shingo Prize, a Top Honor for World-class Manufacturing
Automotive interior supplier continues
record of leadership in awards program
PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 15 -- Automotive interior supplier
Johnson Controls continues its record of success in the Shingo
Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing recognition program. The company's
Lexington, Tennessee plant -- which produces power seat adjusters, recliners
and other seat system products -- is among seven locations honored with Shingo
awards this year.
The Shingo Prizes are designed to recognize world-class manufacturing
operations and reward improvements in productivity, quality and customer
satisfaction. Since the inception of the awards program in 1988, facilities
operated by Johnson Controls have won nine of the 46 Shingo Prizes given -- a
record among all companies considered for the awards.
Officials from Johnson Controls received the company's award last night at
a special ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky.
Johnson Controls' Lexington facility gained top honors for its many
accomplishments in recent years. From 1995 through 1997, the plant achieved
100 percent on-time delivery performance, a 55 percent sales increase, and
significant enhancements in quality and productivity. It also was cited for
using advanced manufacturing methods, including just-in-time production, on-
the-job training, visual management, continuous improvement (Kaizen), and
employee involvement.
Sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) -- and
several other major industry associations -- the Shingo Prize is a significant
honor. "It's among the 'triple crown' of awards for industrial excellence,
along with the Deming Prize and the Baldrige Award," said Jerry Jasinowski,
NAM president.
Johnson Controls is the world's premier supplier of automotive interior
systems. The company's Automotive Systems Group has 157 locations worldwide
and a 45,000-member work force.
"Our company is a leader in world-class manufacturing," said John Barth,
executive vice president for Johnson Controls. "We're honored to gain another
Shingo Prize in 1998, and to have achieved such a strong record of success in
this prestigious awards program."
The Shingo Prize program, administered by Utah State University, honors
manufacturing excellence in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is named
for the late Shigeo Shingo, a Japanese engineer who -- along with Taiichi Ohno
-- created the Toyota Production System. Winners are required to achieve
manufacturing improvements and incorporate operational systems that support
"total quality management."
Johnson Controls' Lexington, Tennessee facility, founded in 1959, is a
major supplier of seating components for cars, trucks and vans produced by
Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz.
Johnson Controls, Inc., with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, is
a global market leader in automotive systems and building controls. Founded in
1885, Johnson Controls had sales of US$11.1 billion in 1997, and operates in
more than 500 locations around the world. See http://www.johnsoncontrols.com for more
information.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls
is one of the world's largest suppliers of vehicle seating and interior
systems, and is a major supplier of batteries. In 1998, the company's
worldwide operations will supply interior products for more than 22 million
vehicles. The Automotive Systems Group employs more than 45,000 people at 157
facilities worldwide and achieved $8 billion in sales for the 1997 fiscal
year.
CONTACT: Dave Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804,
ext. 473547.
Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.
SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.
