Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
File Number 333-157502

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED MARCH 4, 2010

 

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus Dated February 23, 2009)

 

$     

 

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

 

          % Senior Notes due

 

The notes will mature on          . The notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per year, payable semiannually on           and           of each year, beginning          , 2010. We may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time at the redemption price described in this prospectus supplement under “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.” If we experience a change of control triggering event, we may be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders.

 

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

 

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Clearstream and the Euroclear System, on or about          , 2010.

 

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

                         , 2010

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by us. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different or additional information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of that document.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the notes that we are offering and other matters relating to us and our financial condition. The second part is the attached base prospectus, which gives more general information about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to the notes we are offering. The description of the terms of the notes in this prospectus supplement supplements the description in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Debt Securities,” and to the extent it is inconsistent with that description, the information in this prospectus supplement replaces the information in the accompanying prospectus. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. If information in the prospectus supplement differs from information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

Except as used in “Description of the Notes,” as the context otherwise requires, or as otherwise specified or used in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “the company,” “JCI” and “Johnson Controls” refer to Johnson Controls, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References in this prospectus supplement to “U.S. dollars,” “U.S. $” or “$” are to the currency of the United States of America.

 

The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

You should not consider any information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be investment, legal or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountant and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding the purchase of the notes. We are not making any representation to you regarding the legality of an investment in the notes by you under applicable investment or similar laws.

 

You should read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making your investment decision.

 

Certain statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and/or other offering material and the information incorporated by reference in the prospectus and/or other offering material, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements has been included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009. We undertake no obligation, and we disclaim any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

SUMMARY

Issuer		Johnson Controls, Inc.
Notes Offered		$      aggregate principal amount of     % notes due          .
Maturity		The notes will mature on          ,          .
Interest Rate		The notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per year.
Interest Payment Dates		The interest will be payable semiannually in arrears on          and of each year, beginning on          , 2010.
Optional Redemption		We may redeem the notes at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, at the redemption price equal to the greater of:
		•     100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed; and
		•     the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate (as defined in this prospectus supplement), plus          basis points.
		We will also pay the accrued and unpaid interest on the notes being redeemed to the redemption date.
Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event		If we experience a “Change of Control Triggering Event” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) with respect to the notes, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes, each holder of notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as described more fully under “Description of the Notes—Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.”
Ranking		The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
Certain Covenants		The indenture governing the notes will, among other things, limit our and our subsidiaries ability to:
		•     incur secured indebtedness;
		•     enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions; and
		•     enter into certain mergers, consolidations and transfers of substantially all of our assets.

		The above restrictions are subject to significant exceptions. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities” and “—Merger” in the accompanying prospectus.
Use of Proceeds		We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes, which will be approximately $      million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and our offering expenses for general corporate purposes, including to repay short-term indebtedness that we have incurred to finance working capital requirements. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Denominations		The notes will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Form of Notes		We will issue the notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Investors may elect to hold the interests in the global notes through any of DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg or the Euroclear System, as described under the heading “Description of the Notes—Delivery and Form.”
Further Issues		We may, without the consent of the holders, “reopen” the notes and issue additional notes that have the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement (except for the issue date, the public offering price and, in some cases, the first interest payment date), as described under “Description of the Notes—Principal Amount; Maturity.” These additional notes, together with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, would constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture.
Risk Factors		You should consider carefully all the information set forth and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and, in particular, you should evaluate the specific factors set forth under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement before deciding whether to invest in the notes.
Governing Law		New York.
Trustee		U.S. Bank National Association.

 

Investing in the notes involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, you should consider carefully the following factors relating to us and the notes before making an investment in the notes offered hereby. If any of the following events actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or prospects could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could adversely affect the trading price of the notes. You may lose all or part of your original investment.

 

Risks Related to the Notes

 

The notes are effectively subordinated to any secured debt and any liabilities of our subsidiaries.

 

The notes will rank senior in right of payment to existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is not so subordinated; junior in right of payment to any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure debt ranking senior or equal in right of payment to the notes will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after any secured debt has been repaid in full from these assets. There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes then outstanding. The indenture governing the notes does not prohibit us from incurring additional indebtedness, nor does it prohibit any of our subsidiaries from incurring additional liabilities. The terms of the indenture limit our ability to secure additional debt without also securing the notes, to enter into sale and leaseback transactions and to transfer certain of our assets to unrestricted subsidiaries. However, these limitations are subject to numerous exceptions. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we had $3.3 billion of outstanding indebtedness on a consolidated basis and our subsidiaries had outstanding indebtedness of $0.1 billion. After giving effect to the issuance of the notes, and the use of proceeds therefrom, our total consolidated indebtedness would have been $      billion as of December 31, 2009.

 

The notes are our obligations only, and a portion of our operations are conducted through, and a portion of our consolidated assets are held by, our subsidiaries.

 

The notes are our obligations exclusively and are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. A portion of our consolidated assets are held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends partially on the results of operations of our subsidiaries and upon the ability of such subsidiaries to provide us with cash, whether in the form of dividends, loans or otherwise, to pay amounts due on our obligations, including the notes. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make payments on the notes or to make any funds available for that purpose. In addition, dividends, loans or other distributions to us from such subsidiaries may be subject to contractual and other restrictions and are subject to other business considerations.

 

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at

such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.

 

The notes do not restrict our ability to incur additional debt or prohibit us from taking other action that could negatively impact holders of the notes.

 

We are not restricted under the terms of the indenture or the notes from incurring additional indebtedness. The terms of the indenture limit our ability to secure additional debt without also securing the notes, to enter into sale and leaseback transactions and to transfer certain of our assets to unrestricted subsidiaries. However, these limitations are subject to numerous exceptions. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the notes do not require us to achieve or maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial position or results of operations. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt, secure existing or future debt or take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture and the notes, including repurchasing subordinated indebtedness or common stock or to transfer assets to our parent if we were to form a holding company, could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due, causing a loss in the trading value of your notes, if any, and increasing the risk that the credit rating of the notes is lowered or withdrawn.

 

We may not have sufficient cash to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control Triggering Event.”

 

As described under “Description of the Notes—Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event,” we will be required to offer to repurchase all of the notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event. We may not, however, have sufficient cash at that time or have the ability to arrange necessary financing on acceptable terms to repurchase the notes under such circumstances. If we are unable to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, it would result in an event of default under the indenture. A default under the indenture could also lead to a default under the agreements governing our existing or future indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes.

 

Our financial performance and other factors could adversely impact our ability to make payments on the notes.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments with respect to our indebtedness, including the notes, will depend on our financial and operating performance, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond our control.

 

We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any interdealer quotation system. We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the notes after the offering is completed. However, the underwriters may cease their market-making at any time without notice. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes, and the market price quoted for the notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes. If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. In that case you may not be able to sell your notes at a particular time or you may not be able to sell your notes at a favorable price.

Ratings of the notes may not reflect all risks of an investment in the notes.

 

The notes will be rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The ratings of our notes will primarily reflect our financial strength and will change in accordance with the rating of our financial strength. Any rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular security, including the notes. These ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. In addition, ratings at any time may be lowered or withdrawn in their entirety. The ratings of the notes may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure and other factors on any trading market for, or trading value of, your notes.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in allocating the net proceeds of this offering.

 

Our management has significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds we expect to receive in this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including to repay short-term indebtedness that we have incurred to fund working capital requirements. Because the net proceeds are not required to be allocated to any specific investment or transaction, you cannot determine at this time the value or propriety of our application of the proceeds, and you may not agree with our decisions. In addition, our use of the proceeds from this offering may not yield a significant return or any return at all. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the value of the notes.

 

In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate generally decline in value because the premium, if any, over market interest rates will decline. Consequently, if you purchase notes and market interest rates increase, the market value of your notes may decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.

 

If you are able to resell your notes, many other factors may affect the price you receive, which may be lower than you believe to be appropriate.

 

If you are able to resell your notes, the price you receive will depend on many other factors that may vary over time, including:

 

 

As a result of these factors, you may only be able to sell your notes at prices below those you believe to be appropriate, including prices below the price you paid for them.

