Cooper sets up automotive profiles JV in China with Saiyang

By Liz White, ERJ staff

NOVI, Michigan-Cooper-Standard Automotive is to make automotive sealing systems in China via a joint venture it has set up with Saiyang Sealing Products Co.

The new unit, Cooper Saiyang Wuhu Automotive, will operate from a plant in the Wuhu Economic Development Zone, southeast of Nanjing. Cooper Standard, part of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. says the plant has rubber mixing facilities and four extrusion lines and can produce rubber, rubber/plastic or plastic sealing extrusions.

One of the JV's first projects will be to make profiles for Changan Ford's C307 programme, and Cooper Saiyang has also gained new sealing business with SAIC Chery Automobile Co. Ltd, which Cooper describes as, “one of China's fastest growing automotive OEMs.”

The parent Cooper-Standard Automotive unit will aid the Chinese JV through its advanced expertise in sealing system design and manufacture as well as giving sales and marketing assistance.

Saiyang Sealing Products-the fifth largest sealing supplier in China-will use its inside knowledge of China's domestic market and strong relationships with automotive OEMs to help the new venture.

"This joint venture agreement is a key element of our Asian strategy," commented Jim McElya, president of Cooper-Standard Automotive, in a Cooper statement.