Johnson Controls Inc.

Warren Johnson obtained a patent for an electric telethermoscope device that regulates building temperature. He traveled from his home in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee to seek funding for mass production.

Warren Johnson partnered with Milwaukee entrepreneur and financier William Plankinton to establish Johnson Electric Service Company. Plankinton became president, and Johnson started as vice president and treasurer. The business rapidly expanded by installing equipment in Milwaukee Public Library and City Hall.

Founded in 1885, Johnson Controls has fostered new industries and continued to focus on innovation. Today, through OpenBlue solutions, they are transforming spaces and places with AI-powered services such as remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, compliance monitoring, and advanced risk assessment.

Warren Johnson and his colleagues developed the first automatic zone temperature control system. During this process, they obtained joint patents for steam valves, steam traps, pressure-reducing valves, water heaters, hydraulic air compressors, and electric meters. This invention was called the 'grandfather of all control systems' by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers a century later.

In 1895, the company's first zone temperature control system introduced principles still in use today.

Johnson Electric Service Company's wind pressure regulator was advertised in McClure magazine, promising 'harmony within the home and budget savings'.

Since 1896, starting with the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., Johnson Controls has led the realization of smarter, healthier buildings, including Chicago's skyline and Los Angeles' Capitol Records.

William Plankinton resigned, and Warren Johnson became president. Johnson's relentless pursuit of innovation led to patents for the 'auto-carry' type steam generator and pioneering patents in power steering. Over the next 11 years, Johnson Electric Service Company manufactured 1,000 steam cars, fire trucks, limousines, and ambulances.

Johnson Electric Service Company, which had a track record of installation and delivery worldwide—including the U.S. Capitol, New York Stock Exchange, Warsaw factory, and Prince's residence in Tokyo—renamed itself Johnson Service Company and moved to downtown Milwaukee, where its headquarters are now located.

A diary of Warren Johnson, founder of Johnson Controls, from 1905.

Johnson Service Company launched a series of high-end gasoline businesses equipped with luxurious leather and wooden interiors.

The New York headquarters of Singer Sewing Machine, the first skyscraper, was equipped with 'all the latest approved facilities for comfort, convenience, and safety,' including 1,200 thermostats manufactured by Johnson Service Company. Later, York International, under Johnson Controls, supplied continuous chilled water systems.

Globe Electric Company, which would later become part of Johnson Controls, began manufacturing electronic equipment for streetcars and streetlights, and soon after, automobile batteries.

A 15-cent U.S. postage stamp commemorating the transition from horse to vehicle featured a Johnson Service Company postal delivery truck.

Hubbard Steel Ball Company, which would later become part of Johnson Controls, was established, entering the field of precision bearings and automotive products. The company expanded into automotive seating products a few years later.

During World War I, the private construction sector slowed down. Johnson Service Company was classified by the U.S. government as a company producing high-end goods that could not supply military materials. The company continued to thrive, driven by demand for installing temperature control equipment during building renovations.

As the new century began, the public, exhausted by war, pursued entertainment. With the rise of movies, Johnson Service Company contributed by providing products to enhance theater comfort and air conditioning control systems.

Johnson Service Company manufactured pneumatic systems that reliably save up to 35% of fuel while controlling temperature and humidity.

Johnson Service Company purchased the patent for a dual thermostat developed by the head of school administration in New York (and a customer of Johnson Service Company). This device detects pressure increases when people leave outdoors and automatically lowers indoor temperature by reducing fuel consumption, making it a major hit during the Great Depression.

Following the collapse of the stock market, many companies cut costs. Johnson Service Company maintained steady growth due to demand for dual thermostats, which could automatically reduce fuel in unmanned spaces, in addition to several years of backlog orders.

The recession deepened. Johnson Service Company was forced to reduce employment and salaries, and to move sales offices to employees' homes. As the construction market declined, Johnson Service Company focused on installing Duo-Stat systems that adjust indoor temperature and save fuel during renovations of old buildings.

