Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CPS), the parent company of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. (“Cooper Standard”), yesterday unveiled two new facilities in China. The Company unveiled its second Kunshan facility, a manufacturing and test center, dedicated to fluid transfer and fuel and brake delivery systems. Later this week, the company will host an opening ceremony at its new facility in Shenyang, which will produce sealing systems.
“As Cooper Standard continues to grow in China and across the Asia Pacific region, these new facilities will further strengthen our market positions and enable us to better serve our customers,” said Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard. “The further localization and expansion of our test capabilities is part of our long-term commitment to the Chinese Market and is also essential to our profitable growth strategy.”
The plant openings are the latest additions to Cooper Standard’s strategic growth in China through acquisitions, joint venture partnerships and organic growth in recent years.
Expanding the fluid transfer and fuel and brake delivery systems operation to its second Kunshan location, a growing satellite city of Shanghai, reinforces the Company’s ability to serve the area where there is a concentration of automotive customers. This expansion further builds on the Company’s commitment to the region following the opening of its Asia Pacific Technical Center in Shanghai last year to provide full support to customers.
The Shenyang sealing facility, based in the industrial heartland of Northeast China, further solidifies the Company’s leading position as the largest sealing manufacturer in the Chinese market. Earlier this year, Cooper Standard acquired majority ownership of its joint venture with Chinese domestic supplier, Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd.
The Kunshan and Shenyang locations cover 25,060 square meters and 8,721 square meters respectively, producing innovative products utilizing the Cooper Standard Operating System, providing consistent manufacturing processes globally. Not only will the new facilities improve volume and product mix for Cooper Standard, but they are also expected to add over 500 employees to its skilled Chinese workforce, including 20 engineers to fully support the development of global platforms designed in Asia.
Cooper Standard has steadily built up local capacity since entering the Chinese market in 2003. With these two new facilities, the Company operates 11 manufacturing and technical facilities with 5,200 employees in the country, all adjacent to major OEM operations.
About Cooper Standard
Cooper Standard, headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include sealing, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer and anti-vibration systems. Cooper Standard employs more than 27,000 people globally and operates in 20 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.cooperstandard.com.