BURSCHEID, Germany — Johnson Controls has signed a purchase agreement to acquire recliner system technology leader KEIPER and the automotive sport and specialty seat business of Recaro. KEIPER, known for its engineering and manufacturing expertise in metal components and mechanisms, has headquarters and an engineering center in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

The acquisition will include approximately 4,750 employees in seven countries. Excluded from the transaction are KEIPER’s operations, business and entity in Brazil.

"This acquisition further strengthens our metal components and mechanisms business through the addition of the KEIPER and Recaro brands, which are synonymous with quality, technical expertise and innovation," said Beda Bolzenius, vice president, Johnson Controls and president, Automotive Experience. "It provides leading technologies that we can leverage across our current seat component portfolio, and expand in China and North America."

KEIPER’s expertise includes the complete engineering process and technologies used to produce metal seat components, structures and mechanisms. The product range encompasses mechanisms that adjust the seat’s length and height, recliners that adjust the backrest position of vehicle seats and rear seat latches.

Martin Putsch, owner and CEO of the KEIPER Recaro Group, said, "We are pleased that our team will become part of such a successful organization. Being part of Johnson Controls will provide a unique opportunity for our company to best meet the future challenges of our industry, such as fast-growing globalization and platform standardization."

The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2011.