Johnson Controls Inc. plans to move its Fullerton auto battery plant to Arizona, cutting about 115 jobs, according to the Milwaukee-based company.
The company doesn’t have a date yet for the closure, according to Johnson Controls spokeswoman Monica Levy.
The 200,000-square-foot factory, which produces lead acid automobile batteries, has been sold, Levy said. Real estate sources said the building likely sold for about $20 million.
The company is in talks with officials in Yuma about building an Arizona plant, she said.
“It’s very expensive to do business in California,” Levy said.
Johnson Controls had run its battery factory on Fullerton’s Kimberly Avenue since 1978.
“I’ve been told they are planning to leave,” said Chris Meyer, Fullerton’s city manager. ”
Johnson Controls 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.
