Partnering with the University of Michigan students in the Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) program.

Students build more than skills through hands-on learning opportunities. These experiences are critical as they also build confidence and lay the foundation for a successful career. This semester, University of Michigan industrial and operations engineering students partnered with Coastal Automotive to gain hands-on experience through their senior design project.
How Students Gain Real-World Experience
The project aims to connect student teams with industry partners to solve real operational challenges. One team worked closely with Coastal team members to address a tape shortage by improving visual management on the production floor. This project was a great example of how operations teams communicate and solve problems in real time.
For team members Sarah and Ava, the ability to contribute ideas to solving present issues was a memorable part of the project. Watch the interview below to hear more about their experience.
Coastal’s Commitment to Collaboration
Problem-solving alongside students is a powerful way to inspire careers in manufacturing. By connecting students with relevant projects, we help them apply classroom knowledge to industry challenges. This is where we see their passion for meaningful work and teamwork ignite. We’re excited to continue supporting the upcoming generations’ education through hands-on learning experiences in the future.