Cooper Names Sheng to Head China Operations

(Akron/Tire Review) With its operations in China growing quickly, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. brought in an outside expert to head that business. Margaret Sheng was named vice president of Cooper’s China operations and will be based in Shanghai, China.

Most recently, Sheng was regional executive director for Lear Corp. in central and southern China, and she has worked as director, general manager and operations manager for automotive manufacturers in China, Spain, the Philippines and U.S.

With a degree in electrical engineering from China Northeastern Engineering University, Sheng earned a master’s degree in electrical and electronics system engineering from the University of Connecticut, and a MBA from the JL Kellogg School of Management and Business at Northwestern University.

Sheng will manage business development in China, and will report to Cooper’s Asian operations president, She will also manage Cooper China’s information technology, manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and sales and marketing.

Currently, Cooper is building a joint venture tyre plant in Kunshan, China, with Kenda Rubber, which is scheduled to come on-stream later this year. Cooper also recently purchased a majority stake in China’s third-largest Chinese-owned tyre manufacturer.