Becker Group/ Auto Interior Systems

Johnson Controls acquires the Becker Group

July 1, 1998 (PD: 201607)

Johnson Controls completed its acquisition of the Becker Group, an automotive interior supplier, on July 1, 1998.

The Becker Group was a privately held firm based in Sterling Heights, Michigan and Wuppertal, Germany, with 8,400 employees in 51 facilities worldwide.  Its 1998 sales were approximately $1.3 billion, of which 70% was in Europe.  Becker supplied interior systems, particularly door systems and instrument panels, to customers including Daimler-Benz, Chrysler, Audi, BMW, Ford, GM/Opel, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

According to James Keyes, Johnson Controls CEO, “the acquisition is a major part of our strategy to become the global leader in automotive interior systems, in addition to our current strength in seating systems.  Becker Group, including its Europe-based Happich Fibrit subsidiary, provides Johnson Controls with a strong engineering and manufacturing organization to increase the level of service and capabilities we can offer to European-based vehicle manufacturers.”

Johnson Controls executive vice president John Barth added “through this agreement, we now have interior systems resources in Europe and North America that are unmatched, including outstanding engineering, a solid manufacturing base, and product technology that adds value for our customers and delights vehicle buyers.”