News Summary
Cooper Standard has been awarded the 2024 Ford Supplier of the Year in the Crisis Management category, recognizing its effective response during Hurricane Helene. The award was presented at the 2025 Ford Supplier Summit, highlighting the company’s swift activation of emergency measures at its Spartanburg facility, which enabled safe production resumption and uninterrupted supply to customers despite the hurricane’s devastating impact. This recognition underscores the importance of robust crisis management strategies in the automotive sector and reinforces Cooper Standard’s commitment to operational excellence.
Dearborn, Michigan – Cooper Standard, a leading automotive supplier, has been recognized as the 2024 Ford Supplier of the Year in the Crisis Management category, following its exemplary response to Hurricane Helene. The award was presented during the 2025 Ford Supplier Summit and Awards event, an annual recognition of outstanding suppliers who demonstrate exceptional performance and support for Ford’s business initiatives.
The award highlights Cooper Standard’s rapid and effective response at its Spartanburg, South Carolina facility during the severe weather conditions caused by Hurricane Helene in late September 2024. In the face of this natural disaster, the Spartanburg team activated emergency protocols, establishing a command center and ensuring consistent communication with both employees and customers.
Despite the challenges faced due to the hurricane’s aftermath, which caused significant damage in the surrounding area, the Spartanburg facility managed to safely resume production. This resumption ensured that customer supply remained uninterrupted, a critical factor for maintaining business continuity during such crises. Safety measures were prioritized throughout the operation, with the team closely coordinating with customers to manage shipment needs and devise effective recovery plans.
The recognition from Ford emphasizes the importance of having robust crisis management strategies in place. The Crisis Management category of the Supplier of the Year awards specifically recognizes suppliers that demonstrate outstanding leadership in overcoming unforeseen disruptions, and Cooper Standard’s performance during Hurricane Helene exemplified this commitment.
Patrick Clark, the president of sealing systems and chief manufacturing officer at Cooper Standard, acknowledged the significance of the award as a testament to the dedication and resilience of the entire Cooper Standard team. The award not only underscores the company’s operational excellence but also highlights its strong partnerships with customers, showcasing the importance of teamwork and effective communication in times of crisis.
Cooper Standard, headquartered in Northville, Michigan, operates in 20 countries and specializes in sealing and fluid handling systems and components. The company employs approximately 22,000 individuals who contribute to its operations and support for a diverse customer base in the automotive industry.
The Ford Supplier of the Year awards are an established tradition aimed at recognizing suppliers who excel in various aspects such as innovation, performance, and support for Ford’s business practices. Cooper Standard’s achievement in the Crisis Management category serves as an encouraging reflection of its effective implementation of crisis response protocols across the organization.
Through its continued efforts to maintain high standards in crisis management, Cooper Standard reinforces its commitment to the automotive sector and strengthens its position as a reliable partner for its customers. The successful management during Hurricane Helene not only secured operational continuity but also laid the groundwork for further enhancing crisis preparedness and response in the future.
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Additional Resources
- PR Newswire: Cooper Standard Wins 2024 Ford Supplier of the Year Award
- Wikipedia: Automotive Supply Industry
- PR Newswire: Cooper Standard Reports Robust Operating Performance
- Google Search: Cooper Standard
- PR Newswire: Cooper Standard Establishes Carbon Neutral Targets
- Google Scholar: Cooper Standard Crisis Management
- PR Newswire: Cooper Standard Recognized as 2024 Supplier of the Year by General Motors
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ford Motor Company
- Rubber News: Cooper Standard Earns 2023 GM Supplier Year Honors
- Google News: Cooper Standard
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
