Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. - Annual Report: 2011 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)

      For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

OR

      For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 000-54305

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

39550 Orchard Hill Place Drive

Novi, Michigan 48375

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (248) 596-5900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange

Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a

court.    Yes  x    No  ¨

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2011 was $437,286,166.

The number of the registrant’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of March 1, 2012 was 18,322,693 shares.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Certain portions, as expressly described in this report, of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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PART I

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Cooper-Standard,” “we” or “us”) is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling, body sealing, and Anti-Vibration Systems (“AVS”) components, systems, subsystems, and modules. Our products are primarily for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks that are manufactured by global automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and replacement markets. We conduct substantially all of our activities through our subsidiaries.

We believe that we are the largest global producer of body sealing systems, the second largest global producer of the types of fluid handling products that we manufacture and one of the largest North American producers of AVS products. We design and manufacture our products in each major region of the world through a disciplined and sustained approach to engineering and operational excellence. We operate in 71 manufacturing locations and nine design, engineering, and administrative locations in 19 countries around the world.

Approximately 81% of our sales in 2011 were to OEMs, including Ford Motor Company (“Ford”), General Motors Company (“GM”), and Chrysler Group LLC ( “Chrysler” ) (collectively, the “Detroit 3”), Fiat, Volkswagen/Audi Group, Renault/Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Daimler, BMW, Toyota, Volvo, Jaguar/Land Rover and Honda. The remaining 19% of our 2011 sales were primarily to Tier I and Tier II automotive suppliers and non-automotive manufacturers. In 2011, our products were found in each of the 20 top-selling models in North America and in 19 of the 20 top-selling models in Europe. Our principal executive offices are located at 39550 Orchard Hill Place Drive, Novi, Michigan 48375, and our telephone number is (248) 596-5900. Additional information is available at our website at www.cooperstandard.com, which is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Corporate History and Business Developments

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. was established in 2004 as a Delaware corporation and began operating on December 23, 2004 when it acquired the automotive segment of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (the “2004 Acquisition”). Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. operates the business primarily through its principal operating subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.

In February 2006, the Company acquired fluid handling systems operations in North America, Europe and China (collectively, “FHS”) from ITT Industries, Inc. In August 2007, we acquired certain Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems sealing systems operations in Europe (“MAPS”) together with a MAPS joint venture interest in China from Automotive Sealing Systems S.A. We completed a related acquisition of a MAPS joint venture interest in India (“MAP India”) in December 2007. In addition to these transactions, we acquired a hose manufacturing operation in Mexico from the Gates Corporation and a fuel rail manufacturing operation in Mexico from Automotive Component Holdings, LLC, in 2005 and 2007, respectively. In March 2011, we acquired USi, Inc., a supplier of coatings for plastic injection molding products, from Ikyuo Co. Ltd. of Japan. In May 2011, we established a joint venture with Fonds de Modernisation des Equipementiers Automobiles (“FMEA”) that combined the Company’s French body sealing operations and the operations of Société des Polymères Barre-Thomas (“SPBT”), a French supplier of anti-vibration systems, low pressure hoses, as well as body sealing products.

The Company has two operating divisions, North America and International (covering Europe, South America and Asia Pacific). This operating structure allows us to offer our full portfolio of products and support our regional and global customers with complete engineering and manufacturing expertise in all major regions of the world.

We have implemented a number of operational restructuring initiatives in recent years, including the global reorganization of our operating structure in 2009, the closure or consolidation of facilities in North America,

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Europe, South America, Australia and Asia and the reorganization of our French body sealing operations pursuant to our joint venture agreement with FMEA. For information on these restructuring initiatives, see Note 6. “Restructuring” to the consolidated financial statements.

Reorganization

On August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. and each of its direct and indirect wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries (the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 (“Chapter 11”) of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). On August 4, 2009, our Canadian subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited (“CSA Canada”) commenced proceedings seeking relief from its creditors under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) in Toronto, Canada (the “Canadian Court”). Our subsidiaries and operations outside the United States and Canada were not included in the Chapter 11 cases or the Canadian proceedings (other than CSA Canada) and continued to operate in the ordinary course of business.

On March 26, 2010, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court a Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (as amended and supplemented, the “Plan of Reorganization”). On May 12, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming our Plan of Reorganization. On May 27, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), we consummated the reorganization and emerged from Chapter 11. For further information see Note 3. “Reorganization under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code.”

In accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, “Reorganizations,” we adopted fresh-start accounting upon our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and became a new entity for financial reporting purposes as of June 1, 2010. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for the reporting entity subsequent to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (the “Successor”) are not comparable to the consolidated financial statements for the reporting entity prior to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (the “Predecessor”). The “Company,” when used in reference to the period subsequent to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, refers to the Successor, and when used in reference to periods prior to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, refers to the Predecessor. For further information, see Note 4. “Fresh-Start Accounting,” to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Business Strategy

Sustain and improve operational excellence to strengthen global organization

We seek to optimize our business and cost structure to succeed in the rapidly changing global automotive industry, with an emphasis on reducing overall costs and creating more efficient manufacturing operations. Our primary areas of focus are:

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Leverage Technology for Innovation and Growth 

We will continue to draw on our technical expertise to provide customers with innovative solutions. Our engineers combine product design with a broad understanding of material options for enhanced vehicle performance. We believe our reputation for successful innovation in product design and various materials is the reason our customers consult us early in their vehicle development and design process of their next generation vehicles.

Recent innovations that highlight our ability to combine materials and product design expertise can be found in the following products:

Continued emphasis on fuel efficiency, global platforms and emerging markets

We believe that by focusing on fuel efficiency, global platforms and emerging markets, we will be able to solidify and expand our global leadership position.

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Developing systems solutions and other value-added products

We believe that significant opportunities exist to grow by providing complete subsystems, modules and assemblies. As a leader in design, engineering and technical capabilities, we focus on improving products, developing new technologies and implementing more efficient processes in each of our product lines. Our body sealing products are visible to vehicle passengers and can enhance the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal, in addition to creating a barrier to wind, precipitation, dust and noise. As part of the shift in global customer buying patterns to more fuel efficient vehicles there is an increased importance on a robust thermal management systems. Thermal Management systems regulate the various powertrain heating/cooling circuits as well as control cabin temperature. With our ability to provide traditional thermal management products such as tubes and hoses and new innovative products such as electronically controlled auxiliary coolant pumps & valves, Throttle Valves and Waste Gate Actuators we are in a unique position to provide complete thermal management systems to meet the demanding requirements of today’s Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Internal Combustion Engines. Our AVS products are an important contributor to vehicle quality, significantly improving ride and handling. Our fluid handling modules and subsystems are designed to increase functionality and decrease costs to the OEM, which can be the deciding factor in winning new business.

Pursue acquisitions and alliances to enhance capabilities and accelerate growth

We intend to continue to selectively pursue complementary acquisitions and joint ventures to enhance our customer base, geographic penetration, scale and technology. Consolidation is an industry trend and is encouraged by the OEMs’ desire for fewer supplier relationships. We believe we have a strong platform for growth through acquisitions based on our past integration successes, experienced management team, global presence and operational excellence. In addition, we believe joint ventures allow us to penetrate new markets with less risk and capital investment than acquisitions. We currently operate through several successful joint ventures, including those with Nishikawa Rubber Company, Zhejiang Saiyang Seal Products Co., Ltd., Guyoung Technology Co. Ltd. (“Guyoung”), Hubei Jingda Precision Steel Tube Industry Co., Ltd. (“Jingda”), Huayu-Cooper Standard Sealing Systems Co. Ltd. (“Huayu”) an affiliate of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (“Toyoda Gosei”) and FMEA.

Developing business in non-automotive markets

While the automotive industry will continue to be our core business, our performance products business supplies other industries with products using our expertise and material compounding capabilities. For example, we supply parts to customers for a variety of industry applications, including aircraft flooring, commercial flooring, insulating sheets for power stations, non-slip step coverings and rubber for appliances and construction applications. We also fabricate products from a wide variety of elastomer compounds and can custom fit many applications.

