10-K 1 d259418d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

For Annual and Transition Reports Pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Mark One)

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

or

 

¨ 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 001-04329

 

 

 

LOGO

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   34-4297750
(State of incorporation)  

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

701 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio   45840
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (419) 423-1321

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

 

(Title of each class)   (Name of each exchange on which registered)
Common Stock, $1 par value per share   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  x    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  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months.    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨
        (Do not check if a small reporting company)     

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

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2011 was $1,201,079,855.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of January 31, 2012 was 62,302,306.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 – 14, of this report.

 

 

 

 

- 1 -


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY – FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

      Page  

Cover

     1   

Table of Contents

     2   

Part I

  

Item 1 – Business

     2-5   

Item 1A – Risk Factors

     5-10   

Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments

     10   

Item 2 – Properties

     11   

Item 3 – Legal Proceedings

     11   

Item 4 – Reserved

     11   

Part II

  

Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     13-15   

Item 6 – Selected Financial Data

     16   

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

     17-31   

Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     31   

Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     32-69   

Item 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     70   

Item 9A – Controls and Procedures

     70-71   

Item 9B – Other Information

     71   

Part III

  

Item 10 – Directors and Corporate Governance

     71-72   

Item 11 – Executive Compensation

     72   

Item  12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     72   

Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     72   

Item 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     72   

Part IV

  

Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     73   

Signatures

     74   

Exhibit Index

     75-77   

PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company with its subsidiaries (“Cooper” or the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of replacement tires. It is the fourth largest tire manufacturer in North America and, according to a recognized trade source, the Cooper family of companies is the ninth largest tire company in the world based on sales. Cooper focuses on the manufacture and sale of passenger and light and medium truck replacement tires.

The Company is organized into two separate, reportable business segments: North American Tire Operations and International Tire Operations. Each segment is managed separately. Additional information on the Company’s segments, including their financial results, total assets, products, markets and presence in particular geographic areas, appears in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the “Business Segments” note to the consolidated financial statements.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1930 as the successor to a business originally founded in 1914. Based in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper and its family of companies currently operate 9 manufacturing facilities and 38 distribution centers in 11 countries. As of December 31, 2011, it employed 12,890 persons worldwide.

 

 

- 2 -


Table of Contents

Business Segments

North American Tire Operations Segment

The North American Tire Operations segment manufactures and markets passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the United States (“U.S.”) replacement market. The segment also distributes tires for racing, medium truck and motorcycles that are manufactured in the Company’s International Tire Operations segment. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products. The segment does not sell its products directly to end users, except through three Company-owned retail stores, and does not currently manufacture or sell a significant number of tires to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

The segment operates in a highly competitive industry, which includes Bridgestone Corporation, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Groupe Michelin. These competitors are substantially larger than the Company and serve OEMs as well as the replacement tire market. The segment also faces competition from low-cost producers in Asia, Mexico, South America and Central Europe. Some of those producers are foreign subsidiaries of the segment’s competitors in North America. The segment had a market share in 2011 of over 13 percent of all light vehicle replacement tire sales in the U.S. The segment also participates in the U.S. medium truck replacement market. In addition to manufacturing tires in the U.S., the segment has a joint venture manufacturing operation in Mexico, Corporacion de Occidente SA de CV (“COOCSA”). A portion of the products manufactured by the segment are exported throughout the world.

Success in competing for the sale of replacement tires is dependent upon many factors, the most important of which are price, quality, performance, line coverage, availability through appropriate distribution channels and relationships with dealers. Other factors of importance are warranty, credit terms and other value-added programs. The segment has built close working relationships through the years with independent dealers. It believes those relationships have enabled it to obtain a competitive advantage in that channel of the market. As a steadily increasing percentage of replacement tires are sold by large regional and national tire retailers, the segment has increased its penetration of those distribution channels, while maintaining a focus on its traditionally strong network of independent dealers.

The segment’s replacement tire business has a broad customer base that includes purchasers of proprietary brand tires that are marketed and distributed by the Company and private label tires which are manufactured by the Company but marketed and distributed by the Company’s customers. This mix of customers helps to protect the segment from the effects that could result from the loss of a major customer. The segment is the leading supplier of private label tires in the U.S.

