MILWAUKEE -- Johnson Controls has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fengfan Ltd. of Baoding, HeBei province to establish a joint venture agreement for the design, manufacture, sales and service of maintenance-free lead acid batteries for the automotive market in China.

Today, Johnson Controls operates a lead acid battery plant in Shanghai built in 1997 and offers its Varta brand product to both original equipment manufacturers and the Chinese automotive aftermarket. This relationship with Fengfan further reflects the company's commitment to growth and support for its customers in China.

Baoding Jin Fengfan Storage Battery Company Ltd. was founded in 1958 and is a publicly traded state-owned company majority owned by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). Fengfan is the largest manufacturer of industrial and transportation batteries in the People's Republic of China with market share exceeding 20 percent.

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