Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)



☒	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019



☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-36127

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		20-1945088
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

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:



Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	CPS	New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐

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 ☒

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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



Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 28, 2019 was $570,726,818.

The number of the registrant’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of February 7, 2020 was 16,842,757 shares.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Certain portions, as expressly described in this report, of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



		Page
PART I

Item 1.	Business	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	11
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	18
Item 2.	Properties	19
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	19
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	19

PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	20
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	22
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	41
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	95
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	95
Item 9B.	Other Information	95

PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	96
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	96
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	96
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	96
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	96

PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	97
Signatures		104

PART I

Item 1. Business

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Cooper Standard,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a leading manufacturer of sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems. During the first quarter of 2019 and in prior periods, the Company also operated an anti-vibration systems business (“AVS”). On April 1, 2019, we completed the divestiture of the anti-vibration systems business. 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.

Cooper Standard is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “CPS.” The Company has approximately 28,000 employees, including 3,200 contingent workers, with 174 facilities in 21 countries. We believe we are the largest global producer of sealing systems, the second largest global producer of the types of fuel and brake delivery products that we manufacture and the third largest global producer of fluid transfer systems. 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 103 manufacturing locations and 71 design, engineering, administrative and logistics locations.

The Company has four operating segments: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. This operating structure allows us to offer our full portfolio of products and support our global and regional customers with complete engineering and manufacturing expertise in all major regions of the world. We have ongoing restructuring, expansion and cost reduction initiatives to improve competitiveness.

Approximately 83% of our sales in 2019 were to OEMs, including Ford Motor Company (“Ford”), General Motors Company (“GM”), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (“FCA”), PSA Peugeot Citroën, Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Renault-Nissan, BMW, Toyota, Volvo, Jaguar/Land Rover, Honda and various other OEMs based in China and India. The remaining 17% of our 2019 sales were primarily to Tier I and Tier II automotive suppliers, non-automotive customers, and replacement market distributors. The Company’s products can be found on over 518 nameplates globally.

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. (“CSA U.S.”). Since the 2004 Acquisition, the Company has expanded and diversified its customer base through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. From 2006 to 2013, the Company accelerated its growth through a number of strategic acquisitions. In 2014 and 2015, the Company divested its thermal and emissions product line and hard coat plastic exterior trim business, respectively, to focus on the product lines where Cooper Standard holds leading market positions.

We continued strategic acquisitions and partnerships in 2014 and 2015 with the acquisition of Cikautxo Borja, S.L.U. in Spain; the purchase of an additional 47.5% of Huayu-Cooper Standard Sealing Systems Co. (“Shenya”), increasing our existing equity ownership to 95%; the formation of a joint venture with Polyrub Extrusions (India) Private Limited; and a joint venture with INOAC Corporation of Japan, which we later purchased the remaining 49% equity interest in 2018 and now own 100% of the equity interests of Cooper-Standard INOAC Pte. Ltd. In 2016, we acquired the North American fuel and brake business of AMI Industries. We also gained a controlling interest of our China-based joint venture, Shenya Sealing (Guangzhou) Company Limited.

In 2018, we finalized our purchase of 100% equity interest of the China fuel and brake business of AMI Industries; acquired 80.1% of LS Mtron Ltd.’s automotive parts business; and acquired Hutchings Automotive Products, LLC.

Also in 2018, the Company established its Advanced Technology Group, which incorporated our Industrial and Specialty Group, to accelerate and maximize the value stream of Cooper Standard’s materials science technology in industrial and specialty markets. The company furthered the expansion of our Industrial and Specialty Group through the acquisition of Lauren Manufacturing and Lauren Plastics and signed multiple joint development agreements for our Fortrex™ chemistry platform throughout 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, we finalized the divestiture of our AVS product line within our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific segments.

Business Strategy

We have set a clear vision for achieving profitable growth with a long-term mission to become a Top 30 automotive supplier in terms of sales and Top 5 in return on invested capital (“ROIC”). Our vision statement - Driving Value Through Culture, Innovation and Results - represents the evolution of the Company’s innovation culture providing the basis for delivering even greater value. Our strategic pillars are defined as:



Voice of the Customer:	We design and develop our products to meet the current and future needs of our customers. We listen intently and adjust to customer feedback to ensure we are consistently providing customer-focused products to meet their evolving needs. Customers support and trust us.

Superior Products:	With a focus on our core products, we provide customers with market-leading solutions with predicable quality that meet or exceed their expectations.

World-Class Operations:	We are committed to driving sustained excellence through the Cooper Standard Operating System (“CSOS”), our customized set of global best business practices. It’s how we will continue to optimize performance on a global scale to achieve our Top 30 / Top 5 mission.

Engaged Employees:	Our employees are the foundation of the Company and the key factor to our success. Committed to excellence and driven to succeed, our employees are focused on the Company’s overall vision and strategy.

Cooper Standard’s global alignment around these strategic pillars continues to drive further value in many areas of the business, including:

Operational and Strategic Initiatives

As part of Cooper Standard’s world-class operations, the Company implemented CSOS to fully position the Company for growth and ensure global consistency in engineering design, program management, manufacturing process, purchasing and IT systems. Standardization across all regions is especially critical in support of customers’ global platforms that require the same design, quality and delivery standards everywhere across the world. Cooper Standard operates Global Councils focused on technology, customer and manufacturing initiatives to better leverage the scale of the Company, identify best practices and transfer them around the world. As a result of these initiatives, the Company has leveraged CSOS to drive an average savings from improved operating efficiency of more than $80 million each of the past 5 years.

Cooper Standard continues to progress its diversification strategy through its Advanced Technology Group which is charged with accelerating and maximizing expertise in the Company’s core process types for applications in the industrial and specialty markets. This business also drives growth through the Company’s applied materials science offerings, which include the Fortrex™ chemistry platform that provides performance advantages over many other materials.

The Company recently announced the CS Open Innovation initiative which aims to position Cooper Standard as the partner of choice for start-ups, universities and other suppliers through a proactive outreach program. The initiative is focused in the areas of materials science, manufacturing and process technology, digital/artificial intelligence and advanced product technology.

Leverage Technology and Materials Science for Innovative Solutions

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

Cooper Standard utilizes its i³ Innovation Process (Imagine, Initiate, Innovate) and CS Open Innovation as mechanisms to capture ideas while promoting a culture of innovation. Ideas are carefully evaluated by a global technology council, and those that are selected are put on an accelerated development cycle. We are developing innovative technologies based on materials expertise, process know-how, and application vision, which may drive future product direction. Fortrex™, the Company’s materials science platform, offers reduced weight while delivering superior material performance and aesthetics. Several other significant technologies, especially related to advanced materials, processing and weight reduction, have recently been realized.

These include: FlushSeal™, an advanced integrated solution for frame under glass static sealing systems offering better appearance, improved aerodynamics, quieter ride and reduced weight; MagAlloy™, a processing technology for brake lines that increases long term durability through superior corrosion resistance; and ArmorHose™, a breakthrough technology which results in significantly more durable coolant hoses and eliminates the need for separate abrasion sleeves on under-hood hose assemblies.

Among our newer technologies is Cooper Standard’s artificial intelligence (A.I.)-enhanced development cycle for polymer compounds that has shortened material development times while realizing rapid discovery of new compounds that offer superior performance properties, which yield superior products. We have also developed proprietary technology for A.I.-enhanced continuous processes controls. This technology enables full automation of polymer extrusion and other complex continuous processes, reducing process variation (a top driver of scrap), increasing product quality, improving operational metrics and reducing our carbon footprint.

Our innovations are receiving industry recognition. Cooper Standard’s artificial intelligence-enhanced development cycle for polymer compound development was named a finalist for the 2019 Automotive News PACE Awards. In addition, Fortrex™ was named a 2018 PACE Award winner and a 2018 and 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers Innovation Award finalist.

Pursue Acquisitions and Alliances to Enhance Capabilities and Accelerate Growth

Our strong balance sheet allows us to selectively pursue complementary acquisitions and joint ventures to enhance our customer base, geographic penetration, scale and technology. Consolidation is an industry trend which has been encouraged by the OEMs’ desire for global automotive suppliers. 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.

Industry

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 business and commercial environment in each region also plays a role in vehicle demand as it relates to fleet vehicle sales and industrial use vehicles such as light and heavy trucks.

OEMs compete for market share in a variety of ways including pricing and incentives, the development of new, more attractive models, branding and advertising, and the ability to customize vehicle features and options to meet specific customer needs or demands. They rely heavily on thousands of specialized suppliers to provide the many distinct components and systems that comprise the modern vehicle. They also rely on these automotive suppliers to develop technological innovations that will help them meet consumer demands as well as regulatory requirements.

The supplier industry is a highly competitive industry 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 quality, price, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation, timely delivery, financial stability and global footprint. Over the last decade, suppliers that have been able to achieve manufacturing scale globally, reduce structural costs, diversify their customer base and provide innovative, value-added technologies have been the most successful.

The technology of today’s vehicles is evolving rapidly. This evolution is being driven by many factors including consumer preferences and social behaviors, a competitive drive for differentiation, regulatory requirements and safety. Cooper Standard supports these trends by providing innovations that reduce weight, increase life-cycle and durability, reduce interior noise, enhance exterior appearance and simplify the manufacturing and assembly process. These are innovations that can be applicable and valuable to virtually any vehicle or vehicle manufacturer and, in many cases, can also be transferred to non-automotive applications in adjacent markets.

Markets Served

Our automotive business is focused on the passenger car and light truck market, up to and including Class 3 full-size, full-frame trucks, better known as the global light vehicle market. This is our largest market and accounts for approximately 92% of our global sales.

Customers

We are a leading supplier to the following OEMs and are increasing our presence with major OEMs throughout the world. The following charts show the percentage of sales to our top customers for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

Our other customers include OEMs such as Renault-Nissan, BMW, Toyota, Volvo, Jaguar/Land Rover, Honda and various other OEMs based in China and India. Our business with any given customer is typically split among several contracts for different parts on a number of platforms.

Products

We currently have three distinct product lines: sealing systems; fuel and brake delivery systems; and fluid transfer systems. These products are produced and supplied globally to a broad range of customers in multiple markets. On April 1, 2019, we completed the divestiture of the AVS product line within our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific segments. See Note 5. “Divestiture” to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”).

In addition to these product lines, we also have sales to other adjacent markets. The percentage of sales by product line and other markets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



Product Lines					Market Position*
SEALING SYSTEMS	Protect vehicle interiors from weather, dust and noise intrusion for improved driving experience; provide aesthetic and functional class-A exterior surface treatment				Global leader
	Products:		–	Obstacle detection sensor system
	–	Fortrex™	–	Flush glass systems
	–	Dynamic seals	–	Variable extrusion
	–	Static seals	–	Specialty sealing products
	–	Encapsulated glass	–	Obstacle detection sensor system
	–	Stainless steel trim	–	Tex-A-Fib (Textured Surface with Cloth Appearance)

FUEL & BRAKE DELIVERY SYSTEMS	Sense, deliver and control fluids to fuel and brake systems				Top 2 globally
FUEL & BRAKE DELIVERY SYSTEMS	Products:
	–	Chassis and tank fuel lines and bundles (fuel lines, vapor lines and bundles)	–	Direct injection & port fuel rails (fuel rails and fuel charging assemblies)
	–	Metallic brake lines and bundles	–	MagAlloy™ tube coatings
	–	Quick connects	–	Gen III Posi-Lock quick connects
	–	Brake jounce lines

FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEMS	Sense, deliver and control fluid and vapors for optimal powertrain & HVAC operation				Top 3 globally
	Products:
	–	Heater/coolant hoses	–	Turbo charger hoses
	–	Quick connects	–	Charged air cooler ducts/assemblies
	–	DPF and SCR emission lines	–	Secondary air hoses
	–	Degas tanks	–	Brake and clutch hoses
	–	Air intake and charge	–	ArmorHose™ family of products
	–	Transmission Oil Cooling Hoses	–	Easy-Lock quick connect

* Market position data from Boston Consulting Group (2018) and company estimates

Competition

We believe that the principal competitive factors in our industry are quality, price, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation, timely delivery, financial stability and global footprint. We believe that our capabilities in these core competencies are integral to our position as a market leader in each of our product lines. Our sealing systems products compete with Toyoda Gosei, Hutchinson, Henniges and Standard Profil, among others. Our fuel and brake delivery products compete with TI Automotive, Sanoh, Martinrea and Maruyasu. Our fluid transfer products compete with Conti-Tech, Hutchinson, Teklas, Tristone and MGI Coutier (including Avon Automotive).

Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances

Joint ventures represent an important part of our business, both operationally and strategically. We have utilized joint ventures to enter into and expand in geographic markets such as China, India and Thailand, to acquire new customers and to develop new technologies. When 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.

The following table shows our significant unconsolidated joint ventures:



Country	Name	Product Line	Ownership Percentage
United States	Nishikawa Cooper LLC	Sealing systems	40%
India	Polyrub Cooper Standard FTS Private Limited	Fluid transfer systems	35%
Thailand	Nishikawa Tachaplalert Cooper Ltd.	Sealing systems	20%
China	Yantai Leading Solutions Auto Parts Co., Ltd.	Fuel and brake delivery systems	50%

On April 1, 2019, the Company sold its equity interest in Sujan Cooper Standard AVS Private Limited in connection with the divestiture of its AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Research and Development

We have a dedicated team of technical and engineering resources for each product line, some of which are located at our customers’ facilities. We utilize simulation, digital tools, best practices, standardization and track key process indicators to drive efficiency in execution with an emphasis on manufacturability and quality. Our development teams work closely with our customers to design and deliver innovative solutions, unique for their applications. Amounts spent on engineering, research and development, and program management were as follows:



Year	Amount		Percentage of Sales
(Dollar amounts in millions)
2019	$	114.9	3.7	%
2018	$	122.5	3.4	%
2017	$	128.0	3.5	%

Intellectual Property

We believe that one of our key competitive advantages is our ability to translate customer needs and our ideas into innovation through the development of intellectual property. We hold a significant number of patents and trademarks worldwide.

Our patents are grouped into two major categories: (1) specific product invention claims and (2) specific manufacturing processes that are used for producing products. The vast majority of our patents fall within the product invention 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 expiration of any one patent would materially affect our Company. We continue to seek patent protection for our new products and we develop significant technologies that we treat as trade secrets and choose not to disclose to the public through the patent process. These technologies nonetheless provide significant competitive advantages and contribute to our global leadership position in various markets. We believe that our trademarks, including ArmorHose™, FlushSeal™, Gen III Posi-Lock™, Easy-Lock™, MagAlloy™ and Fortrex™, help differentiate us and lead customers to seek our partnership.

We also have technology sharing and licensing agreements with various third parties, including Nishikawa Rubber Company, one of our joint venture partners in sealing products. We have mutual agreements with Nishikawa Rubber Company for sales, marketing and engineering services on certain sealing products. 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.

As of December 2019, we have entered into two license agreements and six joint development agreements for commercial applications of our Fortrex™ chemistry platform in non-automotive industries. We expect to continue developing additional opportunities for Fortrex™ and other materials-related innovations beyond our core automotive product lines.

Supplies and Raw Materials

Cooper Standard is committed to building strong relationships with our supply partners. We recognize the importance of engaging with suppliers to create value for our customers.

The principal raw materials for our business include synthetic and natural rubber, components manufactured from carbon steel, plastic resins and components, carbon black, process oils, and components manufactured from aluminum. We manage the

procurement of our raw materials to assure supply and to obtain the most favorable total cost. Procurement arrangements include short-term and long-term supply agreements that may contain formula-based pricing, based on commodity indices. These arrangements provide quantities needed to satisfy normal manufacturing demands. We believe we have adequate sources for the supply of raw materials and components for our products with suppliers located around the world.

Raw material prices are susceptible to fluctuations which may place operational and profitability burdens on the entire supply chain. Costs related to raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, and oil and oil-derived commodities, continue to be volatile. As such, we have implemented strategies with both our suppliers and our customers to help manage these fluctuations. These actions include material substitutions and leveraging global purchases. Our global supply chain optimization efforts include using benchmarks and selective sourcing from strategic suppliers. 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 indices that allow price changes as underlying material costs fluctuate.

Seasonality

Our principal operations are directly related to the automotive industry. Sales to OEMs are lowest during the months prior to model changeovers or during assembly plant shutdowns. Automotive production is traditionally reduced during July, August and year-end holidays, and our quarterly results may reflect these trends. However, economic conditions and consumer demand may change the traditional seasonality of the industry.

Backlog

Our OEM sales are generally based upon purchase orders issued by the OEMs, with updated releases for volume adjustments. As such, we typically 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, although there is no guarantee that this will occur.

Employees

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 28,000 employees, including 3,200 contingent workers. 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 non-domestic union agreements in 2019, and have several contracts set to expire in the next twelve months.

Community Involvement

Supported by the Cooper Standard Foundation, our employees are highly engaged in their local communities. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the communities where Cooper Standard employees work and live through the passionate support of children’s charities, education, health and wellness, and community revitalization. The Cooper Standard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with oversight by our Philanthropic Committee and Board of Trustees. For more information on the Company’s community involvement, please visit our Corporate Responsibility Report located on the Cooper Standard website.

Environmental

Cooper Standard considers itself a steward of the environment, and we monitor the environmental impact of our business and products. We prioritize our environmental management as a means of driving and sustaining excellence. 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, reclamation and disposal of chemicals and waste materials; the cleanup of contaminated properties; and human health and safety. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While our costs to defend and settle known claims arising under environmental laws have not been material in the past and are not currently estimated to be material, such costs may be material in the future. Further details regarding our commitments and contingencies are provided in Note 23. “Contingent Liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.

Market Data

Some market data and other statistical information used throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K is based on data from independent firms such as IHS Automotive and Boston Consulting Group. Other data is based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal analyses, as well as third party sources. Although we believe these third party sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information and cannot 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 our website (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”). Our reports filed with the SEC also may be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Neither the information on our website nor the information on the SEC’s website is incorporated by reference into this Report unless expressly noted.

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. Our use of words “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “forecast,” or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” or “may,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements 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, we cannot assure you 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. Among other items, such factors may include: prolonged or material contractions in automotive sales and production volumes; our inability to realize sales represented by awarded business; escalating pricing pressures; loss of large customers or significant platforms; our ability to successfully compete in the automotive parts industry; availability and increasing volatility in costs of manufactured components and raw materials; disruption in our supply base; competitive threats and commercial risks associated with our diversification strategy through Advanced Technology Group; possible variability of our working capital requirements; risks associated with our international operations, including changes in laws, regulations, and policies governing the terms of foreign trade such as increased trade restrictions and tariffs; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; our ability to control the operations of our joint ventures for our sole benefit; our substantial amount of indebtedness; our ability to obtain adequate financing sources in the future; operating and financial restrictions imposed on us under our debt instruments; the underfunding of our pension plans; significant changes in discount rates and the actual return on pension assets; effectiveness of continuous improvement programs and other cost savings plans; manufacturing facility closings or consolidation; our ability to execute new program launches; our ability to meet customers’ needs for new and improved products; the possibility that our acquisitions and divestitures may not be successful; product liability, warranty and recall claims brought against us; laws and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; legal proceedings, claims or investigations against us; work stoppages or other labor disruptions; the ability of our intellectual property to withstand legal challenges; cyber-attacks, data privacy concerns, other disruptions in, or the inability to implement upgrades to, our information technology systems; the possible volatility of our annual effective tax rate; the possibility of a failure to maintain effective controls and procedures; the possibility of future impairment charges to our goodwill and long-lived assets; and our dependence on our subsidiaries for cash to satisfy our obligations.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except where we are expressly required to do so by law.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains estimates and other information that is based on industry publications, surveys and forecasts. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We have listed below (not necessarily in order of importance or probability of occurrence) the most significant risk factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent or anticipated results and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We are highly dependent on the automotive industry. A prolonged or material contraction in automotive sales and production volumes could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Automotive sales and production are cyclical and depend on, among other things, general economic conditions and consumer spending, vehicle demand and preferences (which can be affected by a number of factors, including fuel costs, employment levels and the availability of consumer financing). As the volume of automotive production and the mix of vehicles produced fluctuate, the demand for our products also fluctuates. Prolonged or material contraction in automotive sales and production volumes, or significant changes in the mix of vehicles produced, could cause our customers to reduce orders of our products, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may not realize sales represented by awarded business, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The realization of future sales from awarded business is subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in the cyclicality of vehicle production. In addition, our customers generally have the right to resource awarded business without penalty. Therefore, the ultimate amount of our sales is not guaranteed. If actual production orders from our customers are not consistent with the projections we use in calculating the amount of awarded business, we could realize substantially less sales and profit over the life of these awards than currently projected.

Escalating pricing pressures may adversely affect our business.

Pricing pressure in the automotive supply industry has been substantial and is likely to continue. Nearly 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 negative impact on our financial condition.

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

While we provide parts to virtually every major global OEM for use on a wide range of different platforms, sales to our three largest customers, Ford, GM and FCA, on a worldwide basis represented approximately 55% of our sales for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our ability to reduce the risks inherent in certain concentrations of business will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to diversify our sales on a customer, product, platform and geographic basis. Although business with each customer is typically split among numerous contracts, the loss of a major customer, significant reduction in purchases of our products by such customer, or any discontinuance or resourcing of a significant platform could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive industry and efforts by our competitors to gain market share could adversely affect our financial performance.

The automotive parts industry is highly competitive. We face numerous competitors in each of our product lines. In general, there are three or more significant competitors and numerous smaller competitors for most of the products we offer. We also face competition for certain of our products from suppliers producing in lower-cost regions such as Asia and Eastern Europe. Our competitors’ efforts to grow market share could exert downward pressure on the pricing of our products and our margins.

Increases in the costs, or reduced availability, of raw materials and manufactured components may adversely affect our profitability.

Raw material costs can be volatile. The principal raw materials we purchase include synthetic rubber, components manufactured from carbon steel, plastic resins and components, carbon black, process oils, components manufactured from aluminum and natural rubber. Raw materials are the largest component of our costs, representing approximately 51% of our total cost of products sold in 2019. The costs and availability of raw materials and manufactured components can fluctuate due to factors beyond our control, including as a result of existing and potential changes to U.S. policies related to global trade and tariffs. A significant increase in the price of raw materials, or a restriction in their availability, could materially increase our operating costs and adversely affect our profitability because it is generally difficult to pass through these increased costs to our customers.

Disruptions in the supply chain could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We obtain components and other products and services from numerous suppliers and other vendors throughout the world. We are responsible for managing our supply chain, including suppliers that may be the sole sources of products that we require, that our customers direct us to use or that have unique capabilities that would make it difficult and/or expensive to re-source. In certain instances, entire industries may experience short-term capacity constraints. Any significant disruption in supply could adversely affect our financial performance. Furthermore, unfavorable economic or industry conditions could result in financial distress within our supply base, thereby increasing the risk of supply disruption. Although market conditions generally have improved in recent years, uncertainty remains, and an economic downturn or other unfavorable conditions in one or more of the regions in which we operate could cause a supply disruption and thereby adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

If a customer experiences 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, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our diversification strategy through the Advanced Technology Group poses new competitive threats and commercial risks.

Our diversification strategy through the Advanced Technology Group is to leverage our core products in adjacent markets and license our innovation technology in non-automotive markets. We may be unsuccessful in leveraging our existing products and technology into new markets and thus in meeting the needs of these new customers and competing favorably in these new markets.

Our working capital requirements may negatively affect our liquidity and capital resources.

Our working capital requirements can vary significantly, depending in part on the level, variability and timing of our customers’ worldwide vehicle production and the payment terms with our customers and suppliers. If our working capital needs exceed our cash provided by operating activities, we would look to our cash balances and availability under our borrowing arrangements to satisfy those needs, as well as potential sources of additional capital, which may not be available on satisfactory terms and in adequate amounts, if at all.

We are subject to other risks associated with our international operations.

