One of ‘Top 16 Coolest Things Made in Missouri’ Made by Cooper Gear & Manufacturing
Cooper Gear & Manufacturing in Anderson, Missouri, has been providing high-quality products for a broad range of clientele near and far from Southwest Missouri since the business opened more than three decades ago. While family members who lead this company have always focused on finished work that’s second to none, it has never been about achieving any accolades.
Whether they wanted attention or not, this company’s craft hasn’t gone unnoticed and late last year, Cooper Gear earned a well-deserved distinction. Derek (Shawn) Cooper, president/CEO, says, “The Springfield Business Journal (SBJ) hosted the 2026 Coolest Things Made in Missouri event with manufacturers from all over the state competing for their product to be recognized as the coolest.
“Each company submitted photos of the parts or products they’ve made in Missouri, along with a history of the parts and their company. The Top 16 and a final winner were selected by a panel of judges. Cooper Gear was honored to be one of the companies recognized in The Top 16 Coolest Things Made in Missouri.”
Although awards aren’t always the goal, Shawn says, “Cooper Gear’s precision gears and components power some of the toughest, most demanding equipment across North America, from heavy machinery and industrial applications to rugged vehicles that endure through extreme conditions.
“Being spotlighted among Missouri’s top innovators validates the extraordinary skill, dedication and craftsmanship required of our employees to machine parts to the ultra-tight tolerances that customers demand. This honor is a gratifying acknowledgement of their hard work, precision, and ‘Blood, Sweat and Gears’ commitment.”
This truly is a big deal for Cooper Gear & Manufacturing, and Shawn says, “It celebrates not just the products, but the people behind them, who turn raw materials into reliable, high-performance solutions that help keep industries moving. This recognition from judges and the Springfield Business Journal underscores the pride of building world-class manufacturing right here in the Ozarks.”
Lisa Robinson, Field Specialist–Regional Economic Development, University of Missouri Extension–Business and Community (Barry, Barton, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald and Newton Counties) isn’t surprised at Cooper Gear being honored. She says, “They are currently the second generation of family committed to operating this business with excellence.
“Their products are manufactured with quality and delivered on time. Customers know what they will receive when they place an order. Cooper Gear is committed to manufacturing with excellence, and they take such great pride in delivering high-quality products, while providing excellent customer service.”
In describing what is at the core of everything that goes through this facility, Shawn says, “Modern machining is essential for Cooper Gear & Manufacturing, because it enables custom, high-tolerance production for diverse clients across industries like automotive, aerospace and industrial equipment where the ‘heart’ of the equipment is the gears.
“The gearing ensures you’ll get reliable power that meets stringent specifications, while reducing downtime and enhancing performance in everything from vehicles to machinery.”
Mendi Cooper, secretary/treasurer and controller, and Shawn’s wife, appreciates her spouse’s efforts to keep the business running like a well-oiled machine.
She says, “I’ve watched my husband work tirelessly alongside our employees to make sure the job gets done. He does it all – runs machines, analyzes data, and manages and directs our team of employees.
“He is not just behind a desk and computer; he gets his hands dirty, too. He wakes up and is in the shop, sometimes as early as 2 a.m. and working well past 5 p.m. It’s not your typical eight-hour day to just ‘punch in’ and ‘punch out.’”
There’s no rest for the weary running your own business. Mendi says, “Shawn’s heart is fully invested, not just in me and our children, but in CGM, as well. We don’t get home and ‘leave work at work’ after eight hours. It’s a 24/7 commitment that requires your heart to be invested in what we do.”
In providing a little more insight on the work, Shawn says, “Cooper Gear CNC (computer numerical control) hobbing, and shaping capabilities produces a variety of precision gears, including spur gears, spines, helical gears, crown gears, broached gears, and internal shaping, in addition to production precision parts on our CNC lathe and milling.”
