Johnson Controls closed the development center and administrative facilities at its Grefrath branch, in Germany in 2009 as part of its long term corporate strategy. From the 200 employees affected by the move, 90 could be redeployed within other Johnson Controls branches. The takeover by SGS Germany GmbH (http://www.de.sgs.com/automotive_de_index.htm?selen=1& ), which is a longstanding supplier of material tests to the automotive industry, emerged as another positive solution. In order to concentrate all its Automotive Standard Testing Services in one lab location, SGS will relocate the material analysis lab to Herten in Germany.
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To ensure a smooth transition and quick resumption of operations, SGS took charge of the lab equipment as well as eight experienced lab analysts. The move enables SGS CTS Automotive to offer nearly all tests required by automotive producers, from tests on materials, composites all the way to parts or complete systems.
An expanding network
The takeover is very reminiscent to the 2004 acquisition by SGS of the German Institut Fresenius network of testing labs and the 2008 takeover of the Munich-based Center for Quality Engineering (http://www.sgs-cqe.de/) from Nokia Siemens.
In both situations SGS took over the testing capabilities and staff and managed to quickly reinforce the status of both these SGS sub-brands as multidisciplinary competence centres with high levels of expertise. SGS Germany GmbH has been collaborating with Johnson Controls for many years and is one of the preferential suppliers to this automotive interior specialist. The collaboration will now also include material testing services offered through the laboratory recently taken over by SGS. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is a world leading innovator, bringing solutions to the places where people live, work and travel. Through the integration of technologies, products and services, Johnson Controls redefines the relationship between people and their environment. Their products and services can be found in over 200 million vehicles, 12 million households and 1 million business premises.
Find more information about Johnson Controls at: www.johnsoncontrols.com
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