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Products

We supply a diverse range of products on a global basis to a broad group of customers across a wide range of vehicles. Our principal product lines are body and chassis products and fluid handling products. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, and 2011, body and chassis products accounted for 65%, 66% and 68%, respectively, of our sales, and fluid handling products accounted for 35%, 34% and 32%, respectively, of our sales. The top ten vehicle platforms we supply accounted for approximately 32% of our sales in 2009, 33% of our sales in 2010 and 32% of our sales in 2011. Our principal product lines are described below.

Body & chassis products

We are a leading global supplier of automotive body sealing and AVS products. Body sealing products protect vehicle interiors from water, dust and noise intrusion. AVS products isolate and reduce noise and vibration to improve ride and handling. Body sealing and AVS products lead to a better driving experience for all occupants. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, we generated approximately 65%, 66% and 68%, respectively, of total corporate revenue from the sale of body and chassis products (before corporate eliminations).

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Body sealing

Based on third party analysis, we are the leading global supplier of body sealing products to the automotive industry. We are known throughout the industry to be a leader in providing innovative design and manufacturing solutions for complex automotive designs.

Our body sealing products are comprised of ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber, (“EPDM-synthetic rubber”) and thermoplastic elastomers, or TPE. The typical production process involves mixing of rubber compounds, extrusion (supported with metal and woven wire carriers or unsupported), cutting, notching, forming, injection molding and assembly. Below is a description of our primary sealing products:

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Anti-Vibration Systems

Based on third party analysis, we are one of the leading suppliers of AVS products in North America and Europe. We are known in North America for utilizing our advanced development and testing of AVS products and subsystems to provide innovative solutions.

Our AVS products include components manufactured with various types of rubber–natural rubber, butyl or EPDM in combination with stamped steel, aluminum or cast iron sub-components. Additionally, we supply brackets that are manufactured from stamped steel, aluminum or cast iron as individual final products. The typical production process for a rubber and metal product involves mixing of rubber compounds, metal preparation (cleaning and primer application), injection molding of the rubber and metals, final assembly and testing as required based on specific products. Below is a description of our primary chassis products:

Fluid handling products

We are one of the leading global integrators of fluid subsystems and components that control, sense and deliver fluids and vapors in motor vehicles. We believe we are the second largest global provider of fluid handling system products manufactured in our industry. We offer an extensive product portfolio and are positioned to serve our diverse customer base around the world. Utilizing our core competencies in thermal management, emissions management and fuel and brake systems, we strive to create the highest value for our global customers by engineering unique solutions that anticipate and exceed their needs through Design for

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Six Sigma, seamless launches, lean enterprise principles and key strategic alliances. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, we generated approximately 35%, 34% and 32% of total corporate revenue from the sale of fluid handling products (before corporate eliminations).

We support the green technology trend as our customers expand towards hybrids and alternative powertrains required to meet future fuel efficiency regulation. We provide thermal management solutions that enhance hybrid and electric vehicle powertrain cooling systems and offer bio-fuel compatible materials for alternative fuel vehicles. Our products support improved fuel economy initiatives with light weight, high performance plastic and aluminum materials that reduce weight and offer an improved value equation. We specialize in complete fuel system integration encompassing products from the fuel rail to the fuel tank lines. We support reduced emissions through the control of the flow and temperature of exhaust gas.

Our fluid handling products are principally found in four major vehicle systems: thermal management; fuel and brake; emissions management; and power management. Below is a description of our primary fluid handling products:

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Supplies and Raw Materials

Raw material prices have fluctuated greatly in recent years. We have implemented strategies with both our suppliers and our customers to help manage increases in raw material prices. These actions include material substitutions and leveraging our global purchases. Global optimization also includes using benchmarks and selective sourcing from low cost regions. We have also made process improvements to ensure the efficient use of materials through scrap reduction, as well as standardization of material specifications to maximize leverage over higher volume purchases. With some customers on certain raw materials we have implemented indexes that allow price changes as underlying material costs move.

The primary raw materials for our business include synthetic rubber, fabricated metal-based components, plastic components, carbon black, process oil and natural rubber.

Patents and Trademarks

We believe one of our competitive advantages is our application of technological innovation to customer challenges. We hold over 350 patents in key product technologies, such as Daylight Opening Modules, Engineered Stretched Plastics, Low Fuel Permeation Nylon Tubing and Quick Connect Fluid Couplings, as well as core process methods, such as molding, joining, and coating. Our patents are grouped into two major categories: (1) products, which relate to specific product invention claims for products which can be produced, and (2) processes, which relate to specific manufacturing processes that are used for producing products. The vast majority of our patents fall within the products category. We consider these patents to be of value and seek to protect our rights throughout the world against infringement. While in the aggregate these patents are important to our business, we do not believe that the loss or termination of any one patent would materially affect our company. We continue to seek patent protection for our new products. Additionally, we develop significant technologies that we treat as trade secrets and choose not to disclose to the public through the patent process, but which nonetheless provide significant competitive advantages and contribute to our global leadership position in various markets.

We also have technology sharing and licensing agreements with various third parties, including Nishikawa Rubber Company, one of our joint venture partners in body sealing products. We have mutual agreements with Nishikawa Rubber Company for sales, marketing and engineering services on certain body sealing products we sell. Under those agreements, each party pays for services provided by the other and royalties on certain products for which the other party provides design or development services.

We own or have licensed several trademarks that are registered in many countries, enabling us to protect and market our products worldwide. Key trademarks include StanPro^® (aftermarket trim seals), SafeSeal™ (obstacle detection sensors), and Stratlink™ (proprietary TPV polymer).

Seasonality

Historically, sales to automotive customers are lowest during the months prior to model changeovers and during assembly plant shutdowns. However, economic conditions and consumer demand may change the traditional seasonality of the industry and lower production may prevail without the impact of seasonality. Historically, model changeover periods have typically resulted in lower sales volumes during July, August and December. During these periods of lower sales volumes, profit performance is reduced but working capital often improves due to the continued collection of accounts receivable.

Competition

We believe that the principal competitive factors in our industry are price, quality, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation and timely delivery. We believe that our capabilities in these core

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competencies are integral to our position as a market leader in each of our product lines. Our body and chassis products compete with Toyoda Gosei, Trelleborg/ Vibracoustic, Tokai, Paulstra, Hutchinson, Henniges and Standard Profil, among others. Our fluid handling products compete with TI Automotive, Martinrea, Hutchinson, Conti-Tech, Pierburg and Gustav Wahler, along with numerous smaller companies in this competitive market.

Industry Structure

The automotive industry is one of the world’s largest and most competitive. Consumer demand for new vehicles largely determines sales and production volumes of global OEMs.

The automotive supplier industry is generally characterized by high barriers to entry, significant start-up costs and long-standing customer relationships. The criteria by which OEMs judge automotive suppliers include price, quality, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation, timely delivery and, more recently, financial stability. Over the last decade, suppliers that have been able to achieve manufacturing scale, reduce structural costs, diversify their customer base and establish a global manufacturing footprint have been successful.

The severe decline in vehicle sales and production in 2009 led to major restructuring activity in the industry, particularly in North America. GM and Chrysler reorganized through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and the Detroit 3 undertook other strategic actions, including the divestiture or discontinuance of non-core businesses and brands and the acceleration or broadening of operational and financial restructuring activities. A number of significant automotive suppliers, including us, restructured through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings or through other means.

Several significant trends and developments are now contributing to improvement in the automotive supplier industry. These include increased light vehicle sales of approximately 9% and light vehicle production increase of approximately 10% in North America in 2011 compared to 2010, a more positive credit environment, the continued growth of new markets in Asia, particularly China, and increased emphasis on “green” and other innovative technologies.