We have significant manufacturing operations outside the United States, including joint ventures and other alliances. Our operations are located in 21 countries, and we export to several other countries. In 2019, approximately 77% of our sales were attributable to products manufactured outside the United States. Risks inherent in our international operations include:


•	currency exchange rate fluctuations, currency controls and restrictions, and the ability to hedge currencies;


•	changes in local economic conditions;


•	repatriation restrictions or requirements, including tax increases on remittances and other payments by our foreign subsidiaries;


•	global sovereign fiscal uncertainty and hyperinflation in certain foreign countries;


•	changes in laws and regulations, including laws or policies governing the terms of foreign trade, and in particular increased trade restrictions, tariffs, or taxes or the imposition of embargoes on imports from countries where we manufacture products;


•	operating in foreign jurisdictions where the ability to enforce rights over intellectual property is limited as a statutory or practical matter;


•	political, economic and regulatory uncertainty as a result of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (“Brexit”) on January 31, 2020, including with respect to potential import/export restrictions that would affect products we ship to U.K. customers primarily from continental Europe;


•	exposure to possible expropriation or other government actions;


•	disease, pandemics or other severe public health events; and


•	exposure to local political or social unrest including resultant acts of war, terrorism, or similar events.

The occurrence of any of these risks may adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of our international operations and our business as a whole.

Expanding our sales and manufacturing operations in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, is an integral part of our strategy, and, as a result, our exposure to the risks described above is substantial. For example, if the current novel coronavirus outbreak continues and results in a prolonged period of travel, commercial and other similar restrictions, we could experience significant impacts to our operations there. This or any further political or governmental developments or health concerns in China or other countries in which we operate could result in social, economic and labor instability, which could have a material adverse effect on the continuity of our business and our results of operations and financial condition.

Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could materially impact our operating results.

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

Although we generally produce in the same geographic region as our products are sold, we also produce in countries that predominately sell in another currency. Further, some of our commodities are purchased in or tied to the U.S. dollar; therefore our earnings could be adversely impacted during the periods of a strengthening U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies. While we employ financial instruments to hedge certain portions of our foreign currency exposures, our efforts to manage these risks may not be successful and may not completely insulate us from the effects of currency fluctuation.

A portion of our operations are conducted by joint ventures which have unique risks.

Certain of our operations are carried out by joint ventures. In joint ventures, we share the management of the company with one or more partners who may not have the same goals, resources or priorities as we do. The operations of our joint ventures are subject to agreements with our partners, which typically include additional organizational formalities as well as requirements to share information and decision making and may also limit our ability to sell our interest. Additional risks include one or more partners failing to satisfy contractual obligations, a change in ownership of any of our partners and our limited ability to control our partners’ compliance with applicable laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Any such occurrences could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, cash flow or reputation.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to obtain financing in the future and to react to changes in our business.

For discussion of our debt and financing arrangements, including our senior term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”), 5.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (“Senior Notes”), our senior asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”) and debt of certain foreign subsidiaries, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Arrangements” in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 11. “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.

Our substantial amount of debt and our debt service obligations could limit our ability to satisfy our obligations, limit our ability to operate our business and impair our competitive position. For example, it could:


•	increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and general industry conditions, including interest rate fluctuations, because a portion of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest;


•	require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to payments on our debt, which would reduce the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes;


•	limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry;


•	place us at a disadvantage compared to competitors that may have proportionately less debt;


•	limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing due to applicable financial and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements; and


•	increase our cost of borrowing.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on our debt or to refinance these obligations depends on our financial condition, operating performance and our ability to generate cash in the future. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell material assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we may not be able to effect any of these actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments, including the credit agreements governing the Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, may limit or prevent us from taking any of these actions. In addition, any failure to

make scheduled payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. An inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service obligations, or to refinance or restructure our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as on our ability to satisfy our obligations in respect of the Term Loan Facility, the Senior Notes or the ABL Facility.

Although the credit agreements governing the Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility contain certain limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, they do not prohibit us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness as defined therein. To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness or such other obligations, the risk associated with our substantial indebtedness described above, including our potential inability to service our debt, will increase.

Our debt instruments impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries.

The credit agreements governing the Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility impose significant operating and financial restrictions and limit our ability, among other things, to:

•incur, assume or permit to exist additional indebtedness (including guarantees thereof);


•	pay dividends or certain other distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness;


•	incur liens on assets;


•	make certain investments or other restricted payments;


•	allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us;

•engage in transactions with affiliates;

•alter the business that we conduct; and

•sell certain assets or merge or consolidate with or into other companies.

Moreover, our ABL Facility provides the agent considerable discretion to impose reserves, which could materially reduce the amount of borrowings that would otherwise be available to us.

The indenture governing the Senior Notes also imposes restrictions and limits our ability, among other things, to:

•incur liens on assets;

•make certain restricted payments;

•sell certain assets or merge or consolidate with or into other companies; and

•enter into certain sale-leaseback transactions.

As a result of these covenants and restrictions (including borrowing base availability), 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 or acquisitions. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We may not 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 and/or amend the covenants in such agreements. Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above as well as others contained in our future debt instruments from time to time could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

If there were an event of default under any of the agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable immediately. Our assets or cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments if accelerated upon an event of default. Further, if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our indebtedness under our secured debt, the holders of such debt could proceed against the collateral securing that indebtedness. In addition, any event of default or declaration of acceleration under one debt instrument could also result in an event of default under one or more of our other debt instruments. As a result, any default by us on our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

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

We sponsor various pension plans worldwide that are underfunded and will require cash contributions. 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. As of December 31, 2019, our pension plans were underfunded by

$140.9 million. If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund our worldwide pension liabilities, it could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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 pension plans. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. 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. Because these assumptions 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.

The benefits of our continuous improvement program and other cost savings plans may not be fully realized.

Our operations strategy includes continuous improvement programs and implementation of lean manufacturing tools across all facilities to achieve cost savings and increased performance. Further, we have and may continue to initiate restructuring actions designed to improve future profitability and competitiveness. The cost savings that we anticipate from these initiatives may not be achieved on schedule or at the level we anticipate. If we are unable to realize these anticipated savings, our operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

We may continue to incur significant costs related to manufacturing facility closings or consolidation which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

If we must close or consolidate manufacturing locations, the exit costs associated with such closures or consolidation, including employee termination costs, may be significant. Such costs could negatively affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.

Our inability to effectively manage the timing, quality and costs of new program launches could adversely affect our financial performance.

In connection with the award of new business, we may obligate ourselves to deliver new products that are subject to our customers’ timing, performance and quality standards. Given the number and complexity of new program launches, we may experience difficulties managing product quality, timeliness and associated costs. In addition, new program launches require a significant ramp up of costs. However, our sales related to these new programs generally are dependent upon the timing and success of our customers’ introduction of new vehicles. Our inability to effectively manage the timing, quality and costs of these new program launches could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

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 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 successfully or to keep pace with technological developments by our competitors and the industry in general. 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 the development of such technologies and capabilities. 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 adversely affected.

Any acquisitions or divestitures we make may be unsuccessful, may take longer than anticipated or may negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may pursue acquisitions or divestitures in the future as part of our strategy. Acquisitions and divestitures involve numerous risks, including identifying attractive target acquisitions, undisclosed risks affecting the target, difficulties integrating acquired businesses, the assumption of unknown liabilities, potential adverse effects on existing customer or supplier relationships, and the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day business. 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 arrangements. Any acquisitions or divestitures we pursue may not be successful or prove to be beneficial to our operations and cash flow.

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. 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 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. Product liability, warranty and recall costs may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be adversely affected by laws and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

We are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. laws and regulations, including those related to environmental, health and safety, financial, tax, customs and other matters. We cannot predict the substance or impact of pending or future legislation or regulations, or the application thereof. The introduction of new laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations, or the interpretations thereof, could increase the costs of doing business for us or our customers or suppliers or restrict our actions and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In particular, we are subject to a broad range of laws and regulations governing emissions to air; discharges to water; noise and odor emissions; the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, reclamation and disposal of chemicals and waste materials; the cleanup of contaminated properties; and health and safety. We may incur substantial costs in complying with these laws and regulations. Many of our current and former facilities have been subject to certain environmental investigations and remediation activities, and we maintain environmental reserves for certain of these sites. Through various acquisitions, we have acquired a number of manufacturing facilities, and we cannot assure that we will not incur material costs or liabilities relating to activities that predate our ownership. Material future expenditures may be necessary if compliance standards change or material unknown conditions that require remediation are discovered. Environmental laws could also restrict our ability to expand our facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses. If we fail to comply with present and future environmental laws and regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings, claims or investigations which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are involved in legal proceedings, claims or investigations that, from time to time, may be significant. These matters typically arise in the normal course of business including, without limitation, commercial or contractual disputes, including warranty claims and other disputes with customers and suppliers; intellectual property matters; personal injury claims; environmental issues; tax matters; employment matters; or allegations relating to legal compliance by us or our employees.

For further information regarding our legal matters, see Item 3. “Legal Proceedings.” The industries in which we operate are also periodically reviewed or investigated by regulators, which could lead to enforcement actions, fines and penalties or the

assertion of private litigation claims. It is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of claims, investigations and lawsuits, and we could in the future incur judgments, fines or penalties or enter into settlements of lawsuits and claims that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition in any particular period.

Work stoppages or similar difficulties could disrupt our operations and negatively affect our operations and financial performance.

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. 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 an adverse effect on our operations, customer relationships and financial results. Additionally, a work stoppage at one or more of our suppliers or our customers’ suppliers could adversely affect our operations if an alternative source of supply were not readily available. Work stoppages by our customers’ employees could result in reduced demand for our products and could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, it is possible that our workforce will become more unionized in the future. Unionization activities could increase our costs, which could negatively affect our results of operations.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property or if a third party challenges our intellectual property rights, our business could be adversely affected.

We own or have rights to proprietary technology that is important to our business. We rely on intellectual property laws, patents, trademarks and trade secrets to protect such technology. Such protections, however, vary among the countries in which we market and sell our products, and as a result, we may be unable to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property without authorization. Any infringement or misappropriation of our technology could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We also face exposure to claims by others for infringement of intellectual property rights and could incur significant costs or losses related to such claims. In addition, many of our supply agreements require us to indemnify our customers from third-party infringement 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. If any such claim were to result in an adverse outcome, we could be required to take actions which may include: ceasing the manufacture, use or sale of the infringing products; paying 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 expending significant resources to develop or license non-infringing products, any of which could adversely affect our operations, business and financial condition.

A disruption in, or the inability to successfully implement upgrades to, our information technology systems, including disruptions relating to cybersecurity as well as data privacy concerns, could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

We rely upon information technology networks, systems and processes, including the information technology networks of third parties such as suppliers and joint venture partners, to manage and support our business. We have implemented a number of procedures and practices designed to protect against breaches or failures of our systems. Despite the security measures that we have implemented, including those measures to prevent cyber-attacks, our systems could be breached or damaged by computer viruses or unauthorized physical or electronic access. A breach of our information technology systems, or those of the third parties on whom we rely, could result in theft of our intellectual property, disruption to business or unauthorized access to customer or personal information. Such a breach could adversely impact our operations and/or our reputation and may cause us to incur significant time and expense to cure or remediate the breach.

Further, we continually update and expand our information technology systems to enable us to more efficiently run our business. If these systems are not implemented successfully, our operations and business could be disrupted and our ability to report accurate and timely financial results could be adversely affected.

Our 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 our effective tax rate including changes in our debt and capital structure, mix of earnings and many other factors. Our 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 we operate generate losses where no current financial statement tax 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 our 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 our jurisdictions could also have a significant impact on our overall effective tax rate in future periods.

Failure to maintain effective controls and procedures could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Regulatory provisions governing the financial reporting of U.S. public companies require that we establish and maintain disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting across our operations in 21 countries. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives; as such, they can be susceptible to human error, circumvention or override, and fraud. Failure to maintain adequate, effective controls and procedures could result in potential financial misstatements or other forms of noncompliance that could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or organizational reputation.

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

We regularly monitor our goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment indicators. In conducting our goodwill impairment testing, we compare the fair value of our North America reporting unit to its related net book value. In conducting our impairment analysis of long-lived and intangible assets, we compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived or intangible 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, long-lived assets or intangible assets. In the event that we determine that our goodwill, long-lived assets or intangible assets are impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

We operate as a holding company and depend on our subsidiaries for cash to satisfy the obligations of the holding company.

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. is a holding company. Our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own substantially all of our assets. Our cash flow and our ability to meet our obligations depend on the cash flow of our subsidiaries. In addition, the payment of funds in the form of dividends, intercompany payments, tax sharing payments and otherwise may be subject to restrictions under the laws of the countries of incorporation of our subsidiaries or their governing documents.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of December 31, 2019, our operations were conducted through 174 wholly-owned, leased and joint venture facilities in 21 countries (North and Central America: Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, United States; Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand; Europe: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom; South America: Brazil), of which 103 are predominantly manufacturing facilities and 71 have design, engineering, administrative or logistics designations. Our corporate headquarters are located in Novi, Michigan. Our manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Central America, Europe, Asia and South America. We believe that substantially all of our properties are in generally good condition and there is sufficient capacity to meet current and projected manufacturing, product development and logistics requirements. The following table summarizes our key property holdings:



Segment	Type	Total Facilities*	Owned Facilities
North America	Manufacturing ^(a)	36	18
	Other ^(b)	28	1
Asia Pacific	Manufacturing ^(a)	32	9
	Other ^(b)	12	—
Europe	Manufacturing ^(a)	29	10
	Other ^(b)	29	—
South America	Manufacturing ^(a)	6	1
	Other ^(b)	2	—


(a)	Includes multi-activity sites which are predominantly manufacturing.


(b)	Includes design, engineering, administrative and logistics locations.

(*) Excludes 5 unutilized facilities: 3 Europe; 2 North America

(*) Includes 14 R&D facilities worldwide.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The litigation process is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable with assurance. See Note 23. “Contingent Liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for discussion of loss contingencies.

In 2016, a putative class action complaint alleging conspiracy to fix the price of body sealing products used in automobiles and other light-duty vehicles was filed in Ontario, Canada, followed by similar complaints filed in British Columbia and Quebec in 2018 and 2019, respectively, against numerous automotive suppliers, including Cooper Standard Holdings Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (together the “CS Defendants”) and its joint venture, Nishikawa Cooper LLC (“NISCO”). The Company believes the claims asserted against it and NISCO were without merit and intended to vigorously defend against the claims; however, Nishikawa Rubber Company, the indirect holder of the 60% equity interest of NISCO, entered into settlement agreements, releasing NISCO and the CS Defendants from the relevant cases. During 2019, each of the courts in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia approved the settlement agreement in those cases and dismissed the cases against NISCO and the CS Defendants.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity

Securities

Market Information

Our common stock has been traded on the NYSE since October 17, 2013 under the symbol “CPS.”

Holders of Common Stock

As of February 7, 2020, there were approximately 7 holders of record of our common stock. This stockholder figure does not include a substantially greater number of holders whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

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 agreements governing our ABL Facility, Term Loan Facility and Senior Notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to pay certain dividends and distributions subject to certain qualifications and limitations. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Report. We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

Securities Repurchase Program

In June 2018, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program (the “2018 Program”) authorizing us to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $150.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the 2018 Program, repurchases may be made on the open market, through private transactions, accelerated share repurchases, round lot or block transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise, as determined by our management and in accordance with prevailing market conditions and federal securities laws and regulations. We expect to fund any future repurchases from cash on hand and future cash flows from operations. We are not obligated to acquire a particular amount of securities, and the 2018 Program may be discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion. The 2018 Program was effective beginning November 2018.

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $98.7 million of repurchase authorization remaining.

A summary of shares of our common stock repurchased during the three months ended December 31, 2019 is shown below:



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (in millions)
October 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019	249	$	31.86	—	$	98.7
November 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019	645	$	33.70	—	$	98.7
December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019	612	$	33.16	—	$	98.7
Total	1,506			—	$	98.7

⁽¹⁾Includes 1,506 shares repurchased by the Company to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements due upon the vesting of restricted stock awards.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return for Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. to 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 December 31, 2014 and reflects the cumulative total return on that investment, including the reinvestment of all dividends where applicable, through December 31, 2019.

Comparison of Cumulative Return



	Ticker	12/31/2014		12/31/2015		12/30/2016*		12/29/2017*		12/31/2018		12/31/2019
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	CPS	$	100.00	$	134.05	$	178.61	$	211.64	$	107.33	$	57.29
S&P 500	SPX	$	100.00	$	99.33	$	111.16	$	135.07	$	129.08	$	169.31
S&P Supercomposite Auto Parts & Equipment Index	S15AUTP	$	100.00	$	91.95	$	97.09	$	127.50	$	87.98	$	116.81

* Represents last trading day of the year

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read 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 in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019				2018				2017				2016				2015
	(Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts)
Statement of operations data:
Sales	$	3,108.4			$	3,624.0		⁽⁵⁾	$	3,617.8		⁽⁵⁾	$	3,466.6		⁽⁵⁾	$	3,342.8
Net income	62.2			⁽¹⁾	99.1			^{(2) (5)}	141.2			⁽⁵⁾	135.1			⁽⁵⁾	111.8
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	67.5			⁽¹⁾	103.6			^{(2) (5)}	138.0			⁽⁵⁾	133.7			⁽⁵⁾	111.9
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	3.94			$	5.79		⁽⁵⁾	$	7.76		⁽⁵⁾	$	7.66		⁽⁵⁾	$	6.50
Diluted	$	3.92			$	5.66		⁽⁵⁾	$	7.35		⁽⁵⁾	$	7.14		⁽⁵⁾	$	6.08

	As of December 31,
	2019				2018				2017				2016				2015
	(Dollar amounts in millions)
Balance sheet data (at end of period):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	359.5			$	265.0			$	516.0			$	480.1			$	378.2
Net working capital ⁽³⁾	184.3				232.9			⁽⁵⁾	119.5			⁽⁵⁾	89.5			⁽⁵⁾	175.3
Total assets	2,635.6				2,624.1				2,726.5			⁽⁵⁾	2,491.7				2,304.3
Total non-current liabilities	1,039.7				952.3			⁽⁵⁾	1,047.3			⁽⁵⁾	1,015.2			⁽⁵⁾	1,008.1
Total debt ⁽⁴⁾	807.6				831.1				758.2				762.9				777.9
Total equity	876.0				851.5			⁽⁵⁾	852.1			⁽⁵⁾	716.5			⁽⁵⁾	614.8

Statement of cash flows data:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	97.7			$	149.4			$	313.1			$	365.5			$	270.4
Investing activities	84.0				(383.0		)		(200.6		)		(198.3		)		(166.4		)
Financing activities	(84.0		)		(14.4		)		(75.5		)		(62.9		)		(11.6		)

Other financial data:
Capital expenditures, including other intangible assets	$	164.5			$	218.1			$	186.8			$	164.4			$	166.3

⁽¹⁾2019 net income amount includes gain on sale of our AVS business, impairment charges related to fixed assets and non-cash pension settlement charges.

⁽²⁾2018 net income amount includes impairment charges related to goodwill, intangible assets and fixed assets and the release of a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets recorded in France and capital loss carryforwards in the U.S.

⁽³⁾ Net working capital is defined as current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents and assets held for sale) less current liabilities (excluding debt payable within one year and liabilities held for sale).

⁽⁴⁾Includes $395.1 of our Senior Notes, $326.1 of Term Loan, $29.8 in finance leases and $56.7 of other third-party debt as of December 31, 2019.

⁽⁵⁾ Reflects an adjusted amount for the impact of correcting certain immaterial errors as described in Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for the corrections to the consolidated statements of net income for the years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.

Additionally, the impact of this revision on our statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased sales by $6.3, net income by $5.3 and diluted EPS by $0.28. As of December 31, 2017, the impact of this revision on the balance sheet data increased net working capital by $0.7, increased total assets by $0.9, increased total non-current liabilities by $3.7, and decreased total equity by $3.0. As of December 31, 2016, the impact of this revision on the balance sheet decreased net working capital by $0.7, increased total non-current liabilities by $4.6, and decreased total equity by $5.3.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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 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 in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.

Executive Overview

Our Business

We design, manufacture and sell sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured by global OEMs. During the first quarter of 2019 and in prior periods, the Company also operated an AVS business. On April 1, 2019, we completed the divestiture of the anti-vibration systems business. In 2019, approximately 83% of our sales consisted of original equipment sold directly to OEMs for installation on new vehicles. The remaining 17% 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 quality, price, service, performance, design and engineering capabilities, innovation, timely delivery, financial stability and an extensive global footprint. Also, we believe our continued commitment to invest in global common processes is an important factor in servicing global customers with the same quality and consistency of product wherever we produce in the world. This is especially important when supplying products for global platforms.

In addition, to remain competitive and offset continued customer pricing pressure, we must also consistently achieve and sustain cost savings. In an ongoing effort to reduce our cost structure, we run a global continuous improvement program which includes training for our employees, as well as implementation of lean tools, structured problem solving, best business practices, standardized processes and change management. We also 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 continuous improvement initiatives.

In 2019, approximately 53% of our sales were generated in North America. Because of our significant international operations, we are subject to the risks associated with doing business in other countries, such as currency volatility, high interest and inflation rates, and the general political and economic risk that are associated with some of these markets.

Recent Trends and Conditions

General Economic Conditions and Outlook

The global automotive industry is susceptible to uncertain economic conditions that could adversely impact new vehicle demand. Business conditions may vary significantly from period to period or region to region.

In North America, economic growth is expected to continue at a modest rate of approximately 1.5% to 2.0% in 2020. The recently signed trade deal is expected to reduce uncertainty in the region. In the United States, stable interest rates and continued progress regarding global trade relationships, among other factors, could provide additional economic momentum while uncertainty related to election year politics may suppress near-term commercial and industrial investment. In Canada, improving consumer confidence and a rebound in the housing market will likely provide support to the economy, while in Mexico, support will more likely come from a rebound in public spending. The mix of vehicles produced and sold in the North America continues to shift away from passenger cars in favor of crossover utility vehicles and light trucks.

In Europe, geopolitical concerns, the implementation of new environmental regulations in the automotive industry and lower export demand continue to weigh on economic growth. Looking ahead, we expect financial pressures in Italy, continued weak manufacturing output in Germany and continued uncertainties related to the United Kingdom’s separation from the European Union (“Brexit”), which will challenge the regional economic outlook in 2020.

In China the government continues to manage the nation’s economy with a goal of sustaining growth. The growth target for 2020 is approximately 6.0%. While the recently signed Phase I trade agreement with the United States may add a degree of stability in the near term, sustained tariffs will likely pressure export demand and overall economic growth. Fiscal tools such as increased investment in infrastructure may be used to in order to meet government growth targets. Incentives to boost demand specifically in the automotive industry have been implemented in past years, but are not expected in 2020.

The Brazilian economy experienced solid positive momentum in the second half of 2019. Building on that momentum, stronger economic growth is forecasted in 2020. The economy is expected to benefit from improving consumer confidence, rising credit growth and a market-friendly government agenda, partially offset by weak export demand. Based on this, our near-term outlook for South America is positive. We remain cautious for the mid to long-term outlook, however, given the long history of political instability and economic volatility in the region.

The current domestic and international political environment, including existing and potential changes to U.S. policies related to global trade and tariffs, have resulted in uncertainty surrounding the future state of the global economy. We continue to monitor the potential impacts of previously-announced tariffs; however we anticipate these and other tariffs will continue to negatively impact material costs.

Production Levels

Our business is directly affected by the automotive vehicle production rates in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. New vehicle demand is driven by macroeconomic 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 industry could face uncertainties that may adversely impact consumer demand for vehicles as well as the future production environment.

According to the forecasting firm IHS Automotive, global light vehicle production was approximately 88.7 million units in 2019. This reflects a decline of approximately 5.8% globally.

Light vehicle production in certain regions for 2019 and 2018, as well as projections for 2020, are provided in the following table:



(In millions of units)	2020⁽¹⁾	2019⁽¹⁾	2018⁽¹⁾	Projected % Change 2019-2020		% Change 2018-2019
North America	16.5	16.3	17.0	1.3	%	(3.9	)%
Europe	20.7	21.1	22.0	(1.9	)%	(4.2	)%
Asia Pacific	44.7	46.1	49.2	(3.1	)%	(6.4	)%
Greater China	23.6	24.6	26.9	(4.0	)%	(8.4	)%
South America	3.4	3.3	3.4	4.2	%	(4.4	)%

⁽¹⁾Production data based on IHS Automotive, February 2020.

