PRODUC TION
by Karl D. Forth
karl.forth@ccimedia.net
Information key for
Maker of contract wood and
laminated components improves
customer service through
information and equipment.
A Schelling fh4 panel saw was added in January and has label printing and a
turntable that allows the entire book to be turned.
Cooper’s newest router is a Weeke Venture, which is being used for smaller jobs
because of its quick setup capabilities.
At a glance
Who: Cooper Enterprises
Where: Shelby, Ohio
Products: Contract
manufacturer of wood and
laminated components
See the Schelling fh4 panel saw
at Cooper Enterprises. Watch our
video on your smart phone or www.
CabinetMakerFDM.com/11680.html.
If your phone has a Web browser and
camera, download the free app
at
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ and
scan over this barcode.
Employees: 60
Plant size: 102,000 square feet
Web site:
www.cooperenterprises.com
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Cooper Enterprises has heavy-duty capabilities and equipment, but information
is key to being as efficient as possible.
“Everything here is information
driven,” says Edward Friebel, vice presi-
dent. “We are so reliant on information in
this company. “
The Shelby, Ohio, company offers a
variety of components and manufactur-
ing services, including stock panels,
CNC machining, specialized compo-
nents, panel layup and assembly. In fact,
about half of work done here includes
some kind of assembly.
Store fixtures are currently the largest market, followed by casework. Architectural millwork firms, cabinet shops
and product manufacturers are also part
of the diverse customer base.
“We take very good care of our
customers by understanding what their
needs are, and being able to take those
needs and put them in a product,” says
Mike Murray, vice president of sales and
marketing. “We’re very good at compo-
nent machining to specifications, and cold
press laminating. We do a lot of contract
laminating for many companies in this
area. We’re also very good at assembly,
that’s why our assembly business has
grown so much over the past few years.
We get a lot of challenging and complicat-
ed projects, because we’ve proven that
we can handle the complicated stuff.”
Cooper has 60 employees, and overall
business has been about even with 2010.
Cooper has 102,000 square feet in Shelby,
where the company has grown in stages
since the 1965. The company has empha-
sized testing and training, and taking care