 

We will use the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of the notes, which will be approximately $     , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and our offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of short-term indebtedness that we have incurred to finance working capital requirements. As of December 31, 2009, we had various forms of short-term indebtedness that had a weighted average maturity of 45 days and carried a weighted average annual interest rate of 1.25%.

 

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for us for each year in the five year period ended September 30, 2009, and for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

For the purposes of computing this ratio, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest in earnings or losses of consolidated subsidiaries and income from equity affiliates plus (a) amortization of previously capitalized interest, (b) distributed income from equity affiliates and (c) fixed charges, minus interest capitalized during the period. “Fixed charges” consist of (i) interest incurred and amortization of debt expense plus (ii) the portion of rent expense representative of the interest factor.

 

We did not have any preferred stock outstanding and we did not pay or accrue any preferred stock dividends during the periods presented above.

 

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2009, our consolidated cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and total long-term debt and stockholders’ equity on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the notes and the application of the net proceeds to repay short-term indebtedness. You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which are incorporated by reference.

 

 

General

 

For purposes of the accompanying prospectus, the notes are “Senior Debt Securities.” We refer you to the “Description of the Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus, which you should read carefully. The following description of the particular terms of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with the description in the accompanying prospectus replaces, that description. The notes will be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 17, 2006, which we refer to as the “indenture,” between us and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank). U.S. Bank National Association will be the trustee for the notes. Except as otherwise defined in this prospectus supplement, capitalized definitional terms used in this prospectus supplement have the meanings specified in the accompanying prospectus. The notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary’s nominee. See “—Delivery and Form” below and “Description of the Debt Securities—Book-Entry, Delivery and Settlement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Principal Amount; Maturity

 

We will issue a total of $     initial principal amount of notes that will mature on          ,          . If the date of maturity falls on a day that is not a business day, the related payment of principal and interest will be made on the next business day as if it were made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amounts so payable for the period from and after such date to the next business day. The notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. We may, without the consent of the holders, “reopen” the notes and issue additional notes that have the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement (except for the issue date, the public offering price and, in some cases, the first interest payment date). These additional notes, together with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, would constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture.

 

Interest

 

The notes will bear interest at an annual rate of     % per year. Interest will accrue from          , 2010. Interest is payable semiannually on           and          of each year to the holders of record at the close of business on          and          (whether or not that date is a business day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment date. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The first interest payment date will be          , 2010. If any interest payment date is not a business day, the payment of interest will be made on the next succeeding business day and no additional interest will accrue.

 

Optional Redemption

 

The notes are redeemable, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(1)    100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed; and

 

(2)    the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate (as defined below), plus     basis points,

 

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes being redeemed to the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the

registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the notes and the indenture.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (the “Remaining Life”) of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (1) each of Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. (or their respective affiliates that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by us after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

 

Holders of notes to be redeemed will receive notice thereof by first-class mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. If fewer than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding not previously called by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.

 

Sinking Fund

 

The notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

 

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to the notes, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” by giving irrevocable notice to the trustee in accordance with the indenture, each holder of notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion of such holder’s notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but not including the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of holders of notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due and owing on the relevant interest payment date.

 

Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurs or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we will be required to send, by first class mail, a notice to each holder of notes, with a copy to the trustee,

which notice will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice will state, among other things, the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

 

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to the notes if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by us and such third party purchases all the notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In addition, we will not repurchase any notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an event of default under the indenture, other than a default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment on the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

We must comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, we will be required to comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

 

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a Change of Control Offer, the following definitions are applicable:

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the date of issuance of the notes:

 

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to us or one of our subsidiaries;

 

(2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than Johnson Controls or one of our subsidiaries) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of our Voting Stock representing a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Voting Stock;

 

(3) we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of our outstanding Voting Stock or Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, Voting Stock representing a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

(4) the first day on which the majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company cease to be Continuing Directors; or

 

(5) the adoption by our shareholders of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a change of control under clause (2) above if (1) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (2)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means, with respect to the notes, the notes cease to be rated Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing 60 days prior to the first public announcement by us of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended following consummation of a Change of Control for so long as any of the Rating Agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings change). However, a Change of Control Triggering Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Change of Control Triggering Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Change in Control Triggering Event). If a Rating Agency is not providing a rating for the notes at the commencement of any Trigger Period, the notes will be deemed to have ceased to be rated Investment Grade by such Rating Agency during that Trigger Period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

 

“Continuing Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who:

 

(1)    was a member of our board of directors on the date of the issuance of the notes; or

 

(2)    was nominated for election or elected or appointed to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of our board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of our proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

 

“Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB-or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P), and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by us under the circumstances permitting us to select a replacement rating agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement rating agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agency.”

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, association, joint-stock company, joint venture, trust, incorporated or unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P; provided, that if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to provide rating services to issuers or investors, we may appoint another “nationally recognized statistical rating

organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act as a replacement for such Rating Agency; provided, that we shall give notice of such appointment to the trustee.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

 

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the capital stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

 

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of Johnson Controls and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise, established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Johnson Controls and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to another “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) may be uncertain.

 

Defeasance

 

The defeasance provisions of Article Thirteen of the indenture will apply to the notes. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge of a Series” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

 

Settlement for the notes will be made in same-day funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made by us in immediately available funds. To the extent any notes are held by DTC, such notes will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and therefore DTC will require secondary trading activity in the notes to be settled in immediately available funds. Please see “Description of the Debt Securities—Book-Entry, Delivery and Settlement” in the accompanying prospectus for a further description of book entry procedures.

 

Delivery and Form

 

The notes will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates (each a “Global Note” and collectively, the “Global Notes”) deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee). The notes will be available for purchase in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof in book-entry form only. Unless and until certificated notes are issued under the limited circumstances described in the accompanying prospectus, no beneficial owner of a note shall be entitled to receive a definitive certificate representing a note. So long as DTC or any successor depositary (collectively, the “Depositary”) or its nominee is the registered owner of the Global Notes, the Depositary, or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered to be the sole owner or holder of the senior notes for all purposes of the indenture.

 

Beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Global Notes through DTC either directly if they are participants in DTC or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC.

 

Clearstream. Clearstream Banking, S.A. is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides Clearstream Participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and establishment of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a

professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

 

Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream.

 

Euroclear. Euroclear Bank SP./N.V. was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

The Euroclear Operator is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking Commission.

 

Links have been established among DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear to facilitate the initial issuance of the senior notes sold outside of the United States and cross-market transfers of the senior notes associated with secondary market trading.

 

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.

 

Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much the same way as DTC, and DTC will record the total ownership of each of the U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in DTC. When notes are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive senior notes against payment. After settlement, Clearstream or Euroclear will credit its participant’s account. Credit for the notes will appear on the next day (European time).

 

Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC participants will be able to employ their usual procedures for sending notes to the relevant U.S. agent acting for the benefit of Clearstream or Euroclear participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. As a result, to the DTC participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

 

When a Clearstream or Euroclear participant wishes to transfer notes to a DTC participant, the seller will be required to send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer these notes against payment for them. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear participant the following day, with the proceeds back valued to the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York, if settlement is not completed on the intended value date, that is, the trade fails, proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear participant’s account will instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.

You should be aware that you will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the senior notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on the days when those clearing systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time zone differences there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.

 

The information in this section concerning the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but neither we nor the underwriters take responsibility for its accuracy. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Luxembourg, as applicable, and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us, the underwriters or the trustee takes any responsibility for these operations and procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream Luxembourg or their respective participants to discuss these matters.

 

THIS SUMMARY IS OF A GENERAL NATURE AND IS INCLUDED HEREIN SOLELY FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES. THIS SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE, CONSTRUED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. NO REPRESENTATION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR PURCHASER OF THE NOTES IS MADE. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (both as defined below) relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. This summary is based upon current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings, pronouncements, judicial decisions and administrative interpretations of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time by legislative, judicial or administrative action. We cannot assure you that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions stated below, and no ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel has been (or will be) sought on any of the matters discussed below.