Customers place orders on a month-to-month basis and the segment adjusts production and inventory to meet those orders which results in varying backlogs of orders at different times of the year. Tire sales are subject to a seasonal demand pattern. This usually results in the sales volumes being strongest in the third and fourth quarters and weaker in the second and first quarters.

International Tire Operations Segment

The International Tire Operations segment has operations in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The U.K. entity manufactures and markets passenger car, light truck, motorcycle and racing tires and tire retread material for the global market. In late 2011, the Company reached agreement to purchase the assets of a light vehicle tire manufacturing facility in the Republic of Serbia. This transaction was completed in early 2012. The segment’s Cooper Kunshan entity in the PRC currently manufactures light vehicle tires. Under an agreement with the government of the PRC, until May 2012, all of the tires produced at this facility will be exported. The segment also has a joint venture in the PRC, Cooper Chengshan Tire, which manufactures and markets radial and bias medium truck tires as well as passenger and light truck tires for the global market. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured by the segment are sold to OEMs.

The segment has also established sales, marketing, distribution and research and development capabilities to support the Company’s objectives.

As in North America, the segment operates in a highly competitive industry, which includes Bridgestone Corporation, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Groupe Michelin. These competitors are substantially larger than the Company and serve OEMs as well as the replacement tire market. The segment also faces competition from low-cost producers in certain markets.

Raw Materials

The Company’s principal raw materials include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, chemicals and steel reinforcement components. The Company acquires its raw materials from various sources around the world to assure continuing supplies for its manufacturing operations and mitigate the risk of potential supply disruptions.

 

- 3 -


Table of Contents

During 2011, the Company experienced higher raw material costs compared to 2010. The pricing volatility of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials contributes to the difficulty in accurately predicting and managing the costs of raw materials.

The Company has a purchasing office in Singapore to acquire natural rubber directly from producers in Southeast Asia. This purchasing operation enables the Company to work directly with producers to continually improve consistency and quality while reducing the costs of materials, transportation and transactions.

The Company’s contractual relationships with its raw material suppliers are generally based on long-term agreements and/or purchase order arrangements. For natural rubber and natural gas, procurement is managed through a combination of buying forward production requirements and utilizing the spot market. For other principal materials, procurement arrangements include supply agreements that may contain formula-based pricing based on commodity indices, multi-year agreements or spot purchases. These arrangements only cover quantities needed to satisfy normal manufacturing demands.

Working Capital

The Company’s working capital consists mainly of inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable. These working capital accounts are closely managed by the Company. Inventory balances are primarily valued at a Last In First Out (LIFO) basis for the North American entities and under the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method for entities in the International Tire Operations segment. Inventories turn regularly, but balances typically increase during the first half of the year before declining as a result of increased sales in the second half. Accounts receivable and accounts payable are also affected by this business cycle, typically requiring the Company to have greater working capital needs during the second and third quarters. The Company engages in a rigorous credit analysis of its customers and monitors their financial positions. The Company offers incentives to certain customers to encourage the payment of account balances prior to their scheduled due dates.

At December 31, 2011, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $234 million. The Company’s finished goods inventory at December 31, 2011 is higher than in the prior year as a result of increased units and higher raw material costs. The Company’s inventory levels are within the targeted range to meet projected demand. The mix of inventory is critical to inventory turnover and meeting customer demand.

Research, Development and Product Improvement

The Company directs its research activities toward product development, performance and operating efficiency. The Company conducts extensive testing of current tire lines, as well as new concepts in tire design, construction and materials. During 2011, approximately 56 million miles of tests were performed on indoor test wheels and in monitored road tests. The Company has a tire and vehicle test track in Texas that assists with the Company’s testing activities. Uniformity equipment is used to physically monitor manufactured tires for high standards of ride quality. The Company continues to design and develop specialized equipment to fit the precise needs of its manufacturing and quality control requirements. Research and development expenditures were $35.7 million, $39.7 million and $44.6 million during 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Patents, Intellectual Property and Trademarks

The Company owns and/or has licenses to use patents and intellectual property covering various aspects in the design and manufacture of its products and processes, and equipment for the manufacture of its products that will continue to be amortized over the next two to four years. While the Company believes these assets as a group are of material importance, it does not consider any one asset or group of these assets to be of such importance that the loss or expiration thereof would materially affect its business.

