Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. plans to move its Fullerton auto battery plant to Arizona, cutting about 150 jobs, according to the city.
“I’ve been told they are planning to leave,” said Chris Meyer, Fullerton’s city manager. “I haven’t received the formal notifications yet.”
Johnson Controls didn’t return phone calls seeking comment last week.
The company is the largest auto battery maker in North America. It has felt fallout from slower sales at some automakers.
Johnson provides batteries to General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG, Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.
AutoZone Inc., The Pep Boys,Manny, Moe & Jack Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other retailers also sell Johnson batteries.
Johnson plans to build a $9 million battery factory in Yuma employing 120 people, according to Kevin Tunell, a spokesman for the Yuma County Board of Supervisors.
Yuma County recently approved $50,000 in incentives to draw the plant there.
Construction is expected to begin late next month and finish next fall, Tunell said.