Customers

We are a leading supplier to the Detroit 3 in each of our product categories and are increasing our presence with European and Asian OEMs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 26%, 14%, 7%, 6% and 6% of our sales were to Ford, GM, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Volkswagen/Audi and Chrysler, respectively, as compared to 28%, 16%, 3%, 6% and 6%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our other major customers include OEMs such as Fiat, Renault/Nissan, BMW, Daimler and various Indian and Chinese OEMs. We also sell products to Visteon/ACH, Toyota, Porsche, and through Nishikawa Standard Company (“NISCO”), Honda. Our business with any given customer is typically split among several contracts for different parts on a number of platforms.

Backlog

Our OEM sales are generally based upon purchase orders issued by the OEMs, with updated releases for volume adjustments, and as such we do not have a backlog of orders at any point in time. Once selected to supply products for a particular platform, we typically supply those products for the platform life, which is normally three to five years, although there is no guarantee that this will occur. In addition, when we are the incumbent supplier to a given platform, we believe we have a competitive advantage in winning the redesign or replacement platform.

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Research and Development

We operate nine design, engineering, and administration facilities throughout the world and employ approximately 590 research and development personnel, some of whom reside at our customers’ facilities. We utilize Design for Six Sigma and other methodologies that emphasize manufacturability and quality. We are aggressively pursuing innovations which assist in resource conservation with particular attention to developing materials that are lighter weight and made of recyclable materials. Our development teams are also working closely with our customers to design and deliver thermal management solutions for cooling electric motors and batteries for new hybrids. We also devote considerable research and development resources into AVS, resulting in high value, state-of-the-art solutions for our customers. These activities are applied not only in our AVS product lines, but also in vehicle sealing (noise transmission isolation and abatement via vehicle windows and doors), fuel delivery systems (isolation of fuel injectors on fuel rails) and thermal management (noise and vibration free coolant pumps and valves). We spend significantly each year to maintain and enhance our technical centers, enabling us to quickly and effectively respond to customer demands. We spent $62.9 million, $68.8 million, and $83.9 million in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, on engineering, research and development.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances

Joint ventures represent an important part of our business, both operationally and strategically. We have used joint ventures to enter into new geographic markets such as China, Korea, India and Thailand, to acquire new customers and to develop new technologies. In entering new geographic markets, teaming with a local partner can reduce capital investment by leveraging pre-existing infrastructure. In addition, local partners in these markets can provide knowledge and insight into local practices and access to local suppliers of raw materials and components. In North America, our longstanding Nisco joint venture with Nishikawa Rubber Company in which we own a 40% equity interest, has been valuable in enhancing our relationships with customers such as Honda. In 2005, we acquired a 20% equity interest in and expanded our technical alliance with Guyoung, a Korean supplier of metal stampings, which built a manufacturing facility in Alabama that services Hyundai. As part of the acquisition of the MAPS business in 2007, we acquired a 47.5% equity interest in Huayu-Cooper Standard Sealing Systems Co. Ltd., a joint venture with Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, which also owns a 47.5% equity interest, and Shanghai Qinpu Zhaotun Collective Asset Management Company, which owns the remaining 5% equity interest. This joint venture business is the leading manufacturer of automotive sealing products in China. Also, in 2007, we acquired a 74% equity interest in MAP India, a joint venture with Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., which owns the remaining 26% equity interest. MAP India is a leading manufacturer of automotive sealing products in India. In 2011, we acquired a 51% equity interest in SPBT, a joint venture with FMEA, which owns the remaining 49% equity interest. Also, in 2011 we acquired a 20% equity interest in Nishikawa Tachaplalert Cooper Limited a joint venture with Nishikawa Rubber, which owns 77.7%, and the Tachplalert family and Marubeni Thailand, which own the remaining 2.3%.

Geographic Information

In 2011, we generated approximately 50% of our sales in North America, 38% in Europe, 5% in South America and 7% in Asia/Pacific. Approximately 26% of our sales were generated from our United States operations and approximately 74% of our sales were generated from our operations in all other countries, including 13%, 11%, 10% and 10% generated from our Mexican, French, German and Canadian operations, respectively.

In 2010, we generated approximately 52% of our sales in North America, 34% in Europe, 6% in South America and 8% in Asia/Pacific. Approximately 27% of our sales were generated from our United States operations and approximately 73% of our sales were generated from our operations in all other countries, including 14%, 11% and 10% generated from our Mexican, German and Canadian operations, respectively.

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In 2009, we generated approximately 47% of our sales in North America, 40% in Europe, 6% in South America and 7% in Asia/Pacific. Approximately 27% of our sales were generated from our United States operations and approximately 73% of our sales were generated from our operations in all other countries, including 14%, 11% and 9% generated from our German, Mexican and Canadian operations, respectively.

See Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements for additional geographic information.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 21,500 full-time and temporary employees. We maintain good relations with both our union and non-union employees and, in the past ten years, have not experienced any major work stoppages. We renegotiated some of our domestic and international union agreements in 2011 and have several contracts set to expire in the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 33% of our employees were represented by unions and approximately 10% of the unionized employees were located in the United States.

Environmental

We are subject to a broad range of federal, state, and local environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations in the United States and other countries, including regulations governing: emissions to air, discharges to water, noise and odor emissions; the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste materials; the cleanup of contaminated properties; and human health and safety. We may incur substantial costs associated with hazardous substance contamination or exposure, including cleanup costs, fines, and civil or criminal sanctions, third party property or natural resource damage, personal injury claims, or costs to upgrade or replace existing equipment as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental laws or the failure to maintain or comply with environmental permits required at our locations. In addition, many of our current and former facilities are located on properties with long histories of industrial or commercial operations and some of these properties have been subject to certain environmental investigations and remediation activities. We maintain environmental reserves for certain of these sites. As of December 31, 2011, we have $10 million reserved in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet on an undiscounted basis, which we believe is adequate. Because some environmental laws (such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and analogous state laws) can impose liability retroactively and regardless of fault on potentially responsible parties for the entire cost of cleanup at currently or formerly owned or operated facilities, as well as sites at which such parties disposed or arranged for disposal of hazardous waste, we could become liable for investigating or remediating contamination at our current or former properties or other properties (including offsite waste disposal locations). We may not always be in complete compliance with all applicable requirements of environmental laws or regulations, and we may receive notices of violation or become subject to enforcement actions or incur material costs or liabilities in connection with such requirements. In addition, new environmental requirements or changes to interpretations of existing requirements, or in their enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, results of operations, and financial condition. For example, while we are not large emitters of greenhouse gases, laws, regulations and certain regional initiatives under consideration by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and various states, and in effect in certain foreign jurisdictions, could result in increased operating costs to control and monitor such emissions. We have made and will continue to make expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While our costs to defend and settle claims arising under environmental laws in the past have not been material, such costs may be material in the future.

Market Data

Some market data and other statistical information used throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K is based on data available from IHS Automotive, an independent market research firm. Other data is based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as third party sources. Although we believe these third party sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information and cannot

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guarantee its accuracy and completeness. To the extent that we have been unable to obtain information from third party sources, we have expressed our belief on the basis of our own internal analyses of our products and capabilities in comparison to our competitors.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website (http://www.cooperstandard.com) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Executive Officers

Set forth below is certain information with respect to the current executive officers of the Company.

James S. McElya is the Chairman of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since March 2009 and previously held from September 2006 to July 2008. He served as executive Chairman from July 2008 to March 2009. Mr. McElya served as President and Chief Executive Officer from the date of the 2004 Acquisition to September 2006. He has been a member of our board of directors since the 2004 Acquisition. He was President, Cooper-Standard Automotive and a corporate Vice President of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company from June 2000 until the 2004 Acquisition. Mr. McElya has over 34 years of automotive experience. He was previously President of Siebe Automotive Worldwide, a division of Invensys, PLC and spent 22 years with Handy & Harman in various executive management positions, including President, Handy & Harman Automotive, and Corporate Vice President of the parent company. Mr. McElya is the past Chairman and current member of the board of directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. He is a past Chairman and current member of the board of directors of the Original Equipment Supplier Association, and he is an advisor to the board of directors of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf. Mr. McElya is a member of the board of directors of Affinia Group.

