Success Story
Primary forwarding solutions
Challenge
Cooper standard’s global growth
was rapid, which led to different
challenges. The company had to
become highly adept at
integrating multiple IT platforms,
consolidating plants, locations
and equipment. In order to meet
these requirements Cooper
Standard needed an ideal
logistics partner who understood
the company, industry dynamics
and was able to keep pace with
the rapid expansion, this whilst
keeping its customers’ needs
focused.
Solution
Panalpina supports Cooper
Standard on its trade lanes since
August 2007. Panalpina’s unique
ability to handle oversized freight,
assembly line moves and
intercontinental FLASH support
as well as its in depth automotive
industry know-how has leveraged
Cooper Standard to a global, lean
and smooth supply chain.
Result
• Support to Cooper Standard’s
growth
• Optimized supply chain design
• Seamless transition of Cooper
Standard’s operation
considering its customers’
needs
Cooper Standard, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is a leading global supplier of systems and
components for the automotive industry. Products include body sealing systems, fluid handling
systems and anti-vibration systems. Cooper Standard employs approximately 19,000 people
globally and operates in 17 countries around the world.
The recession that began in 2008 significantly impacted many industries and did hit the
automotive sector particularly hard. Like many suppliers in the sector, Cooper Standard was
impacted by the recession, but took swift action to offset the downturn and position the company
for long-term success. The company first streamlined operating costs and then went through a
successful financial restructuring in less than 12 months during 2009 and 2010 to reduce debt.
These actions combined with improving vehicle sales and production volumes positioned the
company for further growth and expansion.
Starting in 2004, Cooper Standard began growing through strategic acquisitions and now has a
global presence in all major automotive markets including the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico,
Germany, China and India. The company is consistently listed in the top 100 largest global
automotive suppliers.
Cooper Standard’s global growth has also created challenges. When a company becomes global
quickly through acquisitions, it must become highly adept at integrating multiple IT platforms,
consolidating plants, locations and equipment. To accomplish all of this, Cooper Standard needed
an ideal logistics partner who understood the company, industry dynamics and was able keep
pace with rapid expansion to meet customer needs.
It was clearly evident that Panalpina understood that specific industry knowledge as it had
launched the Automotive Industry Vertical segmentation in mid 2007. Since August 2007
Panalpina has the privilege to support Cooper Standard with its logistics needs. Panalpina’s
unique ability to handle oversized freight, assembly line moves and intercontinental FLASH
support on Cooper Standard’s dominant trade lanes has turned Panalpina into Cooper Standard’s
primary forwarding solution provider in just three years time. With over 60 regular and sporadic
lane pairs, Panalpina provides the entire portfolio of services to Cooper Standard including buyer
consolidations, air freight, ocean freight and supply chain design.
Awarding Panalpina as its primary forwarding solutions provider enabled Cooper Standard to
focus on its core competencies in order to provide added value to its customers.
According to the Director Supply Chain Management of Cooper Standard, Mike Silvio, the
transition of its operation by Panalpina has been a full success:
“To have a partner that truly understands our products and needs may not be that rare. To find a
partner who is always available and executes its service with passion is rare, and that is why we
use Panalpina.”
Panalpina Management Ltd
Automotive
Alan Votaw - Global Head of Industry Vertical Automotive
Phone: +1 (404) 409-9654
E-mail: automotive@panalpina.com
www.panalpina.com