As for the process of starting a project and getting it out the door, Shawn says, “When a new ‘Part A’ request for quote is received and reviewed, a quote is then submitted. Upon acceptance, a ‘1st Article’ is produced and when the ‘1st Article’ is approved, we begin production. Once production is complete, we ship the product to the customer.”
The key to success in this business is much the same as it is with any company. Shawn says, “Cooper Gear is dedicated to elite customer service. We strive to give our customers more than they ask for from us.
“Hence, we have 25-plus years of relationships in doing business with several of our customers. Our employees work on the weekends, stay late during the weekdays and just do whatever it takes to get quality parts to our customers on time.”
As much as Shawn and Mendi, and everyone else involved, has a passion for what they do here, it can be demanding. Shawn says, “Running a precision manufacturing business like Cooper Gear & Manufacturing comes with relentless challenges that test every aspect of our operation.
“One of the toughest aspects on a daily basis is building and maintaining the right leadership team, and especially having one that fosters great teamwork with employees who are capable of working together effectively with minimal supervision to ensure every customer is taken care of flawlessly.”
Loyalty and a strong work ethic helps to overcome any of the more demanding aspects of it. Shawn says, “Cooper Gear has been blessed to have long-term employees that work tirelessly to help ensure that we maintain a great environment where teamwork and dedication to our customers is fostered daily.”
Lisa Robinson has been impressed with how Cooper Gear represents itself and strives to provide only the best of the best to all its clients.
She says, “I’ve watched Shawn and Mendi from outside the business. I see their dedication to quality, communication and customer service.
“They strive to improve all aspects of their business and products. They take care of their staff and the customers. They are aware of the business environment and volunteer in their community as well.”
This is a worthwhile endeavor. Mendi says, “We love what we do. We’re so much alike, we often have the same idea as the other, which proves we’re working toward common goals. We’re both accountants and are very driven and competitive. We also care for our employees and always make sure they know how appreciative we are of them.
“I’ve worked in government and corporate positions, putting in 12–16-hour days, sometimes seven days a week, and being away from my family. Now, I get to work alongside my husband and our kids and get to see them more. We strive to be the best CGM can be and honestly, the future is so bright, we gotta wear shades.”
“It’s a blend of personal fulfillment, family legacy and meaningful impact that keeps the entire team motivated and proud,” Shawn says. “Growing from those early days into an ISO 9001:2015-certified operation serving demanding industries is incredibly rewarding. It’s a living tribute to a strong faith in God, hard work, dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, while thriving under the next generation’s leadership.
“Equally special is getting to work side-by-side with my wife every day. In a true family business, sharing the highs and lows building the company together creates an unbreakable bond and sense of shared purpose.
“Producing such cool, high-performance parts that power rugged equipment across North America remains a constant thrill. Ultimately, Cooper Gear is more than a machine shop and ‘Blood, Sweat and Gears’ is more than just a motto – it’s a family legacy built on passion, dedication, partnership and craftsmanship.”
More than 30 years later, Shawn, Mendi and the entire CGM family remain as committed as they’ve ever been to keeping this machine moving along flawlessly, while providing 100% customer satisfaction with every job that goes through the facility.
Cooper Gear & Manufacturing Fast Facts
Leadership: Derek (Shawn) Cooper – President/CEO; Melinda (Mendi) Cooper – Secretary/Treasurer & Controller; John Washam – Director of Operations; and Richard Bethel – Assistant Director of Operations
Official Opening: Started in 1994
Physical Address: 310 Mill Street, Anderson, Missouri
Website: https://www.coopergearmfg.com/
Cell Phone Number: 417-437-0789
Email Address: dscooper40@hotmail.com
Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday
Influence: “Dad and mom (Jim and Naomi Cooper) always had an entrepreneur spirit,” Shawn says. “They’d always wanted to open their own machine shop. They started the Cooper Gear business. Before that, Dad worked for Teledyne (manufacturing and repair of aerospace and military engines in Neosho, Missouri) and managed their gear division. Mom had worked in accounting for a local CPA. She knew how to manage finances.”