We anticipate that light vehicle production in North America will remain relatively stable over the next few years. In Europe and Asia Pacific, light vehicle production declined overall during 2019. These changes reflect consumer demand and geopolitical instability. Accordingly, there is uncertainty related to economic growth in 2020. In South America, we anticipate light vehicle production to be relatively strong in the near-term, but we remain cautious due to potential geo-political instability in the region.

Industry Overview

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. Because of a growing emphasis on global vehicle platforms, automotive suppliers with a global manufacturing footprint capable of fully servicing customers around the world will typically have a competitive advantage over smaller, regional competitors. This dynamic is likely to result in further consolidation of competing suppliers within our industry over time.

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.

Increased competitiveness in the industry, as well as customer focus on costs, has resulted in continued pressure on suppliers for price reductions, reducing the overall profitability of the industry. Consolidations and market share shifts among vehicle manufacturers continue to put additional pressures on the supply chain. These pricing and market pressures will continue to drive our focus on reducing our overall cost structure through continuous improvement initiatives, capital redeployment, restructuring and other cost management processes.

In addition to the above, other factors will present opportunities for automotive suppliers who are positioned for the changing environment, including autonomous and connected vehicles, evolving government regulation, and consumer preference for environmentally friendly products and technology, including hybrid and electric vehicle architectures.

Raw Materials

Our business is susceptible to inflationary pressures with respect to raw materials which may place operational and profitability burdens on the entire supply chain. Costs related to raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, and oil and oil-derived commodities, continue to be volatile. In addition, we continue to expect commodity cost volatility to have a continual impact on future earnings and operating cash flows. As such, on an ongoing basis, we work with our customers and suppliers to mitigate both inflationary pressures and our material-related cost exposures. The current domestic and international political environment, including existing and potential changes to U.S. and China policies related to global trade and tariffs, have resulted in uncertainty surrounding the future state of the global economy. While we continue to monitor the potential impacts of previously-announced tariffs, we anticipate these and other tariffs will negatively impact material costs.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. These policies require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments that management makes in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if (i) it requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time we were making the estimate, and (ii) changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected could have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Such critical accounting estimates are discussed below. For these, materially different amounts could be reported under varied conditions and assumptions. Other items in our consolidated financial statements require estimation, however, in our judgment, they are not as critical as those discussed below.

Goodwill. Our goodwill is tested for impairment as of October 1 of each year for our North America reporting unit, and more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would warrant such a review. For our goodwill analysis, fair value is based on the cash flows projected in the reporting unit’s strategic plans and long-range planning forecasts, discounted at a risk-adjusted rate of return. Our long-range planning forecasts are based on our assessment of revenue growth rates generally based on industry specific data, external vehicle build assumptions published by widely used external sources, and customer market share data based on known and targeted awards over a five-year period. The projected profit margin assumptions included in the plans are based on the current cost structure and adjustments for anticipated cost reductions or increases. If different assumptions were used in these plans, the related cash flows used in measuring fair value could be different and impairment of goodwill might be recorded. We assess the reasonableness of the estimated fair value using market based multiples of comparable companies. The annual goodwill impairment analysis for 2019 resulted in no impairment. See Note 10. “Goodwill and Intangible

Assets” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Long-Lived Assets. We monitor our long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis. If impairment indicators exist, we analyze the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets compared to the related net book values. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is based upon either estimated salvage value or estimated orderly liquidation value. Cash flows are estimated using internal budgets based on recent sales data, independent automotive production volume estimates and customer commitments, as well as assumptions related to discount rates. Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of long-lived assets. In 2019, we recorded impairment charges related to machinery and equipment in our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific segments. In 2018, our impairment analysis resulted in impairment at various locations in our Europe and Asia Pacific segments. See Note 9. “Property, Plant and Equipment” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Restructuring. Specific accruals have been recorded in connection with restructuring initiatives. These accruals include estimates principally related to employee separation costs, the closure and/or consolidation of facilities and contractual obligations. Actual amounts recognized could differ from the original estimates. Restructuring-related reserves are reviewed on a quarterly basis, and changes to plans are appropriately recognized when identified. Changes to plans associated with the restructuring of existing businesses are generally recognized as employee separation and plant closure costs in the period the change occurs. See Note 7. “Restructuring” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments. We generally enter into agreements with customers to produce products at the beginning of a vehicle’s life. Although such contracts do not usually include minimum quantities, fulfillment of customers’ purchasing requirements can be our obligation for the entire production life of the vehicle. These agreements generally may be terminated by our customer at any time, but such cancellations have historically been minimal. In limited cases, we may be committed to supply products at selling prices that do not cover our costs. In such situations, we recognize losses as they are incurred.

We receive blanket purchase orders from many customers annually. Generally, such purchase orders and related documents establish the annual terms, including pricing, related to a vehicle model. However, purchase orders generally do not specify quantities. We recognize revenue based on a point in time, generally when products are shipped or delivered to customers. As part of certain agreements, customers ask for price reductions. We accrue for such concessions by reducing revenue as products are shipped. We also generally have ongoing adjustments to customer pricing arrangements based on the content and cost of our products. Such pricing accruals are adjusted as they are settled with customers.

Income Taxes. In determining the provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes, we make estimates and judgments which affect our evaluation of the carrying value of our deferred tax assets as well as our calculation of certain tax liabilities. We evaluate the carrying value of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. In completing this evaluation, we consider all available positive and negative evidence. Such evidence includes historical operating results, the existence of cumulative earnings and losses in the most recent fiscal years, expectations for future pretax operating income, the time period over which our temporary differences will reverse, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of this evidence, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods.

Concluding that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is significant negative evidence which is objective and verifiable, such as cumulative losses in recent years. We utilize three years’ cumulative pre-tax book results adjusted for significant permanent book to tax differences as a measure of cumulative results in recent years. In certain foreign jurisdictions, our analysis indicates that we have cumulative three-year historical losses on this basis. This is considered significant negative evidence which is difficult to overcome. However, the three-year loss position is not solely determinative, and, accordingly, management considers all other available positive and negative evidence in its analysis. Based upon this analysis, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions may not be realized in the future. Accordingly, we continue to maintain a valuation allowance related to those net deferred tax assets. However, since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to our valuation allowances may be necessary.

In addition, the calculation of our tax benefits and liabilities includes uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. We recognize tax benefits and liabilities based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. We adjust these liabilities based on changing facts and circumstances;

however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties and the impact of any tax audits, the ultimate resolutions may be materially different from our estimated liabilities. See Note 17. “Income Taxes” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. Included in our results of operations are significant pension and postretirement benefit costs, which are measured using actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates, mortality rates, expected returns on plan assets and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are determined as of the current year measurement date. We consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. Changes in pension and postretirement benefit costs may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions. Our net pension and postretirement benefit costs, which included non-cash settlement charges of $15.8 million, were approximately $23.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

To develop the discount rate for each pension plan, the expected cash flows underlying the plan’s benefit obligations were discounted using a December 31, 2019 pension index to determine a single equivalent rate. To develop our expected return on plan assets, we considered historical long-term asset return experience, the expected investment portfolio mix of plan assets and an estimate of long-term investment returns. To develop our portfolio of plan assets, we considered the duration of the plan liabilities and gave more weight to equity positions, including both public and private equity investments, than to fixed-income securities.

Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligations as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	3.28	%	1.79	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A ^(*)		1.33	%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	4.25	%	2.40	%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50	%	4.63	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A ^(*)		3.31	%

^*As the U.S. plans are frozen, the rate of compensation increase was not applicable.

The sensitivity of our pension cost and obligations to changes in key assumptions, holding all other assumptions constant, is as follows:



Change in assumption	Impact on 2020 net periodic benefit cost	Impact on PBO as of December 31, 2019
1% increase in discount rate	-$1.4 million	-$50.6 million
1% decrease in discount rate	+$1.4 million	+$62.4 million
1% increase in expected return on plan assets	-$2.9 million	—
1% decrease in expected return on plan assets	+$2.9 million	—

Aggregate pension net periodic benefit cost is forecasted to be approximately $5.4 million in 2020.

Health care cost trend rates are assumed to reflect market trend, actual experience and future expectations. Health care cost trend rate assumptions used to determine the postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.
Health care cost trend rate	5.50	%	5.00	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.50	%	5.00	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2027		N/A

The sensitivity of our postretirement benefit cost and obligations to changes in the health care cost trend rate is as follows:



	Impact on service cost and interest cost	Impact on PBO as of December 31, 2019
1% increase in health care cost trend rate	+$0.2 million	+$4.3 million
1% decrease in health care cost trend rate	-$0.2 million	-$3.4 million

Aggregate other postretirement net periodic benefit is forecasted to be approximately $0.4 million in 2020.

The Company’s policy is to fund pension plans such that sufficient assets will be available to meet future benefit requirements and contribute amounts deductible for United States federal income tax purposes or amounts required by local statute. During 2018, the Company made a discretionary contribution of $15.0 million to its U.S. pension plan. The Company estimates it will make funding cash contributions to its U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans of approximately $3.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively in 2020.

The Company does not prefund its postretirement benefit obligations. Rather, payments are made as costs are incurred by covered retirees. We expect net other postretirement benefit payments to be approximately $2.6 million in 2020.

Results of Operations



	Year Ended December 31,									Change
	2019			2018			2017			2019 vs. 2018			2018 vs. 2017
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Sales	$	3,108,400		$	3,624,042		$	3,617,773		$	(515,642	)	$	6,269
Cost of products sold	2,749,278			3,075,737			2,946,687			(326,459		)	129,050
Gross profit	359,122			548,305			671,086			(189,183		)	(122,781		)
Selling, administration & engineering expenses	302,496			314,805			340,963			(12,309		)	(26,158		)
Gain on sale of business	(191,571		)	—			—			(191,571		)	—
Gain on sale of land	—			(10,377		)	—			10,377			(10,377		)
Amortization of intangibles	17,966			14,844			14,056			3,122			788
Goodwill impairment charges	—			45,281			—			(45,281		)	45,281
Other impairment charges	23,139			43,706			14,763			(20,567		)	28,943
Restructuring charges	51,102			29,722			35,137			21,380			(5,415		)
Operating profit	155,990			110,324			266,167			45,666			(155,843		)
Interest expense, net of interest income	(44,113		)	(41,004		)	(42,112		)	(3,109		)	1,108
Equity in earnings of affiliates	6,504			6,718			5,519			(214		)	1,199
Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt	—			(770		)	(1,020		)	770			250
Pension settlement charges	(15,819		)	(775		)	(6,427		)	(15,044		)	5,652
Other expense, net	(4,260		)	(4,838		)	(9,380		)	578			4,542
Income before income taxes	98,302			69,655			212,747			28,647			(143,092		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	36,089			(29,400		)	71,506			65,489			(100,906		)
Net income	62,213			99,055			141,241			(36,842		)	(42,186		)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,316			4,546			(3,270		)	770			7,816
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	67,529		$	103,601		$	137,971		$	(36,072	)	$	(34,370	)

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018.

Sales

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased 14.2%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.



	Year Ended December 31,							Variance Due To:
	2019		2018		Change			Volume / Mix*			Foreign Exchange			Acquisitions / Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Total sales	$	3,108,400	$	3,624,042	$	(515,642	)	$	(310,381	)	$	(86,774	)	$	(118,487	)

* Net of customer price reductions

Gross Profit



	Year Ended December 31,									Variance Due To:
	2019			2018			Change			Volume / Mix*			Foreign Exchange			Cost Increases / (Decreases)
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Cost of products sold	$	2,749,278		$	3,075,737		$	(326,459	)	$	(129,471	)	$	(70,899	)	$	(126,089	)
Gross profit	359,122			548,305			(189,183		)	(180,910		)	(15,875		)	7,602
Gross profit percentage of sales	11.6		%	15.1		%

* Net of customer price reductions

Cost of products sold is primarily comprised of material, labor, manufacturing overhead, freight, depreciation, warranty costs and other direct operating expenses. Cost of products sold for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $326.5 million, or 10.6%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Materials comprise the largest component of our cost of products sold and represented approximately 51% of total cost of products sold for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The change in the cost of products sold was driven lower sales volumes, continuous improvement and lean manufacturing, the sale of AVS product line, restructuring savings and material cost reductions. These items were partially offset by vehicle production mix including the delayed ramp up of certain customers key vehicle platforms and the United Automobile Workers (“UAW”) work stoppage against General Motors, commodity price fluctuations, foreign exchange, tariffs and wage inflation.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $189.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 11.6% and 15.1% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in rate and amount was driven by vehicle production volume and mix, including the delayed ramp up of certain customers key vehicle platforms, the UAW work stoppage against General Motors, commercial settlements in China, commodity price inflation and foreign exchange pressures, tariffs and wage inflation. These items were partially offset by net favorable operational performance and acquisitions.

Selling, Administration and Engineering. Selling, administration and engineering expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $302.5 million, or 9.7% of sales, compared to $314.8 million, or 8.7% of sales, for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in expense was primarily due to savings generated from salaried employee initiatives and the sale of our anti-vibration (“AVS”) product line, partially offset by additional costs for newly acquired businesses and general inflation.

Gain on Sale of Business. Gain on sale of business of $191.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 related to the sale of our AVS product line within our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific segments. We completed the sale to Continental AG on April 1, 2019. We did not record a gain on sale of business for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Impairment Charges. Non-cash asset impairment charges of $23.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 consisted of property, plant and equipment impairment charges. Non-cash asset impairment charges of $89.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of $45.3 million of goodwill impairment charges, $42.9 million of property, plant and equipment impairment charges and $0.8 million of intangible impairment charges.

Restructuring. Restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $21.4 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Our restructuring actions include plant closures and workforce reductions and are initiated to maintain our competitive footprint or in response to changes in global and regional automotive markets. During 2019, the increases attributable to North America were primarily due to salaried employee initiatives and footprint rationalization. The increases attributable to Europe and Asia Pacific were primarily due to footprint rationalization.

Interest Expense, net. Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $3.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher outstanding debt balances in the first quarter of 2019.

Pension Settlement Charges. Non-cash pension settlement charges of $15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily related to the purchase of a bulk annuity policy to de-risk a portion of our pension obligations in the U.S. Settlement charges of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to non-U.S. pension plans.

Other Expense, net. Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $0.6 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to higher miscellaneous income in the year ended December 31, 2019.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $36.1 million on earnings before taxes of $98.3 million. This compares to income tax benefit of $29.4 million on earnings before taxes of $69.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The tax expense in 2019 differed from the statutory rate due to incremental valuation allowance recorded on tax losses generated in certain foreign jurisdictions, permanent impacts from the sale of the AVS product line, the mix of income between the U.S. and foreign sources, tax incentives, other tax credits, and other nonrecurring discrete items. Tax expense in 2018 differed from the statutory rate as a result of the reversal of valuation allowances recorded against net operating loss carryforwards and other timing items in France, in addition to a capital loss carryforward in the U.S. Additional items impacting income taxes were a discrete benefit resulting from the finalization of U.S. tax reform calculations, the mix of income between the U.S. and foreign sources, tax incentives, incremental valuation allowance recorded on tax losses generated in certain foreign jurisdictions, other tax credits, and other nonrecurring discrete items.

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017.

Sales

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 0.2% compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.



	Year Ended December 31,						Variance Due To:
	2018		2017		Change		Volume / Mix*			Foreign Exchange		Acquisitions/Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Total sales	$	3,624,042	$	3,617,773	$	6,269	$	(82,548	)	$	41,588	$	47,229

* Net of customer price reductions

Gross Profit



	Year Ended December 31,									Variance Due To:
	2018			2017			Change			Volume / Mix*			Foreign Exchange		Cost Increases / (Decreases)
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Cost of products sold	$	3,075,737		$	2,946,687		$	129,050		$	48,428		$	29,668	$	50,954
Gross profit	548,305			671,086			(122,781		)	(130,976		)	11,920		(3,725		)
Gross profit percentage of sales	15.1		%	18.5		%

* Net of customer price reductions

Cost of products sold is primarily comprised of material, labor, manufacturing overhead, freight, depreciation, warranty costs and other direct operating expenses. Cost of products sold for the year ended December 31, 2018, increased $129.1 million or 4.4% compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. Materials comprise the largest component of our cost of products sold and represented approximately 51% of total cost of products sold for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Cost of products sold was impacted by vehicle production mix, commodity price and foreign exchange pressures, as well as acquisitions. These items were partially offset by continuous improvement, restructuring savings and material cost reductions.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased $122.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 15.1% and 18.5% of sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in margin was driven by unfavorable vehicle production mix, customer price reductions, commodity price pressures and foreign exchange, partially offset by net favorable operational performance and acquisitions.

Selling, Administration and Engineering. Selling, administration and engineering expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $314.8 million, or 8.7% of sales, compared to $341.0 million, or 9.4%, of sales for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in expense was primarily due to lower compensation-related costs and efficiencies related to cost improvement initiatives, partially offset by wage inflation.

Impairment Charges. Non-cash asset impairment charges of $89.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of $45.3 million of goodwill impairment charges, $42.9 million of property, plant and equipment impairment charges and $0.8 million of intangible impairment charges. Non-cash asset impairment charges of $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of $4.3 million related to our decision to divest two of our inactive European sites, and $10.5 million related to the deterioration of financial results at one of our Asia Pacific facilities, two of our European locations and one of our North American locations.

Restructuring. Restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased $5.4 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by lower expenses of $8.1 million related to the substantial completion of initiatives in Europe, partially offset by higher restructuring charges in the Asia Pacific segment.

Interest Expense, net. Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased $1.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the amendment of the Term Loan Facility in March 2018.

Loss on Refinancing and Extinguishment of Debt. Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $0.8 million, which resulted from the partial write off of new and unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issue discount related to the amendment of the Term Loan Facility in March 2018.

Pension Settlement Charges. Settlement charges of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to non-U.S. pension plans. Settlement charges of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 related primarily to de-risking pension obligations in the U.K.

Other Expense, net. Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased $4.5 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower foreign currency losses and benefit related costs in the year ended December 31, 2018, partially offset by lower miscellaneous income.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $29.4 million on earnings before taxes of $69.7 million. This compares to income tax expense of $71.5 million on earnings before taxes of $212.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The tax benefit in 2018 differed from the statutory rate due to the reversal of valuation allowances recorded against net operating loss carryforwards and other timing items in France, in addition to a capital loss carryforward in the U.S. Additional items impacting income taxes were a discrete benefit resulting from the finalization of U.S. tax reform calculations, the mix of income between the U.S. and foreign sources, tax incentives, incremental valuation allowance recorded on tax losses generated in certain foreign jurisdictions, other tax credits, and other nonrecurring discrete items. Tax expense in 2017 differed from the statutory rate as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017, the mix of income between the U.S. and foreign sources, tax incentives, incremental valuation allowance recorded on tax losses generated in certain foreign jurisdictions, other tax credits, and other nonrecurring discrete items.

Segment Results of Operations

The Company operates in four reportable segments: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. Consistent with how management assesses performance of the segments, effective January 1, 2019, we changed the measurement of our segments to adjusted EBITDA. We have defined adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring expense, and special items. The results of each segment include certain allocations for general, administrative, interest, and other shared costs. The accounting policies of the Company’s segments are consistent with those described in Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.

The following tables presents sales and segment adjusted EBITDA for each of the reportable segments.

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2018

Sales



	Year Ended December 31,							Variance Due To:
	2019		2018		Change			Volume / Mix^*			Foreign Exchange			Acquisitions / Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Sales to external customers
North America	$	1,641,724	$	1,924,717	$	(282,993	)	$	(175,275	)	$	(5,433	)	$	(102,285	)
Europe	868,188		1,030,102		(161,914		)	(57,722		)	(50,797		)	(53,395		)
Asia Pacific	503,953		571,160		(67,207		)	(81,777		)	(22,623		)	37,193
South America	94,535		98,063		(3,528		)	4,393			(7,921		)	—
Consolidated	$	3,108,400	$	3,624,042	$	(515,642	)	$	(310,381	)	$	(86,774	)	$	(118,487	)

^* Net of customer price reductions


•	The impact of foreign currency exchange was primarily related to the Euro, Chinese Renminbi and the Brazilian Real.

Segment adjusted EBITDA



	Year Ended December 31,									Variance Due To:
	2019			2018			Change			Volume / Mix^*			Foreign Exchange			Cost (Increases) / Decreases		Acquisitions / Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Segment adjusted EBITDA
North America	$	212,530		$	320,955		$	(108,425	)	$	(103,375	)	$	(5,389	)	$	4,704	$	(4,365	)
Europe	22,702			45,105			(22,403		)	(27,764		)	(3,508		)	13,534		(4,665		)
Asia Pacific	(29,496		)	13,849			(43,345		)	(52,034		)	(1,080		)	9,914		(145		)
South America	(4,128		)	(7,251		)	3,123			2,263			(673		)	1,533		—
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA	$	201,608		$	372,658		$	(171,050	)	$	(180,910	)	$	(10,650	)	$	29,685	$	(9,175	)

^*Net of customer price reductions


•	The unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange was primarily driven by the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the Chinese Renminbi, the Polish Zloty, the Czech Koruna and the Brazilian Real.


•	The Cost (Increases) / Decreases category above includes:


◦	The increase in commodity, general inflation, and tariffs;


◦	Tax settlements in South America and the one-time impact of commercial settlements in Asia Pacific;


◦	Net operational efficiencies of $80.9 million primarily driven by our North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific segments; and


◦	The decrease in selling, administrative and engineering expense due to efficiencies related to cost improvement initiatives.

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2017

Sales



	Year Ended December 31,							Variance Due To:
	2018		2017		Change			Volume / Mix^*			Foreign Exchange			Acquisitions / Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Sales to external customers
North America	$	1,924,717	$	1,882,670	$	42,047		$	709		$	(780	)	$	42,118
Europe	1,030,102		1,043,738		(13,636		)	(40,747		)	48,937			(21,826		)
Asia Pacific	571,160		584,808		(13,648		)	(47,857		)	7,272			26,937
South America	98,063		106,557		(8,494		)	5,347			(13,841		)	—
Consolidated	$	3,624,042	$	3,617,773	$	6,269		$	(82,548	)	$	41,588		$	47,229

^* Net of customer price reductions


•	The impact of foreign currency exchange primarily related to the Euro, the Brazilian Real and the Chinese Renminbi.

Segment adjusted EBITDA



	Year Ended December 31,									Variance Due To:
	2018			2017			Change			Volume / Mix*			Foreign Exchange			Cost (Increases) / Decreases			Acquisitions / Divestiture, Net
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Segment adjusted EBITDA
North America	$	320,955		$	326,584		$	(5,629	)	$	(42,048	)	$	(319	)	$	30,494		$	6,244
Europe	45,105			74,598			(29,493		)	(49,826		)	4,157			18,782			(2,606		)
Asia Pacific	13,849			54,356			(40,507		)	(41,890		)	3,119			(3,668		)	1,932
South America	(7,251		)	(3,891		)	(3,360		)	2,788			(3,240		)	(2,908		)	—
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA	$	372,658		$	451,647		$	(78,989	)	$	(130,976	)	$	3,717		$	42,700		$	5,570

^*Net of customer price reductions


•	The favorable impact of foreign currency exchange impact was primarily driven by the Euro and Chinese Renminbi, partially offset by the Brazilian Real.


•	The Cost (Increases) / Decreases category above includes:


◦	Net operational efficiencies of $80.2 million primarily driven by our North America and Europe segments;


◦	The decrease in selling, administrative and engineering expense due to lower compensation-related costs and efficiencies related to cost improvement initiatives; and


◦	The increase in wage inflation and the increase in material cost pressure.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Short and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks

We intend to fund our ongoing working capital, capital expenditures, debt service and other funding requirements through a combination of cash flows from operations, cash on hand, borrowings under our ABL Facility, and receivables factoring. The Company utilizes intercompany loans and equity contributions to fund its worldwide operations. There may be country specific regulations which may restrict or result in increased costs in the repatriation of these funds. See Note 11. “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for a detailed discussion of terms and conditions related to our debt.

Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and the condition in our markets and industry, we believe that our cash flows from operations, cash on hand, borrowings under our ABL Facility and receivables factoring will enable us to meet our ongoing working capital, capital expenditures, debt service and other funding requirements for the next twelve months. However, our ability to fund our working capital needs, debt payments and other obligations, and to comply with the financial covenants, including borrowing base limitations under our ABL Facility, depend on our future operating performance and cash flow and many factors outside of our control, including the costs of raw materials, the state of the overall automotive industry, financial and economic conditions and other factors.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $97.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $149.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The lower inflow was primarily due to decreased cash earnings, and timing of customer payments, partially offset by payments to suppliers and changes in accrued liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $149.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $313.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The lower inflow was primarily driven by changes in the utilization of the accounts receivable factoring program, lower cash earnings, changes in compensation-related accruals, and our discretionary pension contribution.

Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $84.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $383.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Cash provided by investing activities consisted primarily of gross proceeds of $243.4 million from the sale of our AVS product line, partially offset by capital spending of $164.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. We anticipate that we will spend approximately $140 million to $150 million on capital expenditures in 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities was $383.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $200.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher capital spending on programs related to sales growth and innovation, and cash paid for the acquisition of businesses, partially offset by land sale proceeds.

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $84.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The change was primarily due to repayment of our revolving credit facility and local borrowing lines. Cash used for share repurchases was $36.6 million and $60.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $75.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to higher borrowings of short-term debt and lower principal payments on long-term debt, partially offset by repurchase activity under our share repurchase program.

Senior Notes

On November 2, 2016, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CSA U.S. (the “Issuer”) completed a private offering of debt securities consisting of the issuance of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% notes due 2026 (the “Senior Notes”). The proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes were used to repay the non-extended term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Facility and to pay fees and expenses related to the refinancing. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by us, as well as each of CSA U.S.’s wholly-owned existing or subsequently organized U.S. subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, to the extent such subsidiary guarantees the ABL Facility and the Term Loan Facility. The Issuer may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at various points in time prior to maturity, as described in the indenture. The Senior Notes will mature on November 15, 2026. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

If a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture) occurs, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

ABL Facility

On November 2, 2016, CS Intermediate Holdco 1 LLC (“Parent”), CSA U.S. (the “U.S. Borrower”), Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited (the “Canadian Borrower”), Cooper-Standard Automotive International Holdings B.V. (the “Dutch Borrower”, and, together with the U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrower, the “Borrowers”) and certain subsidiaries of the U.S. Borrower, entered into a third amendment of our ABL Facility. Pursuant to the ABL Facility agreement, as amended, we have an aggregate revolving loan availability of up to $210.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability. In addition, our ABL Facility provides for an uncommitted $100.0 million incremental loan facility, for a potential total ABL Facility of $310.0

million. Any borrowings under our ABL Facility will mature, and the commitments of the lenders under our ABL Facility will terminate, on November 2, 2021.

The ABL Facility includes affirmative and negative covenants that impose substantial restrictions on our financial and business operations. The ABL Facility also contains various events of default that are customary for comparable facilities.

Loan and letter of credit availability under the agreement is subject to a borrowing base, which at any time is limited to the lesser of: (A) the maximum facility amount (subject to certain adjustments) and (B) (i) up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable; plus (ii) the lesser of 70% of eligible inventory or 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory; plus (iii) up to the lesser of $30.0 million and 75% of eligible tooling accounts receivable; minus reserves established by the agent. The obligations under the ABL Facility and the related guarantees are secured by various assets, as detailed in Note 11. “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report.

Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Borrowers’ option:


•	in the case of borrowings by U.S. Borrower, London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the base rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin; or


•	in the case of borrowings by the Canadian Borrower, bankers’ acceptance (“BA”) rate, Canadian prime rate or Canadian base rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin; or


•	in the case of borrowings by the Dutch Borrower, LIBOR plus an applicable margin.

The applicable margin may vary between 1.25% and 1.75% with respect to the LIBOR or Canadian BA rate-based borrowings and between 0.25% and 0.75% with respect to U.S. base rate, Canadian prime rate and Canadian base rate borrowings. The applicable margin is subject, in each case, to quarterly pricing adjustments (based on average facility availability).

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $178.3 million in availability, less outstanding letters of credit of $5.3 million. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in unamortized debt issuance costs.

Term Loan Facility – Amendments

On November 2, 2016, CSA U.S., as borrower, entered into the first amendment of our Term Loan Facility. The Term Loan Facility provides for loans in an aggregate principal amount of $340.0 million. Subject to certain conditions, the Term Loan Facility, without the consent of the then existing lenders (but subject to the receipt of commitments), may be expanded (or a new term loan or revolving facility added) by an amount that will not cause the consolidated secured net debt ratio to exceed 2.25 to 1.00, plus $400.0 million, plus any voluntary prepayments (including revolving facility and ABL Facility to the extent commitments are reduced) not funded from proceeds of long-term indebtedness. The Term Loan Facility matures on November 2, 2023, unless earlier terminated.

The Term Loan Facility contains incurrence-based negative covenants customary for high yield senior secured debt securities. These negative covenants are subject to exceptions, qualifications and certain carveouts.

On May 2, 2017, CSA U.S. entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Term Loan Facility to modify the interest rate. Subsequently, on March 6, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Facility to further modify the interest rate. In accordance with this amendment, borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (1) with respect to Eurodollar rate loans, the greater of the applicable Eurodollar rate and 0.75% plus 2.0% per annum, or (2) with respect to base rate loans, the base rate, (which is the highest of the then current federal funds rate plus 0.5%, the prime rate most recently announced by the administrative agent under the term loan, and the one-month Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%) plus 1.0% per annum. As a result of the Amendment No. 3, the Company recognized a loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, which was due to the partial write off of new and unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issue discount.

All obligations of the borrower under the Term Loan Facility are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior secured basis by us and the wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries of CSA U.S.

As of December 31, 2019, the principal amount of $329.8 million was outstanding, and the Company had $2.3 million unamortized debt issuance costs and $1.5 million of unamortized original issue discount.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As a part of our working capital management, we sell certain European customers accounts receivable through a third party financial institution in off-balance sheet arrangements. The amount sold varies each month based on the amount of

underlying receivables and cash flow needs. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $103.8 million and $100.4 million, respectively, of receivables outstanding under receivable transfer agreements entered into by various locations. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, total accounts receivable factored were $556.1 million and $626.6 million, respectively. Costs incurred on the sale of receivables were $1.0 million, $1.2 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts are recorded in other expense, net and interest expense, net of interest income in the consolidated statements of net income. These are permitted transactions under the credit agreements governing our ABL Facility and Term Loan Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

As of December 31, 2019, we had no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Other Capital Transactions Impacting Liquidity

Share Repurchase Program

In June 2018, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program (the “2018 Program”) authorizing us to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $150.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the 2018 Program, repurchases may be made on the open market, through private transactions, accelerated share repurchases, round lot or block transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise, as determined by our management and in accordance with prevailing market conditions and federal securities laws and regulations. The 2018 Program was effective in November 2018. The common stock repurchase program approved in March 2016 was fully utilized as of December 31, 2018.

2019 Repurchases

In May 2019, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase our common stock pursuant to the 2018 Program. Under the ASR agreement, we made an up-front payment of $30.0 million and received an initial delivery of 626,305 shares of our common stock in the second quarter of 2019. The repurchase was completed in the third quarter of 2019 when we received final delivery of an additional 72,875 shares. A total of 699,180 shares were repurchased under the ASR agreement at a weighted average purchase price of $42.91 per share.

In addition to the repurchase under the ASR agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we utilized $5.9 million of cash on hand to repurchase 85,000 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $69.85 per share.

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $98.7 million of repurchase authorization remaining.

2018 Repurchases

In June 2018, we entered into an ASR agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase our common stock. Under the ASR agreement, we made an up-front payment of $35.0 million. The repurchase was completed in the third quarter of 2018, and a total of 258,285 shares were repurchased at a weighted average purchase price of $135.51 per share. In addition to the repurchase under the ASR agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2018, we repurchased 324,508 shares of our common stock at an average purchase price of $78.78 per share, excluding commissions, for a total cost of $25.6 million.

We expect to fund any future repurchases from cash on hand and future cash flows from operations. The specific timing and amount of repurchase will vary based on market and business conditions and other factors, including alternative uses of capital. We are not obligated to repurchase any number of shares or dollar amount, and the 2018 Program may be discontinued at any time at our discretion.

See Item 5. “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity” and Note 20. “Equity” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations consist of legal commitments requiring us to make fixed or determinable cash payments, regardless of the contractual requirements of the vendor to provide future goods or services. Except as otherwise disclosed, this table does not include information on our recurring purchase of materials for use in production because our raw materials purchase contracts typically do not require fixed or minimum quantities.

The following table summarizes the total amounts due as of December 31, 2019 under all debt agreements at nominal value, undiscounted finance lease commitments and other contractual obligations.



	Payment due by period
	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
	(Dollar amounts in millions)
Debt obligations	$	786.5	$	60.1	$	6.8	$	319.6	$	400.0
Interest on debt obligations	202.5		34.8		67.9		54.8		45.0
Operating lease obligations	96.4		27.2		33.0		19.9		16.3
Finance lease obligations	41.5		3.8		6.9		6.2		24.6
Total	$	1,126.9	$	125.9	$	114.6	$	400.5	$	485.9

In addition to our contractual obligations and commitments set forth in the table above, we have employment arrangements with certain key executives that provide for continuity of management. These arrangements include payments of multiples of annual salary, certain incentives and continuation of benefits upon the occurrence of specified events in a manner believed to be consistent with comparable companies. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had additional operating leases, primarily for real estate, that have not yet commenced with undiscounted lease payments of approximately $58.7 million.

We also have funding requirements with respect to our pension obligations. We expect to make cash contributions to our U.S. and foreign pension plans of approximately $3.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in 2020. Our minimum funding requirements after 2020 will depend on several factors, including the investment performance of our retirement plans and prevailing interest rates. Our funding obligations may also be affected by changes in applicable legal requirements. We also have payments due with respect to our postretirement benefit obligations. We do not prefund our postretirement benefit obligations. Rather, payments are made as costs are incurred by covered retirees. We expect net other postretirement benefit payments to be approximately $2.6 million in 2020.

We may be required to make significant cash outlays due to our unrecognized tax benefits. However, due to the uncertainty of the timing of future cash flows associated with our unrecognized tax benefits, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement, if any, with the respective taxing authorities. Accordingly, unrecognized tax benefits of $10.1 million as of December 31, 2019 have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above. See Note 17. “Income Taxes” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Excluded from the contractual obligations table above are open purchase orders as of December 31, 2019 for raw materials, supplies and capital expenditures in the normal course of business, supply contracts with customers, distribution agreements, joint venture agreements and other contracts without express funding requirements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating our business, management considers EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be key indicators of our operating performance. Our management also uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:


•	because similar measures are utilized in the calculation of the financial covenants and ratios contained in our financing arrangements;


•	in developing our internal budgets and forecasts;


•	as a significant factor in evaluating our management for compensation purposes;


•	in evaluating potential acquisitions;


•	in comparing our current operating results with corresponding historical periods and with the operational performance of other companies in our industry; and


•	in presentations to the members of our board of directors to enable our board of directors to have the same measurement basis of operating performance as is used by management in their assessments of performance and in forecasting and budgeting for our company.

In addition, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in evaluating our performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, net of interest income, depreciation and amortization (or “EBITDA”), as adjusted for items that management does not consider to be reflective of our core operating performance. These adjustments include, but are not limited to, restructuring costs, impairment charges, non-cash fair value adjustments and acquisition related costs.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measurements recognized under U.S. GAAP, and when analyzing our operating performance, investors should use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to, and not as alternatives for, net income (loss), operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and they should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results of operations as reported under U.S. GAAP. These limitations include the following:


•	they do not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditure or contractual commitments;


•	they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;


•	they do not reflect interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments under our ABL Facility, Term Loan Facility and Senior Notes;


•	they do not reflect certain tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us;


•	although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated or amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and


•	other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently and, as the number of differences in the way companies calculate these measures increases, the degree of their usefulness as a comparative measure correspondingly decreases.

In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, it should be noted that in the future, we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the below presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by special items.

The following table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from net income, which is the most comparable financial measure in accordance with U.S. GAAP:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	67,529		$	103,601		$	137,971
Income tax expense (benefit)	36,089			(29,400		)	71,506
Interest expense, net of interest income	44,113			41,004			42,112
Depreciation and amortization	151,953			146,698			138,088
EBITDA	$	299,684		$	261,903		$	389,677
Gain on sale of business ⁽¹⁾	(191,571		)	—			—
Restructuring charges ⁽²⁾	51,102			29,722			35,137
Other impairment charges ⁽³⁾	23,139			43,706			14,763
Pension settlement charges ⁽⁴⁾	15,997			775			6,427
Project costs ⁽⁵⁾	2,090			4,881			—
Lease termination costs ⁽⁶⁾	1,167			—			—
Goodwill impairment charges ⁽⁷⁾	—			39,818			—
Gain on sale of land ⁽⁸⁾	—			(10,377		)	—
Amortization of inventory write-up ⁽⁹⁾	—			1,460			—
Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt ⁽¹⁰⁾	—			770			1,020
Foreign tax amnesty program ⁽¹¹⁾	—			—			4,623
Adjusted EBITDA	$	201,608		$	372,658		$	451,647


(1)	Gain on sale of AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.


(2)	Includes non-cash impairment charges related to restructuring.


(3)	Other non-cash impairment charges in 2019 and 2017 related to fixed assets of $23,139 and $14,763, respectively. Impairment charges in 2018 related to intangible assets of $791 and fixed assets of $42,915.


(4)	Non-cash pension settlement charges and administrative fees incurred related to certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans.


(5)	Project costs recorded in selling, administration and engineering expense related to acquisitions and divestiture.


(6)	Lease termination costs no longer recorded as Restructuring charges in accordance with ASC 842. See Note 3. “New Accounting Pronouncements” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.


(7)	Non-cash goodwill impairment charges in 2018 related to impairments at our Europe and Asia Pacific reporting units, net of approximately $5,463 attributable to our noncontrolling interests.


(8)	Gain on sale of land in Europe that was contemplated in conjunction with our restructuring plan. See Note 9. “Property, Plant and Equipment” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.


(9)	Amortization of write-up of inventory to fair value for the 2018 acquisitions.


(10)	Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt relating to the March 2018 amendment and May 2017 amendment of the Term Loan Facility.


(11)	Relates to indirect taxes recorded in cost of products sold.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3. “New Accounting Pronouncements” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report for additional information.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. We actively manage our exposure to risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates through the use of derivative financial

instruments in accordance with management’s guidelines. We do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. See Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” specifically Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments” to the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk. We use forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on a portion of forecasted sales, material purchases and operating expenses. As of December 31, 2019, the notional amount of these contracts was $92.2 million. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company’s forward foreign exchange contracts was an asset of $0.4 million. The potential pre-tax loss or gain in fair value from a hypothetical 10% adverse or favorable movement in the foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. Dollar is as follows:



	December 31, 2019	December 31, 2018
10% strengthening of U.S. Dollar	($7.8) million	+ $0.9 million
10% weakening of U.S. Dollar	+ $10.5 million	+ $2.1 million

These estimates assume a parallel shift in all currency exchange rates and, as a result, may overstate the potential impact to earnings because currency exchange rates do not typically move all in the same direction.

In addition to transactional exposures, our operating results are impacted by the translation of our foreign operating income into U.S. dollars. In 2019, net sales outside of the United States accounted for 77% of our consolidated net sales, although certain non-U.S. sales are U.S. dollar denominated. We do not enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate this exposure.

Interest Rates. The Company has historically used interest rate swap contracts to manage cash flow variability associated with its variable rate Term Loan Facility. Such interest rate swap contracts fixed the interest payments of variable rate debt instruments in order to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. As of December 31, 2019, there were no interest rate swap contracts outstanding. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately 50.9% and 52.5%, respectively, of our total debt was at variable interest rates. The pre-tax earnings and cash flow impact of a 100 basis points increase or decrease in the interest rates on our variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2019 would be a $3.9 million increase or decrease, respectively, on an annualized basis.

Commodity Prices. We have commodity price risk with respect to purchases of certain raw materials, including natural gas and carbon black. Raw material, energy and commodity costs have been extremely volatile over the past several years. Historically, we have used derivative instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in certain commodity prices. We did not enter into any commodity derivative instruments in 2019. We will continue to evaluate, and may use, derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to raw material, energy and commodity price fluctuations in the future.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Annual Financial Statements




	Page
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	42
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Internal Control over Financial Reporting	44
Consolidated statements of net income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	45
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	46
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	47
Consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	48
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	49
Notes to consolidated financial statements	50
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	94

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of net income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment



Description of the Matter	As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s property, plant and equipment balance was $988 million. As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2019 the Company recorded property, plant and equipment impairment charges at certain locations within its Europe and Asia Pacific segments due to the deterioration of their financial results. The Company evaluated its property, plant and equipment in these locations for recoverability and concluded that certain assets were impaired. The Company recognized a $22 million impairment charge, which is the amount by which the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of these assets. Auditing the Company’s impairment measurement involved a high degree of judgment as estimates underlying the determination of fair value of the long-lived assets were based on assumptions affected by current market and economic conditions. The Company determined fair value using estimated salvage value or estimated orderly liquidation value, which was deemed the highest and best use of the assets.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit	We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process to measure impairments of property, plant and equipment. Our audit procedures included among others, testing controls over the Company’s review of the significant assumptions and methodologies used in the calculation of the fair value of the related assets. Our testing of the Company’s impairment of property, plant and equipment included, among other procedures, evaluating the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the property, plant and equipment. We reviewed the valuation methodology to assess whether the methodology is widely recognized and appropriate for use in the valuation of the property, plant and equipment, tested significant assumptions and the data used in the valuation, and recalculated the valuation estimate based on the applicable inputs. We also involved our valuation specialists to assist in our assessment of the valuation approach and assumptions used to estimate the fair value.

Revenue recognition - accounting for payments to customers



Description of the Matter	As described in Note 6 to the financial statements, the Company at times enters into agreements that provide for lump sum payments to customers. Payments to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue during the period the commitment is made and a liability is recorded for any commitments of future payments to customers. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has accrued $22 million related to commitments of future payments to customers. Auditing the accounting for and completeness of agreements to make payments to customers, including the appropriate timing and presentation of adjustments to revenue and the related liability is challenging due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each customer agreement, as well as on-going commercial negotiations with customers.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit	We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s identification and evaluation of agreements that include commitments to make payments to customers, including controls over management’s review of the completeness and timing of the recording of adjustments to revenue and the related liabilities. Our audit procedures to test the completeness of the Company’s identification of such commitments included, among others, interviewing sales representatives who are responsible for negotiations with customers, reviewing customer negotiation documentation, and obtaining and reviewing a sample of customer agreements to review for new or contrary evidence. To test the timing of adjustments to revenue and related liabilities for commitments to make payments to customers, we selected a sample of customer agreements and evaluated the terms of the agreements to determine the appropriateness of the accounting treatment and also tested payments to customers.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2005.

Detroit, Michigan

February 26, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of net income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 and our report dated February 26, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Detroit, Michigan

February 26, 2020

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Sales	$	3,108,400		$	3,624,042		$	3,617,773
Cost of products sold	2,749,278			3,075,737			2,946,687
Gross profit	359,122			548,305			671,086
Selling, administration & engineering expenses	302,496			314,805			340,963
Gain on sale of business	(191,571		)	—			—
Gain on sale of land	—			(10,377		)	—
Amortization of intangibles	17,966			14,844			14,056
Goodwill impairment charges	—			45,281			—
Other impairment charges	23,139			43,706			14,763
Restructuring charges	51,102			29,722			35,137
Operating profit	155,990			110,324			266,167
Interest expense, net of interest income	(44,113		)	(41,004		)	(42,112		)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	6,504			6,718			5,519
Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt	—			(770		)	(1,020		)
Pension settlement charges	(15,819		)	(775		)	(6,427		)
Other expense, net	(4,260		)	(4,838		)	(9,380		)
Income before income taxes	98,302			69,655			212,747
Income tax expense (benefit)	36,089			(29,400		)	71,506
Net income	62,213			99,055			141,241
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,316			4,546			(3,270		)
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	67,529		$	103,601		$	137,971

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	3.94		$	5.79		$	7.76
Diluted	$	3.92		$	5.66		$	7.35

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollar amounts in thousands)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Net income	$	62,213		$	99,055		$	141,241
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation adjustment	(13,308		)	(46,902		)	49,242
Benefit plan liabilities adjustment, net of tax	4,215			4,943			(3,137		)
Fair value change of derivatives, net of tax	810			1,009			73
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(8,283		)	(40,950		)	46,178
Comprehensive income	53,930			58,105			187,419
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,795			6,172			(4,874		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	59,725		$	64,277		$	182,545

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except share amounts)



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	359,536		$	264,980
Accounts receivable, net	423,155			418,607
Tooling receivable	148,175			141,106
Inventories	143,439			175,572
Prepaid expenses	34,452			36,878
Other current assets	93,513			108,683
Assets held for sale	—			103,898
Total current assets	1,202,270			1,249,724
Property, plant and equipment, net	988,277			984,241
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	83,376			—
Goodwill	142,187			143,681
Intangible assets, net	84,369			99,602
Deferred tax assets	56,662			71,049
Other assets	78,441			75,848
Total assets	$	2,635,582		$	2,624,145

Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Debt payable within one year	$	61,449		$	101,323
Accounts payable	426,055			452,320
Payroll liabilities	88,486			92,604
Accrued liabilities	119,841			102,976
Current operating lease liabilities	24,094			—
Liabilities held for sale	—			71,195
Total current liabilities	719,925			820,418
Long-term debt	746,179			729,805
Pension benefits	140,010			138,771
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	48,313			40,901
Long-term operating lease liabilities	60,234			—
Deferred tax liabilities	10,785			5,566
Other liabilities	34,154			37,209
Total liabilities	1,759,600			1,772,670
7% Cumulative participating convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 190,000,000 shares authorized; 18,908,566 shares issued and 16,842,757 outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 19,620,546 shares issued and 17,554,737 outstanding as of December 31, 2018	17			17
Additional paid-in capital	490,451			501,511
Retained earnings	619,448			569,215
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(253,741		)	(245,937		)
Total Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. equity	856,175			824,806
Noncontrolling interests	19,807			26,669
Total equity	875,982			851,475
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,635,582		$	2,624,145

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in thousands except share amounts)



	Total Equity
	Common Shares		Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance as of December 31, 2016	17,690,611		$	17		$	513,934		$	420,659		$	(242,548	)	$	692,062		$	24,431		$	716,493
Repurchase of common stock	(513,801	)	(1		)	(12,434		)	(43,512		)	—			(55,947		)	—			(55,947		)
Warrant exercise	568,702		1			2,372			—			—			2,373			—			2,373
Share-based compensation, net	169,087		1			8,943			(6,396		)	—			2,548			—			2,548
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—			—			—			(785		)	(785		)
Net income for 2017	—		—			—			137,971			—			137,971			3,270			141,241
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			—			44,574			44,574			1,604			46,178
Balance as of December 31, 2017	17,914,599		18			512,815			508,722			(197,974		)	823,581			28,520			852,101
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	—		—			—			8,639			(8,639		)	—			—			—
Repurchase of common stock	(549,019	)	(1		)	(14,259		)	(46,306		)	—			(60,566		)	—			(60,566		)
Share-based compensation, net	189,157		—			5,637			(5,441		)	—			196			—			196
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		—			(2,682		)	—			—			(2,682		)	312			(2,370		)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—			—			—			1,377			1,377
Acquisition	—		—			—			—			—			—			6,246			6,246
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—			—			—			(3,614		)	(3,614		)
Net income (loss) for 2018	—		—			—			103,601			—			103,601			(4,546		)	99,055
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			—			—			(39,324		)	(39,324		)	(1,626		)	(40,950		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	17,554,737		17			501,511			569,215			(245,937		)	824,806			26,669			851,475
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	—		—			—			(2,607		)	—			(2,607		)	—			(2,607		)
Repurchase of common stock	(817,954	)	—			(21,459		)	(14,478		)	—			(35,937		)	—			(35,937		)
Share-based compensation, net	105,974		—			9,101			(211		)	—			8,890			—			8,890
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		—			1,298			—			—			1,298			(6,057		)	(4,759		)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—			—			—			6,048			6,048
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—			—			—			(1,058		)	(1,058		)
Net income (loss) for 2019	—		—			—			67,529			—			67,529			(5,316		)	62,213
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			—			—			(7,804		)	(7,804		)	(479		)	(8,283		)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	16,842,757		$	17		$	490,451		$	619,448		$	(253,741	)	$	856,175		$	19,807		$	875,982

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in thousands)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	62,213		$	99,055		$	141,241
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	133,987			131,854			124,032
Amortization of intangibles	17,966			14,844			14,056
Gain on sale of business	(191,571		)	—			—
Gain on sale of land	—			(10,377		)	—
Impairment charges	23,139			88,987			14,763
Pension settlement charges	15,819			775			6,427
Share-based compensation expense	11,865			8,520			24,963
Equity in earnings, net of dividends related to earnings	(1,587		)	(1,856		)	(137		)
Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt	—			770			1,020
Deferred income taxes	15,874			(38,931		)	7,975
Other	5,230			2,652			1,286
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and tooling receivable	(26,534		)	17,916			(26,428		)
Inventories	29,430			1,410			(13,929		)
Prepaid expenses	(150		)	(4,647		)	5,981
Accounts payable	(14,643		)	(32,502		)	11,415
Payroll and accrued liabilities	(1,258		)	(61,800		)	8,378
Other	17,917			(67,282		)	(7,937		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	97,697			149,388			313,106
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(164,466		)	(218,071		)	(186,795		)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(452		)	(171,653		)	(478		)
Proceeds from sale of business	243,362			—			—
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets and other	5,586			6,733			(13,349		)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	84,030			(382,991		)	(200,622		)
Financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	(4,494		)	(3,437		)	(19,866		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(4,797		)	(2,450		)	—
Repurchase of common stock	(36,550		)	(59,955		)	(55,123		)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	—			—			2,373
(Decrease) increase in short term debt, net	(40,406		)	65,198			10,683
Taxes withheld and paid on employees' share-based payment awards	(2,787		)	(11,618		)	(13,297		)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests and other	5,042			(2,178		)	(297		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(83,992		)	(14,440		)	(75,527		)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,392		)	(3,019		)	(1,475		)
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	94,343			(251,062		)	35,482
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	267,399			518,461			482,979
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	361,742		$	267,399		$	518,461
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheet:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	359,536		$	264,980		$	515,952
Restricted cash included in other current assets	12			18			88
Restricted cash included in other assets	2,194			2,401			2,421
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	361,742		$	267,399		$	518,461
Supplemental Disclosure:
Cash paid for interest	$	47,580		$	44,877		$	47,424
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	23,599			32,299			36,883

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

1. Description of Business

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Cooper Standard”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. (“CSA U.S.”), is a leading manufacturer of sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems. The Company’s products are primarily for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks that are manufactured by global automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and replacement markets. The Company conducts substantially all of its activities through its subsidiaries.