Allen J. Campbell is our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he has held since March 17, 2011, previously having served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since the 2004 Acquisition. He was Vice President, Asian Operations of the Cooper-Standard Automotive division of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company from 2003 until the 2004 Acquisition and served as Vice President, Finance of the division from 1999 to 2003. Prior to joining Cooper Tire, Mr. Campbell was with The Dow Chemical Company for 18 years and held executive finance positions for both U.S. and Canadian operations. Mr. Campbell is a certified public accountant and received his MBA in Finance from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Arts from Ball State University.

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Keith D. Stephenson is our Chief Operating Officer, a position he has held since December 2010. He served as President, International from March 2009 to December 2010. He served as President, Global Body & Chassis Systems from June 2007 to March 2009. Mr. Stephenson was Chief Development Officer at Boler Company from January 2004 until October 2006. From 1985 to January 2004, he held various senior positions at Hendrickson, a division of Boler Company, including President of International Operations, Senior Vice President of Global Business Operations and President of the Truck Systems Group.

D. William Pumphrey, Jr. is our President, North America, a position he has held since August 2011. Mr. Pumphrey served as President, Americas for Tower Automotive from 2008 through August 2011. From 2005 to 2008, he served as president of Tower’s North America operations. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Pumphrey held various positions at Lear Corp. in Southfield, Michigan, most recently, serving as president of the company’s Asia Pacific operations. Mr. Pumphrey earned an MBA from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College.

Michael C. Verwilst is our Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, a position he has held since March 2009. Previously, Mr. Verwilst served as President, Global Fluid Systems from June 2007 to March 2009. Mr. Verwilst joined the Company in 2003 as the Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Verwilst was a principal with Corporate Improvement Partners from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Verwilst held many executive positions with Federal-Mogul Corporation from 1978 to 2001, including Senior Vice President of Powertrain Systems and Vice President & General Manager of Powertrain Systems—Americas.

Timothy W. Hefferon is our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, a position he has held since 2004. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hefferon was with ThyssenKrupp USA Inc. from 1999 to 2004, where he served as Deputy General Counsel and with Federal-Mogul Corporation from 1994 to 1999, where he served as Associate General Counsel. He was a partner from 1985 to 1994 of Hill Lewis, a Detroit-based law firm, where he served on the executive committee. Mr. Hefferon received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Kimberly L. Dickens is our Vice President, Human Resources, a position she has held since March of 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Dickens served as Vice President, Human Resources at Federal Signal Corporation from 2004 to 2008. Previously, Ms. Dickens held numerous plant and divisional human resource positions at Borg Warner Corporation beginning in 1988, ultimately serving as Vice President, Human Resources from 2002 to 2004. Ms. Dickens has a BS in Industrial Health and Safety from Oakland University and an MBA from Lewis University.

Helen T. Yantz is our Vice President and Corporate Controller, a position she has held since January 2005. Previously, Ms. Yantz held the position of Director of Accounting and Assistant Vice President from 2001 to 2005. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Yantz was Manager of Financial Reporting at Trinity Health Systems from 2000 to 2001. Previously, Ms. Yantz held various positions in finance at CMS Generations Co., a subsidiary of CMS Energy, from 1990 to 2000, ultimately serving as the Director of Accounting. Ms. Yantz is a certified public accountant and has a BS from Arizona State University.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. We make forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and may make such statements in future filings with the SEC. We may also make forward-looking statements in our press releases or other public or stockholder communications. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenue or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, business trends, and other information that is not

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historical information and, in particular, appear under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors” and “Business.” When used in this report, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts,” or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” or “may,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs, and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, no assurances can be made that these expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this report are set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Such risks and uncertainties and other important factors include, but are not limited to:

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There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the SEC, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included herein and therein. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Our business and financial condition can be impacted by a number of factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of these risks could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent or anticipated results and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are highly dependent on the automotive industry. A prolonged or further material contraction in automotive sales and production volumes could materially adversely affect our liquidity, the viability of our supply base and the financial conditions of our customers and could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The great majority of our customers are OEMs and their suppliers. In recent years, the automotive industry has been severely affected by the turmoil in the global credit markets and the economic recession. These conditions have had a dramatic impact on consumer vehicle demand, which has not returned to 2007/2008 levels.

Automotive sales and production are highly cyclical and depend, among other things, on general economic conditions and consumer spending and preferences (which can be affected by a number of issues, including fuel costs, employment levels and the availability of consumer financing). As the volume of automotive production fluctuates, the demand for our products also fluctuates. Further or future material contraction in automotive sales and production could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity. Production levels in Europe and North America, most notably, affect us given our concentration of sales in those regions, which accounted for approximately 38% and 50%, respectively, of our 2011 sales. In addition, if lower levels of sales and production are forecasted, non-cash impairment charges could result as the value of certain long-lived assets is reduced. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our supply base has also been adversely affected by the current industry environment. Lower global automotive production, turmoil in the credit markets and extreme volatility over the past several years in raw material, energy and commodity costs have resulted in financial distress within our supply base and an increase in the risk of supply disruption. In addition, several automotive suppliers filed for bankruptcy protection or have ceased operations. If a significant supplier’s viability was to become impaired, it could impact the supplier’s ability to perform as we expect and consequently our ability to meet our own commitments. While we have developed and implemented strategies to mitigate the negative effects of these factors, these strategies have offset only a portion of the adverse impact. The continuation or worsening of these industry conditions could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows, thereby making it more difficult for us to make payments under our indebtedness and our 7% cumulative participating convertible preferred stock (“7% preferred stock”).

In addition, if our suppliers were to reduce normal trade credit terms, our liquidity could be adversely impacted. Likewise, our liquidity could be adversely impacted if our customers were to extend their normal payment terms, whether or not permitted under our contracts. If either of these situations occurs, we may need to rely on other sources of funding to bridge the additional gap between the time we pay our suppliers and the time we receive corresponding payments from our customers.

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Any further restructuring of our customers, particularly the Detroit 3, may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Significantly lower global production levels, tightened liquidity and increased costs of capital have combined to cause severe financial distress among many of our customers and have forced those companies to implement various forms of restructuring actions. In some cases, these actions have involved significant capacity reductions, the discontinuation of entire vehicle brands or even reorganization under bankruptcy laws. Discontinuation of a brand can result in not only a loss of sales associated with any systems or components we supplied for such brand, but also customer disputes regarding capital we expended to support production of such systems or components for the discontinued brand, and such disputes could potentially be resolved adversely to us.

We could be adversely affected by any shortage of supplies.

In the event of a rapid increase in production demands, either we or our customers or other suppliers may experience supply shortages of raw materials or components. This could be caused by a number of factors, including a lack of production line capacity or manpower or working capital constraints. In order to manage and reduce the cost of purchased goods and services, we and others within our industry have been rationalizing and consolidating our supply base. In addition, due to the turbulence in the automotive industry, several suppliers have restructured or ceased operations. As a result, there is greater dependence on fewer sources of supply for certain components and materials, which could increase the possibility of a supply shortage of any particular component. If any of our customers experience a material supply shortage, either directly or as a result of a supply shortage at another supplier, that customer may halt or limit the purchase of our products. Similarly, if we or one of our own suppliers experience a supply shortage, we may become unable to produce the affected products if we cannot procure the components from another source. Such production interruptions could impede a ramp-up in vehicle production and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Escalating pricing pressures and decline of volume requirements from our customers may adversely affect our business.

Pricing pressure in the automotive supply industry has been substantial and is likely to continue. Virtually all vehicle manufacturers seek price reductions in both the initial bidding process and during the term of the contract. Price reductions have adversely impacted our sales and profit margins and are expected to do so in the future. If we are not able to offset continued price reductions through improved operating efficiencies and reduced expenditures, those price reductions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our agreements with our customers are generally requirements contracts and a decline in volume for our customers could adversely impact our revenues and profitability.

We may be at risk of not being able to meet significant increases in demand.

