Cooper Standard introduces FlexiFit portfolio

Northville, MI – Cooper Standard has introduced its new FlexiFit™ portfolio, a family of innovative sealing solutions designed to help automakers simplify vehicle assembly, reduce manufacturing complexity and improve production efficiency.

Developed in response to direct customer feedback, the FlexiFit portfolio addresses four key customer priorities: labor reduction; reduced complexity; sustainability; and manufacturing efficiency. By moving beyond individual components to integrated solutions, Cooper Standard is helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) streamline installation, reduce material usage and simplify supply chain logistics while maintaining the performance and quality customers expect.

“Our customers have been clear about the challenges they’re facing, and FlexiFit is a direct response to those needs,” said Patrick Clark, president, sealing systems and chief manufacturing officer, Cooper Standard. “By rethinking how individual components work together, we’re delivering value-added innovation through integrated solutions that make a meaningful difference in customers’ manufacturing operations.”

The first three innovations in the FlexiFit portfolio include:
FlexiFit™ 1K Glass Guide: Designed as a single-piece, injection-molded solution that replaces traditional multicomponent assemblies, the fully recyclable Glass Guide simplifies installation and eliminates unnecessary tooling. Its optimized design offers up to 20% weight reduction compared to traditional below-belt brackets while maintaining glass guidance and acoustic performance.
FlexiFit™ Hidden Outer Waist Belt: Featuring an innovative drop-in installation design, this solution eliminates traditional pushpins to simplify assembly and improve worker ergonomics. The design delivers more than 10% assembly labor savings compared to traditional hidden outer waist belts and up to 40% weight reduction compared with flange-mounted solutions, while maintaining comparable door-closing acoustics.
FlexiFit™ Roof Rail: Designed for frameless door architectures, this integrated solution combines multiple components into a simplified, lightweight assembly. Featuring integrated stanchion clips, the design significantly reduces installation time compared to traditional roof rail designs, while reducing component count and logistical requirements. The solution also offers up to 24% weight reduction compared to traditional roof rail architectures.

Through lightweight designs, recyclable materials and consolidated components, the FlexiFit portfolio also supports customers’ sustainability objectives while reducing packaging, handling and logistical complexity.

The three FlexiFit innovations are available for customer program development, with additional integrated sealing solutions planned as the portfolio continues to expand.