 

The following summary does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this summary does not address the effect of any special rules applicable to certain types of beneficial owners, including, without limitation, dealers in securities or currencies, insurance companies, financial institutions, thrifts, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt entities, governmental bodies or agencies and instrumentalities thereof, U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, persons who hold notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, or other risk reduction or integrated investment transaction, investors in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, individual retirement accounts or qualified pension plans, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or investors in pass through entities, including partnerships and Subchapter S corporations. In addition, this summary is limited to holders who are the initial purchasers of the notes at their original issue price and who hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code. This summary does not address the effect of any U.S. state or local income or other tax laws, any U.S. federal estate and gift tax laws, or any foreign tax laws.

 

U.S. Holders

 

The term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is:

 

 

Taxation of Interest

 

All of the notes bear interest at a fixed rate. Moreover, we do not intend to issue the notes at a discount that will exceed a de minimis amount of original issue discount. Accordingly, interest on a note will generally be includable in income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary income, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder using the accrual method of

accounting for federal income tax purposes must include interest on the notes in ordinary income as interest accrues. A U.S. Holder using the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes must include interest in ordinary income when payments are received, or made available for receipt, by the U.S. Holder.

 

In certain circumstances (See “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption,” and “Description of the Notes—Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event”), we may pay amounts on the notes that are in excess of the stated interest or principal of the notes. We intend to take the position that the possibility that any such payment will be made is remote so that such possibility will not affect the timing or amount of interest income that holders recognize unless and until any such payment is made. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on the holder, unless the holder discloses its contrary position to the IRS in the manner that is required by applicable Treasury regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS. It is possible that the IRS might take a different position from that described above, in which case the timing, character and amount of taxable income in respect of the notes may be different from that described herein.

 

Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition

 

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note measured by the difference, if any, between:

 

 

Such capital gain or loss will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or exchange, the note has been held by the U.S. Holder for more than one year; otherwise, the capital gain or loss will be short-term. Non-corporate taxpayers may be subject to a lower federal income tax rate on their net long-term capital gains than that applicable to ordinary income. U.S. Holders are subject to certain limitations on the deductibility of their capital losses.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

U.S. Holders of notes will be subject to information reporting and may be subject, under certain circumstances, to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) on payments of interest, principal, gross proceeds from disposition of notes, and redemption premium, if any. Backup withholding generally applies only if the U.S. Holder:

 

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld from a payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and such U.S. Holder may be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of its actual U.S. federal income tax liability, provided such U.S. Holder files the appropriate returns and/or timely furnishes the required information to the IRS. Certain persons are exempt from backup withholding, including corporations and financial institutions. U.S. Holders of notes should consult their tax advisors as to their

qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption. We cannot refund amounts once withheld.

 

We will furnish annually to the IRS, and to record holders of the notes to whom we are required to furnish such information, information relating to the amount of interest and the amount of backup withholding, if any, with respect to the notes.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

The following summary is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a beneficial owner of a note who is not classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a partnership or as a “disregarded entity” and who is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”). In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, the following summary assumes that this individual was not formerly a U.S. citizen, and was not formerly a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Taxation of Interest

 

Subject to the summary of backup withholding rules below, payments of interest on a note to any Non-U.S. Holder will not generally be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax provided we or the person otherwise responsible for withholding U.S. federal income tax from payments on the notes receives a required certification from the Non-U.S. Holder (as discussed below) and the Non-U.S. Holder is not:

 

 

In order to satisfy the certification requirement, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN (or substitute Form W-8BEN or the appropriate successor form) under penalties of perjury that provides the Non-U.S. Holder’s name and address and certifies that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person. Alternatively, in a case where a security clearing organization, bank or other financial institution holds the notes in the ordinary course of its trade or business on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder, the certification requirements provide that we or the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax receive from the financial institution a certification under penalties of perjury that a properly completed Form W-8BEN (or substitute Form W-8BEN or the appropriate successor form) has been received by it, or by another such financial institution, from the Non-U.S. Holder, and a copy of such a form is furnished to the payor. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and trusts, and in certain circumstances, certifications as to foreign status of partners, trust owners, or beneficiaries may be required to be provided to our paying agent or to us. In addition, special rules apply to payments made through a qualified intermediary.

 

A Non-U.S. Holder that does not qualify for exemption from withholding under the preceding paragraphs generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30%, unless (i) the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN and other required documentation evidencing its entitlement to an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under an applicable income tax treaty, or (ii) payments of interest on the notes are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder meets the certification requirement discussed at the end of the following paragraph.

If the payments of interest on a note are effectively connected with the conduct by a Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States (or, in the event that an income tax treaty is applicable, if the payments of interest are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), such payments will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates applicable to U.S. persons generally. If the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income purposes, such payments also may be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30%, or lower applicable treaty rate. If payments are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis in accordance with the rules described in the preceding two sentences, such payments will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax so long as the Non-U.S. Holder provides us, or the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI.

 

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties, which may provide for a lower rate of withholding tax, exemption from or reduction of branch profits tax, or other rules different from those described above.

 

Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition

 

Subject to the summary of backup withholding rules below, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:

 

 

Proceeds from the disposition of a note that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest generally will be subject to, or exempt from, tax to the same extent as described above with respect to interest paid on a note, although such proceeds generally are not subject to withholding tax. A non-U.S. Holder should treat any amount received on redemption of a note in the same manner as the non-U.S. Holder treats proceeds received on a sale.

 

If the gain on a disposition of a note is effectively connected with the conduct by a Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States (or, in the event that an income tax treaty is applicable, if the gain is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as interest that is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States, as described under “—Taxation of Interest” above.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Any payments of interest on the notes to a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be reported to the IRS and to the Non-U.S. Holder. Copies of these information returns also may be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or other agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.

 

The backup withholding tax and certain additional information reporting generally will not apply to payments of interest with respect to which either the requisite certification, as described above, has been received or an exemption otherwise has been established, provided that neither we nor the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax has actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is, in fact, a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

 

The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies as to its non-U.S. status (e.g., by furnishing the broker with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN) or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other

exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes by or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-U.S. broker has certain types of relationships with the United States (a “U.S. related person”). In the case of the payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes by or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a U.S. person or a U.S. related person, the Treasury Regulations require information reporting (but not backup withholding) on the payment unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the beneficial owner is a Non-U.S. Holder and the broker has no knowledge or reason to know to the contrary.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (and the Non-U.S. Holder may be entitled to a refund of amounts withheld in excess of the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability) provided such Non-U.S. Holder timely furnishes the required information to and/or files the necessary returns or claims with the IRS. We cannot refund amounts once withheld.

 

Proposed Legislation

 

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would require a withholding agent to withhold tax at a rate of 30% on interest, dividends and other withholdable payments made to foreign entities, unless the entity certifies that it has no substantial U.S. owners or provides the withholding agent with the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each of its substantial U.S. owners. Moreover, the Obama Administration has recently proposed to (i) limit the ability of investors to claim an exemption from U.S. withholding tax through a foreign intermediary that is not a “qualified intermediary” (a “nonqualified intermediary”), (ii) require a withholding agent to withhold tax at a rate of 20% on gross proceeds from the sale of securities under certain circumstances when paid to a nonqualified intermediary that is located in a jurisdiction with which the United States does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty that includes a satisfactory exchange of information program, and (iii) limit the ability of certain foreign entities to claim relief from U.S. withholding tax unless those entities provide documentation of their beneficial owners to the withholding agent. It is unclear whether, or in what form, the Obama Administration proposals or the legislation passed by the House of Representatives will be enacted. Holders of notes are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these proposals on their investment in the notes.

 

THE PRECEDING SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN ADVISORS ON THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, AND ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW.

 

We intend to offer the notes through the underwriters. Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters and the underwriters severally have agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of the notes listed opposite their names below:

 

 

The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement if any of these notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

The underwriters are offering the notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the notes, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Discounts and Commissions

 

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to initially offer the notes at a price of     % of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest from the original issue date of the notes, if any, and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest from the original issue date of the notes, if any. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).

 

 

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discounts and commissions, are estimated to be $      and are payable by us.

 

New Issue of Notes

 

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities exchange or for inclusion of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If

the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial public offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors.

 

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the market price of the notes. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain the price of the notes.

 

If the underwriters create a short position in the notes in connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more notes than are on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing notes in the open market. Purchases of the notes to stabilize the price or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the notes to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.