If demand increases significantly from what has been a historical low for production over the last four years, we may have difficulty meeting such demand, particularly if such increase in demand occurs rapidly. This difficulty may include not having sufficient manpower or relying on suppliers who may not be able to respond quickly to a changed environment when demand significantly increases. Our inability to meet significant increases in demand could require us to delay delivery dates and could result in customers cancelling their orders, requesting discounts or ceasing to do business with us. In addition, as demand and volumes increase, we will need to purchase more inventory, which will increase our working capital needs. If our working capital needs exceed our cash flows from operations, we will be required to use our cash balances and available borrowings, as well as potential sources of additional capital, which may not be available on satisfactory terms and in adequate amounts, if at all, to satisfy those needs.

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Increasing costs for, or reduced availability of, manufactured components and raw materials may adversely affect our profitability.

The principal raw materials we purchase include synthetic rubber, fabricated metal-based components, plastic components, carbon black, process oil and natural rubber. Raw materials comprise the largest component of our costs, representing approximately 51% of our total cost of products in 2011. A significant increase in the price of these items could materially increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our profit margins because it is generally difficult to pass through these increased costs to our customers. Raw material costs remain volatile and could have an adverse impact on our profitability in the foreseeable future.

Because we purchase various types of raw materials and manufactured components, we may be materially and adversely affected by the failure of our suppliers of those materials to perform as expected. This non-performance may consist of delivery delays or failures caused by production issues or delivery of non-conforming products. The risk of non-performance may also result from the insolvency or bankruptcy of one or more of our suppliers. Our suppliers’ ability to supply products to us is also subject to a number of risks to such suppliers, including availability of raw materials, such as steel and natural rubber, destruction of their facilities or work stoppages. In addition, our failure to promptly pay, or order sufficient quantities of inventory from, our suppliers may increase the cost of products we purchase or may lead to suppliers refusing to sell products to us at all. Our efforts to protect against and to minimize these risks may not always be effective.

We consider the production capacities and financial condition of suppliers in our selection process and expect that they will meet our delivery requirements. However, there can be no assurance that strong demand, capacity limitations, shortages of raw materials or other problems will not result in any shortages or delays in the supply of components to us.

Some of our raw materials and other supplies used in our operations are not normally available from a variety of suppliers, therefore leaving our business vulnerable to increasing costs. In addition, our need to maintain a continuing supply of raw materials and components has made it difficult, in some cases, to resist price increases and surcharges imposed by our suppliers.

As the industry recovers our costs will increase, which may negatively impact our profitability.

In an effort to mitigate the impact of the decline in production volumes in 2008, we undertook various initiatives to cut our costs and restructure our business. Some of these initiatives may not be sustainable as the industry improves. For example, in response to the volume declines we cut pay, did not provide merit increases, froze our 401K matching program and limited travel budgets. In 2010, we resumed providing merit increases and relaxed some spending restrictions. In addition, we have been increasing our hiring as production increases and we look to future growth. These actions may negatively impact our profitability.

We could be materially adversely affected if we are unable to continue to compete successfully in the highly competitive automotive parts industry.

The automotive parts industry is highly competitive. We face numerous competitors in each of the product lines we serve. In general, there are three or more significant competitors and numerous smaller competitors for most of the products we offer. We also face increased competition for certain of our products from suppliers producing in lower-cost countries such as Korea and China, especially for certain lower-technology noise, vibration and harshness control products that have physical characteristics that make long-distance shipping more feasible and economical. We may not be able to continue to compete favorably with such competitors, and increased competition in our markets may have a material adverse effect on our business.

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We are subject to other risks associated with our non-U.S. operations.

We have significant manufacturing operations outside the United States, including joint ventures and other alliances. Our operations are located in 19 countries, and we export to several other countries. In 2011, approximately 74% of our sales were attributable to products manufactured outside the United States. Risks are inherent in international operations, including:

These and other factors may have a material adverse effect on our international operations and on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, we are faced with potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations and we have to design local solutions to manage credit risks of local customers and distributors. Also, the cost and complexity of streamlining operations in certain European countries is greater than would be the case in the United States, due primarily to labor laws in those countries that can make reducing employment levels more time-consuming and expensive than in the United States. Our flexibility in our foreign operations can also be somewhat limited by agreements we have entered into with our foreign joint venture partners.

Our overall success as a global business depends, in part, upon our ability to succeed in differing economic, social and political conditions. We may not continue to succeed in developing and implementing policies and strategies that are effective in each location where we do business, and failure to do so could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could materially impact our results from operations.

Our sales outside the United States expose us to currency risks. Our sales and earnings denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars for our consolidated financial statements. This translation is calculated based on average exchange rates during the reporting period. Our reported international sales and earnings could be adversely impacted in periods of a strengthening U.S. dollar.

We generally produce in the same geographic region as our products are sold. Some of our commodities are purchased in or pegged to the U.S. dollar therefore, our earnings could be adversely impacted during the periods of a strengthening U.S. dollar to other foreign currencies. We employ financial instruments to hedge certain portions of our foreign currency exposures however this will not completely insulate us from the effects of currency fluctuation.

A significant portion of our operations are conducted by joint ventures that cannot be operated for our sole benefit.

Many of our operations are carried on by joint ventures. In joint ventures we share the management of the company with one or more owners who may not have the same goals, resources or priorities as we do.

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Joint ventures require attention to be paid to the relationships with our co-owners which influences each owner’s decisions. Joint ventures are intended to operate for the benefit of all owners and therefore we do not receive all the benefits from our joint ventures.

We conduct significant operations in Mexico, which could be materially and adversely affected as a result of the increased levels of violence and political disruption.

Recently, drug related violence has risen to unprecedented levels along the U.S.-Mexico border despite increased law-enforcement efforts by the Mexican and the U.S. governments. This situation presents several risks to our operations in Mexico, including, among others, that our employees may be directly affected by the violence, that our employees may elect to relocate out of the region in order to avoid the risk of violent crime to themselves or their families and that our customers may become increasingly reluctant to visit our Mexican facilities, which could delay new business opportunities and other important aspects of our business. If any of these risks materialize, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Our lean manufacturing and other cost savings plans may not be effective.

Our operations strategy includes cutting costs by reducing production errors, inventory levels, operator motion, overproduction and operator waiting while fostering the increased flow of material, information and communication. The cost savings that we anticipate from these initiatives may not be achieved on schedule or at the level anticipated by management. If we are unable to realize these anticipated savings, our operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. Moreover, the implementation of cost saving plans and facilities integration may disrupt our operations and performance.

Our business could be materially adversely affected if we lost any of our largest customers or significant platforms.

While we provide parts to virtually every major global OEM for use on a multitude of different platforms, sales to our three largest customers, Ford, GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën, on a worldwide basis represented approximately 47% of our sales. Although business with each customer is typically split among numerous contracts, if we lost a major customer, that customer significantly reduced its purchases of our products, or the customer discontinues or resources a platform that is significant to our business, whether as a result of a decline in such customer’s market share due to increased competition from Asian or other OEMs’ successful vertical integration at the customer level or otherwise, there could be a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may incur material losses and costs as a result of product liability and warranty and recall claims that may be brought against us.

We may be exposed to product liability and warranty claims in the event that our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage. Accordingly, we could experience material warranty or product liability expenses in the future and incur significant costs to defend against these claims. In addition, if any of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may be required to participate in a recall of that product if the defect or the alleged defect relates to automotive safety. Product recalls could cause us to incur material costs and could harm our reputation or cause us to lose customers, particularly if any such recall causes customers to question the safety or reliability of our products. As suppliers become more integrally involved in the vehicle design process and assume more of the vehicle assembly functions, customers are increasingly seeking to change contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation. Also, while we possess considerable historical warranty and recall data with respect to the products we currently produce, we do not have such data relating to new products, assembly programs or technologies, including any new fuel and emissions technology and systems being brought into production to allow us to accurately estimate future warranty or recall costs. In addition, the

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increased focus on systems integration platforms utilizing fuel and emissions technology with more sophisticated components from multiple sources could result in an increased risk of component warranty costs over which we have little or no control and for which we may be subject to an increasing share of liability to the extent any of the other component suppliers are in financial distress or are otherwise incapable of fulfilling their warranty or product recall obligations. Our costs associated with providing product warranties and responding to product recall claims could be material and we do not have insurance covering product recalls. Product liability, warranty and recall costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Work stoppages or similar difficulties could disrupt our operations.

