SHANGHAI (May 27, 2008) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has opened a 53,800-sq.-ft. technical center near Shanghai to improve its service to Asian customers.
The Cooper Tire Asia Technical Center, located in a light industry district in northwest Shanghai, complements the company's North American and European research and development centers, Cooper said. It will be used for developing and improving products, implementing test programs, testing against competitor products and supporting marketing and sales activities.
Findlay, Ohio-based Cooper said the location of the center helps bring resources closer to its Asian customers and enhances its ability to support other global markets.
The center, in Zhudi Town/Minhang District, includes a tire forensics lab, tire and rim storage, support workshops, materials lab and a number of offices, conference rooms and work rooms. Cooper said it expects more than 50 engineers, chemists and technicians to work in the center.
Cooper did not disclose its investment in the center, which is located more than 400 miles from Cooper's tire plants in Rongcheng, Shandong Province.