During the first quarter of 2019 and in prior periods, the Company also operated an anti-vibration systems product line. On April 1, 2019, the Company completed the divestiture of its anti-vibration systems product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture” for additional information

The Company believes it is the largest global producer of sealing systems, the second largest global producer of the types of fuel and brake delivery products that it manufactures and the third largest global producer of fluid transfer systems. The Company designs and manufactures its products in each major region of the world through a disciplined and sustained approach to engineering and operational excellence. The Company operates in 103 manufacturing locations and 71 design, engineering, administrative and logistics locations in 21 countries around the world.

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain balances in prior periods have been conformed to the current presentation.

Immaterial Correction of Errors

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company identified errors related to the timing of recording pricing concessions with customers in the Asia Pacific region. These errors primarily related to periods prior to fiscal year 2019. An out-of-period adjustment was recorded during the third quarter of 2019 related to the Asia Pacific pricing matters, which has been corrected in these consolidated financial statements, including corrections to all prior periods presented as reconciled in the tables below. Additionally, the Company corrected certain other errors previously identified as immaterial to the financial statements. Reconciliations for revised interim periods will be presented in future filings that include results of the affected periods. The impact of these corrections on sales, net income (loss) and EPS by quarter for 2019 and 2018 is reflected in “Note 26. Selected Quarterly Information.”

Management evaluated the effect of the adjustments on the Company’s financial statements under the provision of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250: Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99: Materiality and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108: Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. The Company concluded these errors were not material individually or in the aggregate to any of the previously reported periods and, therefore, amendments of previously filed reports were not required. However, the effect of correcting all the accumulated errors in the 2019 financial statements would materially misstate those financial statements. As such, the corrections were made to the applicable prior periods reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The following table presents the impact of these corrections on the Company’s consolidated statements of net income:



	Year ended December 31, 2018									Year ended December 31, 2017
	As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected			As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected
Sales	$	3,629,293		$	(5,251	)	$	3,624,042		$	3,618,126		$	(353	)	$	3,617,773
Gross profit	553,556			(5,251		)	548,305			671,439			(353		)	671,086
Income tax expense (benefit)	(29,683		)	283			(29,400		)	74,527			(3,021		)	71,506
Net income	104,589			(5,534		)	99,055			138,573			2,668			141,241
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,177			1,369			4,546			(3,270		)	—			(3,270		)
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	107,766			(4,165		)	103,601			135,303			2,668			137,971

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	6.02		$	(0.23	)	$	5.79		$	7.61		$	0.15		$	7.76
Diluted	$	5.89		$	(0.23	)	$	5.66		$	7.21		$	0.14		$	7.35

The following table presents the impact of these corrections on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss):



	Year ended December 31, 2018									Year ended December 31, 2017
	As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected			As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected
Currency translation adjustment	$	(47,397	)	$	495		$	(46,902	)	$	49,600		$	(358	)	$	49,242
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,804			1,368			6,172			(4,874		)	—			(4,874		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	67,948			(3,671		)	64,277			180,235			2,310			182,545

The following table presents the impact of these corrections on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:



	December 31, 2018
	As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected
Deferred tax assets	$	70,007		$	1,042		$	71,049
Accrued liabilities	98,907			4,069			102,976
Deferred tax liabilities	8,233			(2,667		)	5,566
Other liabilities	29,542			7,667			37,209
Total liabilities	1,763,601			9,069			1,772,670
Retained earnings	576,025			(6,810		)	569,215
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(246,088		)	151			(245,937		)
Total Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. equity	831,465			(6,659		)	824,806
Noncontrolling interests	28,037			(1,368		)	26,669
Total equity	859,502			(8,027		)	851,475

The following table presents the impact of these corrections on the balance as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 in the Company’s consolidated statements of changes in equity:



	Balance as of December 31, 2017									Balance as of December 31, 2016
	As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected			As Previously Reported			Adjustment			As Corrected
Retained earnings	$	511,367		$	(2,645	)	$	508,722		$	425,972		$	(5,313	)	$	420,659
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(197,631		)	(343		)	(197,974		)	(242,563		)	15			(242,548		)
Total equity	855,089			(2,988		)	852,101			721,791			(5,298		)	716,493

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the impact of these corrections on the consolidated statement of cash flow included a $5,534 decrease in net income offset by an increase of $1,790 in deferred income taxes, an increase of $3,846 in change in payroll and accrued liabilities, and a decrease of $102 in changes in other operating assets and liabilities, resulting in no impact to net cash provided by operating activities.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the impact of these corrections on the consolidated statement of cash flow included a $2,668 increase in net income offset by a decrease of $3,101 in deferred income taxes, a decrease of $501 in payroll and accrued liabilities, and an increase of $934 in changes in other operating assets and liabilities, resulting in no impact to net cash provided by operating activities.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the wholly-owned and less than wholly-owned subsidiaries controlled by the Company. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition or when the Company gained control.

The equity method of accounting is followed for investments in which the Company does not have control, but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Generally, this occurs when ownership is between 20% to 50%.

Foreign Currency – The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities and at a weighted average exchange rate for each period for revenues and expenses. Translation adjustments for those subsidiaries whose local currency is their functional currency are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity (“AOCI”). Transaction related gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized in earnings as incurred, except for those intercompany balances which are designated as long-term.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 includes $21,485 of cash collected on behalf of a factoring provider in connection with receivables sold under the Company’s accounts receivable factoring program. See Note 13. “Accounts Receivable Factoring” for additional information.

Accounts Receivable – The Company records trade accounts receivable when revenue is recorded in accordance with its revenue recognition policy and relieves accounts receivable when payments are received from customers. Accounts receivable are written off when it is apparent such amounts are not collectible. Generally, the Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable, nor is interest charged on accounts receivable balances.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – An allowance for doubtful accounts is established through charges to the provision for bad debts when it is probable that the outstanding receivable will not be collected. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts on a periodic basis, including historical trends in collections and write-offs, management’s judgment of the probability of collecting accounts and management’s evaluation of business risk. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $9,149 and $5,551 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Advertising Expense – Expenses incurred for advertising are generally expensed when incurred. Advertising expense was $711, $1,493 and $3,769 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Inventories – Inventories are valued at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. The Company records inventory reserves for inventory in excess of production and/or forecasted requirements and for obsolete inventory.



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Finished goods	$	57,070	$	50,999
Work in process	33,753		37,815
Raw materials and supplies	52,616		86,758
	$	143,439	$	175,572

Derivative Financial Instruments – Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce foreign currency exchange and interest rate risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. On the date the derivative is established, the

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Company designates the derivative as either a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge or a net investment hedge in accordance with its established policy. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets or liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized.

Long-lived Assets – Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using primarily the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the expected life of the asset or term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Intangibles with finite lives, which include technology and customer relationships, are amortized over estimated useful lives. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted net cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying value. If the net carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss exists and is calculated based on either estimated salvage value or estimated orderly liquidation value.

Pre-production Costs Related to Long Term Supply Arrangements – Costs for molds, dies and other tools owned by the Company to produce products under long-term supply arrangements are recorded at cost in property, plant and equipment and amortized over the lesser of three years or the term of the related supply agreement. The amounts capitalized were $3,994 and $4,735 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company expenses all pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer. Reimbursable tooling costs are recorded in tooling receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets if considered to be receivable in the next twelve months, and in other assets if considered to be receivable beyond twelve months. Tooling receivable for customer-owned tooling as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $148,175 and $141,106, respectively. Reimbursable tooling costs included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were $19,185 and $27,037 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Goodwill – The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. The impairment test involves first qualitatively assessing goodwill for impairment. If the qualitative assessment is not met, a quantitative assessment is performed by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recorded based on that difference.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company completed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for the North America reporting unit, and after evaluating the results, events and circumstances, the Company concluded that sufficient evidence existed to assert quantitatively that the estimated fair value of the North America reporting unit remained in excess of its carrying value. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company completed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for each of its reporting units, and after evaluating the results, events and circumstances, the Company determined a quantitative test was necessary. As a result of the quantitative test, an impairment charge was recorded in our Europe and Asia Pacific reporting units. No goodwill impairments were recorded in 2017. See Note 10. “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

Business Combinations – The purchase price of an acquired business is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment, the utilization of independent appraisal firms and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future cash flows, market rate assumptions, actuarial assumptions, and appropriate discount rates, among other items.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments – In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenue is recognized when the performance obligations are satisfied. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606. The Company has one major performance obligation category: manufactured parts.

A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s contracts may include multiple performance obligations. For such contracts, the Company generally allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on the purchase order or other arranged pricing.

Revenue is recognized for manufactured parts at a point in time, generally when products are shipped or delivered. The point at which revenue is recognized often depends on the shipping terms.

The Company usually enters into agreements with customers to produce products at the beginning of a vehicle’s life. Blanket purchase orders received from customers and related documents generally establish the annual terms, including pricing, related to a vehicle model. Although purchase orders do not usually specify quantities, fulfillment of customers’ purchasing requirements can be the Company’s obligation for the entire production life of the vehicle. These agreements generally may be

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

terminated by the Company’s customer at any time, but such cancellations have historically been minimal. Customers typically pay for parts based on customary business practices with payment terms generally between 30 and 90 days. The Company has no significant financing arrangements with customers.

The Company applies the optional exemption to forgo disclosing information about its remaining performance obligations because its contracts usually have an original expected duration of one year or less. It also applies an accounting policy to treat shipping and handling costs that are incurred after revenue is recognizable as a fulfillment activity by expensing such costs as incurred, instead of as a separate performance obligation. This is consistent with the Company’s historical accounting practices. The Company has chosen to present revenue net of sales and other similar taxes, which is also consistent with its historical accounting practices.

Shipping and Handling – Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are included in sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of net income. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold in the Company’s consolidated statements of net income.

Research and Development – Costs are charged to selling, administration and engineering expenses as incurred and totaled $114,854, $122,529 and $127,974 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Share-based Compensation – The Company measures share-based compensation expense at fair value and generally recognizes such expenses on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the share-based employee awards. See Note 21. “Share-Based Compensation” for additional information.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Considerable judgment is often involved in making such estimates, and the use of different assumptions could result in different conclusions. Management believes its assumptions and estimates are reasonable and appropriate. However, actual results could differ from those estimates.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

3. New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

The Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) in 2019, which had a material impact on its consolidated financial statements:

ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method whereby the cumulative effect of adopting the standard was recognized in equity at the date of initial application. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The most prominent among the changes in the standard is the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases (except for short-term leases). The Company made a policy election for all asset classes to exclude the balance sheet recognition of leases with a lease term, at lease commencement, of 12 months or less and no purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. The standard also requires additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from lease transactions. The new standard resulted in a material increase in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet beginning in 2019 and had no impact on our consolidated statement of net income or to cash provided by (used in) operating, financing or investing activities on our consolidated cash flow statements.

The difference between the lease assets and lease liabilities was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The cumulative effects of the changes made to the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 were as follows:



	Balance as of December 31, 2018		Adjustments due to adoption of ASC 842			Balance as of January 1, 2019
Prepaid expenses	$	36,878	$	(2,704	)	$	34,174
Assets held for sale	103,898		9,559			113,457
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	—		102,268			102,268
Accrued liabilities	102,976		(336		)	102,640
Current operating lease liabilities	—		27,229			27,229
Liabilities held for sale	71,195		9,561			80,756
Long-term operating lease liabilities	—		75,276			75,276
Retained earnings	569,215		(2,607		)	566,608

The Company elected the package of practical expedients on existing leases as of the effective date which permits the Company to carry forward lease classification and not reassess existing contracts in order to determine if the contracts contain a lease. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient. Additionally, the Company elected the practical expedient to not reassess whether any expired or existing land easements contain leases.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The Company adopted the following ASUs in 2019, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements:



Standard	Description	Effective Date
ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting	Adds the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate to facilitate the LIBOR to SOFR transition and provide sufficient lead time for entities to prepare for changes to interest rate risk hedging strategies for both risk management and hedge accounting purposes.	January 1, 2019
ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities	Eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. Adoption resulted in the removal of the disclosure of the ineffective portion of the gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) to income.	January 1, 2019

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considered the recently issued accounting pronouncements summarized as follows, which could have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures:



Standard	Description	Impact	Effective Date
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	Modifies ASC Topic 740 by removing certain exceptions and amending existing guidance in order to simplify the accounting for income taxes.	The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its accounting policies and its consolidated financial statements.	January 1, 2021

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The Company considered the recently issued accounting pronouncement summarized as follows, which will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements:



Standard	Description	Effective Date
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	This standard amends guidance on the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company will adopt the guidance effective January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method whereby the cumulative effect of adopting the standard will be recognized in equity at the date of initial application and comparative periods will not be adjusted. The Company believes the equity impact of adopting the standard will be $1,700. This standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated income statement or statement of cash flows. Additionally, the impact to the Company’s processes, accounting policies and controls is not significant.	January 1, 2020
ASU 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This standard modifies the disclosure requirements for ASC Topic 715 by removing and modifying existing disclosure requirements as well as adding new disclosures. The Company expects this standard will primarily result in additional pension disclosures while also removing certain disclosures. Specifically, the weighted-average interest crediting rate for the cash balance plan and, if needed, an explanation for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period will be added while accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year and the effects of a one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate will be removed.	January 1, 2021
ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract	Aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software.	January 1, 2020

4. Acquisitions

AMI Acquisition

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company finalized its purchase of 100% equity interest of the China fuel and brake business of AMI Industries (“AMI China”) for cash consideration of $3,900. This acquisition directly aligns with the Company’s growth strategy by expanding the Company’s fuel and brake business. The results of operations of AMI China are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and reported within the Asia Pacific segment. The pro forma effect of this acquisition would not have materially impacted the Company’s reported results for any periods presented, and as a result no pro forma information has been presented. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, with the total purchase price allocated using information available. The fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeded the fair value of the consideration transferred by an immaterial amount.

INOAC Acquisition

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company purchased the remaining 49% equity interest of Cooper-Standard INOAC Pte. Ltd., a fluid transfer systems joint venture, at a purchase price of $2,450. This acquisition was accounted for as an equity transaction. Subsequent to the transaction, the Company owns 100% of the equity interests of Cooper-Standard INOAC Pte. Ltd.

Lauren Acquisition

In the third quarter of 2018, the Company acquired the assets and liabilities of Lauren Manufacturing and Lauren Plastics (together “Lauren”), extruders and molders of organic, silicone, thermoplastic and engineered polymer products with expertise in sealing solutions, to further expand the Company’s Industrial and Specialty Group and non-automotive and adjacent markets. The base purchase price of the acquisition was $92,700. The results of operations of Lauren are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and reported within the North America segment. The pro forma effect of this acquisition would not have materially impacted the Company’s reported results for any periods presented, and as a

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

result no pro forma information has been presented. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, resulting in the recognition of intangible assets of $34,810 and tax deductible goodwill of $26,080.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of Lauren assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, which includes insignificant measurement period adjustments:



	August 1, 2018
Accounts receivable	$	11,092
Inventories	7,566
Prepaid expenses and other	365
Property, plant, and equipment	22,847
Goodwill	26,080
Intangible assets	34,810
Other assets	1,488
Total assets acquired	104,248
Accounts payable	4,565
Other current liabilities	2,286
Other liabilities	4,673
Total liabilities assumed	11,524
Net assets acquired	$	92,724

LS Mtron Automotive Parts Acquisition

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company acquired 80.1% of LS Mtron Ltd.’s automotive parts business, now named Cooper Standard Automotive and Industrial, Inc. The acquisition added jounce brake lines and charge air cooling technology to the Company’s automotive fluid transfer and fuel and brake delivery systems product lines and further expands core product offerings. The base purchase price was $25,750. The noncontrolling interest was determined to have a fair value of $6,400. The results of operations of Cooper Standard Automotive and Industrial, Inc., are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and reported within the Asia Pacific segment. The pro forma effect of this acquisition would not have materially impacted the Company’s reported results for any periods presented, and as a result no pro forma information has been presented. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, and the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed approximated the fair value of the consideration transferred. In 2019, the Company recorded insignificant measurement period adjustments primarily due to working capital adjustments, which resulted in an increase to the base purchase price.

Hutchings Automotive Products Acquisition

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company acquired the assets and liabilities of Hutchings Automotive Products, LLC (“Hutchings”), a North American supplier of high quality fluid carrying products for automotive powertrain and coolant systems applications. The base purchase price was $42,100. The results of operations of Hutchings are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and reported within the North America segment. The pro forma effect of this acquisition would not have materially impacted the Company’s reported results for any periods presented, and as a result no pro forma information has been presented. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, resulting in the recognition of intangible assets of $11,100 and tax deductible goodwill of $5,200.

5. Divestiture

In the third quarter of 2018, management approved a plan to sell the anti-vibration systems (“AVS”) product line within its North America, Europe and Asia Pacific segments. The business and its associated assets and liabilities met the criteria for presentation as held for sale as of September 1, 2018, and depreciation of long-lived assets ceased. The divestiture did not meet the criteria for presentation as a discontinued operation.

On November 2, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with an unaffiliated company to divest the AVS product line. On April 1, 2019, the Company completed its sale of the AVS product line to Continental AG. The total sale price of the transaction was $265,000, subject to certain adjustments. Cash proceeds received in the second quarter were $243,362 after adjusting for certain liabilities assumed by the purchaser. The net cash proceeds after taxes, post-closing adjustments and transaction-related expenses and fees are expected to be approximately $215,000 to $220,000. The Company recognized a gain

on the divestiture of $191,571, subject to post-closing adjustments. In addition, at closing, the Company and Continental AG entered into certain ancillary agreements providing for the transition of the AVS product line.

The major classes of assets and liabilities held for sale were as follows:



	December 31, 2018
Accounts receivable, net	$	35,498
Tooling receivable	3,797
Inventories	13,774
Prepaid expenses	1,759
Other current assets	1,197
Property, plant and equipment, net	31,148
Goodwill	13,500
Other assets	3,225
Total assets held for sale	$	103,898

Accounts payable	$	38,065
Payroll liabilities	6,826
Accrued liabilities	1,000
Pension benefits	15,894
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	9,281
Other liabilities	129
Total liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	71,195

6. Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was adopted on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.

Revenue by customer group for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:



	North America		Europe		Asia Pacific		South America		Consolidated
Automotive	$	1,504,136	$	765,771	$	503,676	$	94,310	$	2,867,893
Commercial	18,997		28,068		73		114		47,252
Other	118,591		74,349		204		111		193,255
Revenue	$	1,641,724	$	868,188	$	503,953	$	94,535	$	3,108,400

Revenue by customer group for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:



	North America		Europe		Asia Pacific		South America		Consolidated
Automotive	$	1,834,780	$	917,892	$	571,137	$	97,484	$	3,421,293
Commercial	23,034		34,336		19		439		57,828
Other	66,903		77,874		4		140		144,921
Revenue	$	1,924,717	$	1,030,102	$	571,160	$	98,063	$	3,624,042

The automotive group consists of sales to automotive OEMs and automotive suppliers, while the commercial group represents sales to OEMs of on- and off-highway commercial equipment and vehicles. The other customer group includes sales related to specialty and adjacent markets.

Substantially all the Company’s revenues are generated from sealing, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer and anti-vibration systems for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured by global OEMs. On April 1, 2019, the Company completed the divestiture of its AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture” for additional information.

A summary of the Company’s products is as follows:



Product Line		Description
Sealing Systems		Protect vehicle interiors from weather, dust and noise intrusion for improved driving experience; provide aesthetic and functional class-A exterior surface treatment
Fuel & Brake Delivery Systems		Sense, deliver and control fluids to fuel and brake systems
Fluid Transfer Systems		Sense, deliver and control fluids and vapors for optimal powertrain & HVAC operation
Anti-Vibration Systems (Divested on April 1, 2019)		Control and isolate vibration and noise in the vehicle to improve ride and handling

Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:



	North America		Europe		Asia Pacific		South America		Consolidated
Sealing systems	$	567,588	$	563,701	$	334,056	$	69,111	$	1,534,456
Fuel and brake delivery systems	479,962		124,803		112,253		23,871		740,889
Fluid transfer systems	453,064		87,375		56,180		1,553		598,172
Anti-vibration systems	56,457		20,807		1,464		—		78,728
Other	84,653		71,502		—		—		156,155
Consolidated	$	1,641,724	$	868,188	$	503,953	$	94,535	$	3,108,400

Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:



	North America		Europe		Asia Pacific		South America		Consolidated
Sealing systems	$	635,702	$	646,213	$	442,774	$	73,256	$	1,797,945
Fuel and brake delivery systems	545,907		138,557		87,131		24,440		796,035
Fluid transfer systems	442,392		87,593		32,990		367		563,342
Anti-vibration systems	256,846		74,792		8,265		—		339,903
Other	43,870		82,947		—		—		126,817
Consolidated	$	1,924,717	$	1,030,102	$	571,160	$	98,063	$	3,624,042

Contract Estimates

The amount of revenue recognized is usually based on the purchase order price and adjusted for variable consideration, including pricing concessions. The Company accrues for pricing concessions by reducing revenue as products are shipped or delivered. The accruals are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management’s best judgment. The Company also generally has ongoing adjustments to customer pricing arrangements based on the content and cost of its products. Such pricing accruals are adjusted as they are settled with customers. Customer returns are usually related to quality or shipment issues and are recorded as a reduction of revenue. The Company generally does not recognize significant return obligations due to their infrequent nature.

