Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. has launched two facilities in China, one in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, and the other in Chongqing.
The Chongqing facility, which officially opened on Feb. 1, is approximately 18,000 square meters and employs 200. It will manufacture fluid transfer systems (FTS), fuel and brake delivery (FBD) systems and sealing systems for customers such as Ford Motor Co., Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Car Group.
The Huai'an site opened in January for the manufacturing and development of FTS products. The plant is a joint venture between Cooper Standard and Japan's Inoac Corp.
Cooper Standard expects this manufacturing hub to help it earn a leading position in Chinese and Asian markets.
Novi, Mich.-based Cooper Standard has accelerated its business development in the Asia Pacific in recent years, focusing on China.
The automotive supplier recently established a technical center in Shanghai, which includes a test center for FTS products; acquired majority ownership of its joint venture with China's Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd; expanded the operational scale of its FTS and FBD systems in eastern China; as well as opened a new sealing facility in northeast China.
The company said these moves demonstrate its confidence in the Chinese auto market and its expansion capabilities.
“Since 2012, we have more than doubled our investment in the area and are now pleased to employ more than 5,200 employees in 11 manufacturing and technical facilities across the country,” said Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Edwards.