Delphi sells battery business

Delphi Corp has sold its battery product line, with the exception of two US operations, to Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, for $202.5 million.

The business sold includes Delphi's global starting, lighting and ignition lead-acid battery operations, including joint venture interests. The transaction also includes tools, inventory, equipment, intellectual property and brand names associated with the battery product line. In addition, approximately 2,700 employees will transfer to JCI. The business generates approximately $600 million annually in global consolidated revenues.

Prior to the sale, Delphi's global battery product line manufactured lead-acid batteries for original equipment (OE) manufacturers and sold original equipment for aftermarket distribution. Delphi manufactures batteries in two US plants in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and New Brunswick, New Jersey; and internationally in Sarreguemines, France; Piracicaba, Brazil; Tlaxcala, Mexico; and joint ventures in Shanghai, China; Kumi, Korea; and Dammam, Saudi Arabia.