EIB Supports Johnson Controls R&D Operations in Central Europe with €100 Million

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €100 million to finance a 2011 to 2015 investment program of Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) to support research and development (R&D) and innovation activities of the company’s Automotive Experience business in Central Europe. The funding will be shared between Johnson Controls planned R&D investments for the company’s Technology Centre in Trenčín, Slovakia, and in advanced software development projects at Johnson Controls’ Sofia-based Electronics Development Centre in Bulgaria.

The current loan is the first operation of the EIB with Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics for more than 30 million vehicles per year from over 250 locations globally. In Central Europe, Johnson Controls Automotive Experience has been fostering growth of innovations since the early 1990’s and today operates over 30 locations in Eastern Europe, including countries like Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Romania or Russia.

After opening a Bulgarian operation to develop software solutions for the automotive industry in 2001, Johnson Controls established an Electronics Development Center in Sofia in 2006. Technologies and software solutions designed in Bulgaria include driver information systems, infotainment and connectivity products, body electronics and the integration of software solutions to operate these products.

Johnson Controls Technology Center in Trenčín, Slovakia, was established in 2004, and focuses on the design and testing of automotive interiors and seating systems and components. Furthermore, it extends Johnson Controls’ engineering network by including the Eastern European growth markets as a response to the car manufacturers’ growing presence in this region.