Cooper Tire & Rubber Announces Mexican Expansion
21 July 1998
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Announces Expansion in Mexico
FINDLAY, Ohio--July 21, 1998--COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY today announced plans to expand the engineered products manufacturing facility in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. This plant, which operates under the name of Coopermex, S.A. de C.V., currently produces molded rubber vibration control products for original equipment use on light vehicles.The 221,000 square foot, $17 million addition more than doubles the production space for this manufacturing facility and includes body sealing extrusion lines and related equipment. Construction completion is scheduled for late 1998 with prototype production to begin early in 1999.
In announcing the expansion, Cooper's president of engineered products operations, Rod Millhof, commented, "This expansion in Mexico will initially include three new lines for the manufacture of extruded rubber body seals. This will allow us to meet the needs of our sealing products customers in the Mexican market and will provide additional capacity for vibration control products."
Cooper's Piedras Negras facility was converted from inner tube production to engineered products in 1994. Inner tube production was consolidated at the expanded Clarksdale, Mississippi facility which enabled the company to seek increased business contracts for engineered products. Cooper supplies engineered rubber products to nearly every automobile manufacturer in the North America, either directly or through other Tier One suppliers. Products include vibration control systems, automotive sealing, hoses and assemblies.
For more information on Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, visit the company's web site at www.coopertire.com.