 

Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the notes. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Other Relationships

 

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. They have received customary fees and commissions for these transactions. In addition, affiliates of Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. were co-syndication agents on our revolving credit facility, for which they each received customary compensation.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling with Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), from and including the date on which the European Union Prospectus Directive (the “EU Prospectus Directive”) is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent

authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the EU Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression EU Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

The legality of the notes is being passed upon for us by Jerome D. Okarma, our Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, and/or Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of March 1, 2010, Mr. Okarma beneficially owned 101,331.191 shares of our common stock, and held options to purchase 721,000 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 463,500 shares were exercisable. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, Illinois.

PROSPECTUS

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

 

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities,

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock or Debt Securities,

Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time securities in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

 

We may offer and sell the following securities:

 

 

Each time securities are sold using this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus and possibly other offering material containing specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being sold, including the offering price. The supplement or other offering material may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any supplement and any other offering material carefully before you invest.

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to investors, on a continued or a delayed basis. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

 

In addition, selling shareholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by any selling shareholders.

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JCI.”

 

See “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement or in such other document we refer you to in the accompanying prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain risks that prospective investors should consider before investing in our securities.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

This prospectus is dated February 23, 2009.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we ,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Johnson Controls” refer to Johnson Controls, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively. References to the “common stock” refer to Johnson Controls’ common stock, par value $0.01 7/18 per share. References to the “preferred stock” refer to Johnson Controls’ preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. References to “$” are to United States currency, and the terms “United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America, its states, territories, possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus, and one or more of our shareholders may sell our common stock, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of those securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. “Incorporated by reference” means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making offers to sell nor soliciting offers to buy, nor will we make an offer to sell nor solicit an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus, as well as the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate only as of the dates on their covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Certain statements in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus and/or other offering material and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements will be included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in an accompanying prospectus supplement or in such other document we refer you to in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We undertake no obligation, and we disclaim any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Johnson Controls is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. We bring ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create

smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. We strive to create a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for vehicles, homes and commercial buildings. Johnson Controls provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, we offer products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. We also provide batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with related systems engineering, marketing and service expertise.

 

Our building efficiency business is a global market leader in designing, producing, marketing and installing integrated heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, building management systems, controls, security and mechanical equipment. In addition, the building efficiency business provides technical services, energy management consulting and operations of entire real estate portfolios for the non-residential buildings market. We also provide residential air conditioning and heating systems.

 

Our automotive experience business is one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, providing interior products and systems to millions of vehicles annually. Our technologies extend into every area of the interior including seating and overhead systems, door systems, floor consoles, instrument panels, cockpits and integrated electronics. Customers include virtually every major automaker in the world.

 

Our power solutions business is a leading global producer of lead-acid automotive batteries, serving both automotive original equipment manufacturers and the general vehicle battery aftermarket. We also offer Absorbent Glass Mat, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion battery technologies to power hybrid vehicles.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 5757 North Green Bay Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209-4408, and our telephone number is (414) 524-1200.

 

The following table shows our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of our last five fiscal years:

 

 

For the purposes of computing this ratio, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest in earnings or losses of consolidated subsidiaries and income from equity affiliates plus (a) amortization of previously capitalized interest, (b) distributed income from equity affiliates and (c) fixed charges, minus interest capitalized during the period. “Fixed charges” consist of (i) interest incurred and amortization of debt expense plus (ii) the portion of rent expense representative of the interest factor.

 

We did not have any preferred stock outstanding and we did not pay or accrue any preferred stock dividends during the periods presented above.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for repayment of debt and general corporate purposes.

 

We are authorized to issue up to 1,802,000,000 shares of capital stock, 1,800,000,000 of which are shares of common stock, par value $0.01 7/18 per share, and 2,000,000 shares of which are preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of January 31, 2009, there were 594,251,892 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Shares of our common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JCI.”

The following description of our capital stock summarizes general terms and provisions that apply to our capital stock. Since this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. The summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Common Stock

 

Preemptive Rights

 

Our common shareholders do not have any preemptive rights except as the board of directors may otherwise determine.

 

Dividends

 

After all dividends on all of our preferred stock outstanding have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefor.

 

Liquidation or Dissolution

 

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the distribution of our assets that remain after provision for payment of all liabilities to creditors and payment of liquidation preferences and accrued dividends, if any, to our preferred shareholders.

 

Voting Rights and Extraordinary Transactions

 

Our common shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, and our common shareholders vote together share for share with our preferred shareholders as one class, except as otherwise provided by law or as determined by our board of directors at the time it establishes a series of preferred stock.

 

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws might discourage some types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change of control. Our articles of incorporation provide that, subject to specified exceptions, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of four-fifths of all classes of our capital stock, considered as one class, is required (1) for the adoption of any agreement for the merger or consolidation of us with or into any other corporation or (2) to authorize any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all or any substantial part of our assets to, or any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, other disposition to us in exchange for our securities or any assets of, any other corporation, person or other entity, if, in either case, the other corporation, person or entity is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of our outstanding capital stock. Any corporation, person or other entity will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares of our capital stock which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by it and its affiliates and associates, and which it and its affiliates and associates have the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

The provisions of our articles of incorporation requiring a four-fifths vote are not applicable to (1) any merger or consolidation of us with or into any other corporation, or any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all or any substantial part of our assets to, or any sale, lease, mortgage, pledge or other disposition to us in exchange for our securities or any assets of, any other corporation, person or other entity, if our board of directors by resolution has approved a memorandum of understanding with the other corporation, person or other entity, with respect to and substantially consistent with the proposed transaction, prior to the time the other corporation, person or other entity has become a beneficial owner of more than 10% of our outstanding capital stock or (2) any merger or consolidation of us with, or any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition to as of any assets of, any corporation of which a majority of the outstanding capital stock is held by us.

No amendment to our articles of incorporation may amend, alter, change or repeal any of the provisions of our articles of incorporation requiring a four-fifths vote unless the amendment effecting the amendment, alteration, change or repeal receives the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of four-fifths of all of our capital stock, considered as one class.

 

Provisions of Wisconsin law might also discourage some types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change of control of Johnson Controls. Sections 180.1140 through 180.1144 of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law contain limitations and special voting provisions applicable to specified business combinations involving Wisconsin corporations, including Johnson Controls, and a significant stockholder, unless the board of directors of the corporation approves the business combination or the stockholder’s acquisition of shares before the shares are acquired. Similarly, Sections 180.1130 through 180.1133 of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law contain special voting provisions applicable to specified business combinations unless minimum price and procedural requirements are met. Following the commencement of a takeover offer, Section 180.1134 of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law imposes special voting requirements on specified share repurchases effected at a premium to the market and on specified asset sales by the corporation unless, as it relates to the potential sale of assets, the corporation has at least three independent directors and a majority of the independent directors vote not to have the provision apply to the corporation.

 

Section 180.1150 of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law provides that the voting power of shares of Wisconsin corporations, including Johnson Controls, held by any person or persons acting as a group in excess of 20% of the voting power of the corporation is limited to 10% of the full voting power of those shares. This restriction does not apply to shares acquired directly from the corporation or in specified transactions or shares for which full voting power has been restored pursuant to a vote of shareholders.

 

Number and Tenure of Board of Directors; Special Meetings

 

As of November 19, 2008, our bylaws provide that our board of directors is composed of not less than nine nor more than thirteen directors divided into three classes, consisting of three to four members each, depending on the size of the board of directors. A director may be removed from office by shareholders prior to the expiration of his or her term, but only:

 

 

A special meeting of shareholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the vice chairman of the board of directors, the president or the board of directors, and will be called by the chairman of the board of directors or the president upon the demand of shareholders representing at least 10% of all of the votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting.

 

The affirmative vote of (1) shareholders possessing at least four-fifths of the voting power of the outstanding shares of all classes of our capital stock, considered as one class (subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation) or (2) at least two-thirds of the directors then in office plus one director, is required to amend, alter, change or repeal the provisions of the bylaws relating to the number and tenure of members of our board of directors.