The Company owns and uses tradenames and trademarks worldwide. While the Company believes such tradenames and trademarks as a group are of material importance, the trademarks the Company considers most significant to its business are those using the words “Cooper,” “Mastercraft” and “Avon.” The Company believes all of these significant trademarks are valid and will have unlimited duration as long as they are adequately protected and appropriately used. Certain other tradenames and trademarks are being amortized over the next six to seventeen years.

Seasonal Trends

There is year-round demand for passenger and truck replacement tires, but passenger replacement tire sales are generally strongest during the third and fourth quarters of the year. Winter tires are sold principally during the months of June through November.

 

- 4 -


Table of Contents

Environmental Matters

The Company recognizes the importance of compliance in environmental matters and has an organizational structure to supervise environmental activities, planning and programs. The Company also participates in activities concerning general industry environmental matters. The Company’s operations have been recognized with several awards for efforts to improve energy efficiency.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities, like those of the industry generally, are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect the environment. In general, the Company has not experienced difficulty in complying with these requirements and believes they have not had a material adverse effect on its financial condition or the results of its operations. The Company expects additional requirements with respect to environmental matters will be imposed in the future. The Company’s 2011 expense and capital expenditures for environmental matters at its facilities were not material, nor is it expected that expenditures in 2012 for such uses will be material.

Foreign Operations

The Company has a manufacturing facility, a technical center, a distribution center and its European headquarters office located in the U.K. There are five distribution centers and five sales offices in Europe. The Company has a manufacturing facility and a joint venture manufacturing facility, 19 distribution centers, a technical center, two sales offices and an administrative office in the PRC. The Company also has a purchasing office in Singapore. In Mexico, the Company has a joint venture manufacturing facility, a sales office and one distribution center. In late 2011, the Company reached agreement to purchase the assets of a light vehicle tire manufacturing facility in the Republic of Serbia. This transaction was completed in early 2012.

Additional information on the Company’s foreign operations can be found in the “Business Segments” note to the consolidated financial statements.

Available Information

The Company makes available free of charge, on or through its website, its 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 soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s internet address is http://www.coopertire.com. The Company has adopted charters for each of its Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees, corporate governance guidelines and a code of business ethics and conduct, which are available on the Company’s website and will be available to any stockholder who requests them from the Company’s Director of Investor Relations. The information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K and should not be considered a part of this report.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Some of the more significant risk factors related to the Company and its subsidiaries follow:

Pricing volatility for raw materials or commodities or an inadequate supply of key raw materials could result in increased costs and may affect the Company’s profitability.

The pricing volatility for natural rubber, petroleum-based materials and other raw materials contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials. Costs for certain raw materials used in the Company’s operations, including natural rubber, chemicals, carbon black, steel reinforcements and synthetic rubber remain volatile. Increasing costs for raw material supplies will increase the Company’s production costs and affect its margins if the Company is unable to pass the higher production costs on to its customers in the form of price increases. Further, if the Company is unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner for any reason, its operations could be interrupted or otherwise adversely affected.

In addition, if the price of gasoline increases significantly for consumers, it can affect driving and purchasing habits and impact demand for tires.

 

- 5 -


Table of Contents

The Company is facing heightened risks due to the current business environment.

Current global economic conditions may affect demand for the Company’s products, create volatility in raw material costs and affect the availability and cost of credit. These conditions also affect the Company’s customers and suppliers as well as the ultimate consumer.

Deterioration in the global macroeconomic environment or in specific regions, including Europe, could impact the Company and, depending upon the severity and duration of these factors, the Company’s profitability and liquidity position could be negatively impacted.

The Company’s competitors may also change their actions as a result of changes to the business environment, which could result in increased price competition and discounts, resulting in lower margins for the business.

The Company’s industry is highly competitive, and it may not be able to compete effectively with lower-cost producers and larger competitors.

The replacement tire industry is a highly competitive, global industry. Some of the Company’s competitors are larger companies with greater financial resources. Most of the Company’s competitors have operations in lower-cost countries. Intense competitive activity in the replacement tire industry has caused, and will continue to cause, pressures on the Company’s business. The Company’s ability to compete successfully will depend in part on its ability to balance capacity with demand, leverage global purchasing of raw materials, make required investments to improve productivity, eliminate redundancies and increase production at low-cost, high-quality supply sources. If the Company is unable to offset continued pressures with improved operating efficiencies, its sales, margins, operating results and market share would decline and the impact could become material on the Company’s earnings.

