Johnson Controls produces 100 millionth battery at its Burgos plant

From Johnson Controls:

Johnson Controls produces 100 millionth battery at its Burgos plant

• Production capacity increased
• Start-Stop batteries for Europe produced in Burgos plant 

Burgos, Spain – 30 August 2015. On August 30 in the early morning, the 100 millionth battery will roll off the production line at the Johnson Controls battery plant in Burgos. To meet the growing global demand for batteries, Johnson Controls, the world's largest manufacturer of automotive batteries has increased the production and storage capacities in Burgos by about 60 percent compared to the year 2007.

“100 million – that is quite an achievement. Such a production milestone clearly shows all that we have achieved in the past few years. We run continuous operations seven days a week to deliver a top-quality, flawless product to our customers. This applies for the 100 millionth battery as much as it does for any other,” says plant manager Eduardo Quintanal Diaz.

The Burgos plant produces VARTA® Start-Stop batteries with Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) technology and conventional starter batteries for all major automakers and retailers, which plays a major role in Johnson Controls’ strategic approach in Europe. The EFB batteries have twice the level of endurance than conventional batteries. They are designed for higher energy demands or Start-Stop vehicles and help our customers improve fuel efficiency. The Start-Stop system automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is idle and restarts it when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. During this time, the vehicle’s electrical systems – from entertainment to lights – are powered by the advanced battery rather than the engine. This makes vehicles up to 5 percent more fuel efficient.

 By 2020, more than 85 percent of all new vehicles produced in Europe will use Start-Stop technology.

“This production milestone is a really big step for us. It shows that all our 300 employees’ hard work was entirely worthwhile. We look to the future with optimism, and are already looking forward to the 150 millionth battery produced in our plant,” Eduardo Quintanal Diaz continues.

The Johnson Controls plant in Burgos was established in 1974. Nearly 300 employees in production and administration work there today serving leading automakers and retail customers.