 

Preferred Stock

 

General

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and with rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including dividend rights, voting rights,

conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, as may be designated by our board of directors without any further vote or action by our shareholders, provided that the aggregate liquidation preference of all shares of preferred stock outstanding may not exceed $100,000,000. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Johnson Controls.

 

The specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to that series. The related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will contain a description of material United States federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of preferred stock described in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by articles of amendment to the articles of incorporation relating to that series. A prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, relating to each series, will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:

 

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends at the rate per year set by our board of directors, payable quarterly on the last day of March, June, September, and December in each year for the respective calendar quarter ending on those dates, when and as declared by our board of directors. Dividends will accrue on each share of preferred stock from the first day of each quarterly dividend period in which the share is issued or from another date as our board of directors may fix for that purpose. All dividends on preferred stock will be cumulative so that if we do not pay or set apart for payment the dividend, or any part thereof, for any dividend period on the preferred stock then issued and outstanding, the unpaid portion of the dividend will thereafter be fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, but without interest, before any dividend will be paid or declared and set apart for payment on our common stock. The holders of our preferred stock will not be entitled to participate in any of our other or additional earnings or profits, except for those premiums, if any, as may be payable in case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

 

Any dividend paid upon our preferred stock at a time when any accrued dividends for any prior dividend period are delinquent will be expressly declared to be in whole or partial payment of the accrued dividends to the extent there are accrued dividends, beginning with the earliest dividend period for which dividends are then wholly or partly delinquent, and will be so designated to each shareholder to whom payment is made. No dividends will be paid upon any shares of any series of preferred stock for a current dividend period unless there has been paid or declared and set apart for payment dividends required to be paid to the holders of each

other series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods of the other series. If any dividends are paid on any of our preferred stock with respect to any past dividend period at any time when less than the total dividends then accumulated and payable for all past dividend periods on all of the preferred stock then outstanding are to be paid or declared and set apart for payment, then the dividends being paid will be paid on each series of preferred stock in the proportions that the dividends then accumulated and payable on each series for all past dividend periods bear to the total dividends then accumulated and payable for all past dividend periods on all outstanding preferred stock.

 

Liquidation or Dissolution

 

In case of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock would be entitled to receive out of our assets in money or money’s worth the liquidation preference with respect to that series of preferred stock, together with all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared, before any of our assets would be paid or distributed to holders of our common stock. In case of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, if our assets would be insufficient to pay the holders of all of the series of our preferred stock then outstanding the full amounts to which they may be entitled, the holders of each outstanding series would share ratably in our assets in proportion to the amounts which would be payable with respect to that series if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. Our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, or a sale of all or any part of our assets, will not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs for purposes of this paragraph.

 

Redemption

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to a particular series of our preferred stock, the following general redemption provisions will apply to each series of preferred stock.

 

On or prior to the date fixed for redemption of a particular series of our preferred stock or any part of a particular series of our preferred stock as specified in the notice of redemption for that series, we will deposit adequate funds for the redemption, in trust for the account of holders of that series, with a bank having trust powers or a trust company in good standing, organized under the laws of the United States or the State of Wisconsin doing business in the State of Wisconsin and having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $1,000,000. If the name and address of the bank or trust company and the deposit of or intent to deposit the redemption funds in the trust account is stated in the notice of redemption, then from and after the mailing of the notice and the making of the deposit, the shares of the series called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever, and all rights of the holders of the shares of the series in or with respect to us will cease and terminate except only the right of the holders of the shares:

 

 

Any money deposited by us that remains unclaimed by the holders of the shares called for redemption and not converted will, at the end of six years after the date fixed for redemption, be paid to us upon our request, after which repayment the holders of the shares called for redemption will no longer look to the bank or trust company for the payment of the redemption price but will look only to us or to others, as the case may be, for the payment of any lawful claim for the money which holders of the shares may still have. After the six-year period, the right of any shareholder or other person to receive payment for its shares in the series redeemed may be forfeited in the manner and with the effect provided under Wisconsin law. Any portion of

the money so deposited by us, in respect of shares of our preferred stock called for redemption that are converted into our common stock, will be repaid to us upon our request.

 

In case of redemption of only a part of a series of preferred stock, we will designate by lot, in the manner our board of directors may determine, the shares to be redeemed, or we will effect the redemption pro rata.

 

Conversion Rights

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to a particular series of our preferred stock, the following general conversion provisions will apply to each series of our preferred stock that is convertible into common stock.

 

All shares of our common stock issued upon conversion will be fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance except taxes, if any, payable by reason of issuance in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares converted and except as otherwise provided by applicable Wisconsin law.

 

The number of shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of a particular series of preferred stock at any time will be the quotient obtained by dividing the aggregate conversion value of the shares of the series surrendered for conversion by the conversion price per share of common stock then in effect for that series. We will not be required, however, upon any such conversion, to issue any fractional share of common stock, but in lieu of fractional shares we will pay to the holder who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share a sum in cash equal to the value of the fractional share at the rate of the then-prevailing market value per share of our common stock. The then-prevailing market value per share means for these purposes the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of our preferred stock will be deemed to have been converted as of the close of business on the date the transfer agent receives the certificate for the shares to be converted, duly endorsed, together with written notice by the holder of its election to convert the shares.

 

The basic conversion price per share of common stock for a series of our preferred stock, as fixed by the board of directors, will be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

 

 

Any adjustment to the conversion price for any series of our preferred stock is made retroactively. No adjustment will be made in the conversion price for any series of our preferred stock if the amount of the adjustment would be less than fifty cents, but any adjustments which are not made for that reason will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment and all adjustments will be made not later than the earlier of three years after the occurrence of the event giving rise to the adjustment or the date as of which the adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 3% in the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the first date on which an event occurred which required the making of a computation described above. All adjustments will be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be.

 

In the case of any capital reorganization or reclassification of our common stock, or if we consolidate with or merge into, or sell or dispose of all or substantially all of our property and assets to, any other corporation, proper provisions will be made as part of the terms of the capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale that any shares of a particular series of preferred stock at the time outstanding will thereafter be convertible into the number of shares of stock or other securities or property to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock deliverable upon conversion of the shares of a particular series would have been entitled upon the capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation or merger.

 

No adjustment with respect to dividends upon any series of our preferred stock or with respect to dividends upon our common stock will be made in connection with any conversion.

 

Whenever there is an issuance of additional shares of our common stock requiring an adjustment in the conversion price, and whenever there occurs any other event which results in a change in the existing conversion rights of the holders of shares of a series of our preferred stock, we will file with our transfer agent or agents, and at our principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a statement signed by our president or a vice president and by our treasurer or an assistant treasurer describing specifically the issuance of additional shares of common stock or other event (and, in the case of a capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, the terms thereof), the actual conversion prices or basis of conversion as changed by the issuance or event and the change, if any, in the securities issuable upon conversion. Whenever we issue to all holders of our common stock as a class any rights or warrants enabling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock, we will also file in like manner a statement describing the issuance and the consideration we received as a result of that issuance. The statement so filed may be inspected by any holder of record of shares of any series of our preferred stock.

 

We will at all times have authorized and will at all times reserve and set aside a sufficient number of duly authorized shares of our common stock for the conversion of all stock of all then outstanding series of preferred stock which are convertible into common stock.

 

Reissuance of Shares

 

Any shares of our preferred stock retired by purchase, redemption, through conversion, or through the operation of any sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, will thereafter have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, and may thereafter be reissued as part of the same series or may be reclassified and reissued by our board of directors in the same manner as any other authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock.

Voting Rights

 

Holders of our preferred stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all questions on which our shareholders are entitled to vote and will vote together share for share with the holders of our common stock as one class, except as otherwise provided by law or as described below or as otherwise determined by the board of directors at the time of the establishment of a series of preferred stock.

