Johnson Controls International has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Residential and Light Commercial HVAC business in an all-cash transaction to the Bosch Group.

The transaction includes the North America Ducted business and global Residential joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd., of which Johnson Controls owns 60% and Hitachi owns 40%. The total transaction is valued at $8.1 billion, and the company’s portion of the consideration is approximately $6.7 billion. As part of the transaction, Hitachi will retain certain ductless HVAC assets located in Shimizu, Japan.

Following the close of the transaction, the Johnson Controls portfolio will be substantially simplified with enhanced strategic focus, aligned with the Company’s objective to be a pure-play provider of comprehensive solutions for commercial buildings. Johnson Controls delivers a unique value proposition to customers, with its unmatched service and digital offerings that improve commercial building efficiency and reduce operational costs through its Openblue digital platform. The transaction represents a significant portion of the Company’s previously announced strategic evaluation of non-core product lines.

“We are pleased to have reached this pivotal milestone, which accelerates our transformation and positions Johnson Controls as a simpler, higher-growth company,” said Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver. “Johnson Controls is already benefiting from our transformation, which enables the unparalleled value proposition we provide to customers, and exposure to rapidly accelerating demand in the data centre market and other key macro-economic tailwinds. We believe Johnson Controls is well-positioned for its next phase of growth to deliver enhanced, long-term value to shareholders.”

Christian Fischer, the deputy chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, said: “The acquired entities will strengthen Bosch’s Home Comfort Group in an extremely attractive segment and will become part of the Bosch core business.”

The transaction is expected to close in approximately 12 months, subject to required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

ONVIF, the leading global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, has announced that more than 30,000 product models in the $120B global physical security market meet the ONVIF conformance requirements for interoperability.

This new milestone means that the number of ONVIF conformant, interoperable products has doubled in the last three years and tripled since 2018. Security system integrators and end users around the world rely on products that conform to ONVIF interoperability standards to create security systems using best of breed components, regardless of manufacturer, to meet the specific needs of their organizations.

“The demand for open systems is growing exponentially as organizations increasingly prioritize interoperability and freedom of choice for their security systems and beyond,” said Leo Levit, chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “The rapid growth rate in ONVIF conformant products exemplifies that market demand as well as to the work of our member companies that have established these successful specifications.”

As a technical alliance, ONVIF creates interoperability specifications that provide standardized communication pathways for several security and surveillance industry use cases, including basic and advanced video streaming, metadata handling for video analytics, video recording and storage, as well as physical access control. Companies that are members of ONVIF contribute to committees and specialized working groups to create these specifications, and are currently working on new ONVIF standards, known as profiles, in the areas of cloud connectivity, IP audio and advanced metadata.

ONVIF membership is open to manufacturers, software developers, consultants, system integrators, end users, and other organizations looking to help shape the future of physical security technology.

Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a leading and well-recognized industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organization has a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control companies. ONVIF offers Profile S for streaming video; Profile G for video recording and storage; Profile C for physical access control; Profile A for broader access control configuration; Profile T for advanced video streaming; Profile M for metadata and events for analytics applications and Profile D for access control peripherals.

Further information about ONVIF conformant products, including member companies and their conformant models, is available on the ONVIF website: www.onvif.org.

London, August 2024 – Having doors with mechanical security can be a drag on the effectiveness and efficiency of facilities management. While wiring ever more locks to make access control more flexible is expensive and disruptive, a wireless solution built for compatibility can be the answer.

It takes a few minutes to swap almost any mechanical cylinder for a digital cylinder and connect it to an access control system. The battery-powered Aperio® C100 Cylinder can equip almost any door without the need for cables. The same device can secure server racks with digital access control. It works seamlessly with almost any EAC system, via Online, Offline or OSS-standard integration.

The flexibility benefits of digital access with the Aperio C100

By supplementing an EAC system with C100 devices, facility managers continue to control every lock and user from their existing software interface. They can deploy a C100 at almost any interior door — including wooden, metal or glass doors — as well as server racks and almost any other opening with a regular locking cylinder. The C100 supports all standard RFID credentials, as well as cutting-edge mobile technologies.

“It’s easier than ever to go keyless — to save time and money at a time when budgets have never been tighter,” says Robert Eriksson, Head of Product Management at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “As well as fast, cost-efficient installation, a C100 uses much less energy than comparable wired devices, because it is powered by standard batteries.”

The Aperio C100 Wireless Cylinder is a robust device suited to almost any medium- to high-traffic door — and has already proven reliable in all types of demanding locations. It is easy to install wire-free, and so makes an ideal choice for both retrofit projects and new buildings. And with the Aperio hardware platform designed for interoperability, it is straightforward to integrate C100 cylinders with almost any new or existing security system.

The Aperio C100 in action

The C100 is already trusted in all kinds of settings, where end-users all over the world benefit from seamless integrations with more than 100 different security and access systems — offline, online or with a mix of both within the same system.

At the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Grenoble, for example, Aperio C100 cylinders are installed in several hospital buildings. Previously, the open nature of the site posed a risk of intrusion. With Aperio, one immediate result was to drastically reduce theft from the premises. Online integration ensures hospital security managers can access door information in real time, even removing a swipe card’s permissions remotely, if required.

Stavanger’s new Concert Hall deployed Aperio to streamline access for a variety of user groups, including an orchestra, admin staff, up to 200 contractors and thousands of music fans. At different times, users need tailored access to 180 rooms, from auditoriums, rehearsal rooms and wardrobes to offices, a sauna, the canteen and an archive. Aperio digital cylinders give building managers the reliability and flexibility they need to manage all this traffic safely and efficiently.

At Luminy’s suburban campus, university administrators selected Aperio cylinders to secure doors in their new buildings. The laborious process of changing locks and reissuing keys — part of the daily workload with mechanical locking — has gone. Because Aperio locks are built for interoperability, they are flexible enough to integrate with the university’s room scheduling software as well as its ARD access control system.

“Since we installed Aperio, we have not had a break-in,” says Cédric Lopez, Maintenance Manager at Luminy.

“In hospitals and banks, theatres and universities — plus museums, offices, schools, public buildings and almost anywhere else — the versatility of the Aperio C100 Cylinder has brought security to people and assets, as well as peace of mind to facilities managers,” adds Eriksson.

Greetings! As summer approaches, we are excited to share valuable updates and security solutions in this month’s newsletter. In this issue, meet part of the dedicated team behind our Quality Control, and RMA processes. Gain valuable insights into their expertise and discover the recent service enhancements we have implemented to provide you with a smoother and more efficient after-sales experience.

During the summer, facilities may experience higher visitor traffic or temporary staff. Manage high visitor traffic with the new Armatura Palm Reader. Secure and efficient, this palm recognition device (AMT-PVS-50) grants access without physical cards or keys and integrates seamlessly with third-party solutions.

Also, the CY21 Series digital locking cylinder offers the perfect solution for enhanced security without the hassle. These easy-to-install smart cylinders combine all the functions and designs of a smart access control system as standard, providing convenient keyless entry and management for homeowners. Their sturdy construction ensures reliable operation throughout the summer season.

Finally, our team will be showcasing our latest security solutions at Security Essen and ZUKUNFT PERSONAL EUROPE in Germany. Stay tuned for details on booth location and event highlights – we look forward to meeting you there!

Bosch Building Technologies plans to acquire DMS Digitale Mess- und Steuersysteme AG, headquartered in Ettlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. DMS AG offers solutions and services in the areas of building, industrial, process and room automation as well as building and energy management.

According to the company, corresponding agreements were signed by Bosch and DMS AG on July 18, 2024. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed. The acquisition is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

With the purchase of DMS AG, Bosch Building Technologies intends to further strengthen the important growth area of building automation. The acquisition complements the 2019 and 2022 purchases of GFR Gesellschaft für Regelungstechnik und Energieeinsparung – now Bosch Building Automation GmbH – and Hörburger GmbH. Last year, Bosch Building Technologies grew by 25 percent in the building automation sector in Germany, significantly outperforming the market.

With the acquisition of DMS AG, Bosch Building Technologies has added the important area of process automation to its range of solutions, becoming a full-service provider for industrial manufacturing companies. The portfolio includes integrated and cross-domain solutions in the areas of building security, building automation, energy efficiency, sustainability consulting and digital services.

“With DMS AG, another building automation specialist with highly qualified and experienced associates complements our system integrator business. Together, we want to expand our existing portfolio for industrial customers and develop new forward-looking solutions and services that will enable the economical and sustainable operation of industrial buildings through to production,” says Thomas Quante, president of Bosch Building Technologies.

“We are very pleased to be part of Bosch Building Technologies in the future. Together, we can generate new added value for industrial customers,” says Jörg Hössl, CEO of DMS AG.

MSR-Electronic is offering the option of extending the warranty for controllers and sensor boards to 3 years. This emphasises its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

The optional 3-year warranty covers material and manufacturing defects and includes the repair or replacement of the defective device. It can be purchased for all newly purchased controllers and sensor boards in its PG2 and PX2 product ranges.

Simon Lüftl, Head of Support, explains: “With the optional 3-year warranty, we offer our customers even more flexibility and security. They can fully rely on the quality of our products and ensure that their gas detectors work reliably in an emergency.”

Gas detectors from MSR-Electronic are designed for use in a wide range of demanding applications, including

• Buildings: garages & tunnels, laboratory & medicine, food processing
• Industry: H2 gas monitoring, petrochemicals, agriculture and chemical plants
• Marine: commercial shipping, private shipping

The devices offer reliable protection against toxic and explosive gases and thus contribute to the safety of people, systems and the environment.

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Wesko Locks Ltd, a Canadian manufacturer and supplier of electronic and specialty locks.

“I am very pleased to welcome Wesko Locks into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of Assa Abloy.

“Wesko Locks has an extensive portfolio that complements our current high-security products and solutions,” says Lucas Boselli, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas Division. “Their focus on high quality, innovative products and excellent customer service reflects our values and I’m excited for them to be part of Assa Abloy.”

Wesko Locks was founded in 1990 and has some 70 employees. The main office and factory are located in Mississauga, close to Toronto, Canada.

Sales for 2023 amounted to about MEUR 14.9 with a strong EBIT margin.