Johnson Controls and the LEGO Group Announce Partnership
4 January 1999
Johnson Controls and the LEGO Group Announce Partnership To Provide 'Family-friendly' Automotive Interior Products PLAYSEAT 1 DETROIT -- Johnson Controls' PlaySeat(TM) with LEGO(R) Connections is an innovative, fold-out child activity center integrated into the rear seat of a vehicle. It has two desktops, cupholders, storage and a LEGO play surface. [PH] DETROIT, MI USA 01/03/1999 CHEVY ADVENTURE DETROIT -- The Chevy AdVenture interior has four RECARO bucket seats provided by Johnson Controls with many features, including power lift, recline and heating/ventilating functions; pneumatic lumbar comfort systems; integrated power ports; and tie-down strapping. [PH] DETROIT, MI USA 01/03/1999Leading automotive supplier and toy maker
unveil a unique PlaySeat for vehicles
DETROIT, Jan. 3 -- "Are we there yet?" and "I'm bored" could
be phrases of the past, thanks to a new strategic alliance between automotive
interior supplier Johnson Controls and toy maker the LEGO Group.
Officials from the companies announced their new partnership today at the 1999
North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The pact brings together
the automotive industry's premier supplier of automotive interior systems with
one of the world's leading toy manufacturers.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990103/DESU004 )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990103/DESU004-b )
PlaySeat(TM) with LEGO(R) Connections by Johnson Controls will be the
first product emerging out of the global initiative. An industry first,
PlaySeat is an innovative, rear-seat child activity center that features a
quality writing and drawing desktop, a LEGO play surface, holders for juice
boxes and for cups, and a storage compartment for LEGO bricks, writing
materials, books and other toys. "Market-ready" for automakers worldwide, the
product initially is aimed at minivan and sport-utility vehicle programs.
Johnson Controls and the LEGO Group jointly plan to develop additional
activity products that will entertain rear-seat passengers and encourage them
to ride with seat belts fastened.
"This partnership strengthens our ability to surprise and delight our
customers -- and create family-friendly products to keep children happy and
safely entertained," said Rande Somma, president of worldwide marketing and
development for Johnson Controls. "PlaySeat is a unique product that can bring
a new level of value and differentiation to all types of vehicles."
LEGO, the world's leading construction toy company, sells products in 130
countries. Approximately 61 percent of U.S. households with children 12 and
under own a LEGO set, while 11 million households buy a LEGO set annually. In
addition, Equitrend -- an industry brand-ranking system -- places LEGO among
the top 25 consumer brands in the world.
"We're excited to be working with Johnson Controls to bring unlimited LEGO
play potential to vehicle interiors, providing an enjoyable driving experience
for the entire family," said Karl Kalcher, senior vice president and managing
director of LEGO Lifestyles.
The PlaySeat with LEGO Connections activity center is integrated into the
vehicle seat back. When the seat is folded down and opened up, it provides
passengers with access to all of the product's features and functions.
"We displayed a protoype child activity center at the 1998 North American
International Auto Show," said Michael Suman, vice president of worldwide
advanced sales, marketing and development for Johnson Controls. "The positive
response we've received from auto manufacturers, coupled with our consumer
research, prompted us to join forces with the LEGO Group to make our concept a
'market-ready' reality."
The LEGO Group, a privately held, family-owned company is based in
Billund, Denmark. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
play materials for children, employing more than 9,400 people at 50 companies
in 30 countries. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's
creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto
adopted in the 1930s by the founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is
good enough."
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls --
which employs more than 57,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved
US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year. In the 1999 model year, it
will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls,
founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 1998
totaled US$12.6 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of the PlaySeat(TM) with LEGO(R) Connections
activity center are available from David Roznowski of Johnson Controls at
734-254-5632, and also at http://www.newscom.com.
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632; or AnneMarie
Mathews of LEGO Systems, 860-763-6731.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547.