We may be subject to work stoppages and may be affected by other labor disputes. A number of our collective bargaining agreements expire in any given year, including several in 2011. There is no certainty that we will be successful in negotiating new agreements with these unions that extend beyond the current expiration dates, or that these new agreements will be on terms as favorable to us as past labor agreements. Failure to renew these agreements when they expire or to establish new collective bargaining agreements on terms acceptable to us and the unions could result in work stoppages or other labor disruptions which may have a material adverse effect on customer relationships and our business and results of operations. Additionally, a work stoppage at one or more of our suppliers, our customers or our customers’ suppliers could materially adversely affect our operations if an alternative source of supply were not readily available. Work stoppages by employees of our customers also could result in reduced demand for our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 33% of our employees were represented by unions, approximately 10% of the unionized employees were located in the United States. It is possible that our workforce will become more unionized in the future. A work stoppage at one or more of our plants may have a material adverse effect on our business. Unionization activities could also increase our costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

Our ability to operate our company effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain key personnel.

Our ability to operate our business and implement our strategies depends, in part, on the efforts of our executive officers and other key employees. In addition, our future success will depend on, among other factors, our ability to attract and retain other qualified personnel, particularly research and development engineers and technical sales professionals. The loss of the services of any of our key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business or business prospects.

Our success depends in part on our development of improved products, and our efforts may fail to meet the needs of customers on a timely or cost-effective basis.

Our continued success depends on our ability to maintain advanced technological capabilities, machinery and knowledge necessary to adapt to changing market demands as well as to develop and commercialize innovative products. We may be unable to develop new products as successfully as in the past or to keep pace with technological developments by our competitors and the industry generally. In addition, we may develop specific technologies and capabilities in anticipation of customers’ demands for new innovations and technologies. If such demand does not materialize, we may be unable to recover the costs incurred in such programs. If we are unable to recover these costs or if any such programs do not progress as expected, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

If our acquisition strategy is not successful, we may not achieve our growth and profit objectives.

We may selectively pursue complementary acquisitions in the future as part of our growth strategy. While we will evaluate business opportunities on a regular basis, we may not be successful in identifying any attractive acquisitions. We may not have, or be able to raise on acceptable terms, sufficient financial resources to make acquisitions. Our ability to make investments may also be limited by the terms of our existing or future financing

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arrangements. In addition, any acquisitions we make will be subject to all of the risks inherent in an acquisition strategy, including integrating financial and operational reporting systems, establishing satisfactory budgetary and other financial controls, funding increased capital needs and overhead expenses, obtaining management personnel required for expanded operations and funding cash flow shortages that may occur if anticipated sales are not realized or are delayed, whether by general economic or market conditions or unforeseen internal difficulties.

Our intellectual property portfolio is subject to legal challenges and considerable uncertainty.

We have developed and actively pursue the development of proprietary technology in the automotive industry and rely on intellectual property laws and a number of patents in many jurisdictions to protect such technology. There can be no assurances that the protections we have available for our proprietary technology in the United States and other countries will be available to us in many places we sell our products. Therefore, we may be unable to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property without authorization. Any infringement or misappropriation of our technology that we cannot control could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. If we had to litigate to protect our intellectual property rights, any proceedings could be costly, and we may not prevail. We also face increasing exposure to the claims of others for infringement of intellectual property rights. We may have material intellectual property claims asserted against us in the future and could incur significant costs or losses related to such claims. These claims, regardless of their merit or resolution, are frequently costly to prosecute, defend or settle and divert the efforts and attention of our management and employees. Claims of this sort also could harm our reputation and our relationships with our customers and might deter future customers from doing business with us. If any such claim were to result in an adverse outcome, we could be required to take actions which may include: cease the manufacture, use or sale of the infringing products; pay substantial damages to third parties, including to customers to compensate them for the discontinued use of a product or to replace infringing technology with non-infringing technology; or expend significant resources to develop or license non-infringing products.

We are subject to a broad range of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are subject to a broad range of federal, state and local environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations in the United States and other countries, including those governing: emissions to air; discharges to water; noise and odor emissions; the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials; the cleanup of contaminated properties; and human health and safety. We may incur substantial costs associated with hazardous substance contamination or exposure, including cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third party property or natural resource damage, personal injury claims or costs to upgrade or replace existing equipment as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental laws or the failure to maintain or comply with environmental permits required at our locations. In addition, many of our current and former facilities are located on properties with long histories of industrial or commercial operations and some of these properties have been subject to certain environmental investigations and remediation activities. We maintain environmental reserves for certain of these sites, which we believe are adequate. Because some environmental laws (such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and analogous state laws) can impose liability retroactively and regardless of fault on potentially responsible parties for the entire cost of cleanup at currently or formerly owned or operated facilities, as well as sites at which such parties disposed or arranged for disposal of hazardous waste, we could become liable for investigating or remediating contamination at our current or former properties or other properties (including offsite waste disposal locations). We may not always be in complete compliance with all applicable requirements of environmental law or regulation, and we may receive notices of violation or become subject to enforcement actions or incur material costs or liabilities in connection with such requirements. In addition, new environmental requirements or changes to interpretations of existing requirements, or in their enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, while we are not large emitters of greenhouse gases, laws, regulations and certain regional initiatives under consideration by

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the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various states, and in effect in certain foreign jurisdictions, could result in increased operating costs to control and monitor such emissions. We have made and will continue to make expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While our costs to defend and settle claims arising under environmental laws in the past have not been material, such costs may be material in the future.

We are involved in legal proceedings as well as commercial and contractual disputes, from time to time, which may have an adverse impact on our profitability.

We are involved in legal proceedings, commercial and contractual disputes which may, at times, be significant. These claims include warranty, commercial disputes, intellectual property disputes, employment matters, tax and administrative matters and personal injury claims. We believe our reserves are adequate, however, the final liability could differ materially from our estimates and our results from operations could be affected.

The Company’s expected annual effective tax rate could be volatile and could materially change as a result of changes in many items including mix of earnings, debt and capital structure and other factors.

Many items could impact the Company’s effective tax rate including changes in the Company’s debt and capital structure, mix of earnings and many other factors. The Company’s overall effective tax rate is based upon the consolidated tax expense as a percentage of consolidated earnings before tax. However, tax expenses and benefits are not recognized on a consolidated or global basis, but rather on a jurisdictional, legal entity basis. Further, certain jurisdictions in which the Company operates generate losses where no current financial statement benefit is realized. In addition, certain jurisdictions have statutory rates greater than or less than the United States statutory rate. As such, changes in the mix and source of earnings between jurisdictions could have a significant impact on the Company’s overall effective tax rate in future years. Changes in rules related to accounting for income taxes, changes in tax laws and rates or adverse outcomes from tax audits that occur regularly in any of the Company’s jurisdictions could also have a significant impact on the Company’s overall effective tax rate in future periods.

Our capital structure includes a substantial amount of indebtedness and preferred stock, which impose demands on our liquidity that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or on our ability to obtain financing in the future.

We have a substantial amount of debt outstanding, including our Senior Notes and the debt of certain foreign subsidiaries, aggregating approximately $488.7 million that requires significant principal and interest payments, and preferred stock outstanding that may require significant preferred dividend payments. We are permitted by the terms of the Senior Notes and Senior ABL facility to incur substantial additional indebtedness, subject to the restrictions therein, which could:

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We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and to meet any dividend obligations of our preferred stock.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on our debt and meet the potential cash dividend obligations of our preferred stock or to refinance these obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and any cash dividend obligations on our preferred stock, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell material assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness or our preferred stock, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our pension plans are currently underfunded and we may have to make cash payments to the plans, reducing the cash available for our business.