Contract Balances

The Company’s contract assets consist of unbilled amounts associated with variable pricing arrangements in its Asia Pacific region. Once pricing is finalized, contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable. As a result, the timing of revenue recognition and billings, as well as changes in foreign exchange rates, will impact contract assets on an ongoing basis. Changes during the year ended December 31, 2019 were not materially impacted by any other factors.

The Company’s contract liabilities consist of advance payments received and due from customers. Net contract assets (liabilities) consisted of the following:



	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			Change
Contract assets	$	1,100		$	14,757		$	(13,657	)
Contract liabilities	(61		)	(143		)	82
Net contract assets	$	1,039		$	14,614		$	(13,575	)

Other

The Company at times enters into agreements that provide for lump sum payments to customers. These payment agreements are recorded as a reduction of revenue during the period the commitment is made. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had current liabilities of $12,916 and long-term liabilities of $9,502 related to commitments of future payments to customers on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company provides assurance-type warranties to its customers. Such warranties provide customers with assurance that the related product will function as intended and complies with any agreed-upon specifications and are recognized in costs of products sold.

7. Restructuring

On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its business and objectives to ensure that it is properly configured and sized based on changing market conditions. Accordingly, the Company has implemented several restructuring initiatives, including closure or consolidation of facilities throughout the world and the reorganization of its operating structure.

The Company’s restructuring charges consist of severance, retention and outplacement services, and severance-related postemployment benefits (collectively, “employee separation costs”), other related exit costs and asset impairments related to restructuring activities. Employee separation costs are recorded based on existing union and employee contracts, statutory requirements, completed negotiations and Company policy.

Restructuring expense by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
North America	$	20,759	$	5,413	$	5,963
Europe	23,525		17,765		25,862
Asia Pacific	6,781		6,290		2,324
South America	37		254		988
Total	$	51,102	$	29,722	$	35,137

The North America segment also includes Corporate employee separation costs resulting from our functional reorganization and headcount reduction initiatives.

The Company expects to incur approximately $15,000 to $20,000 of additional restructuring costs related to facility closures that were approved as of December 31, 2019, and expects that the components of such costs will be consistent with its historical experience. Any future restructuring actions will depend upon market conditions, customer actions and other factors.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Restructuring activity for all restructuring initiatives for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:



	Employee Separation Costs			Other Exit Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	15,091		$	7,244		$	22,335
Expense	19,009			10,713			29,722
Cash payments	(24,107		)	(13,983		)	(38,090		)
Foreign exchange translation and other	(595		)	(145		)	(740		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	9,398		$	3,829		$	13,227
Expense	34,354			16,748			51,102
Cash payments	(20,661		)	(13,285		)	(33,946		)
Foreign exchange translation and other	(101		)	(3,287		)	(3,388		)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	22,990		$	4,005		$	26,995

Other exit costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 include non-cash curtailment charges, fixed asset impairment charges related to a closed facility and gain on sale of fixed assets related to a closed facility in North America.

8. Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, net, debt payable within one year, and long-term debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Lease right-of-use assets are recognized at commencement date based upon the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s lease terms include options to renew or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based upon information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future lease payments. The Company applies the portfolio approach for the incremental borrowing rate on its leases based upon similar lease terms and payments. The lease right-of-use asset also includes lease payments made in advance of lease commencement and excludes lease incentives. Operating lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. For real estate leases, these components are accounted for separately, while for equipment leases commencing on or after January 1, 2019, the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Variable lease expense includes payments based upon changes in a rate or index, such as consumer price indexes, as well as usage of the leased asset. Short-term lease expense includes leases with terms, at lease commencement, of 12 months or less and no purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company primarily has operating and finance leases for certain manufacturing facilities, corporate offices and certain equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to 15 years, some of which may include one or more options to extend the leases for up to five years for each renewal.

The components of lease expense were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2019
Operating lease expense	$	33,360
Short-term lease expense	3,557
Variable lease expense	1,619
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	2,550
Interest on lease liabilities	1,438
Total lease expense	$	42,524

Additionally, the Company recorded sublease income of $431 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Other information related to leases was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	34,235
Operating cash flows for finance leases	1,438
Financing cash flows for finance leases	1,284
Non-cash right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	11,143
Finance leases	22,671

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in years)
Operating leases	5.2
Finance leases	11.3

Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	4.7		%
Finance leases	6.1		%

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:



Year	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2020	$	27,205		$	3,780
2021	19,116			3,559
2022	13,824			3,320
2023	11,248			3,059
2024	8,646			3,237
Thereafter	16,316			24,591
Total future minimum lease payments	96,355			41,546
Less imputed interest	(12,027		)	(11,773		)
Total	$	84,328		$	29,773

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	$	83,376		$	—
Debt payable within one year	—			2,343
Current operating lease liabilities	24,094			—
Long-term debt	—			27,430
Long-term operating lease liabilities	60,234			—

As of December 31, 2019, assets recorded under finance leases, net of accumulated depreciation were $32,571. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had additional operating leases, primarily for real estate, that have not yet commenced with undiscounted lease payments of approximately $58,656. These operating leases will commence in 2020 with lease terms up to 15 years.

9. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:



	December 31,						Estimated
	2019			2018			Useful Lives
Land and improvements	$	66,670		$	72,931		10 to 25 years
Buildings and improvements	310,797			313,722			10 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment	1,204,457			1,076,369			5 to 10 years
Construction in progress	161,951			192,533
	$	1,743,875		$	1,655,555
Accumulated depreciation	(755,598		)	(671,314		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	988,277		$	984,241

Due to the deterioration of financial results at certain locations in Europe and Asia Pacific and the termination of certain customer programs in the Asia Pacific region, the Company impaired property, plant and equipment of $21,968 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company also impaired $1,171 of equipment no longer being utilized at certain locations in Europe and North America for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Due to the deterioration of financial results and equipment no longer being utilized at certain locations, the Company impaired property, plant and equipment of $42,915 and $10,493, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Fair value of buildings was determined using market value. Fair value of machinery and equipment was determined using estimated salvage value or estimated orderly liquidation value, which was deemed the highest and best use of the assets. Further, due to the Company’s decision to divest two of its inactive European sites, the Company recorded impairment charges of $4,270 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Fair value was determined based on real estate market conditions.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

A summary of these asset impairment charges is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
North America	$	50	$	—	$	1,895
Europe	9,943		30,978		6,327
Asia Pacific	13,146		11,937		6,541
South America	—		—		—
Total	$	23,139	$	42,915	$	14,763

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company realized a gain on sale of land of $10,377 in its Europe segment. The net book value of the land was $5,446.

10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	North America			Europe			Asia Pacific			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	122,395		$	12,454		$	37,003		$	171,852
Acquisitions	33,604			—			—			33,604
Reclassified as held for sale	(12,015		)	—			(1,485		)	(13,500		)
Foreign exchange translation	(303		)	(647		)	(2,044		)	(2,994		)
Impairment charges	—			(11,807		)	(33,474		)	(45,281		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	143,681		$	—		$	—		$	143,681
Adjustments related to recent acquisitions	(1,689		)	—			—			(1,689		)
Foreign exchange translation	195			—			—			195
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	142,187		$	—		$	—		$	142,187

The Company performed its annual impairment analysis of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2019. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. The identified reporting units are the same as the operating segments in which goodwill is recorded. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined and compared to the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recorded based on that difference. The Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis resulted in no impairment for 2019 or 2017.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company noted potential adverse changes in operating conditions. The Company tested goodwill for impairment and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $45,281 after determining the carrying value of the Europe and Asia Pacific reporting units exceeded their fair value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets and accumulated amortization balances as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	156,557	$	(113,871	)	$	42,686
Other	49,556		(7,873		)	41,683
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	206,113	$	(121,744	)	$	84,369

Customer relationships	$	157,286	$	(98,937	)	$	58,349
Other	45,401		(4,148		)	41,253
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	202,687	$	(103,085	)	$	99,602

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $791 for customer relationships in its Europe operating segment.

In the third quarter of 2018, the Company acquired intangible assets of $34,810 with a weighted average useful life of 14.3 years as a result of the Lauren acquisition. This consisted of $24,000 of supply agreements, $850 of license agreements and $9,960 of customer relationships. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company acquired intangible assets of $11,100 related to customer relationships with a useful life of 7 years as a result of the Hutchings acquisition.

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is shown in the table below:



Year	Expense
2020	$	11,906
2021	7,642
2022	7,642
2023	7,496
2024	7,206

11. Debt

A summary of outstanding debt as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Senior Notes	$	395,114		$	394,399
Term Loan	326,061			328,485
ABL Facility	—			50,000
Finance Leases	29,773			10,297
Other borrowings	56,680			47,947
Total debt	807,628			831,128
Less current portion	(61,449		)	(101,323		)
Total long-term debt	$	746,179		$	729,805

The principal maturities of debt, at nominal value, as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:



Year	Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
2020	$	62,423
2021	6,200
2022	5,962
2023	321,949
2024	2,406
Thereafter	417,313
Total	$	816,253

The weighted average interest rate of our short-term debt was 4.6% as of December 31, 2019 and 4.7% as of December 31, 2018.

5.625% Senior Notes due 2026

On November 2, 2016, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CSA U.S. (the “Issuer”), issued $400,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Senior Notes”), pursuant to the Indenture, dated November 2, 2016 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuer, the Company and the other guarantors party thereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933 (“the Securities Act”). The net proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to repay the non-extended term loan outstanding under the Term Loan Facility, defined below, and to pay fees and expenses related to the refinancing.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Company, CS Intermediate HoldCo 1 LLC, as well as each of the Issuer’s wholly-owned existing or subsequently organized U.S. subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, to the extent such subsidiary guarantees the senior asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”) and the senior term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”).

The Issuer may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at various points in time prior to maturity, as described in the Indenture. The Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2026. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

Upon the occurrence of certain events constituting a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), the Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The Indenture contains certain covenants that limit the Issuer’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, make restricted payments; sell assets; create or incur liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; and merge or consolidate with other entities. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The Indenture also provides for events of default, which, if any occur, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then-outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately.

The Company paid approximately $7,055 of debt issuance costs in connection with the transaction. The debt issuance costs are being amortized into interest expense over the term of the Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $4,886 and $5,601, respectively, of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Senior Notes, which is classified as a discount in the consolidated balance sheet.

ABL Facility

On November 2, 2016, CS Intermediate Holdco 1 LLC (“Parent”), CSA U.S. (the “U.S. Borrower”), Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited (the “Canadian Borrower”), Cooper-Standard Automotive International Holdings B.V. (the “Dutch Borrower”, and, together with the U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrower, the “Borrowers”) and certain subsidiaries of the U.S. Borrower, entered into a $210,000 Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with certain lenders, which amended and restated the previous $180,000 senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, dated as of April 4, 2014, among the Company, the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower, the lenders and other parties thereto.

The ABL Facility provides for an aggregate revolving loan availability of up to $210,000, subject to borrowing base availability, including a $100,000 letter of credit sub-facility and a $25,000 swing line sub-facility. The ABL Facility also provides for an uncommitted $100,000 incremental loan facility, for a potential total ABL Facility of $310,000 (if requested by the Borrowers and the lenders agree to fund such increase). No consent of any lender (other than those participating in the increase) is required to effect any such increase. As of December 31, 2019, there were no obligations outstanding drawn under the ABL Facility. Subject to borrowing base availability, the Company had $178,297 in availability, less outstanding letters of credit of $5,287.

Maturity. Any borrowings under our ABL Facility will mature, and the commitments of the lenders under our ABL Facility will terminate, on November 2, 2021.

Borrowing Base. Loan and letter of credit availability under the ABL Facility is subject to a borrowing base, which at any time is limited to the lesser of: (A) the maximum facility amount (subject to certain adjustments) and (B) (i) up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable; plus (ii) the lesser of 70% of eligible inventory or 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory; plus (iii) up to the lesser of $30.0 million and 75% of eligible tooling accounts receivable; minus reserves established by the Agent. The accounts receivable portion of the borrowing base is subject to certain formulaic limitations (including concentration limits). The inventory portion of the borrowing base is limited to eligible inventory, as determined by the Agent. The borrowing base is also subject to certain reserves, which are established by the Agent (which may include changes to the advance rates indicated above). Loan availability under the ABL Facility is apportioned as follows: $170,000 to the U.S. Borrower, which includes a $60,000 sublimit to the Dutch Borrower and $40,000 to the Canadian Borrower.

Guarantees; Security. The obligations of the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower and the Dutch Borrower under the ABL Facility, as well as certain cash management arrangements and interest rate, foreign currency or commodity swaps entered into by the such Borrowers and their subsidiaries, and certain credit lines entered into by non-U.S. subsidiaries, in each case with the lenders and their affiliates (collectively, “Additional ABL Secured Obligations”) are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries (with certain exceptions), and the obligations of the Canadian Borrower under the ABL Facility and Additional ABL Secured Obligations of the Canadian Borrower and its Canadian subsidiaries are, in addition, guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Canadian subsidiaries of the Canadian Borrower. The obligations under the ABL

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Facility and related guarantees are secured by (1) a first priority lien on all of each Borrower’s and each guarantor’s existing and future personal property consisting of accounts receivable, payment intangibles, inventory, documents, instruments, chattel paper and investment property, certain money, deposit accounts and securities accounts and certain related assets and proceeds of the foregoing, with various enumerated exceptions, including that: (i) the collateral owned by Canadian Borrower or any of its Canadian subsidiaries that are Guarantors only secure the obligations of Canadian Borrower and such subsidiaries arising under the ABL Facility and Additional ABL Secured Obligations and (ii) no liens have been granted on any assets or properties of the Dutch Borrower or any other non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Canadian Borrower and Canadian Guarantors, as otherwise specified above) in connection with the ABL Facility and (2) a second priority lien on all the capital stock in restricted subsidiaries directly held by the U.S. Borrower and each of the U.S. Guarantors, and equipment of the U.S. Borrower and the U.S.-domiciled guarantors and all other material personal property of the U.S. Borrower and the U.S.-domiciled guarantors.

Interest. Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Borrowers’ option:


•	in the case of borrowings by the U.S. Borrower, LIBOR or the base rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin; or


•	in the case of borrowings by the Canadian Borrower, bankers’ acceptance (“BA”) rate, Canadian prime rate or Canadian base rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin; or


•	in the case of borrowings by the Dutch Borrower, LIBOR plus an applicable margin.

The initial applicable margin was 1.50% with respect to the LIBOR or Canadian BA rate-based borrowings and 0.50% with respect to U.S. base rate, Canadian prime rate and Canadian base rate borrowings, until April 1, 2017. The applicable margin may vary between 1.25% and 1.75% with respect to the LIBOR or Canadian BA rate-based borrowings and between 0.25% and 0.75% with respect to U.S. base rate, Canadian prime rate and Canadian base rate borrowings. The applicable margin is subject, in each case, to quarterly pricing adjustments (based on average facility availability).

Fees. The Borrowers are required to pay a fee in respect of committed but unutilized commitments. The ABL Facility also requires the payment of customary agency and administrative fees.

Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrowers are able to voluntarily reduce the unutilized portion of the commitment amount and repay outstanding loans, in each case, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary breakage and related reemployment costs with respect to repayments of LIBOR-based borrowings).

Covenants; Events of Default. The ABL Facility includes affirmative and negative covenants that will impose substantial restrictions on the Company’s financial and business operations, including its ability to incur and secure debt, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends or make acquisitions. The ABL Facility also includes a requirement to maintain a monthly fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.0 to 1.0 when availability under the ABL Facility is less than specified levels. The ABL Facility also contains various events of default that are customary for comparable facilities.

Debt Issuance Costs. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $657 and $1,015, respectively, of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the ABL Facility.

Term Loan Facility

On November 2, 2016, CSA U.S., as borrower, entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Term Loan Facility, which provides for loans in an aggregate principal amount of $340,000. Subject to certain conditions, the Term Loan Facility, without the consent of the then-existing lenders (but subject to the receipt of commitments), may be expanded (or a new term loan or revolving facility added) by an amount that will not cause the consolidated secured net debt ratio to exceed 2.25 to 1.00 plus $400,000 plus any voluntary prepayments (including revolving facility and ABL Facility to the extent commitments are reduced) not funded from proceeds of long-term indebtedness.

On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Term Loan Facility to modify the interest rate. Subsequently, on March 6, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Facility to further modify the interest rate. In accordance with this amendment, borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (1) with respect to Eurodollar rate loans, the greater of the applicable Eurodollar rate and 0.75% plus 2.00% per annum, or (2) with respect to base rate loans, the base rate, (which is the highest of the then current federal funds rate plus 0.50%, the prime rate most recently announced by the administrative agent under the term loan, and the one-month Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%) plus 1.0% per annum. As a result of Amendment No. 3, the Company recognized a loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt of $770 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, which was due to the partial write off of new and unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issue discount

Maturity. The Term Loan Facility matures on November 2, 2023, unless earlier terminated.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Guarantees. All obligations of the borrower under the Term Loan Facility are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior secured basis by the direct parent company of the borrower and each existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect wholly owned U.S. restricted subsidiary of the borrower.

Security. The obligations under the Term Loan Facility are secured by (a) a first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens and other customary exceptions) on (i) all the capital stock in restricted subsidiaries directly held by the borrower and each of the guarantors, (ii) substantially all plant, material owned real property located in the U.S. and equipment of the borrower and the guarantors and (iii) all other personal property of the borrower and the guarantors, including, without limitation, accounts and investment property, contracts, patents, copyrights, trademarks, other general intangibles, intercompany notes and proceeds of the foregoing, and (b) a second priority security interest (subject to permitted liens and other customary exceptions) in accounts receivable of the borrowers and the guarantors arising from the sale of goods and services, inventory, tax refunds, cash, deposit accounts and books and records related to the foregoing and, in each case, proceeds thereof, in each case, excluding certain collateral and subject to certain limitations.

Interest. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (1) with respect to Eurodollar rate loans, the greater of the applicable Eurodollar rate and 0.75%, plus 2.00% per annum, or (2) with respect to base rate loans, the base rate (which is the highest of the then-current federal funds rate plus 0.50%, the prime rate most recently announced by the administrative agent under the term loan, and the one-month Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%), plus 1.0% per annum.

Voluntary Prepayments. The borrower may voluntarily prepay loans in whole or in part, with prior notice and without premium or penalty, subject to the actual LIBOR breakage costs, payment of accrued and unpaid interest, and customary limitations as to minimum amounts of prepayments.

Covenants. The Term Loan Facility contains incurrence-based negative covenants customary for high yield senior secured debt securities, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the ability of the borrower and its restricted subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell or otherwise transfer assets, or enter into transactions with affiliates. These negative covenants are subject to exceptions, qualifications and certain carveouts.

Events of Default. The Term Loan Facility provides that, upon the occurrence of certain events of default, obligations thereunder may be accelerated. Such events of default include payment defaults to the lenders, material inaccuracies of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, material money judgments, material pension-plan events, certain change of control events and other customary events of default.

Debt Issuance Costs. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $2,273 and $2,866, respectively, of unamortized debt issuance costs and $1,466 and $1,849, respectively, of unamortized original issue discount related to the Term Loan Facility. Both the debt issuance costs and the original issue discount are amortized into interest expense over the term of the Term Loan Facility.

Debt Covenants

The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the ABL Facility, Term Loan Facility and Senior Notes, as of December 31, 2019.

Other

Other borrowings as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 reflect borrowings under local bank lines classified in debt payable within one year on the consolidated balance sheet.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

12. Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy is utilized, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:



Level 1:	Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2:	Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Estimates of the fair value of foreign currency and interest rate derivative instruments are determined using exchange traded prices and rates. The Company also considers the risk of non-performance in the estimation of fair value and includes an adjustment for non-performance risk in the measure of fair value of derivative instruments. In certain instances where market data is not available, the Company uses management judgment to develop assumptions that are used to determine fair value. Fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy level for the Company’s liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, was as follows:



	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			Input
Forward foreign exchange contracts - other current assets	$	467		$	277		Level 2
Forward foreign exchange contracts - accrued liabilities	$	(42	)	$	(925	)	Level 2

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

In addition to items that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, which are not included in the table above. As these nonrecurring fair value measurements are generally determined using unobservable inputs, these fair value measurements are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. For further information on assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis see Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” Note 4. “Acquisitions” and Note 9. “Property, Plant and Equipment.”

Items Not Carried at Fair Value

Fair values of the Company’s Senior Notes and Term Loan Facility were as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Aggregate fair value	$	693,600	$	684,687
Aggregate carrying value ⁽¹⁾	$	729,800	$	733,200

⁽¹⁾ Excludes unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issue discount.

Fair values were based on quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The Company enters into derivative instruments primarily to hedge portions of its forecasted foreign currency denominated cash flows and designates these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges in order to qualify for hedge accounting.

The Company formally documents its hedge relationships, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the cash flow hedges. The Company also formally assesses whether a cash flow hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. Derivatives are recorded at fair value in other current assets, other assets, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) in the consolidated balance sheet and reclassified into earnings when the underlying hedged transaction is realized. The realized gains and losses are recorded on the same line as the hedged transaction in the consolidated statements of net income.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by its counterparties on its derivative financial instruments. The Company mitigates this credit risk exposure by entering into agreements directly with major financial institutions with high credit standards that are expected to fully satisfy their obligations under the contracts.

Cash Flow Hedges

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts – The Company uses forward contracts to mitigate the potential volatility to earnings and cash flow arising from changes in currency exchange rates that impact the Company’s foreign currency transactions. The principal currencies hedged by the Company include various European currencies, the Canadian Dollar, the Mexican Peso, and the Brazilian Real. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the notional amount of these contracts was $92,150 and $154,237, respectively, and consisted of hedges of transactions up to December 2020.

Interest Rate Swaps – The Company has historically used interest rate swap contracts to manage cash flow variability associated with its variable rate Term Loan Facility. Such interest rate swap contracts fixed the interest payments of variable rate debt instruments in order to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. As of December 31, 2019, there were no interest rate swap contracts outstanding.

Pretax amounts related to the Company’s cash flow hedges that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) were as follows:



	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Forward foreign exchange contracts	$	3,812	$	2,149
Interest rate swaps	—		443
Total	$	3,812	$	2,592

Pretax amounts related to the Company’s cash flow hedges that were reclassified from AOCI were as follows:



		Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Income
		Year Ended December 31,
	Classification	2019		2018
Forward foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold	$	2,773	$	1,113
Interest rate swaps	Interest expense, net of interest income	—		(162		)
Total		$	2,773	$	951

13. Accounts Receivable Factoring

As a part of its working capital management, the Company previously sold certain receivables through third-party financial institutions in on- and off-balance sheet arrangements. In December 2017, the Company completed the transition from multiple factoring providers to a pan-European program under a single third party financial institution (the “Factor”). The amount sold varies each month based on the amount of underlying receivables and cash flow needs of the Company. These are permitted transactions under the Company’s credit agreements governing the ABL Facility and Term Loan Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes. Costs incurred on the sale of receivables are recorded in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of net income. Liabilities related to the factoring program are recorded in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The sale of receivables under this contract is considered an off-balance sheet arrangement to the Company and is accounted for as a true sale and excluded from accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet.

Amounts outstanding under receivable transfer agreements entered into by various locations as of the period end were as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Off-balance sheet arrangements	$	103,818	$	100,409

Accounts receivable factored and related costs throughout the period were as follows:



	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Accounts receivable factored	$	556,102	$	626,618



	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements						On-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	Year Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
Costs	$	1,007	$	1,248	$	1,904	$	—	$	—	$	99

The Company continues to service sold receivables and acts as collection agent for the Factor. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, cash collections on behalf of the Factor that had yet to be remitted were $21,485 and $14,542, respectively, and are reflected in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet.

