Cooper Tire & Rubber Company will increase production capacity at its manufacturing facility in Texarkana, Arkansas, beginning January 1, 2010. The company says in a statement that the factory will begin running a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a week operation at that time and will hire an additional 200 workers to accommodate the expanded production. "We are excited about this opportunity to enhance our production capabilities," says John Bodart, Cooper Tire's vice president of manufacturing, North American Tire Division. "Through a focus on continuous improvement, we are always in a process of improving our capabilities. This allows us to deliver high-quality, cost-competitive products to our customers and consumers. These moves are logical steps that align with our strategic goals." The Ohio-headquartered company has additional production facilities at its headquarters and in Tupelo, Mississippi.