Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. has expanded its technical capabilities with the unveiling of its global technology center in Livonia, Mich.
The 137,750-square-foot facility has the capability for material science, tooling, development, production and validation and is designed to serve the firm's global customer base. The new site is a significant increase compared to its former technical center located in nearby Farmington Hills, Mich., consolidating the firm's innovation and department teams under one roof.
"Our new global technology center is designed to enhance collaboration and accelerate our innovation process," Jeffrey S. Edwards, chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "This optimized facility is dedicated to forward-looking developments that are generated from our successful i3 Innovation Process. With the facility's new capabilities, Cooper Standard is innovating in areas of the vehicle that haven't been revolutionized in decades and creating unique expansion opportunities in adjacent markets."
The center leads Cooper Standard's global material research endeavors, from basic chemistry through end products, and supports all of the firm's product lines, which are divided into four segments — sealing, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer, and anti-vibration systems.
It offers a fully integrated material development laboratory, provides prototype production, offers production equivalent lines for pilot activities, and features an innovation showroom and vehicle display area, among other capabilities. Cooper Standard has both plastics and rubber product lines.
Headquartered in Novi, Mich., Cooper Standard is a global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry with 30,000 employees in 20 countries.
