Johnson Controls to supply batteries for O'Reilly stores

Global manufacturer Johnson Controls Inc. has signed on to supply automotive batteries to more than 1,000 O'Reilly Auto Parts stores.

Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls is shipping its Optima batteries this month to the U.S. stores and will supply O'Reilly's full line of automotive Super Start batteries starting in February, according to a news release.

Johnson Controls provides automotive interior systems, mechanical equipment for commercial buildings, and batteries. The Forbes 2,000 company had $38 billion in sales in fiscal 2008.

Springfield-based O'Reilly Auto (Nasdaq: ORLY) operates more than 3,200 stores in 38 states. The company will release its fourth-quarter 2008 earnings Feb. 18 and will hold a conference call with investors the next day, available on Web cast at www.oreillyauto.com.

O'Reilly shares closed Jan. 21 at $28.05, compared to a 52-week range of $20 to $31.77.