The joint venture's management team will be led by Franz Cerwinka, CEO, and Shinichi Iizuka, COO and President. Cerwinka has 20 years of experience with Johnson Controls, including four years in Japan as vice president of finance with the company's automotive business and work with more than ten joint ventures.

Iizuka has been with Hitachi for over 35 years, having spent eight years in India as the president of Hitachi Home & Life Solutions India Ltd. He has led Hitachi's air conditioning business since 2013.

"We are very pleased to start operations and are anxious to serve our customers with an unmatched global network of channels and technology," said Cerwinka. "Johnson Controls and Hitachi are a perfect match with our complementary product lines, unparalleled brands and rich 100-year histories."

"I have spent my career with Hitachi and know that combining with Johnson Controls will propel us forward to outperform the competition," added Iizuka. "Just as Hitachi and Johnson Controls have each made innovation the foundation of their separate success, innovation will now be the cornerstone of Johnson Controls - Hitachi Air Conditioning's success."
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