Rod Cooper joined Classic Transportation & Warehousing in 2009 and assumed his current role as President/CEO in 2017.
Cooper has 36 years of experience in the transportation and warehousing industry. Prior to his role with Classic Transportation, he spent 14 years with Rockford Corporation most recently as Worldwide Director of Operations. Before that, Cooper managed warehousing and distribution for Meijer Inc.
Cooper attended Grand Valley State University, majoring in business management and minoring in marketing. He also studied marketing management at Mott Community College.
Cooper’s expertise includes project management, global supply chain management, strategic planning, logistics services, customer service, sales, marketing, and financial management. He feels empowerment, lean principles, reliability, and flexibility are key to seizing business opportunities.
How have your prior roles in distribution informed your approach to leadership at Classic Transportation?
Classic’s customer base is diverse. Everyone faces a unique set of logistical hurdles. My experience in managing a global supply chain has given me the edge we need to help our clients solve their various supply chain challenges.
How has Classic Transportation worked to stay on the leading edge and overcome challenges in warehousing and distribution in recent years?
Customer service comes first in everything that we do. Classic’s mission statement is simple— “Exceed the standard, always do the right thing.” Although many of the disruptions in recent years were unprecedented, keeping in close contact with our customers and remaining flexible allowed us to minimize the impact on our customers’ supply chains as much as possible.
How has Classic Transportation’s new warehouse benefited the surrounding community and Classic clients?
Warehousing space is limited in West Michigan. With the help of Lakeshore Advantage, Classic built two additional facilities on our main campus in the past few years, bringing our on-site footprint to over 420,000 square feet. These projects provided space for new clients in the region, and room for growth for the companies already thriving here. Classic now manages more than 1.3 million square feet of warehousing space throughout West Michigan. We also continue to expand our driver fleet to keep up with an increasing demand for drayage as well as local transportation.
Looking towards the future, what excites you most about Classic Transportation?
Customers, growth, and people. We are an employee-owned business, and our team truly cares about providing the best possible support for our customers to help them succeed.
What do you value most about doing business, and what legacy do you want to leave in West Michigan?
I enjoy working closely with customers to streamline their supply chain. Dedication, honesty, and integrity are at the foundation of the legacy I’d like to leave behind.
Can you share why Classic Transportation believes in investing in economic development?
Attracting outside businesses to the region strengthens our economy by providing locally produced goods and services. Lakeshore Advantage works every day to help organizations set up and flourish here. West Michigan is where we work and raise our families, and we are committed to bolstering its prosperity.