Joseph Cotler, who started his career as a sales engineer at Johnson Service Company in 1912, became president. Over the next 22 years, Cotler reorganized the sales department, added 79 branches and offices, and increased sales from $3 million in 1939 to $67.3 million in 1960.

Johnson Service Company went public on the over-the-counter securities market.

After the war ended, demand for new buildings and skilled workers increased. Johnson Service Company launched its first official technical training program in New York. At Johnson Technical Institute, employees who completed evening classes and correspondence courses received free education equivalent to two years of college.

The new United Nations building, symbolizing a new era of architecture, was built in New York. The building was fully air-conditioned, requiring 3,600 thermostats and control devices supplied by Johnson Service Company.

At Eli Lilly & Company’s Indianapolis plant, efforts to mass-produce Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine accelerated. Johnson Service Company installed critical equipment to maintain constant temperature in virus culture rooms.

As more complex control systems were adopted, Johnson Service Company’s business grew rapidly. The demand for pneumatic control centers that monitor indoor temperature, water temperature, and ventilation for entire buildings increased, setting new records for employees, branches, and installed equipment.

Richard Murphy became president. Murphy served as president for six years, but spent more time at the company than anyone else—63 years.

Through subsidiaries in England, France, Australia, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, Johnson Service Company, already active in international markets, built a manufacturing plant in Romagna, Italy. Total global sales exceeded $100 million.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Johnson Service Company provided climate control services to prevent cloud formation for NASA’s rocket assembly buildings in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Johnson Controls’ predecessor installed 10,500 tons of air conditioning chillers.

Fortune magazine ranked Johnson Service Company, which merged with Penco Controls, a manufacturer of refrigeration and gas heating controls, among the top 500 companies. Product lines including refrigeration controls for supermarkets, humidity controls for agricultural drying, and controls for cleaning businesses were added.

Johnson Service Company launched the JC/80, its first mini-computer for building system management. As fuel consumption was reduced by 30%, more building owners automated their facilities. Products also included computer-integrated fire and security systems for commercial facilities.

Johnson Controls changed its name.

Johnson Controls, through its subsidiaries in the UK, France, Australia, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, became a leader in the American automotive battery market. Founded in 1911 as Globe Electric, the company invented a polypropylene battery case that achieved high strength with thin walls, pioneering battery design.

Johnson Controls has diversified further through the acquisition of Hoover Universal, a manufacturer of automotive seats and plastic machinery. These acquisitions have enabled Johnson Controls to design, engineer, assemble, and complete automotive seat systems.

Johnson Controls introduced the just-in-time system at automotive plants in Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, enabling sequential delivery of seats to factories within hours of order. Honda, Mazda, and Toyota joined as battery equipment customers, and Johnson Controls received the Ford Q1 Award, the first for an aftermarket parts manufacturer.

Jim Keays was appointed president. During his 14-year tenure, Johnson Controls became a major supplier of automotive products. The company lost key customer Sears, rebuilt its battery division, transitioned control systems from analog to digital, and increased total sales sixfold.

Johnson Controls acquired Pan Am World Services, renamed it Global Workplace Solutions, and entered the facility management business. It also started hosting annual forums, inviting speakers such as Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and Vice President Al Gore, focusing on energy issues and climate change.

Johnson Controls linked building environment management, energy management, lighting, fire safety, and security systems with the revolutionary Metasys® building management system. The company entered the European automotive market through the purchase of shares in German component manufacturer E.A.H. Naue GmbH & Co. KG.

Johnson Controls achieved sales of 5.2 billion USD.

Major customer Sears ceased transactions. Johnson Controls' leaders introduced exemplary business practices to clarify key performance metrics and promote performance improvement and cost reduction across the company. Business with Sears resumed two years after the termination, with prior business losses fully compensated.

Johnson Controls manufactured over 8 million new car seats and was named one of the "100 Best Managed Companies in The World" by Industry Week. The acquisition of Prince Automobiles significantly advanced its automotive interior systems business, with sales reaching nearly 10 billion USD.

