You Can Visit A Plant Featured In An Obama Ad Of Stimulus-Backed Johnson Controls, Which Is Expanding In China After OnlyBuilding One Of Two PromisedPlants

Obama Ran A TV Ad In Ohio Featuring An Auto Worker At The Springfield Township, Ohio Battery Plant Of Milwaukee-Based Johnson Controls. “A Toledo auto-parts factory worker is the star of a new TV ad by President Obama’s campaign focusing on what might be the President’s signature accomplishment as far as battleground Ohio is concerned — the 2009 auto industry bailout. … Brian Slagle, who lives in West Toledo near Alexis and Telegraph roads, is shown getting up in the predawn hours and driving to an unidentified factory to work. Mr. Slagle could not be reached Wednesday for comment. A Facebook page with his name indicates that Mr. Slagle works for Johnson Controls in Springfield Township. The Milwaukee-based company makes automotive batteries.” (Tom Troy, “Toledo Auto-Parts Worker Stars In Campaign Ad,” The Toledo Blade, 5/10/12)

But Johnson Controls – A Recipient Of Nearly $300 Million In Stimulus Funds – Only Built One Of Two Planned New Factories, And Now Is “Nearly Idled”

Obama’s Stimulus Gave Billions In Loans And Grants To Electric Car Producers. “In a stimulus push in August 2009, Obama announced $2.4 billion in more than 40 grants to car industry firms, much of it to advanced-battery manufacturers.” (Carol D. Leonnig, and Joe Stephens, “For Obama’s Green-Car Revolution, Fits And Starts,” The Washington Post, 12/7/11)

·       “At The Time, Many Auto Analysts Questioned Whether Federal Subsidies Would Create A Glut Of Electric Batteries And Cars.” (Carol D. Leonnig, and Joe Stephens, “For Obama’s Green-Car Revolution, Fits And Starts,” The Washington Post, 12/7/11)

“Johnson Controls, Which Received A $299 Million Stimulus Grant, Opted To Build One Factory Instead Of Two Because Of Lower-Than-Projected Demand, A Company Official Said, And That One Is Now Operating At Half Capacity.” (Carol D. Leonnig, and Joe Stephens, “For Obama’s Green-Car Revolution, Fits And Starts,” The Washington Post, 12/7/11)

·       The Plant That Was Built With Stimulus Funds Is Now “Nearly Idled.” “Rival Johnson Controls Inc. used government grants to build a battery plant in Holland, Mich., but that facility is nearly idled now after its main customer went bankrupt.” (Editorial, “Car Battery Start-Ups Fizzle,” The Wall Street Journal, 5/30/12)

Meanwhile, Johnson Controls Will Open A New Battery Plant…In China

In June 2012, Johnson Controls Announced They Will Build A $200 Million Plant In China To Produce Automotive Batteries For The Chinese Market. “Auto parts and building equipment maker Johnson Controls Inc. plans on building a $200 million automotive battery plant in China as it looks to get a better foothold in the growing market. The company said Wednesday that the Tianjin plant will supply automakers and the Chinese aftermarket with lead-acid starter batteries and advanced batteries. Once the facility is at full capacity, it will produce more than 6 million batteries a year.” (“Johnson Controls To Build $200M Plant In China,” The Associated Press, 6/6/12)

·       Johnson Controls Has Recently Opened Battery Plants In China. “Johnson Controls plans to have an annual battery capacity of 30 million in China by 2017. It recently launched production at its Changxing facility, and its Chongqing plant is expected to start running later this year. An automotive battery plant in Shanghai was part of a 2005 acquisition.” (“Johnson Controls To Build $200M Plant In China,” The Associated Press, 6/6/12)