We sponsor various pension plans worldwide that are underfunded and will require cash payments. Additionally, if the performance of the assets in our pension plans does not meet our expectations, or if other actuarial assumptions are modified, our required contributions may be higher than we expect. If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund our worldwide pension liabilities, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, seek additional capital or seek to restructure or refinance our indebtedness or sell assets.

As of December 31, 2011, our $308.1 million projected benefit obligation, or (“PBO”), for U.S. pension benefit obligations exceeded the fair value of the relevant plans’ assets, which totaled $213.9 million, by $94.2 million. Additionally, the international employees’ plans’ PBO exceeded plan assets by approximately $100.1 million as of December 31, 2011. The PBO for other postretirement benefits, or OPEB, was $63.5 million as of December 31, 2011. Our estimated funding requirement for pensions and OPEB during 2012 is approximately $22.3 million. Net periodic benefit costs for U.S. and international plans, including pension benefits and OPEB, were $6.1 million, $5.2 million and $12.7 million for the five months ended May 31, 2010, the seven months ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2011, respectively. For more information, see notes 10 and 11 to the audited consolidated financial statements.

Significant changes in discount rates, the actual return on pension assets and other factors could adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Our earnings may be positively or negatively impacted by the amount of income or expense recorded related to our qualified pension plans. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) require that income or expense related to the pension plans be calculated at the annual measurement date using actuarial calculations, which reflect certain assumptions. The most significant of these assumptions relate to interest rates, the capital markets and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic indicators can change these assumptions. These assumptions, as well as the actual value of pension assets at the measurement date, will impact the calculation of pension expense for the year. Although GAAP expense and pension contributions are not directly related, the key economic indicators that affect GAAP expense also affect the amount of cash that we will contribute to our pension plans. Because the values of these pension assets have fluctuated and will continue to fluctuate in response to changing market conditions, the amount of gains or losses that will be recognized in subsequent periods, the impact on the funded status of the pension plans and the future minimum required contributions, if any, could adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Impairment charges relating to our goodwill and long-lived assets could adversely affect our results of operations.

We regularly monitor our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment indicators. In conducting our goodwill impairment testing, we compare the fair value of each of our reporting units to the related net book value. In conducting our impairment analysis of long-lived assets, we compare the undiscounted cash flows

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expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting our estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of our goodwill or long-lived assets. In the event that we determine that our goodwill or long-lived assets are impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Certain shareholders with nomination agreements nominated a majority of the board of directors and their interests in the Company may conflict with your interests.

In accordance with our Plan of Reorganization and the Equity Commitment Agreement, our board of directors is comprised of seven directors, one of whom is our chief executive officer and two who are independent directors from our pre-emergence board of directors. In addition, each of Barclays Capital Inc., and the group of parties comprised of Capital Research and Management Company, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, TCW Asset Management Company and TD Asset Management Inc. nominated one non-management member of our board of directors in reasonable consultation with (but without the need for the approval of) our chief executive officer and an executive search firm, Korn/Ferry International, mutually acceptable to such parties and us. With respect to the non-management members nominated as described above, such nominations were made in consultation with the creditors’ committee appointed in the Chapter 11 cases, solely to determine whether such nominee had a prior relationship with any party that provided for the backstop of our rights offering conducted pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (“Backstop Party”) that would reasonably be expected to influence the exercise of his or her business judgment. Finally, Oak Hill Advisors, L.P. nominated one member of our board of directors and Silver Point Capital, L.P. nominated one member.

The Backstop Parties will have the right to nominate members to our board of directors until the earlier of (i) termination of the applicable Nomination Agreement (as defined below) at the election of the applicable Backstop Party by written notice to us, (ii) immediately prior to the annual meeting of stockholders held during the calendar year 2013 and (iii) if the applicable Backstop Party together with its affiliates ceases to beneficially own at least 7.5% of our outstanding equity (on an as converted basis).

As long as the Backstop Parties (whether or not acting in a coordinated manner) and any other substantial stockholder own, directly or indirectly, a substantial portion of our outstanding shares, they will be able to exert significant influence over us, including:

The concentration of ownership of our outstanding equity in the Backstop Parties may make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of the Backstop Parties or more likely with the support of the Backstop Parties. The interests of any of the Backstop Parties, any other substantial stockholder or any of their respective affiliates could conflict with or differ from our interests or the interests of holders of the Senior Notes. For example, the concentration of ownership held by the Backstop Parties could delay, defer or prevent a change of control of our company or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination which

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may otherwise be favorable for our stockholders. A Backstop Party, substantial stockholder or affiliate thereof may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us.

The indenture governing the Senior Notes and the credit agreement governing our Senior ABL Facility impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, which may prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities.

The indenture governing the Senior Notes and the credit agreement governing our Senior ABL Facility impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability, among other things, to:

There are limitations on our ability to incur the full $125 million of commitments under our Senior ABL Facility. Borrowings under our Senior ABL Facility are limited by a specified borrowing base consisting of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory, less customary reserves imposed by the agent under our Senior ABL Facility. In addition, under our Senior ABL Facility, a monthly fixed charge maintenance covenant would become applicable if excess availability under our Senior ABL Facility is at any time less than a specified percentage (or amount) of the total revolving loan commitments. If the covenant trigger were to occur, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. would be required to satisfy and maintain, on a consolidated basis, on the last day of each month a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1 to 1.0. Our ability to meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure that we will meet this ratio. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Senior ABL Facility.

Moreover, our Senior ABL Facility provides the lenders considerable discretion to impose reserves, which could materially reduce the amount of borrowings that would otherwise be available to us. There can be no assurance that the lenders under our Senior ABL Facility will not impose such reserves during the term of our Senior ABL Facility and further, were they to do so, the resulting impact of this action could materially and adversely impair our ability to make interest payments on the Senior Notes. Also, when (and for as long as) the availability under our Senior ABL Facility is less than a specified amount for a certain period of time, the agent under our Senior ABL Facility would exercise cash dominion.

As a result of these covenants and restrictions, we are limited in how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We cannot assure that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders or holders of the Senior Notes and/or amend the covenants.

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Certain natural disasters may adversely affect our business.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and coastal flooding or other adverse climate conditions, whether occurring in the U.S. or abroad, and the consequences and effects thereof, including energy shortages and public health issues, may adversely affect our business. Such natural disasters could cause damage or disruption to our business operations or the operations of our customers, suppliers or joint venture affiliates or result in economic instability.

The significant earthquake, tsunami and related damage to a nuclear plant in Japan in early 2011 caused disruptions in the distribution and supply chain in the automotive industry including a shortage of certain materials and components causing OEM and supplier plant shutdowns and adversely affecting global vehicle production volumes.

Not applicable.

As of December 31, 2011, our operations were conducted through 80 facilities in 19 countries, of which 71 are manufacturing facilities and nine are used for multiple purposes, including design, engineering and administration. Our corporate headquarters is located in Novi, Michigan. Our manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. We believe that substantially all of our properties are in good condition and that we have sufficient capacity to meet our current and projected manufacturing and design needs. The following table summarizes our key property holdings by geographic region:

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Our principal owned and leased properties, and the number of facilities in each location with more than one facility are set forth below.

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We are periodically involved in claims, litigation and various legal matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. In addition, we conduct and monitor environmental investigations and remedial actions at certain locations. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably for us. If appropriate we establish a reserve estimate for each matter and update our estimate as additional information becomes available. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Not applicable.

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PART II

Market Information

Our common stock has been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board since May 27, 2010 under the symbol “COSH.OB” and our warrants have been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board since June 4, 2010 under the symbol “COSHW.OB.” No prior established public trading market existed for our common stock or warrants prior to these dates.

There currently is a limited trading market for our common stock and warrants. The following chart lists the high and low sale prices for shares of our common stock and warrants for the calendar quarters indicated through December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011. These prices are between dealers and do not include retail markups, markdowns or other fees and commissions and may not represent actual transactions:

Holders of Common Stock

As of the date hereof, an aggregate of 7,543,805 shares of our common stock may be purchased upon the exercise of outstanding options, issued upon the exercise of our outstanding warrants and issued upon the conversion of our outstanding shares of 7% preferred stock.