 

The affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of record of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of a series of our preferred stock is a prerequisite of our right:

 

 

The affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series of our preferred stock will be a prerequisite to our right to authorize any shares of preferred stock in excess of 2,000,000 shares or any other shares ranking on a parity with our preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends or of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Special Voting Rights for the Election of Directors upon our Failure to Pay Dividends

 

Whenever dividends payable on any series of our preferred stock are in arrears in an aggregate amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends on the shares of all of the preferred stock of that series then outstanding, the holders of preferred stock of that series will have the exclusive and special right, voting separately as a class, to elect two of our directors, and the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be increased to the extent necessary to effectuate that right. Whenever the holders of any series of our preferred stock have the right to elect two of our directors, that right may be exercised initially either at a special meeting of the holders possessing that right or at any annual meeting of our shareholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of our shareholders. The right of the holders of any series of our preferred stock voting separately as a class to elect members of our board of directors will continue until the time all dividends accumulated on that series of our preferred stock have been paid in full, at which time the right of the holders of that series of our preferred stock to vote separately as a class for the election of directors will terminate, subject to revesting in the event of any subsequent default in an aggregate amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends.

 

At any time when the holders of any series of preferred stock have special voting rights as a result of our failure to make dividends, a proper officer will, upon the written request of the holders of at least 10% of the series of our preferred stock then outstanding entitled to the special voting rights addressed to our secretary, call a special meeting of the holders of that series of our preferred stock for the purpose of electing directors. The special meeting will be held at the earliest practicable date in the place designated pursuant to our bylaws or, if there be no designation, at our principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If the special meeting is not called by the proper officers within 20 days after personal service of the written request upon our secretary, or within 30 days after mailing the written request within the United States by registered or certified mail addressed to our secretary at our principal office, then the holders of at least 10% of the series of our preferred stock then outstanding may designate in writing one of the holders to call a special meeting at our expense, and the meeting may be called by that person upon the notice required for annual meetings of shareholders and will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In no event, however, will a special meeting be called during the period within 90 days immediately preceding the date fixed for our next annual meeting of shareholders.

 

At any annual or special meeting at which the holders of any series of our preferred stock will have the special right, voting separately as a class, to elect directors as a result of our failure to pay dividends, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of 331/3% of the series of preferred stock entitled to the special voting rights will be required to constitute a quorum of that series for the election of any director by the holders of that series as a class. At that meeting or adjournment thereof, the absence of a quorum of the series

of our preferred stock entitled to special voting rights will not prevent the election of directors other than those to be elected by that series of preferred stock voting as a class, and the absence of a quorum for the election of other directors will not prevent the election of the directors to be elected by that series of preferred stock voting as a class. In the absence of either or both quorums, a majority of the holders present in person or by proxy of the stock or stocks which lack a quorum will have power to adjourn the meeting for the election of directors which they are entitled to elect until a quorum is present, without notice other than announcement at the meeting.

 

During any period in which the holders of any series of preferred stock have the right to vote as a class for directors as described above, any vacancies in our board of directors will be filled only by vote of a majority (even if that be only a single director) of the remaining directors elected by the holders of the series or class of stock which elected the directors whose offices have become vacant. During that period the directors so elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock will continue in office (1) until the next succeeding annual meeting or until their successors, if any, are elected by those holders and qualify, or (2) unless required by applicable law to continue in office for a longer period, until termination of the special voting rights of those holders, if earlier. If and to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately upon any termination of the right of the holders of any series of our preferred stock to vote as a class for directors as described in this prospectus, the term of office of the directors then in office so elected by the holders of that series will terminate.

 

Other Restrictions upon our Failure to Pay Dividends or Retire Shares of Preferred Stock

 

If we fail at any time to pay dividends in full on our preferred stock, thereafter and until dividends in full, including all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past quarterly dividend periods on our preferred stock outstanding, have been declared and set apart in trust for payment or paid, or if at any time we fail to pay in full amounts payable with respect to any obligations to retire shares of our preferred stock, thereafter and until those amounts have been paid in full or set apart in trust for payment, we cannot:

 

 

The following description of the debt securities sets forth the material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material and the extent, if any, to which the provisions described in this prospectus may apply to the offered debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the offered debt securities. As used in this section, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Johnson Controls” and the “Company” refer to Johnson Controls, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, and not any of its subsidiaries, unless the context requires.

Senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture between Johnson Controls and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, a form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture relating to the senior debt securities, as amended or otherwise supplemented by any supplemental indentures, is referred to in this prospectus as the senior indenture. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture between Johnson Controls and the trustee, the form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture relating to the subordinated debt securities, as amended or otherwise supplemented by any supplemental indentures, is referred to in this prospectus as the subordinated indenture. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus collectively as the indentures, and each individually, as an indenture.

 

The following summaries of the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, including the definitions of specified terms used in the indentures, and the debt securities. Wherever particular articles, sections or defined terms of an indenture are referred to, it is intended that those articles, sections or defined terms will be incorporated herein by reference, and the statement in connection with which reference is made is qualified in its entirety by the article, section or defined term in the indenture.

 

General

 

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt, either secured or unsecured, which we may issue under the indentures or otherwise. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount. Some of the debt securities may be issued under the applicable indenture as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Federal income tax and other considerations applicable to any original issue discount securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. We have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt by issuing additional debt securities of such series.

 

Because we are a holding company, our right, and hence the rights of our creditors and shareholders, to participate in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise and the ability of a holder of debt securities to benefit as our creditor from any distribution are subject to prior claims of the creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that any claim of ours as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. The debt securities will also effectively rank junior in right of payment to any of our secured debt.

 

The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular series of debt securities offered thereby will describe the following terms of the offered debt securities:

 

 

 

Payments

 

Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the offered debt securities will be payable, and transfers of the offered debt securities will be registrable, at the corporate trust office of the trustee. Alternatively, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the debt security register.

 

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

 

Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the offered debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency. No service charge will be made for any

registration of transfer or exchange of offered debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any transfer or exchange.

 

If the purchase price of any of the offered debt securities is denominated in a foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any series of offered debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units, the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to the issue of offered debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units will be described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

We will not be required to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of any series during the period from 15 days prior to the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series to the date the notice is mailed. We will also not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any debt security so selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

 

Conversion and Exchange

 

The terms, if any, on which debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock, property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange that is either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option. The number of shares of common stock or preferred stock to be received by the holders of the debt securities will be calculated in the manner, according to the factors and at the time as described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities

 

The indentures require us to comply with certain restrictive covenants.

 

Restrictions on Secured Debt

 

We may not, and may not permit our restricted subsidiaries to, create, assume, or guarantee any indebtedness secured by mortgages, pledges, liens, encumbrances, conditional sale or title retention agreements or other security interests, which we refer to collectively as security interests, on any of our principal properties or any shares of capital stock or indebtedness of any of our restricted subsidiaries without making effective provision for securing the senior debt securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material equally and ratably with the secured debt. Notwithstanding this limitation on secured debt, we and our restricted subsidiaries may have debt secured by:

 

 

 

In addition to these exceptions, we or a restricted subsidiary may assume or guarantee other secured debt without securing the debt securities if the total amount of secured debt outstanding and value of sale and leaseback transactions at the time does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity, determined as of a date not more than 90 days prior thereto.

 

“Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity” means, at any date, our stockholders’ equity and that of our consolidated subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis as of such date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided that, our consolidated stockholders’ equity and that of our consolidated subsidiaries is to be calculated without giving effect to (i) the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106 or (ii) the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment. The term “consolidated subsidiary” means, as to any person, each subsidiary of such person (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of such person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but excluding any such consolidated subsidiary of York International Corporation that would not be so consolidated but for the effect of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46.

 

The term “value” means with respect to a sale and leaseback transaction, an amount equal to the greater of:

 

 

In either case, the amount derived is first divided by the term of the lease and then multiplied by the number of years remaining on the lease at the time of determination.

 

Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

 

We and our restricted subsidiaries may not engage in sale and leaseback transactions (excluding such transactions between us and our restricted subsidiaries or between our restricted subsidiaries) whereby a principal property that is owned by us or one of our restricted subsidiaries and that has been in full operation for more than 180 days is sold or transferred with the intention of taking back a lease of such property (except a lease for a term of no more than three years entered into with the intent that the use by us or such restricted subsidiary of such property will be discontinued on or before the expiration of such term).

 

The sale and leaseback of a principal property is not prohibited, however, if we and the applicable restricted subsidiary would be permitted under the applicable indenture to incur secured debt equal in amount to the amount realized or to be realized upon the sale or transfer secured by a lien on the principal property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the debt securities. We and our restricted subsidiaries may also engage in an otherwise prohibited sale and leaseback transaction if an amount equal to the value of the principal property so leased is applied, subject to credits for delivery by us to the trustee of debt securities we have previously purchased or otherwise acquired and specified voluntary redemptions of the debt securities, to the retirement (other than mandatory retirement), within 120 days of the effective date of the arrangement, of specified indebtedness for borrowed money incurred or assumed by us or a restricted subsidiary, as shown on our most recent consolidated balance sheet and, in the case of our indebtedness, the indebtedness is not subordinated to the debt securities.

 

Restrictions on Transfer of Principal Properties to Some Subsidiaries

 

The senior indenture provides that, so long as the senior debt securities of any series are outstanding, we will not, and will not cause or permit any of our restricted subsidiaries to, transfer (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) any principal property to any unrestricted subsidiary, unless such subsidiary shall apply within one year after the effective date of the transaction, or shall have committed within one year of the effective date to apply, an amount equal to the fair value of the principal property at the time of transfer:

 

 

The fair value of any principal property for purposes of this paragraph will be as determined by our board of directors. In lieu of applying all or any part of any amount to redemption of senior debt securities, we may, within one year of the transfer, deliver to the trustee under the senior indenture senior debt securities of any series, other than senior debt securities made the basis of a reduction in a mandatory sinking fund payment, for cancellation and thereby reduce the amount to be applied to the redemption of senior debt securities of that series by an amount equivalent to the aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities so delivered.

 

Certain Definitions

 

The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants previously described:

 

 

 

 

Merger

 

Each indenture provides that we may, without the consent of the holders of debt securities, consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge into any other corporation, provided that:

 

 

In addition, we must provide to the trustee an opinion of legal counsel that any such transaction and any assumption by a successor corporation complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture and that we have complied with all conditions precedent provided in the indenture relating to such transaction.

 

Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, neither indenture contains any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or a highly leveraged transaction involving us.

 

Modification of the Indentures

 

With the consent of the holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, waivers, modifications and alterations of the terms of either indenture may be made which affect the rights of the holders of the series of debt securities. However, no modification or alteration may, without the consent of all holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding affected thereby:

 

 

 

In addition, as described in the description of “Events of Default” set forth below, holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may waive past events of default in specified circumstances and may direct the trustee in enforcement of remedies.

 

We and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify and supplement the applicable indenture:

 

 

 

Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge of a Series

 

Covenant Defeasance of any Series

 

If we deposit with the trustee, in trust, at or before maturity or redemption:

 

 

in each case in an amount sufficient, after payment of all federal, state and local taxes in respect thereof payable by the trustee, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the trustee, to pay when due the principal, premium, if any, and interest to maturity or to the redemption date, as the case may be, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding, and any mandatory sinking fund payments or similar payments or payment pursuant to any call for redemption applicable to such debt securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture and such debt securities, then the provisions of the indenture would no longer be effective as to the debt securities to which

such deposit relates, including the restrictive covenants described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, except as to:

 

 

Defeasance of debt securities of any series is subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions, including, among others, the absence of an event of default at the date of the deposit and the perfection of the holders’ security interest in the deposit.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of any Series

 

Upon the deposit of money or securities contemplated above and the satisfaction of specified conditions, the provisions of the applicable indenture (excluding the exceptions discussed above under the heading “Covenant Defeasance of any Series”) would no longer be effective as to the related debt securities, we may cease to comply with our obligation to pay duly and punctually the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a particular series of debt securities, the events of default in the applicable indenture no longer would be effective as to such debt securities and thereafter the holders of the series of debt securities will be entitled only to payment out of the money or securities deposited with the trustee.

 

The specified conditions include, among others, except in limited circumstances involving a deposit made within one year of maturity or redemption:

 

 

Events of Default

 

As to any series of debt securities, an event of default is defined in the applicable indenture as being:

 

 

 

 

 

Notice and Declaration of Defaults

 

So long as the debt securities of any series remain outstanding, we will be required to furnish annually to the trustee a certificate of one of our corporate officers stating whether, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, we are in default under any of the provisions of the applicable indenture, and specifying all defaults, and the nature thereof, of which such officer has knowledge. We will also be required to furnish to the trustee copies of specified reports filed by us with the SEC.

 

Each indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to any series for which there are debt securities outstanding which is continuing, give to the holders of those debt securities notice of all uncured defaults known to it, including events specified above without grace periods. Except in the case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any of the debt securities of any series or the payment of any sinking fund installment on the debt securities of any series, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities.

 

The trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may declare the debt securities of that series immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of any event of default after expiration of any applicable grace period. In some cases, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may waive any past default and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, including sinking fund payments.

 

Actions upon Default

 

Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the applicable indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities outstanding of any series unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. The right of a holder to institute a proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture is subject to conditions precedent including notice and indemnity to the trustee, but the holder has a right to receipt of principal, premium, if any, and interest on their due dates or to institute suit for the enforcement thereof, subject to specified limitations with respect to defaulted interest.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities outstanding of the series in default will have the right to direct the time, method and place for conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power or trust conferred on the trustee. Any direction by the holders will be in accordance with law and the provisions of the related indenture, provided that the trustee may decline to follow any such direction if the trustee determines on the advice of counsel that the proceeding may not be lawfully taken or would be materially or unjustly prejudicial to holders not joining in the direction. The trustee will be under no obligation to act in accordance with the direction unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred thereby.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

The senior debt securities will constitute part of our senior indebtedness and will rank equally with all outstanding senior debt. Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, in right of payment, to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness, including the senior debt securities, whether outstanding at the date of the subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred, assumed or guaranteed. The term “senior indebtedness” means:

 

 

Upon any distribution of our assets in connection with any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of our company, whether in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceeding or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of our assets and liabilities or otherwise, except a distribution in connection with a merger or consolidation or a conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of our properties in accordance with the subordinated indenture, the holders of all senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due on the senior indebtedness, or provision will be made for that payment in money or money’s worth, before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities.

 

In the event that a payment default occurs and is continuing with respect to the senior indebtedness, the holders of all senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due on the senior indebtedness, or provision will be made for that payment in money or money’s worth, before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities. In the event that the principal of the subordinated debt securities of any series is declared due and payable pursuant to the subordinated indenture and that declaration is not rescinded and annulled, the holders of all senior indebtedness outstanding at the time of the declaration will first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due on the senior indebtedness, or provision will be made for that payment in money or money’s worth, before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities.

 

This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities. There is no limitation on the issuance of additional senior indebtedness in the subordinated indenture.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

 

We and our affiliates utilize a full range of treasury services, including investment management and banking services, from the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business to meet our funding and investment needs.

 

Under each indenture, the trustee is required to transmit annual reports to all holders regarding its eligibility and qualifications as trustee under the applicable indenture and specified related matters.

 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Settlement

 

We will issue the debt securities in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates, which we refer to as global securities. We will deposit the global securities with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global securities may be held through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC).

 

We have provided the following descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. Neither we, any underwriter nor the trustee take any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream directly to discuss these matters.

 

DTC has advised us that:

 

 

We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

 

 

Investors in the global securities who are participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the global notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein

indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global securities on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as depository of Clearstream. All interests in a securities, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

 

The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in the form of a certificate. For that reason, it may not be possible to transfer interests in a global security to those persons. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in a global security to pledge or transfer that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of that interest.

 

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture and under the debt securities. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt securities represented by that global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive the debt securities in the form of a physical certificate and will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the applicable indenture or under the debt securities, and may not be entitled to give the trustee directions, instructions or approvals. For that reason, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on DTC’s procedures and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities under the applicable indenture or the global security.

 

Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s records relating to the debt securities or relating to payments made by DTC on account of the debt securities, or any responsibility to maintain, supervise or review any of DTC’s records relating to the debt securities.

 

We will make payments on the debt securities represented by the global securities to DTC or its nominee, as the registered owner of the debt securities. We expect that when DTC or its nominee receives any payment on the debt securities represented by a global security, DTC will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown in DTC’s records. We also expect that payments by DTC’s participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. DTC’s participants will be responsible for those payments.

