Global Fastener News

In 2019, COPA established its own smart factory in Taiwan and fitted all of its machines with SMB intelligent devices to improve product quality and work efficiency, Fastener World reports.

For environmental protection, energy saving and modernization, COPA installed oil mist collectors and optical systems, as well as assembled pressure sensors and first-piece quick measurement device to ensure product quality, according to Fastener World.

On the other hand, COPA adopted online instant inspection to monitor product defects and mixing-up of materials rather than full inspection after production.

Around 95% of COPA’s products are used for automotive fasteners, so the company’s biggest challenge is how to continuously provide products with stable quality and high added value. From tooling design in the preliminary phase and durability & efficiency improvement of tooling in the middle phase to the instant monitoring and quality control in the later phase, COPA could control the costs and increase profit margins and production value while creating the best value for customers through data collection and analysis. 

“Moreover, as the logic of manufacturing lines is a very important part to German automotive supply chain, which cares very much about automated monitoring and if semi-finished products are incorrectly mixed up with finished ones, COPA then took the advice of its tier 1 customer and the VW Group in arranging the manufacturing lines of its factory and created a work environment meeting German car manufacturers’ requirements,” Fastener World reports.

As for its Japanese customers, who value the environment and SOP documents, COPA has been also making improvements in meeting their requirements through several audits and better communication.

Founded in 1998, COPA manufactures flange, hexagon, nylon, weld, barrel, clinch and lock nuts approved by IATF 16949:2016. The company operates 18 forming machines and 85 tapping machines at its facility in Tainan City, while its products are exported to the U.S., the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.