Johnson Controls Sells Seat Cooling Technology To German-Based W.E.T

Autoparts Report, Sept 25, 2001

Officials at W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd. said that the firm has acquired the technical, manufacturing and commercial rights in North America for ComfortCools seating technologies from Johnson Controls. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

W.E.T. Automotive Systems A.G. -- based in Odelzhausen, Germany -- is a leading developer and manufacturer of seat heating products and related comfort technologies in North America and Europe. The company's North American headquarters are in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

As a result of the arrangement, signed September 12, W.E.T. Automotive said it has gained all technical licensing agreements, the ComfortCools product brand name and commercialization rights. ComfortCools technology incorporates one or more fans to create a vacuum inside the vehicle seat that is capable of drawing compartment air through the occupant-to-seat contact surface. The technology removes heat and moisture and comfortably cools and dehumidifies the occupant's back and thighs, while keeping clothing dry and preventing wrinkles.

W.E.T. Automotive said it acquired the ComfortCools technology to increase its future sales revenues, expand its product line and gain new thermal comfort capabilities. "The addition of ComfortCools expands our product line with significant new thermal comfort capabilities and offers future revenue growth opportunities," said Dr. Peter Paul Moll, chief executive officer of W.E.T. Automotive Systems. "Now, Johnson Controls as well as our other customers can rely on W.E.T. Automotive for leading-edge thermal comfort products for seating systems."

ComfortCools technology was developed in 2000 by Johnson Controls.

W.E.T. Automotive Systems A.G., founded in 1968 in Germany, designs and manufactures climatized seat systems, seat heaters, seat heater control modules, heated steering wheels, wire harnesses and flat cable harnesses. The company operates eight facilities throughout the world and has 2,200 employees. Annual sales for 2001 were approximately $120 million. W.E.T. Automotive has been a supplier for Johnson Controls since 1995.