MILWAUKEE – Johnson Controls has announced its intention to divest its Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) business. The action reflects the company’s previously stated intention to invest in businesses that are core to its long-term growth strategy and multi-industrial portfolio.
 
"The global facilities management outsourcing market is very healthy and continues to grow," said Alex Molinaroli, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. "GWS is a strong business and a leader in its market with tremendous potential to grow. As we’ve focused on it this past year to understand what is needed to win long-term, it is clear that GWS is really an exclusively service-based business and not core to our manufacturing, engineering and product-based portfolio. This is a win-win all around."
 
The GWS business is a leading provider of facilities, corporate real estate and energy management. It has been part of Johnson Controls’ portfolio for more than 20 years, and currently manages more than 1.8 billion square feet of corporate real estate. It will continue to be a close partner to Johnson Controls as both a supplier and a customer.
 
Johnson Controls has retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch as exclusive financial adviser to assist in the initiative. The company says it will know more about timing after it identifies potential buyers.