14. Pension

The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans covering employees located in the United States as well as certain international locations. The majority of these plans are frozen, and all are closed to new employees. Benefits generally are based on compensation, length of service and age for salaried employees and on length of service for hourly employees. The Company’s policy is to fund pension plans such that sufficient assets will be available to meet future benefit requirements and contribute amounts deductible for United States federal income tax purposes or amounts required by local statute.

The Company also sponsors voluntary defined contribution plans for certain salaried and hourly U.S. employees of the Company. The Company matches contributions of participants, up to various limits in all plans. The Company also sponsors retirement plans that include Company non-elective contributions. Non-elective and matching contributions under these plans totaled $14,514, $16,076 and $16,747 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Information related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Change in projected benefit obligations:
Projected benefit obligations at beginning of period	$	288,223		$	183,850		$	315,698		$	197,169
Service cost	809			3,893			852			4,383
Interest cost	10,955			4,037			10,824			4,207
Actuarial (gain) loss	28,771			17,756			(21,684		)	(3,001		)
Benefits paid	(14,625		)	(6,038		)	(17,467		)	(7,125		)
Foreign exchange translation	—			11			—			(10,697		)
Settlements	(58,198		)	(2,263		)	—			(4,974		)
Acquisitions/Divestiture	—			(16,953		)	—			2,778
Other	—			71			—			1,110
Projected benefit obligations at end of period	$	255,935		$	184,364		$	288,223		$	183,850

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	265,019		$	47,692		$	275,767		$	52,026
Actual return on plan assets	50,488			6,948			(16,631		)	(746		)
Employer contributions	1,929			6,646			23,350			9,136
Benefits paid	(14,625		)	(6,038		)	(17,467		)	(7,125		)
Foreign exchange translation	—			2,399			—			(4,014		)
Settlements	(58,198		)	(2,841		)	—			(3,730		)
Acquisitions/Divestiture	—			—			—			2,145
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	244,613		$	54,806		$	265,019		$	47,692

Funded status of the plans	$	(11,322	)	$	(129,558	)	$	(23,204	)	$	(136,158	)



	December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Other assets	$	2,677		$	1,887		$	524		$	433
Accrued liabilities	$	(1,021	)	$	(4,413	)	$	(1,011	)	$	(4,643	)
Pension benefits (long term)	$	(12,978	)	$	(127,032	)	$	(22,717	)	$	(131,948	)

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit (income) cost as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Prior service costs	$	(96	)	$	(351	)	$	(116	)	$	(990	)
Actuarial losses	$	(61,184	)	$	(49,682	)	$	(84,857	)	$	(41,844	)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:



	U.S.			Non-U.S.
Prior service costs	$	(20	)	$	(206	)
Actuarial losses	$	(1,920	)	$	(3,029	)

The Company uses the corridor approach when amortizing actuarial gains or losses. Under the corridor approach, net unrecognized actuarial losses in excess of 10% of the greater of i) the projected benefit obligation or ii) the fair value of plan assets are amortized over future periods.

The accumulated benefit obligation for all domestic and international defined benefit pension plans was $255,935 and $174,273 as of December 31, 2019 and $288,223 and $171,384 as of December 31, 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of plan assets for three of the Company’s defined benefit plans exceeded the projected benefit obligations of $269,392 by $4,564.

The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018						2017
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Service cost	$	809		$	3,893		$	852		$	4,383		$	814		$	4,025
Interest cost	10,955			4,037			10,824			4,207			11,700			4,341
Expected return on plan assets	(16,353		)	(2,400		)	(17,414		)	(2,178		)	(16,012		)	(2,617		)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss	2,914			2,373			2,403			2,646			1,871			2,898
Settlements	15,247			572			—			775			—			6,427
Other	—			956			—			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	13,572		$	9,431		$	(3,335	)	$	9,833		$	(1,627	)	$	15,074

Pension Settlements

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company undertook an initiative to de-risk pension obligations in the U.S. by purchasing a bulk annuity policy utilizing plan assets, which was designed to match the liabilities of the plan. The resulting non-cash settlement charge of $15,247 was recorded in pension settlement charges, and administrative expenses of $178 were recorded in selling, administration & engineering expenses in the consolidated statements of net income. As a result of the settlement, the Company’s overall projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2019 was reduced by $58,198.

In addition to the settlements shown in the table above, the Company recognized $2,730 of Non-U.S. pension settlement charges due to the divestiture of the Company’s AVS product line during the year ended December 31, 2019. See Note 5. “Divestiture.” The charges are recorded as a reduction to gain on sale of business in the consolidated statements of net income.

During 2016, the Company undertook an initiative to de-risk pension obligations in the U.K. by purchasing a bulk annuity policy designed to match the liabilities of the plan, and subsequently entered into a wind-up process. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed the wind-up process, resulting in a non-cash settlement charge of $5,717 and administrative expenses of $185, recorded in pension settlement charges and selling, administration & engineering expenses, respectively, in the consolidated statements of net income. As a result of the settlement, the Company’s overall projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2016 was reduced by $17,100.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Plan Assumptions

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	2019				2018
	U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	3.28	%	1.79	%	4.25	%	2.34	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A		1.33	%	N/A		2.99	%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:



	2019				2018				2017
	U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	4.25	%	2.40	%	3.55	%	2.17	%	3.99	%	2.23	%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50	%	4.63	%	6.50	%	5.82	%	6.60	%	5.94	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A		3.31	%	N/A		3.17	%	N/A		3.15	%

To develop the expected return on plan assets assumption, the Company considered the historical returns and the future expected returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio. As the U.S. plans are frozen, the rate of compensation increase was not applicable in determining net periodic benefit cost.

Plan Assets

The goals and investment objectives of the asset strategy are to ensure that there is an adequate level of assets to meet benefit obligations to participants and retirees over the life of the participants and maintain liquidity in the plan assets sufficient to cover monthly benefit obligations. Risk is managed by investing in a broad range of investment vehicles, e.g., equity mutual funds, bond mutual funds, real estate mutual funds, hedge funds, etc. There are no equity securities of the Company in the equity asset category.

Investments in equity securities and debt securities are valued at fair value using a market approach and observable inputs, such as quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1). Investments in balanced funds are valued at fair value using a market approach and inputs that are primarily directly or indirectly observable (Level 2). Investments in equity securities and balanced funds in which the Company holds participation units in a fund, the net asset value of which is based on the underlying assets and liabilities of the respective fund, are considered an unobservable input (Level 3). Investments in real estate funds are primarily valued at net asset value depending on the investment.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets by category using the three-level hierarchy (see Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:



2019	Level 1		Level 2		Assets measured at NAV⁽¹⁾		Total
Equity funds	$	16,613	$	20,126	$	—	$	36,739
Equity funds measured at net asset value	—		—		101,053		101,053
Bond funds	—		34,680		—		34,680
Bond funds measured at net asset value	—		—		98,967		98,967
Real estate measured at net asset value	—		—		25,425		25,425
Cash and cash equivalents	2,555		—		—		2,555
Total	$	19,168	$	54,806	$	225,445	$	299,419



2018	Level 1		Level 2		Assets measured at NAV⁽¹⁾		Total
Equity funds	$	15,991	$	20,026	$	—	$	36,017
Equity funds measured at net asset value	—		—		103,105		103,105
Bond funds	3,104		27,666		—		30,770
Bond funds measured at net asset value	—		—		109,372		109,372
Real estate measured at net asset value	—		—		30,520		30,520
Cash and cash equivalents	2,927		—		—		2,927
Total	$	22,022	$	47,692	$	242,997	$	312,711

⁽¹⁾Certain assets that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. These assets are included in this table to present total pension plan assets at fair value.

There were no transfers of Level 3 assets and no Level 3 assets in the ending balance for the year ended December 31, 2019. The reconciliation for Level 3 investment transfers for the year ended December 31, 2018 is as follows:



Beginning balance of assets classified as Level 3 as of January 1, 2018	$	110
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	(110		)
Ending balance of assets classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2018	—

Expected Future Benefit Payments

The Company estimates its benefit payments for domestic and foreign pension plans during the next ten years to be as follows:



Years Ending December 31,	U.S.		Non-U.S.		Total
2020	$	16,721	$	6,504	$	23,225
2021	14,756		6,208		20,964
2022	15,475		29,264		44,739
2023	14,761		7,035		21,796
2024	15,477		7,717		23,194
2025 - 2029	75,448		41,698		117,146

Contributions

The Company made a discretionary contribution of $15,000 in the third quarter of 2018. The Company estimates it will make minimum funding cash contributions of approximately $3,600 to its U.S. pension plans and minimum funding cash contributions of approximately $4,900 to its non-U.S. pension plans in 2020.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

15. Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

The Company provides certain retiree health care and life insurance benefits covering certain U.S. salaried and hourly employees and employees in Canada. Employees are generally eligible for benefits upon retirement and completion of a specified number of years of creditable service. The Company’s policy is to fund the cost of these postretirement benefits as these benefits become payable.

Information related to the Company’s postretirement benefit plans was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligations at beginning of year	$	25,633		$	21,981		$	34,824		$	24,242
Service cost	118			397			308			495
Interest cost	864			752			1,198			789
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,697			1,705			(9,227		)	(1,130		)
Benefits paid	(1,491		)	(570		)	(1,475		)	(495		)
Divestiture	(4,405		)	(1,513		)	—			—
Other	20			61			5			—
Foreign currency exchange rate effect	—			1,136			—			(1,920		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	22,436		$	23,949		$	25,633		$	21,981

Funded status of the plan	$	(22,436	)	$	(23,949	)	$	(25,633	)	$	(21,981	)

Net amount recognized as of December 31	$	(22,436	)	$	(23,949	)	$	(25,633	)	$	(21,981	)



	December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
	U.S.			Non-U.S.			U.S.			Non-U.S.
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Accrued liabilities	$	(1,686	)	$	(840	)	$	(1,830	)	$	(648	)
Postretirement benefits other than pension (long term)	$	(20,750	)	$	(23,109	)	$	(23,803	)	$	(21,333	)

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit (income) cost as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	December 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
	U.S.		Non-U.S.			U.S.		Non-U.S.
Prior service credits	$	55	$	93		$	382	$	388
Actuarial gains (losses)	$	14,496	$	(7,753	)	$	21,779	$	(6,765	)

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.
Prior service credits	$	55	$	93
Actuarial gains (losses)	$	1,875	$	(536	)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The components of net periodic benefit (income) costs for the Company’s other postretirement benefit plans were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019					2018					2017
	U.S.			Non-U.S.		U.S.			Non-U.S.		U.S.			Non-U.S.
Service cost	$	118		$	397	$	308		$	495	$	314		$	423
Interest cost	864			752		1,198			789		1,297			693
Amortization of prior service credit and recognized actuarial gain (loss)	(2,441		)	320		(1,672		)	308		(1,915		)	(15		)
Other	—			48		5			—		5			—
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	(1,459	)	$	1,517	$	(161	)	$	1,592	$	(299	)	$	1,101

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a gain of $3,452 for the U.S. plan and net charge of $453 for the Non-U.S. plan, related to settlements and curtailments due to the divestiture of the Company’s AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture.” The amounts are recorded in gain on sale of business in the consolidated statements of net income.

Plan Assumptions

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	2019				2018
	U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	3.15	%	3.05	%	4.20	%	3.65	%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:



	2019				2018				2017
	U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.		U.S.		Non-U.S.
Discount rate	4.20	%	3.65	%	3.55	%	3.40	%	3.95	%	3.70	%

The assumed health care cost trend rates used to measure the postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.
Health care cost trend rate	5.50	%	5.00	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.50	%	5.00	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2027		N/A

The sensitivity to changes in the assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:



	Impact on service cost and interest cost			Impact on PBO as of December 31, 2019
1% increase in health care cost trend rate	$	245		$	4,279
1% decrease in health care cost trend rate	$	(191	)	$	(3,354	)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Expected Future Postretirement Benefit Payments

The Company estimates its benefit payments for its postretirement benefit plans during the next ten years to be as follows:



	U.S.		Non-U.S.		Total
2020	$	1,712	$	853	$	2,565
2021	1,690		966		2,656
2022	1,679		960		2,639
2023	1,648		963		2,611
2024	1,607		995		2,602
2025 - 2029	7,319		5,094		12,413

Other

Other postretirement benefits recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets include $4,454 and $5,046 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for termination indemnity plans for two of the Company’s European locations.

16. Other Expense, net

The components of other expense, net were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Foreign currency losses	$	(3,022	)	$	(3,170	)	$	(7,913	)
Components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost	(1,069		)	(1,116		)	(2,246		)
Losses on sales of receivables	(1,007		)	(1,248		)	(931		)
Miscellaneous income	838			696			1,710
Other expense, net	$	(4,260	)	$	(4,838	)	$	(9,380	)

17. Income Taxes

As described in Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, the following data contains certain corrections of immaterial errors identified in previously reported amounts.

Components of the Company’s income before income taxes and adjustment for noncontrolling interests were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018			2017
Domestic	$	53,425	$	103,228		$	138,477
Foreign	44,877		(33,573		)	74,270
	$	98,302	$	69,655		$	212,747

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

The Company’s income tax (benefit) expense consists of the following:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Current
Federal	$	(227	)	$	(11,153	)	$	40,687
State	(171		)	(33		)	500
Foreign	20,613			20,717			22,344

Deferred
Federal	4,405			(4,532		)	14,513
State	(767		)	2,074			419
Foreign	12,236			(36,473		)	(6,957		)
	$	36,089		$	(29,400	)	$	71,506

A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal rate to the income tax provision was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Tax at U.S. statutory rate	$	20,643		$	14,627		$	74,461
State and local taxes	209			1,273			1,177
Tax credits and incentives	(8,034		)	(11,702		)	(11,436		)
Changes in tax law, other	2,909			(3,008		)	7,279
U.S. tax reform/Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI")/foreign derived intangible income	1,102			(6,860		)	30,412
Effect of foreign tax rates	(1,656		)	(10,388		)	(23,103		)
Nonrecurring permanent items	(5,250		)	—			(13,947		)
Goodwill impairment	—			6,887			—
Capital loss	—			—			(19,931		)
Foreign branch	(2,258		)	(3,753		)	9,562
Stock compensation (ASU 2016-09)	1,596			(2,097		)	(3,563		)
Non deductible expenses	2,820			2,451			—
Tax reserves/audit settlements	(206		)	(3,760		)	1,701
Valuation allowance	24,625			(7,844		)	25,809
Other, net	(411		)	(5,226		)	(6,915		)
Income tax provision	$	36,089		$	(29,400	)	$	71,506
Effective income tax rate	36.7		%	(42.2		)%	33.6		%

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted into law. The Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Act required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously deferred. In 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded tax expense related to the enactment-date effects of the Act that included recording the one-time transition tax liability related to undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were not previously taxed and adjusting deferred tax assets and liabilities. Our accounting for the income tax effects of the Act was complete as of December 31, 2018.

Nonrecurring permanent items in 2019 are a result of the sale of the AVS product line recorded during the year and in 2017 relate to a worthless security deduction.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the estimated tax effect of accumulated temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes, as well as net operating losses, tax credit and other carryforwards. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:



	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Pension, postretirement and other benefits	$	48,589		$	51,736
Capitalized expenditures	2,908			3,186
Capital loss carryforward	—			13,780
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	167,719			157,319
Operating lease	20,599			—
Intangibles	4,220			2,122
All other items	49,394			44,999
Total deferred tax assets	293,429			273,142
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(19,479		)	(23,312		)
Operating lease right-of-use	(20,599		)	—
All other items	(12,680		)	(13,221		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(52,758		)	(36,533		)
Valuation allowances	(194,794		)	(171,126		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	45,877		$	65,483

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, primarily in France, Brazil, Italy and Germany, have operating loss carryforwards aggregating $329,000, with indefinite expiration periods. Other foreign subsidiaries in China, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, India and Korea have operating losses aggregating $277,000, with expiration dates beginning in 2020. The Company and its domestic subsidiaries have anticipated tax benefits of state net operating losses and credit carryforwards of $9,000 with expiration dates beginning in 2020.

The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance related to its net deferred tax assets in several foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had valuation allowances of $194,794 related to tax losses, credit carryforwards, and other deferred tax assets in the U.S. and several foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s valuation allowance increased in 2019 as a result of current year losses generated in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s current and future provision for income taxes is significantly impacted by the initial recognition of and changes in valuation allowances in certain countries. The Company intends to maintain these allowances until it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company’s future provision for income taxes will include no tax benefit with respect to losses incurred and no tax expense with respect to income generated in these countries until the respective valuation allowance is eliminated.

As of December 31, 2019, no material deferred income taxes have been recorded on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, since a majority of these earnings will not be taxable upon repatriation to the United States. These earnings will be primarily treated as previously taxed income from either the one time transition tax or GILTI, or they will be offset with a 100% dividends received deduction. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability for foreign withholding taxes or state income taxes that may be incurred upon repatriation in the future as such undistributed foreign earnings are consider permanently reinvested.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $10,123 ($11,175 including interest and penalties) of total unrecognized tax benefits, all of which represented the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits was as follows:




	2019			2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	9,631		$	9,000
Tax positions related to the current period
Gross additions	895			612
Gross reductions	—			—
Tax positions related to prior years
Gross additions	—			2,551
Gross reductions	(52		)	(1,736		)
Settlements	—			—
Lapses on statutes of limitations	(351		)	(796		)
Balance at end of period	$	10,123		$	9,631

The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns through 2011. The statute of limitations for U.S. state and local jurisdictions is closed for taxable years ending prior to 2014. The Company’s major foreign jurisdictions are Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Poland. The Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations in major foreign jurisdictions for years prior to 2015.

During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that, as a result of audit settlements and the conclusion of current examinations, the Company may decrease the amount of its gross unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $6,510, all of which, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.

The Company classifies all income tax related interest and penalties as income tax expense. The Company has recorded in liabilities $1,052 and $842 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for tax related interest and penalties on its consolidated balance sheet.

18. Net Income Per Share Attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.

Basic net income per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. was computed by dividing net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. was computed using the treasury stock method by dividing diluted net income available to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, including the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, using the average share price during the period.

Information used to compute basic and diluted net income per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income available to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. common stockholders	$	67,529	$	103,601	$	137,971

Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	17,146,124		17,894,718		17,781,272
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents	62,644		395,484		995,381
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	17,208,768		18,290,202		18,776,653

Basic net income per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	3.94	$	5.79	$	7.76

Diluted net income per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	3.92	$	5.66	$	7.35

Approximately 1,000 and 2,000 securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, because the inclusion of such securities in the calculation would have been anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive securities during the year ended December 31, 2019.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

19. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of related tax, were as follows:



	Cumulative currency translation adjustment				Benefit plan liabilities				Fair value change of derivatives				Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	(95,828	)		$	(100,749	)		$	(1,397	)		$	(197,974	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(45,276		)	⁽¹⁾	317			⁽²⁾	1,839			⁽³⁾	(43,120		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—				(3,943		)	⁽⁴⁾	(900		)	⁽⁵⁾	(4,843		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	(141,104		)		(104,375		)		(458		)		(245,937		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(16,653		)	⁽¹⁾	(10,536		)	⁽⁶⁾	2,858			⁽⁷⁾	(24,331		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,824				14,751			⁽⁸⁾	(2,048		)	⁽⁹⁾	16,527
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	(153,933	)		$	(100,160	)		$	352			$	(253,741	)


⁽¹⁾	Includes $823 and $13,776 of other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, that are related to intra-entity foreign currency balances that are of a long-term investment nature.


⁽²⁾	Net of tax expense of $8,489.


⁽³⁾	Net of tax expense of $753. See Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments.”


⁽⁴⁾	Includes the effect of the adoption of ASU 2018-02 of $8,569 and the amortization of prior service credits of $313, offset by curtailment loss of $1,105, settlement losses of $737, and the amortization of actuarial losses of $3,905, net of tax of $808. See Note 14. “Pension” and Note 15. “Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.”


⁽⁵⁾	Net of tax expense of $329. Includes the effect of the adoption of ASU 2018-02 of $70 for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments.”


⁽⁶⁾	Net of tax benefit of $457.


⁽⁷⁾	Net of tax expense of $954. See Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments.”

⁽⁸⁾

Includes the effect of the U.S. pension settlement loss of $15,247, other settlement losses of $572, curtailment losses of $539, and the amortization of actuarial losses of $3,383, offset by $269 net gains related to the AVS divestiture, and the amortization of prior service credits of $185, net of tax of $4,536. See Note 14. “Pension” and Note 15. “Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.”


⁽⁹⁾	Net of tax expense of $725. See Note 12. “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments.”

20. Equity

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 190,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of December 31, 2019, an aggregate of 18,908,566 shares of its common stock were issued, and 16,842,757 shares were outstanding.

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on each matter on which holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Holders of common stock are entitled to ratably receive dividends and other distributions when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors out of assets or funds legally available therefore. The ABL Facility, the Term Loan Facility and the Senior Notes each contain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions on the common stock, subject to certain exceptions.

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in the Company assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all the Company’s debts and liabilities.

Share Repurchase Program

In June 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program (the “2018 Program”) authorizing the Company to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $150.0 million of its outstanding common stock. Under the 2018 Program, repurchases may be made on the open market, through private transactions, accelerated share repurchases, round lot or block transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise, as determined by management and in accordance with

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

prevailing market conditions and federal securities laws and regulations. The Company expects to fund any future repurchases from cash on hand and future cash flows from operations. The Company is not obligated to acquire a particular amount of securities, and the 2018 Program may be discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion. The 2018 Program was effective beginning November 2018.

In March 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a securities repurchase program (the “2016 Program”) authorizing the Company to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $125.0 million of its outstanding common stock or warrants to purchase common stock. Under the 2016 Program, repurchases were authorized to be made on the open market or through private transactions, as determined by the Company’s management and in accordance with prevailing market conditions and federal securities laws and regulations. The 2016 Program was fully utilized as of December 31, 2018.

2019 Repurchases

In May 2019, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2018 Program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company made an up-front payment of $30,000 and received an initial delivery of 626,305 shares of its common stock in the second quarter of 2019. The repurchase was completed in the third quarter of 2019 when the Company received an additional 72,875 shares. A total of 699,180 shares were repurchased at a weighted average purchase price of $42.91 per share.

In addition to the repurchase under the ASR agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 85,000 shares at an average purchase price of $69.85 per share, excluding commissions, for a total cost of $5,937.

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $98,720 of repurchase authorization remaining.

2018 Repurchases

In June 2018, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase its common stock. Under the ASR agreement, the Company made an up-front payment of $35,000. The repurchase was completed in the third quarter, and a total of 258,285 shares were repurchased at a weighted average purchase price of $135.51 per share.

In addition to the repurchase under the ASR agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 324,508 shares of its common stock at an average purchase price of $78.78 per share, excluding commissions, for a total cost of $25,565.

21. Share-Based Compensation

The Company’s long-term incentive plans allow for the grant of various types of share-based awards to key employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates. The Company generally awards grants on an annual basis. There are 2,300,000 shares of common stock authorized for awards granted under the current plan. Under previous plans, a total of 5,873,103 shares were authorized for awards. The plans provide for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-vested restricted stock units (“PUs”), incentive awards and certain other types of awards to key employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates.

The Company measures share-based compensation expense at fair value and recognizes such expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the share-based employee awards. The compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock and performance units granted to key employees and directors of the Company, which is quantified below, does not represent payments actually made to these employees. Rather, the amounts represent the non-cash compensation expense recognized by the Company in connection with these awards for financial reporting purposes. The actual value of these awards to the recipients will depend on the trading price of the Company’s stock when the awards vest. In accordance with the Company’s long-term incentive plans, share-based compensation awards that settle in shares of Company stock may be delivered on a gross settlement basis or a net settlement basis, as determined by the recipient.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Share-based compensation expense (income) was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018			2017
PUs	$	277	$	(3,925	)	$	12,145
RSUs	8,432		9,241			9,183
Stock options	3,156		3,204			3,635
Total	$	11,865	$	8,520		$	24,963

Stock Options

Stock option awards are granted at the fair market value of the Company’s stock price at the date of the grant and have a 10 year term. The stock option grants vest over three years from the date of grant.

