Johnson Controls International plc (JCI)

Johnson Controls International plc, headquartered in Cork, Ireland, is a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, serving customers in more than 150 countries. Originally founded in Wisconsin in 1885 as Johnson Electric Service Company, the business evolved through key milestones including the 2005 acquisition of York International, the 2016 merger with Tyco International (which combined building efficiency and fire/security portfolios and led to the Tyco name change to Johnson Controls International plc), the 2016 spin-off of its automotive business into Adient plc, and the 2019 sale of its Power Solutions business, completing its transformation into a pure-play building technologies provider. The Company operates through four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products (which includes the Johnson Controls-Hitachi joint venture).

It designs, manufactures, installs and services HVAC equipment, industrial refrigeration systems, building controls, integrated security systems, and fire-detection and suppression solutions, alongside technical services such as maintenance, retrofit, replacement and energy-management consulting. A core differentiator is its OpenBlue digital software platform, which leverages AI, machine learning and data analytics to deliver smart-building outcomes like predictive maintenance, workplace management and compliance monitoring, supporting recurring-revenue offerings such as OpenBlue Buildings-as-a-Service and Net Zero Buildings-as-a-Service. The Company sells primarily through a direct global sales and service network supplemented by third-party distributors, leveraging trusted brands including YORK, Hitachi Air Conditioning, Metasys, Ansul, Simplex and Grinnell.

In fiscal 2023, products and systems represented 76% of sales and services 24%. Major competitors include Honeywell, Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Schneider Electric, Carrier, Trane Technologies, Daikin, Lennox, Midea and Gree. Strategic priorities focus on capitalizing on sustainability, healthy buildings and smart building trends, accelerating digital services and growth verticals (healthcare, commercial offices, education, data centers), and sustaining a high-performance, customer-centric culture.

As of September 30, 2023, backlog stood at $13.6 billion (with $12.1 billion in building solutions) and remaining performance obligations were $19.6 billion. The Company faces exposure to raw material costs (steel, aluminum, copper, polypropylene, fluorochemicals) and has experienced supply chain and inflationary pressures, alongside regulatory obligations related to environmental protection, refrigerant and PFAS regulation, and worker safety. Johnson Controls employed approximately 100,000 people globally as of fiscal year-end 2023, with about 37,000 in the U.S. and 63,000 internationally, and maintains active human capital programs spanning health and safety (Zero Harm vision), diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and talent development, including digital transformation training tied to its OpenBlue growth strategy.