As of February 1, 2012 we had approximately 353 holders of record of our common stock, based on information provided by our transfer agent.

Dividends

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. has never paid or declared a dividend on its common stock. The declaration of any prospective dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and would be dependent upon sufficient earnings, capital requirements, financial position, general economic conditions, state law requirements, and other relevant factors. Additionally, our credit agreement governing our Senior ABL Facility and the Senior Notes indenture contain covenants that among other things restrict our ability to pay certain dividends and distributions subject to certain qualifications and limitations. We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the forseeable future.

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return from May 27, 2010, the date of our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, through December 31, 2011, for Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. existing common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the Standard & Poor’s Supercomposite Auto Parts & Equipment Index based on currently available data. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 on May 27, 2010 and reflects the cumulative total return on that investment, including the reinvestment of all dividends where applicable, through December 31, 2011.

Comparison of Cumulative Return

(1) Represents last trading day of the year.

The selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, the five months ended May 31, 2010, the seven months ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2011 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The audited consolidated statements of operations, statements of changes in equity (deficit) and statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009, the five months ended May 31, 2010, the seven months ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2011 are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In connection with our emergence from bankruptcy effective May 31, 2010, we implemented “fresh-start” accounting. As required by “fresh-start” accounting, assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value, based on values determined in connection with the implementation of the Debtors’ Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization or our Plan of Reorganization. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations from and after our emergence from bankruptcy are not comparable to the financial condition or results of operations reflected in our historical financial statements for periods prior to our emergence from bankruptcy.

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You should read the following data in conjunction with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to assist in understanding and assessing the trends and significant changes in our results of operations and financial condition. Our historical results may not indicate, and should not be relied upon as an indication of, our future performance. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. See Item 1. “Business—Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of risks associated with reliance on forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause differences between actual results and those contemplated by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Item 6.” Selected Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Basis of Presentation

The financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K represents our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and our consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009, the five months ended May 31, 2010, the seven months ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2011. On May 31, 2010 we adopted “fresh-start” accounting and became a new entity for financial reporting purposes. See Note 4. “Fresh-Start Accounting” to the consolidated financial statements.

Company Overview

We design, manufacture and sell body sealing, AVS and fluid handling components, systems, subsystems and modules for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured by global OEMs. In 2011, approximately 81% of our sales consisted of original equipment sold directly to OEMs for installation on new vehicles. The remaining 19% of our sales were primarily to Tier I and Tier II suppliers and non-automotive manufacturers. Accordingly, sales of our products are directly affected by the annual vehicle production of OEMs and, in particular, the production levels of the vehicles for which we provide specific parts. Most of our products are custom designed and engineered for a specific vehicle platform. Our sales and product development personnel frequently work directly with the OEMs’ engineering departments in the design and development of our various products.

Although each OEM may emphasize different requirements as the primary criteria for judging its suppliers, we believe success as an automotive supplier generally requires outstanding performance with respect to price, quality, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation and timely delivery. Importantly, we believe our continued commitment to investment in our design and engineering capability, including enhanced computerized software design capabilities, is important to our future success, and many of our present initiatives are designed to enhance these capabilities. In addition, in order to remain competitive we must also consistently achieve and sustain cost savings. In an effort to continuously reduce our cost structure, we seek to identify and implement “lean” initiatives, which focus on optimizing manufacturing by eliminating waste, controlling costs and enhancing productivity. We evaluate opportunities to consolidate facilities and to relocate certain operations to lower cost countries. We believe we will continue to be successful in our efforts to improve our design and engineering capability and manufacturing processes while achieving cost savings, including through our lean initiatives.

Our OEM sales are principally generated from purchase orders issued by OEMs and as a result we have no order backlog. Once selected by an OEM to supply products for a particular platform, we typically supply those products for the life of the platform, which is normally three to five years; although there is no guarantee that this will occur. In addition, when we are the incumbent supplier to a given platform, we believe we have a competitive advantage in winning the redesign or replacement platform.

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In the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 50% of our sales were generated in North America while approximately 50% of our sales were generated outside of North America. Because of our significant international operations, we are subject to the risks associated with doing business in other countries. Historically, our operations in Canada and Western Europe have not presented materially different risks or problems from those we have encountered in the United States, although the cost and complexity of streamlining operations in certain European countries is greater than would be the case in the United States. This is due primarily to labor laws in those countries that can make reducing employment levels more time-consuming and expensive than in the United States. We believe the risks of conducting business in less developed markets, including Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Czech Republic, China, Korea and India are sometimes greater than in the U.S., Canadian and Western European markets. This is due to the potential for currency volatility, high interest and inflation rates, and the general political and economic instability that are associated with some of these markets.

Reorganization

On May 27, 2010, we emerged from bankruptcy proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. In accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 852, “Reorganizations,” we adopted fresh-start accounting upon our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and became a new entity for financial reporting purposes as of June 1, 2010. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for the reporting entity subsequent to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (the “Successor”) are not comparable to the consolidated financial statements for the reporting entity prior to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (the “Predecessor”). The “Company,” when used in reference to the period subsequent to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, refers to the Successor, and when used in reference to periods prior to emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, refers to the Predecessor. For further information, see Note 3. “Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code,” and Note 4. “Fresh-Start Accounting,” to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Business Environment and Outlook

Our business is directly affected by the automotive build rates in North America and Europe. It is also becoming increasingly impacted by build rates in Brazil and Asia Pacific. New vehicle demand is driven by macro-economic and other factors, such as interest rates, manufacturer and dealer sales incentives, fuel prices, consumer confidence, employment levels, income growth trends and government and tax incentives. The expected annualized light vehicle production volumes for 2012 are 13.9 million units in North America and 18.5 million units in Europe, according to IHS Automotive in December 2011.

According to IHS Automotive, actual North American light vehicle production volumes for 2011 were 13.1 million units compared to 11.9 million units in 2010, an increase of approximately 10%, and European light vehicle production volumes were 20.1 million units for 2011 compared to 19.1 million units in 2010, an increase of approximately 5%.

Competition in the automotive supplier industry is intense and has increased in recent years as OEMs have demonstrated a preference for stronger relationships with fewer suppliers. There are typically three or more significant competitors and numerous smaller competitors for most of the products we produce. Globalization and the importance to service customers around the world will continue to shape the success of suppliers going forward.

OEMs have shifted some research and development, design and testing responsibility to suppliers, while at the same time shortening new product cycle times. To remain competitive, suppliers must have state-of-the-art engineering and design capabilities and must be able to continuously improve their engineering, design and manufacturing processes to effectively service the customer. Suppliers are increasingly expected to collaborate on, or assume the product design and development of, key automotive components and to provide innovative solutions to meet evolving technologies aimed at improved emissions and fuel economy.

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Pricing pressure has continued as competition for market share has reduced the overall profitability of the industry and resulted in continued pressure on suppliers for price concessions. Consolidations and market share shifts among vehicle manufacturers continues to put additional pressures on the supply chain. These pricing and market pressures, along with the reduced production volumes, will continue to drive our focus on reducing our overall cost structure through lean initiatives, capital redeployment, restructuring and other cost management processes.

Our business has also been impacted by our acquisition of USi and the joint venture agreement with FMEA. Our sales have increased as a result of these two acquisitions, but we continue to incur additional costs as we integrate and restructure these businesses. In evaluating these businesses, management considers EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as key indicators of operating performance. The following table shows combined gross margin for the acquisitions and reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the acquisitions to their net loss, which is the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP (dollars in millions):

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Results of Operations

As a result of our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on May 27, 2010, and the adoption of fresh-start accounting on May 31, 2010, in accordance with ASC 852, “Reorganizations,” Cooper Standard Holdings Inc. is considered a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 separately present the 2010 Predecessor Period and the 2010 Successor Period. Although the 2010 Predecessor Period and the 2010 Successor Period are distinct reporting periods, the effects of emergence and fresh-start accounting did not have a material impact on the comparability of our results of operations between the periods, except as discussed below (dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts).