Johnson Controls announced today that it plans to pursue a tax-free spin-off of its Automotive Experience business. Following the separation, which is expected to close in approximately 12 months, the Automotive Experience business will operate as an independent, publicly traded company.

Once the transaction is completed, Bruce McDonald, Johnson Controls vice chairman and executive vice president, will serve as the chairman and CEO of the new company. Beda Bolzenius will serve as president and chief operating officer.

The new automotive company will benefit from strong existing relationships with customers, well established positions in growth markets including China, and will generate strong cash flow. Automotive Experience reported $22 billion in revenue in 2014.

Record fiscal 3Q earnings

For the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the company reported net income from continuing operations of $503 million, or $0.76 per share, o $9.6 billion in revenues. Adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the quarter were $0.91. As a result of the previously announced sale of its Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) business, the Company has reclassified GWS results to discontinued operations. Prior year financial statements have been revised accordingly.

"Our Automotive and Power businesses delivered significant margin improvements, while Building Efficiency saw higher revenues, backlog and orders. The Building Efficiency backlog increase was the biggest quarterly year on year improvement since 2012," said Alex Molinaroli, Johnson Controls chairman and chief executive officer. "We continued to see growing demand across our global markets and are realizing the benefits from our Johnson Controls Operating System efforts."

Building Efficiency sales in the fiscal third quarter of 2015 were $2.7 billion, 5 percent higher than the prior year due to incremental revenues from a 2014 acquisition and higher demand for systems and services in North America. Excluding foreign currency, revenues increased 10 percent.

Adjusted for currency, backlog was 5 percent higher than the prior year quarter, the largest quarterly year over year increase since third quarter fiscal 2012. Improvements were driven by North America, Asia and the Middle East, partially offset by lower backlog in Europe and Latin America. Adjusted for acquisitions and currency, third quarter orders were six percent higher versus last year driven by higher demand in existing institutional buildings markets in North America.