Cooper to relocate US distribution centre to larger facility 

Franklin, Indiana – Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is planning to relocate a distribution centre in Franklin to a larger facility under construction in nearby Whiteland, Indiana.

The new facility, expected to open in early 2021, will span 1 million square feet and thus provide increased capacity and a modern design for enhanced efficiencies, Cooper said.

"We are excited to build a larger regional distribution centre in this key location to ensure we continue to provide our customers with exceptional service through enhanced logistics capabilities," Mike Calabro, executive director, North America supply chain, said.

The existing facility in Franklin spans 807,000 square feet.

The workforce at the facility will remain in place, according to Calabro, meaning that the company can transition to the new location with no interruption in delivery to customers.

Cooper will lease the new facility, which is being built by Dallas-based Mohr Capital. 

Mohr plans to invest $40 million (€35 million) in the building, $4.7 million to buy the property and $10 million to install logistics equipment at the site, according to its tax abatement application on file with the town.

The Whiteland distribution centre will be one of six regional distribution centres operated by Cooper in the US. The company's North America distribution network also includes warehouses at its three tire plants and two mixing warehouses.