With the acquisition of Hoover Universal, Johnson Controls entered the plastics industry, becoming one of the largest companies in the U.S. for PET bottle supply and recycling, and holding top-tier global technology in plastics manufacturing and recycling. To focus on core products, it sold its container and plastics machinery divisions. It also expanded into the Chinese market by manufacturing seats for Beijing Jeep.

Johnson Controls ranked first among automotive seat suppliers in South America. The installation of Metasys® building management systems surpassed 10,000 units. The company acquired Becker Group and CardKey, European manufacturers of interior automotive parts and security solutions.

Johnson Controls received the EPA Energy Star Building Program's "Ally of the Year" award. It also received General Motors' "Supplier of the Year" and the Mandela International Award for Good Diversity Practices.

Johnson Controls acquired Ikeda Bussan, a Japanese automotive seat manufacturer, and launched the automotive video system "AutoVision." Its Milwaukee-based Brengel Technology Center was recognized as the world's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) certified building.

On September 11, terrorists hijacked a jet that crashed into the Pentagon, resulting in 64 passenger deaths and 125 fatalities in the fire. The Pentagon's facility manager used Johnson Controls' building operation center, installed two months earlier, to close dampers and contain fire and smoke, potentially reducing casualties.

Johnson Controls acquired VARTA's automotive battery division in Germany, surpassing 20 billion USD in sales. John Barth was appointed as the 8th CEO of Johnson Controls.

Johnson Controls acquired the German company BorgInstruments. It was recognized for purchasing over a billion dollars worth of goods and services from diverse suppliers, and was nominated for the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

The American Advanced Battery Consortium approached Johnson Controls to develop lithium-ion hybrid vehicle batteries. The company achieved a 30-year record of consecutive dividend increases. Johnson Controls was awarded a gold medal by the World Environment Center for sustainable development, and the Brengel Technology Center received LEED® Gold certification.

Johnson Controls made its largest acquisition to date. It purchased HVAC products and services, global operations, rights, and influence from York International. It also acquired Delphi’s global automotive battery business and was selected for the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).

The company’s sales exceeded 30 billion USD. Johnson Controls held an energy conference at its Milwaukee Building Systems headquarters, inviting U.S. President George W. Bush as the keynote speaker.

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Despite the global recession hitting automakers hard, Johnson Controls maintains a competitive edge through exemplary business practices and future forecasts. They purchase $1.65 billion worth of supplies from women and minority-owned suppliers and receive the 'Automotive Supplier of the Year' award from Walmart, recognizing their excellence in automotive products. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers recognized their temperature control systems from 1895 as a 'Landmark of Mechanical Engineering.'

Johnson Controls led efforts to reduce energy consumption in the Empire State Building by up to 38%. Walmart consolidated battery orders used in automotive, marine, power sports, and lawn and garden management with Johnson Controls. A new plug-in hybrid vehicle with a re3 (rethink, regenerate, respond) concept was showcased at an American auto show for the first time.

Celebrating 125 years, Johnson Controls' Glendale, Wisconsin facility received LEED® Platinum certification. Building Systems undertook the construction of the Masjid al-Haram (Holy Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, recording their largest order ever. The Holland, Michigan battery plant began manufacturing integrated lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles in the United States for the first time.

Corporate Responsibility magazine ranked Johnson Controls as the top 'Best Corporate Citizens' in the U.S. Their global revenue exceeded $40 billion. Automotive Systems, through acquisitions of Zeerob Hammerstein and Kappa/Recaro, now offers a comprehensive menu of metal parts and equipment.

2011 Business and Sustainability Report highlights growth in all directions.

Power Solutions opened the first U.S. battery recycling facility with advanced environmental management equipment in Florence, South Carolina. The Steven A. Rohl Innovation Center in Milwaukee exemplifies efforts to foster new ideas and deliver new value to customers.