Any interruption in the Company’s skilled workforce, including labor disruptions, could impair its operations and harm its earnings and results of operations.

The Company’s operations depend on maintaining a skilled workforce and any interruption of its workforce due to shortages of skilled technical, production or professional workers, work disruptions, or other events could interrupt the Company’s operations and affect its operating results. Further, a significant number of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. employees are currently represented by unions. The Company’s labor agreement with the United Steelworkers at its Findlay, Ohio operations expired on October 31, 2011, and the Company locked out its unionized workforce at that location on November 28, 2011. The Company’s labor agreement in Melksham, England expires in March 2012. If the Company fails to extend or renegotiate its collective bargaining agreements with the labor unions on satisfactory terms, is unable to resolve the current labor dispute in Findlay or if there were to be an additional work stoppage or other work disruption, the Company’s business and operating results could suffer.

The Company has a risk of exposure to products liability claims which, if successful, could have a negative impact on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

The Company’s operations expose it to potential liability for personal injury or death as an alleged result of the failure of or conditions in the products that it designs, manufactures and sells. Specifically, the Company is a party to a number of products liability cases in which individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents seek damages resulting from allegedly defective tires that it manufactured. Products liability claims and lawsuits, including possible class action, may result in material losses in the future and cause the Company to incur significant litigation defense costs. The Company is largely self-insured against these claims. These claims could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

The Company has a risk due to volatility of the capital and financial markets.

The Company periodically requires access to the capital and financial markets as a significant source of liquidity for maturing debt payments or working capital needs that it cannot satisfy by cash on hand or operating cash flows. Substantial volatility in world capital markets and the banking industry may make it difficult for the Company to access credit markets and to obtain financing or refinancing, as the case may be, on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, various additional factors, including a deterioration of the Company’s credit ratings or its business or financial condition, could further impair its access to the capital markets. Additionally, any inability to access the capital markets, including the ability to refinance existing debt when due, could require the Company to defer critical capital expenditures, reduce or not pay dividends, reduce spending in areas of strategic importance, sell important assets or, in extreme cases, seek protection from creditors. See also related comments under “There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy of using joint ventures and partially owned subsidiaries.”

 

- 6 -


Table of Contents

The Company’s expenditures for pension and other postretirement obligations could be materially higher than it has predicted if its underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect.

The Company provides defined benefit and hybrid pension plan coverage to union and non-union U.S. employees and a contributory defined benefit plan in the U.K. The Company’s pension expense and its required contributions to its pension plans are directly affected by the value of plan assets, the projected and actual rates of return on plan assets and the actuarial assumptions the Company uses to measure its defined benefit pension plan obligations, including the discount rate at which future projected and accumulated pension obligations are discounted to a present value and the inflation rate. The Company could experience increased pension expense due to a combination of factors, including the decreased investment performance of its pension plan assets, decreases in the discount rate and changes in its assumptions relating to the expected return on plan assets. The Company could also experience increased other postretirement expense due to decreases in the discount rate, increases in the health care trend rate and changes in the health care environment.

In the event of declines in the market value of the Company’s pension assets or lower discount rates to measure the present value of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, the Company could experience changes to its Consolidated Balance Sheet or significant cash requirements.

The Company’s results could be impacted by tariffs imposed by the U.S. or other governments on imported tires.

The Company’s ability to competitively source and sell tires can be significantly impacted by changes in tariffs imposed by various governments. Other effects, including impacts on the price of tires, responsive actions from other governments and the opportunity for other low-cost competitors to establish a presence in markets where the Company participates could also have significant impacts on the Company’s results. In September, 2012 a special tariff on light vehicle tires from the PRC to the U.S. is currently scheduled to expire. The Company’s sales and profit in related segments could be significantly impacted.

Compliance with regulatory initiatives could increase the cost of operating the Company’s business.

The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations. Compliance with those laws now in effect, or that may be enacted, could require significant capital expenditures, increase the Company’s production costs and affect its earnings and results of operations.

Clean oil directive number 2005/69/EC in the European Union (“EU”) was effective January 1, 2010, and requires all tires manufactured after this date and sold in the EU to use non-aromatic oils. The Company is in compliance with this directive. Additional countries may legislate similar clean oil requirements, which could increase the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products.