Stock option transactions and related information for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:



	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2019	473,245		$	79.35
Granted	174,874		$	72.27
Exercised	(17,175	)	$	29.83
Forfeited	(42,843	)	$	92.07
Expired	(39,331	)	$	78.81
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019	548,770		$	77.68	6.7	$	74
Exercisable as of December 31, 2019	322,018		$	72.72	5.3	$	74

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $24.22, $36.22 and $33.33, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $243, $12,422 and $21,194, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense for stock options amounted to $3,549. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.

The fair value of the options was estimated at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected option life was calculated using the simplified method. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term equal to the expected option life on the date the stock options were granted. The fair value of each option was estimated using the following assumptions:



	2019		2018		2017
Expected volatility	29.48% - 31.10%		27.17% - 27.19%		27.38% - 27.47%
Dividend yield	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%
Expected option life - years	6.0		6.0		6.0
Risk-free rate	1.8% - 2.5%		2.6%		1.9% - 2.1%

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

The fair value of the restricted stock and restricted stock units is determined based on the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock and restricted stock units vest over one or three years.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Restricted stock and restricted stock units transactions and related information for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:



	Restricted Stock and Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of January 1, 2019	313,345		$	94.75
Granted	207,538		$	66.12
Vested	(129,342	)	$	83.87
Forfeited	(58,560	)	$	91.48
Non-vested as of December 31, 2019	332,981		$	83.60

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $66.12, $110.34 and $107.57, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $9,859, $7,418 and $7,112, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense for restricted stock and restricted stock units amounted to $12,184. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.

Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Units

The actual number of performance units that will vest depends on the Company’s achievement of target performance goals related to the Company’s ROIC and total shareholder return over a three-year period, which may range from 0% to 200% of the target award amount. PUs that are expected to be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock are accounted for as equity awards, and the fair value is determined based on the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant. PUs that are expected to be settled in cash are accounted for as liability awards.

A summary of activity for performance-vested restricted stock units transactions and related information for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:



	Performance Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of January 1, 2019	191,854		$	91.46
Granted	110,823		$	78.41
Vested	(75,382	)	$	72.30
Forfeited	(33,242	)	$	91.02
Non-vested as of December 31, 2019	194,053		$	93.86

The weighted-average grant date fair value of performance units granted during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $78.41, $110.40 and $107.49, respectively. The total fair value of PUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $5,450, $8,256, and $5,641, respectively. Cash paid to settle PUs during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $3,345, $13,302 and $4,296, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized compensation expense.

TSR Awards

In 2016, the Company granted performance awards to certain of the Company’s executive officers. These grants were to be settled in shares of the Company’s stock and vested over a three-year performance period. The payout of these awards was based on the Company’s relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) compared to a pre-established comparator group during the performance period. These awards expired in 2019 with no payout, and there were no outstanding TSR-based performance awards as of December 31, 2019.

22. Related Party Transactions

A summary of the material related party transactions with affiliates accounted for under the equity method was as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Sales ⁽¹⁾	$	28,925	$	30,826	$	33,949
Purchases ⁽²⁾	$	880	$	687	$	953
Dividends received ⁽³⁾	$	4,917	$	4,862	$	5,382

⁽¹⁾ Relates to transactions with Nishikawa Cooper LLC (“NISCO”)

⁽²⁾ Relates to transactions with NISCO and Polyrub Cooper Standard FTS Private Limited

⁽³⁾ From NISCO and Nishikawa Tachaplalert Cooper Ltd.

Amounts receivable from NISCO as of December 31, 2019 were $4,297. Amounts receivable from NISCO and Sujan Cooper Standard AVS Private Limited as of December 31, 2018 were $6,066. On April 1, 2019, the Company sold its equity interest in Sujan Cooper Standard AVS Private Limited in connection with the divestiture of its AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture.”

23. Contingent Liabilities

Litigation and Claims

Various legal actions, proceedings, and claims (generally, “matters”) are pending or may be instituted or asserted against the Company. The Company accrues for matters when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. Any resulting adjustments, which could be material, are recorded in the period the adjustments are identified. As of December 31, 2019, the Company does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss exceeding the amounts already accrued for matters, if any, has been incurred. However, the ultimate resolutions of these matters are inherently unpredictable and could require payment substantially in excess of the amounts that have been accrued or disclosed.

In 2016, a putative class action complaint alleging conspiracy to fix the price of body sealing products used in automobiles and other light-duty vehicles was filed in Ontario, Canada followed by similar complaints filed in British Columbia and Quebec in 2018 and 2019, respectively, against numerous automotive suppliers, including Cooper Standard Holdings Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (together the “CS Defendants”) and its joint venture, Nishikawa Cooper LLC (“NISCO”). The Company believes the claims asserted against it and NISCO were without merit and intended to vigorously defend against the claims; however, Nishikawa Rubber Company, the parent of the 60% equity interest of NISCO, entered into settlement agreements, releasing NISCO and the CS Defendants from the relevant cases. During 2019, each of the courts in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia approved the settlement agreement in those cases and dismissed the cases against NISCO and the CS Defendants.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Environmental

The Company is 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, reclamation and disposal of chemicals and waste materials; the cleanup of contaminated properties; and human health and safety. The Company 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 their locations. In addition, many of the Company’s 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. The Company maintains environmental reserves for certain of these sites. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $6,104 and $4,668, respectively, reserved in accrued liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet on an undiscounted basis, which it believes 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, the Company could become liable for investigating or remediating contamination at their current or former properties or other properties (including offsite waste disposal locations). The Company may not always be in complete compliance with all applicable requirements of environmental laws or regulation, and the Company 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 the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. The Company has made and will continue to make expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While the Company’s costs to defend and settle known claims arising under environmental laws have not been material in the past and are not currently estimated to be material, such costs may be material in the future.

Employment Contracts

The Company has employment arrangements with certain key executives that provide for continuity of management. These arrangements include payments of multiples of annual salary, certain incentives, and continuation of benefits upon the occurrence of specified events in a manner that is believed to be consistent with comparable companies.

Brazil Indirect Tax Claim

In 2019, the Superior Judicial Court of Brazil rendered a favorable decision on a case challenging whether a certain state value-added tax should be included in the calculation of federal gross receipts taxes. The decision will allow the Company the right to recover, through offset of federal tax liabilities, amounts collected by the government. As a result of the favorable decision, the Company recorded pre-tax recoveries of $8,000 in the South America segment and in cost of products sold for the year ended December 31, 2019. Timing on realization of these recoveries is dependent upon the timing of administrative approvals and generation of federal tax liabilities eligible for offset.

Other

The Company participated in a voluntary foreign tax amnesty program, which allows for the settlement of certain tax matters at reduced amounts. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred charges of $4,623, of which $4,388 was a non-cash charge offset by the utilization of tax net operating loss carryforwards, resulting in a net $235 expense impact to net income. The Company did not incur additional material losses under this program.

24. Business Segments

The Company has determined that it operates in four reportable segments: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. The Company’s principal products within each of these segments are sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems. During the first quarter of 2019 and in prior periods, the Company also operated an anti-vibration systems product line. On April 1, 2019, the Company completed the divestiture of the AVS product line.

The accounting policies of the Company’s segments are consistent with those described in Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company changed the measurement of its operating segments to segment adjusted EBITDA. The results of each segment include certain allocations for general, administrative and other shared costs. Segment adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Certain financial information on the Company’s reportable segments was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Sales to external customers
North America	$	1,641,724		$	1,924,717		$	1,882,670
Europe	868,188			1,030,102			1,043,738
Asia Pacific	503,953			571,160			584,808
South America	94,535			98,063			106,557
Consolidated	$	3,108,400		$	3,624,042		$	3,617,773

Intersegment sales
North America	$	18,939		$	14,102		$	13,760
Europe	11,732			15,178			15,985
Asia Pacific	3,048			5,115			5,256
South America	193			103			49
Eliminations and other	(33,912		)	(34,498		)	(35,050		)
Consolidated	$	—		$	—		$	—

Adjusted EBITDA
North America	$	212,530		$	320,955		$	326,584
Europe	22,702			45,105			74,598
Asia Pacific	(29,496		)	13,849			54,356
South America	(4,128		)	(7,251		)	(3,891		)
Consolidated	$	201,608		$	372,658		$	451,647

Net interest expense
North America	$	13,033		$	16,585		$	16,824
Europe	6,898			10,894			12,287
Asia Pacific	22,785			12,646			11,884
South America	1,397			879			1,117
Consolidated	$	44,113		$	41,004		$	42,112

Depreciation and amortization expense
North America	$	74,941		$	70,566		$	66,734
Europe	40,824			43,974			40,899
Asia Pacific	33,110			29,699			27,085
South America	3,078			2,459			3,370
Consolidated	$	151,953		$	146,698		$	138,088

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Capital expenditures
North America	$	65,357	$	72,467	$	67,333
Europe	35,671		53,542		45,881
Asia Pacific	40,219		70,672		51,182
South America	7,340		5,734		4,919
Corporate	15,879		15,656		17,480
Consolidated	$	164,466	$	218,071	$	186,795



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Adjusted EBITDA	$	201,608		$	372,658		$	451,647
Gain on sale of business	191,571			—			—
Gain on sale of land	—			10,377			—
Restructuring charges	(51,102		)	(29,722		)	(35,137		)
Goodwill impairment charges	—			(39,818		)	—
Other impairment charges	(23,139		)	(43,706		)	(14,763		)
Project costs	(2,090		)	(4,881		)	—
Amortization of inventory write-up	—			(1,460		)	—
Lease termination costs	(1,167		)	—			—
Pension settlement charges	(15,997		)	(775		)	(6,427		)
Foreign tax amnesty program	—			—			(4,623		)
Loss on refinancing and extinguishment of debt	—			(770		)	(1,020		)
EBITDA	$	299,684		$	261,903		$	389,677
Income tax (expense) benefit	(36,089		)	29,400			(71,506		)
Interest expense, net of interest income	(44,113		)	(41,004		)	(42,112		)
Depreciation and amortization	(151,953		)	(146,698		)	(138,088		)
Net income attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	$	67,529		$	103,601		$	137,971



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Segment assets
North America	$	1,127,621	$	1,174,604
Europe	567,641		541,495
Asia Pacific	614,952		616,093
South America	65,438		54,629
Eliminations and other	259,930		237,324
Consolidated	$	2,635,582	$	2,624,145

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Product Line Information

Product line information for revenues was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Revenues
Sealing systems	$	1,534,456	$	1,797,945	$	1,909,202
Fuel and brake delivery systems	740,889		796,035		756,495
Fluid transfer systems	598,172		563,342		521,553
Anti-vibration systems	78,728		339,903		326,684
Other	156,155		126,817		103,839
Consolidated	$	3,108,400	$	3,624,042	$	3,617,773

Geographic Information

Geographic information for revenues, based on country of origin, and property, plant and equipment, net, is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Revenues
United States	$	729,866	$	883,273	$	872,025
Mexico	723,228		763,094		723,423
China	355,667		466,119		494,595
France	159,859		305,416		299,257
Canada	188,652		278,349		287,222
Poland	270,197		245,853		253,109
Germany	151,441		187,374		192,959
Other	529,490		494,564		495,183
Consolidated	$	3,108,400	$	3,624,042	$	3,617,773

			December 31,
			2019		2018
Property, plant and equipment, net
United States			$	218,640	$	216,036
Mexico			153,414		128,242
China			196,502		214,770
France			32,938		47,088
Canada			31,568		34,405
Poland			88,162		70,956
Germany			78,967		81,935
Other			188,086		190,809
Consolidated			$	988,277	$	984,241

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share and share amounts)

Customer Concentration

Sales to customers of the Company which contributed 10% or more of its total consolidated sales and the related percentage of consolidated Company sales for 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	2019 Percentage of Net Sales		2018 Percentage of Net Sales		2017 Percentage of Net Sales
Customer
Ford	25	%	27	%	28	%
General Motors	18	%	19	%	19	%
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles	12	%	11	%	11	%

25. Investments in Affiliates

The Company’s beneficial ownership in affiliates accounted for under the equity method was as follows:



Name	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Sujan Cooper Standard AVS Private Limited	—		50	%
Nishikawa Cooper LLC	40	%	40	%
Polyrub Cooper Standard FTS Private Limited	35	%	35	%
Nishikawa Tachaplalert Cooper Ltd.	20	%	20	%
Yantai Leading Solutions Auto Parts Co., Ltd.	50	%	50	%

The Company’s aggregate investment in unconsolidated affiliates was $42,753 and $44,297 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company received dividends from unconsolidated affiliates of $4,917, $4,862 and $5,382 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. On April 1, 2019, the Company sold its equity interest in Sujan Cooper Standard AVS Private Limited in connection with the divestiture of its AVS product line. See Note 5. “Divestiture.”

26. Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited)



2019	First Quarter			⁽¹	⁾	Second Quarter		⁽¹	⁾	Third Quarter			⁽¹	⁾	Fourth Quarter
Sales	$	877,995				$	764,698			$	739,518				$	726,189
Gross profit	115,505					97,870				80,205					65,542
Net income (loss)	(5,363		)			144,660		⁽³⁾		(6,420		)			(70,664		)	⁽⁴⁾
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	(5,415		)			145,205		⁽³⁾		(4,877		)			(67,384		)	⁽⁴⁾
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. ⁽²⁾	$	(0.31	)			$	8.39			$	(0.29	)			$	(4.00	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. ⁽²⁾	$	(0.31	)			$	8.36			$	(0.29	)			$	(4.00	)



2018	First Quarter		⁽¹	⁾	Second Quarter		⁽¹	⁾	Third Quarter		⁽¹	⁾	Fourth Quarter			⁽¹	⁾
Sales	$	965,686			$	927,555			$	860,141			$	870,660
Gross profit	169,175				150,658				118,143				110,329
Net income (loss)	55,759				42,516				31,266				(30,486		)	⁽⁵⁾
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.	55,135				41,191				31,482				(24,207		)	⁽⁵⁾
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. ⁽²⁾	$	3.06			$	2.29			$	1.77			$	(1.36	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. ⁽²⁾	$	2.98			$	2.24			$	1.73			$	(1.36	)

⁽¹⁾ Refer to Note 2. “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further detail related to adjustments made in the previously issued financial statements as a result of errors related to the timing of recording pricing concessions with customers in the Asia Pacific region and other immaterial errors. The out-of-period adjustment in the third quarter 2019 resulted in an increase in sales of $10,497, increase in net income of $9,178, and increase in diluted EPS of $0.53 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

⁽²⁾ Full year basic and diluted EPS will not necessarily agree to the sum of the four quarters because each quarter is a separate calculation.

⁽³⁾The second quarter of 2019 net income amount includes gain on sale of the AVS business.

⁽⁴⁾The fourth quarter of 2019 net income amount includes impairment charges related to fixed assets and non-cash pension settlement charges.

⁽⁵⁾The fourth quarter of 2018 net income amount includes impairment charges related to goodwill, intangible assets and fixed assets and the release of a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets recorded in France and capital loss carryforwards in the U.S.

SCHEDULE II

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(dollars in millions)



Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to Expenses		Charged (credited) to other accounts ⁽¹⁾		Deductions			Balance at end of period
Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable
Year ended December 31, 2019	$	5.6	5.5	⁽²⁾	(0.1	)	(1.9	)		$	9.1
Year ended December 31, 2018	$	4.2	4.2		(0.1	)	(2.7	)		$	5.6
Year ended December 31, 2017	$	7.1	1.1		0.4		(4.4	)	⁽³⁾	$	4.2

⁽¹⁾Primarily foreign currency translation.

⁽²⁾Increase in 2019 relates to commercial settlements in China.

⁽³⁾ Primarily related to uncollectible amounts written off.



Description	Balance at beginning of period		Additions							Balance at end of period
Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to Income		Charged to Equity ⁽⁴⁾		Deductions			Balance at end of period
Tax valuation allowance
Year ended December 31, 2019	$	171.2	24.6	⁽⁵⁾	(1.0	)	—			$	194.8
Year ended December 31, 2018	$	189.4	33.1	⁽⁶⁾	(10.4	)	(40.9	)	⁽⁷⁾	$	171.2
Year ended December 31, 2017	$	149.8	25.8	⁽⁸⁾	13.8		—			$	189.4

⁽⁴⁾ Includes foreign currency translation.

⁽⁵⁾ Primarily related to 2019 losses with no benefit in certain foreign jurisdictions.

⁽⁶⁾ Primarily related to 2018 losses with no benefit in certain foreign jurisdictions.

⁽⁷⁾ Primarily related to release of valuation allowance in the U.S. and France.

⁽⁸⁾ Primarily related to 2017 losses with no benefit in certain foreign jurisdictions and a capital loss in the U.S. during 2017.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2019. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. However, based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2019.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on the evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.

The attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Directors and Executive Officers

The information required by Item 10 regarding the Company’s directors is incorporated by reference from the information under the headings “Proposals - Proposal 1: Election of Directors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 Proxy Statement”). The information required by Item 10 regarding the Company’s executive officers is incorporated by reference from the information under the headings “Corporate Governance, Board and Committee Matters - Executive Officers” in the 2020 Proxy Statement.

Audit Committee

The information required by Item 10 regarding the Audit Committee, including the identification of the Audit Committee members and the “audit committee financial expert,” is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance, Board and Committee Matters - Board Committees and Their Functions - Audit Committee.”

Compliance with Section 16(a) of The Exchange Act

The information required by Item 10 regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance, Board and Committee Matters - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

Code of Conduct

The information required by Item 10 regarding our code of ethics is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance.” The Company’s Code of Conduct applies to all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees and is available on the Company’s website at www.cooperstandard.com. To access the Code of Conduct, first click on “Investors” and then click on “Corporate Governance.”

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 regarding executive and director compensation, Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, and the Compensation Committee Report is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the headings “Corporate Governance, Board and Committee Matters - Director Compensation,” “Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation - Compensation Committee Report” and “Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation - Executive Compensation.”

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance, Board and Committee Matters - Stock Ownership and Related Stockholder Matters.”

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by Item 13 regarding transactions with related persons is incorporated by reference from the information in 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Transactions with Related Persons.” The information required by Item 13 regarding the independence of the Company’s directors is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance - Board of Directors - Independence of Directors.”

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required under Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2020 Proxy Statement under the heading “Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Documents Filed as Part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:




	10-K Report page(s)
1. Financial Statements
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	42
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Internal Control over Financial Reporting	44
Consolidated statements of net income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	45
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	46
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	47
Consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	48
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	49
Notes to consolidated financial statements	50

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	94

All other financial statement schedules are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

3. Exhibits listed on the “Index to Exhibits”

Index to Exhibits

Unless otherwise provided, the SEC File Number under which each document incorporated by reference herein was filed is 001-36127.




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
2.1*		Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, dated March 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 24, 2010 (File No. 333-123708)).

3.1*		Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., dated May 27, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168316)).

3.2*		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016).

3.3*		Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Certificate of Designations 7% Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168316)).

4.1*		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2010, by and among Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the Backstop Purchasers and the other holders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010 (File No. 333-123708)).

4.2*		Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, by and among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2016).

4.3**		Description of Securities

10.1*		Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2016, among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited, Cooper-Standard Automotive International Holdings B.V., and certain subsidiaries of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as guarantors, CS Intermediate HoldCo 1 LLC, as Holdings, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as agent for such lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2016).

10.2*		Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2014, among CS Intermediate HoldCo 2 LLC, CS Intermediate HoldCo 1 LLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 8, 2014).

10.3*		Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 2, 2016, to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as the borrower, certain subsidiaries of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as guarantors, CS Intermediate HoldCo 1 LLC, as Holdings, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2016).

10.4*		Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 2, 2017 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as the borrower, certain subsidiaries of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as guarantors, CS Intermediate Holdco 1 LL, as Holdings, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017).




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit

10.5*		Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 6, 2018 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as the borrower, certain subsidiaries of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as guarantors, CS Intermediate Holdco 1 LL, as Holdings, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018).

10.6*†		Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, by and among Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. and Keith D. Stephenson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008).

10.7*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan effective January 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.8*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2005 with Amendments through December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008).

10.9*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.10*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Nonqualified Supplementary Benefit Plan, Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.11*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.12*†		Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.13*†		2011 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.14*†		Amended and Restated 2011 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013).

10.15*†		Amended and Restated Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017).

10.16*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for key employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010).

10.17*†		2010 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010).




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit

10.18*†		Form of 2010 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Management Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for key employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010).

10.19*†		Form of 2010 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Management Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010).

10.20*†		Letter Agreement between Jeffrey S. Edwards, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated October 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012).

10.21*†		Letter Agreement between D. William Pumphrey, Jr., Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated August 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012).

10.22*†		Service Contract between CSA Germany Verwaltungs GmbH and Juan Fernando de Miguel Posada dated March 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013).

10.23*†		International Assignment Agreement between Song Min Lee and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated December 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013).

10.24*†		Extension Addendum dated October 28, 2016, to the International Assignment Agreement between Song Min Lee and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated December 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017).

10.25*†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013).

10.26*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014).

10.27*†		Form of 2015 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014).

10.28*†		Offer Letter between Jonathan P. Banas and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated August 17, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2015).

10.29*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015).

100




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
10.30*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement for officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018).

10.31*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Special Retention Award Agreement (stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016).

10.32*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Performance Units, settled 50% cash / 50% stock) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016).

10.33*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2016 Restrictive Stock Unit Award Agreement (Performance Units, settled 100% cash)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016).

10.34*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2017 Performance Award Agreement (stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017).

10.35*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2017 Performance Award Agreement (cash-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017).

10.36**†		Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

10.37**†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Amended and Restated effective as of May 18, 2017.

10.38**†		Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Annual Incentive Plan Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2018.

10.39*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017).

10.40*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017).

10.41*†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2017 Performance Unit Award Agreement (stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017).

10.42**†		Form of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Non-Employee Directors).

101




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
10.43*†		Form of 2018 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018).

10.44*†		Form of 2018 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Unit Award Agreement (cash-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018).

10.45*†		Form of 2018 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Unit Award Agreement (stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018).

10.46*†		Form of 2018 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (cash-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018).

10.47**†		Offer Letter between Jeffrey A. DeBest, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated January 24, 2018.

10.48*		Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 1, 2018, between Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., as the Seller, and ContiTech USA, Inc., as the Acquiror (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018).

10.49*†		Form of 2019 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019).

10.50*†		Form of 2019 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Unit Award Agreement (cash-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019).

10.51*†		Form of 2019 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Unit Award Agreement (stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019).

10.52*†		Form of 2019 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (cash or stock-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019).

10.53*†		Form of 2019 Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (cash-settled award) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019).

10.54**†		Separation Agreement between Song Min Lee, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. dated as of December 31, 2019.

21.1**		List of Subsidiaries of Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.

23.1**		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

102




Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit

31.1**		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).

31.2**		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).

32***		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.SCH****		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL****		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF****		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB****		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE****		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104****		Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline XBRL

* Incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this Report.

** Filed with this Report.

*** Furnished with this Report

**** Submitted electronically with this Report in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S-T.

† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

103

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



		COOPER-STANDARD HOLDINGS INC.

Date: February 26, 2020		/s/ Jeffrey S. Edwards

		Jeffrey S. Edwards
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

104

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below on February 26, 2020 by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated.



Signature		Title

/s/ Jeffrey S. Edwards		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Jeffrey S. Edwards

/s/ Jonathan P. Banas		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Jonathan P. Banas

/s/ Peter C. Brusate		Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Peter C. Brusate

/s/ David J. Mastrocola		Director
David J. Mastrocola

/s/ Justin E. Mirro		Director
Justin E. Mirro

/s/ Robert J. Remenar		Director
Robert J. Remenar

/s/ Sonya F. Sepahban		Director
Sonya F. Sepahban

/s/ Thomas W. Sidlik		Director
Thomas W. Sidlik

/s/ Matthew J. Simoncini		Director
Matthew J. Simoncini

/s/ Stephen A. Van Oss		Director
Stephen A. Van Oss

/s/ Peifang Zhang		Director
Peifang Zhang

105