 

Payments on the debt securities represented by the global securities will be made in immediately available funds. Transfers between participants in DTC will be made in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds.

 

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

 

Cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depository; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depository to take action to effect final settlement on its

behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global security in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the global securities and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the global securities for certificated notes, and to distribute such notes to its participants.

 

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global securities among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of the Company, the trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

Exchange of Global Securities for Certificated Securities

 

We will issue certificated debt securities to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of debt securities represented by the global securities upon surrender by DTC of the global securities only if:

 

 

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the related debt securities. We and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee, including instructions about the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the debt securities to be issued.

 

Same Day Settlement and Payment

 

We will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the global securities (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the global securities holder. We will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to certificated notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the certificated notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder’s registered address. The notes represented by the global securities are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The Company expects that secondary trading in any certificated notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

 

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a global security from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global securities by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

 

We may issue, alone or together with common stock or preferred stock, stock warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock. The stock warrants will be issued under a stock warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent to be selected at the time of the issue. The stock warrant agreement may include or incorporate by reference standard warrant provisions substantially in the form of the standard stock warrant provisions incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

If stock warrants are offered, the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will describe the designation and terms of the stock warrants, including, among other things, the following:

 

 

Holders of stock warrants, by virtue of being such holders, will not be entitled to vote, consent, receive dividends, receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors of Johnson Controls or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as shareholders of Johnson Controls.

 

We may issue, alone or together with debt securities, debt warrants for the purchase of debt securities. The debt warrants will be issued under debt warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent to be selected at the time of the issue. The debt warrant agreement may include or incorporate by reference standard warrant provisions substantially in the form of the standard debt warrant provisions incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

If debt warrants are offered, the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will describe the designation and terms of the debt warrants, including, among other things, the following:

 

 

 

Holders of debt warrants do not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, including the right to receive the payment of principal of, or interest on, the debt securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the debt securities or the related indenture except as otherwise provided in the related indenture.

 

We may issue stock purchase contracts that obligate you to purchase from us, and obligate us to sell to you, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the stock purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from you, and obligate you to sell to us, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. Any stock purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares to be delivered pursuant to the stock purchase contract upon the occurrence of specified events.

 

The stock purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and, as security for your obligations to purchase or sell the shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, under the stock purchase contracts, either:

 

 

If we issue stock purchase units where debt obligations of third parties are used as security for your obligations to purchase or sell shares of common stock or preferred stock, we will include in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the offering information about the issuer of the debt securities. Specifically, if the issuer has a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is either eligible to register its securities on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 or meets the listing criteria to be listed on a national securities exchange, we will include a brief description of the business of the issuer, the market price of its securities and how you can obtain more information about the issuer. If the issuer does not meet the criteria described in the previous sentence, we will include substantially all of the information that would be required if the issuer were making a public offering of the debt securities.

 

The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or deferred basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner and, in some circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts upon release to you of any collateral securing your obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will describe the specific terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid stock purchase contracts.

 

We may register shares of common stock covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling shareholders to be named in a prospectus supplement. We may register these shares to permit selling shareholders to resell their shares when they deem appropriate. A selling shareholder may resell all, a portion or none of such shareholder’s shares at any time and from time to time. Selling shareholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts the selling shareholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of shares by a selling shareholder under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by the selling shareholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions which will be borne by the selling shareholders. We will provide you with a prospectus supplement naming the selling shareholders, the amount of shares to be registered and sold and any other terms of the shares of common stock being sold by each selling shareholder.

 

We may sell our securities, and any selling shareholder may sell shares of our common stock, in any one or more of the following ways from time to time: (1) through agents; (2) to or through underwriters; (3) through brokers or dealers; (4) directly by us or any selling shareholders to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or (5) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials will contain the terms of the transaction, name or names of any underwriters, dealers, agents and the respective amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by them, the initial public offering price of the securities, and the applicable agent’s commission, dealer’s purchase price or underwriter’s discount. Any selling shareholders, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. Additionally, because selling shareholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, selling shareholders may be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Any initial offering price, dealer purchase price, discount or commission may be changed from time to time.

 

The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions, at negotiated prices, at a fixed price or fixed prices (that may be subject to change), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at various prices determined at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices.

 

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or any selling shareholder or by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold.

 

If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if they purchase any of them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities, and any selling shareholder will sell shares of our common stock to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Transactions through brokers or dealers may include block trades in which brokers or dealers will attempt to sell shares as agent but may position and resell as principal to facilitate the transaction or in cross trades, in which the same broker or dealer acts as agent on both sides of the trade. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. In addition, any selling shareholder may sell shares of our common stock in ordinary brokerage transactions or in transactions in which a broker solicits purchases.

 

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or any selling shareholder and the sale thereof may be made by us or any selling shareholder directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof.

 

Any selling shareholders may also resell all or a portion of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, Section 4(1) of the Securities Act or other applicable exemptions, regardless of whether the securities are covered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we or any selling shareholder may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us or any selling shareholder at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements with us or any selling shareholder to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof. The terms and conditions of any indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by any selling shareholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, which will be borne by the selling shareholders. We or any selling shareholder may also sell shares of our common stock through various arrangements involving mandatorily or optionally exchangeable securities, and this prospectus may be delivered in connection with those sales.

 

We or any selling shareholder may enter into derivative, sale or forward sale transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material indicates, in connection with those transactions, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, including in short sale transactions and by issuing securities not covered by this prospectus but convertible into, exchangeable for or representing beneficial interests in securities covered by this prospectus, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of such securities. The third parties may use securities received under derivative, sale or forward sale transactions or securities pledged by us or any selling shareholder or borrowed from us, any selling shareholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or any selling shareholder in settlement of those transactions to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment) and/or other offering material.

 

Additionally, any selling shareholder may engage in hedging transactions with broker-dealers in connection with distributions of shares or otherwise. In those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales

of shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with such selling shareholder. Any selling shareholder also may sell shares short and redeliver shares to close out such short positions. Any selling shareholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery of shares to the broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise transfer such shares pursuant to this prospectus. Any selling shareholder also may loan or pledge shares, and the borrower or pledgee may sell or otherwise transfer the shares so loaned or pledged pursuant to this prospectus. Such borrower or pledgee also may transfer those shares to investors in our securities or the selling shareholder’s securities or in connection with the offering of other securities not covered by this prospectus.

 

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from us or any selling shareholder. Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of shares for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to a particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with transactions involving shares and might be in excess of customary commissions. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by us or any selling shareholder may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

 

Any securities offered other than common stock will be a new issue and, other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries or any selling shareholder in the ordinary course of business.

 

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. An underwriter may carry out these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

The place and time of delivery for securities will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for such securities.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy that information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

 

The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, including Johnson Controls, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website, located at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC. The documents contain important information about us and our financial condition:

 

 

The description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in Item 1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated April 23, 1965, as superseded by the description contained in the Company’s definitive proxy/registration statement (Form S-14 Registration No. 2-62382) incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 23, 1978, and in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-14, dated April 18, 1985 (Registration No. 2-97136), and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of the filing of this registration statement, and until the we terminate the offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus. Our subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus.

 

You may obtain a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement at no cost by writing to or calling our secretary at:

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.
Attention: Secretary
5757 North Green Bay Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209-4408
(414) 524-1200

 

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, as well as the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Jerome D. Okarma, our Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, and/or Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of February 20, 2009, Mr. Okarma beneficially owned 123,473.502 shares of our common stock, and held options to purchase 611,000 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 366,000 shares were exercisable. The opinions of Mr. Okarma and Foley & Lardner LLP may be conditioned upon and may be subject to assumptions regarding future action required to be taken by us and any underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the issuance and sale of any securities. The opinions of Mr. Okarma and Foley & Lardner LLP with respect to securities may be subject to other conditions and assumptions, as indicated in the prospectus supplement.

 

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Johnson Controls, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report(s) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

 

 

$     

 

 

% Senior Notes due

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

BofA Merrill Lynch

Citi

Barclays Capital

ING Wholesale

 

     , 2010