In addition, while the Company believes that its tires are free from design and manufacturing defects, it is possible that a recall of the Company’s tires could occur in the future. A recall could harm the Company’s reputation, operating results and financial position.

The Company is also subject to legislation governing occupational safety and health both in the U.S. and other countries. The related legislation can change over time making it more expensive for the Company to produce its products. The Company could also, despite its best efforts to comply with these laws, be found liable and be subject to additional costs because of this legislation.

Several countries have or may implement labeling requirements for tires. This legislation could cause the Company’s products to be at a disadvantage in the market place resulting in a loss of market share.

If the Company fails to develop technologies, processes or products needed to support consumer demand it may lose significant market share or be unable to recover associated costs.

The Company’s ability to sell tires may be significantly impacted if it does not develop or make available technologies, processes, or products that competitors may be developing and consumers demanding. This includes but is not limited to changes in the design of and materials used to manufacture tires. Technologies may also be developed by competitors that better distribute tires to consumers, which could affect the Company’s customers.

Additionally, developing new products and technologies requires significant investment and capital expenditures, is technologically challenging and requires extensive testing and accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. If the Company fails to develop new products that are appealing to its customers, or fails to develop products on time and within budgeted amounts, the Company may be unable to recover its product development and testing costs. If the Company cannot successfully use new production or equipment methodologies it invests in, it may also not be able to recover those costs.

 

- 7 -


Table of Contents

The Company may fail to develop or implement information technologies or related systems, resulting in a significant competitive disadvantage.

Successfully competing in the highly competitive tire industry can be impacted by the successful development of information technology. If the Company fails to successfully implement information technology systems it may be at a disadvantage to its competitors resulting in lost sales and negative impacts on the Company’s earnings.

The Company also can be at risk of legal action, loss of business or other loss if it fails to protect sensitive data or technology systems that help it to operate.

The Company is implementing an ERP system that will require significant amounts of capital and human resources to deploy. These requirements may exceed the Company’s initial projections. If for any reason this implementation is not successful, the Company could be required to expense rather than capitalize related amounts. Throughout implementation of the system there are also risks created to the Company’s ability to successfully and efficiently operate.

The Company conducts its manufacturing, sales and distribution operations on a worldwide basis and is subject to risks associated with doing business outside the U.S.

The Company has affiliate, subsidiary and joint venture operations worldwide, including in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Mexico and the PRC. The Company has two manufacturing entities, the Cooper Chengshan joint venture and Cooper Kunshan, in the PRC and has continued to expand operations in that country. The Company has also recently increased its investment in COOCSA, a tire manufacturing entity in Mexico, and has established an operation in Serbia. There are a number of risks in doing business abroad, including political and economic uncertainty, social unrest, sudden changes in laws and regulations, shortages of trained labor and the uncertainties associated with entering into joint ventures or similar arrangements in foreign countries. These risks may impact the Company’s ability to expand its operations in different regions and otherwise achieve its objectives relating to its foreign operations including utilizing these locations as suppliers to other markets. In addition, compliance with multiple and potentially conflicting foreign laws and regulations, import and export limitations and exchange controls is burdensome and expensive. The Company’s foreign operations also subject it to the risks of international terrorism and hostilities and to foreign currency risks, including exchange rate fluctuations and limits on the repatriation of funds.

If the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, its business could be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s business depends on the continued service of key members of its management. The loss of the services of a significant number of members of its management team could have a material adverse effect on its business. The Company’s future success will also depend on its ability to attract, retain and develop highly skilled personnel, such as engineering, marketing and senior management professionals. Competition for these employees is intense, especially in the PRC, and the Company could experience difficulty from time to time in hiring and retaining the personnel necessary to support its business. If the Company does not succeed in retaining its current employees and attracting new high-quality employees, its business could be materially adversely affected.

If assumptions used in developing the Company’s strategic plan are inaccurate or the Company is unable to execute its strategic plan effectively, its profitability and financial position could be negatively impacted.

In February 2008, the Company announced its strategic plan, which contains three imperatives:

Build a sustainable, competitive cost position;

Drive profitable top line growth; and

Build bold organizational capabilities and enablers to support strategic goals.

If the assumptions used in developing the strategic plan vary significantly from actual conditions, the Company’s sales, margins and profitability could be harmed. If the Company is unsuccessful in implementing the tactics necessary to execute its strategic plan it can also be negatively impacted.

