PLYMOUTH, MICH. (Feb. 14, 12:30 p.m. ET) -- Johnson Controls Inc. has formed a partnership with mattress manufacturer Harrison Spinks Ltd. to develop thin-profile seats that are 5-20 percent lighter than comparable seats.

The partners will use Harrison’s coil spring mattress technology to replace conventional urethane foam pads. The seatback will be up to 20 percent thinner at the center of the seat, and the bolsters will be up to 35 percent thinner.

Harrison Spinks, which is based in the United Kingdom, has three factories in Leeds and employs 300. Johnson Controls’ seating unit is based in Plymouth.