 

- 8 -


Table of Contents

The Company may not be successful in executing and integrating acquisitions into its operations, which could harm its results of operations and financial condition.

The Company routinely evaluates potential acquisitions and may pursue acquisition opportunities, some of which could be material to its business. The Company cannot provide assurance whether it will be successful in pursuing any acquisition opportunities or what the consequences of any acquisition would be. In addition, the Company recently completed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Serbia. The Company may encounter various risks in any acquisitions, including:

 

   

the possible inability to integrate an acquired business into its operations;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention;

 

   

loss of key management personnel;

 

   

unanticipated problems or liabilities; and

 

   

increased labor and regulatory compliance costs of acquired businesses.

Some or all of those risks could impair the Company’s results of operations and impact its financial condition. The Company may finance any future acquisitions from internally generated funds, bank borrowings, public offerings or private placements of equity or debt securities, or a combination of the foregoing. Acquisitions may involve the expenditure of significant funds and management time. Acquisitions may also require the Company to increase its borrowings under its bank credit facilities or other debt instruments, or to seek new sources of liquidity. Increased borrowings would correspondingly increase the Company’s financial leverage, and could result in lower credit ratings and increased future borrowing costs. These risks could also reduce the Company’s flexibility to respond to changes in its industry or in general economic conditions.

There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy which includes using joint ventures and partially-owned subsidiaries.

The Company’s strategy includes the use of joint ventures and other partially-owned subsidiaries. These entities operate in countries outside of the U.S., are generally less well capitalized than the Company and bear risks similar to the risks of the Company. However, there are specific additional risks applicable to these subsidiaries and these risks, in turn, add potential risks to the Company. Such risks include greater risk of joint venture partners or other investors failing to meet their obligations under related shareholders’ agreements; conflicts with joint venture partners; the possibility of a joint venture partner taking valuable knowledge from the Company; and risk of being denied access to the capital markets, which could lead to resource demands on the Company in order to maintain or advance its strategy. The Company’s outstanding notes and primary credit facility contain cross default provisions in the event of certain defaults by the Company under other agreements with third parties. For further discussion of access to the capital markets, see also related comments under “The Company has a risk due to volatility of the capital and financial markets.”

The Company’s operations in the PRC have been financed in part using multiple loans from several lenders to finance facility construction, expansions and working capital needs. These loans are generally for terms of three years or less. Therefore, debt maturities occur frequently and access to the capital markets is crucial to their ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to support their operations.

If the price of energy sources increases, the Company’s operating expenses could increase significantly or the demand for the Company’s products could be affected.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities rely principally on natural gas, as well as electrical power and other energy sources. High demand and limited availability of natural gas and other energy sources can result in significant increases in energy costs increasing the Company’s operating expenses and transportation costs. Higher energy costs would increase the Company’s production costs and adversely affect its margins and results of operations. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate sources of energy, its operations could be interrupted.

The Company is required to comply with environmental laws and regulations that could cause it to incur significant costs.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities are subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations designed to protect the environment, and the Company expects that additional requirements with respect to environmental matters will be imposed on it in the future. Material future expenditures may be necessary if compliance standards change, if material unknown conditions that require remediation are discovered, or if required remediation of known conditions becomes more extensive than expected. If the Company fails to comply with present and future environmental laws and regulations, it could be subject to future liabilities or the suspension of production, which could harm its business or results of operations. Environmental laws could also restrict the Company’s ability to expand its facilities or could require it to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses in connection with its manufacturing processes.

 

- 9 -


Table of Contents

The Company is facing risks relating to enactment of healthcare legislation.

The Company is facing risks emanating from the enactment of legislation by the U.S. government including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act, which are collectively referred to as healthcare legislation. This major legislation is being implemented over a period of several years and the ultimate cost and the potentially adverse impact to the Company and its employees cannot be quantified at this time.

The Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property rights adequately.

The Company’s success depends in part upon its ability to use and protect its proprietary technology and other intellectual property, which generally covers various aspects in the design and manufacture of its products and processes. The Company owns and uses tradenames and trademarks worldwide. The Company relies upon a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality policies, nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements and patent, copyright and trademark laws to protect its intellectual property rights. The steps the Company takes in this regard may not be adequate to prevent or deter challenges, reverse engineering or infringement or other violations of its intellectual property, and the Company may not be able to detect unauthorized use or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce its intellectual property rights. In addition, the laws of some countries may not protect and enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Further we believe that we have rights to use all intellectual property in the Company’s use if the Company is found to infringe on the rights of others it could be adversely impacted.

The impact of proposed new accounting standards may have a negative impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering several projects which may result in the modification of accounting standards affecting the Company, including standards relating to revenue recognition, financial instruments, leasing, and others. Any such changes could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The realizability of deferred tax assets may affect the Company’s profitability and cash flows.

The Company has $239 million of net deferred tax assets recorded on the balance sheet at December 31, 2011. The Company maintains a valuation allowance pursuant to ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” on a portion of its deferred tax asset position. The valuation allowance will be maintained as long as it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined separately for each taxing jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations or otherwise generates taxable income or losses. In the U.S., the Company has recorded significant deferred tax assets, the largest of which relate to products liability, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. These deferred tax assets are partially offset by deferred tax liabilities, the most significant of which relates to accelerated depreciation. In the fourth quarter of 2012 the Company released most of its valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets. Based upon this assessment, the Company maintains a valuation allowance for the portion of its U.S. deferred tax assets primarily associated with a capital loss carryforward. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances for deferred tax assets primarily associated with losses in non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company’s assessment is based on certain assumptions and adverse conditions could have a negative impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

- 10 -


Table of Contents

Item 2. PROPERTIES

As shown in the following table, at December 31, 2011 the Company maintained 68 manufacturing, distribution, retail stores and office facilities worldwide. The Company owns a majority of the manufacturing facilities while some manufacturing, distribution and office facilities are leased.

 

     North American Tire Operations     International Tire Operations        

Type of Facility

   United States      Mexico     Europe      Asia     Total  

Manufacturing

     4         1     1         2     8   

Distribution

     12         1        6         19        38   

Retail Stores

     3         —          —           —          3   

Technical centers and offices

     6         1        7         5        19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     25         3        14         26        68   

 

* This includes a manufacturing facility that is a joint venture.

The Company believes its properties have been adequately maintained, generally are in good condition and are suitable and adequate to meet the demands of each segment’s business.

In late 2011, the Company reached agreement to purchase the assets of a light vehicle tire manufacturing facility in the Republic of Serbia. This transaction was completed in early 2012.

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a defendant in various judicial proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. A significant portion of these proceedings are products liability cases in which individuals involved in vehicle accidents seek damages resulting from allegedly defective tires manufactured by the Company. In the future, products liability costs could have a materially greater impact on the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company than in the past. After reviewing all of these proceedings, and taking into account all relevant factors concerning them, the Company does not believe that any liabilities resulting from these proceedings are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, financial condition or results of operations in excess of amounts recorded at December 31, 2011.

On February 2, 2010, in the case of Cates, et al. v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio entered an order approving the settlement agreement negotiated by the parties in April 2009, in its entirety, as being fair, reasonable and adequate and dismissed, with prejudice, the case and a related lawsuit, Johnson, et al. v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. The settlement agreement provided for 1) a cash payment of $7 million to the Plaintiffs for reimbursement of costs; and 2) modification to the Company’s approach and costs of providing future health care to specified current retiree groups which resulted in an amendment to the Company’s retiree medical plan.

A group of the Company’s union retirees and surviving spouses filed the Cates lawsuit on behalf of a purported class claiming that the Company was not entitled to impose any contribution requirement for the cost of their health care coverage pursuant to a series of letter agreements entered into by the Company and the United Steelworkers and that Plaintiffs were promised lifetime benefits, at no cost, after retirement. As a result of settlement discussions, the related Johnson case was filed with the Court on behalf of a different, smaller group of hourly union-represented retirees.

As a consequence of the settlement agreement, the Company recorded $7 million of expense during the first quarter of 2009 relating to the specified cash payments. The estimated present value of the plan amendment has been reflected in the accrual for Other Post-employment Benefits with an offset to the Cumulative other comprehensive loss component of Shareholders’ Equity and will be amortized as a charge to operations over the remaining life expectancy of the affected plan participants.

The United Steelworkers International (“USW”) and its Local 207L filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) against the Company. The Union asserts that the unfair labor practices arose during negotiations for a new labor contract at the Company’s Findlay, Ohio facility. The Company also filed unfair labor practice charges against the Union. The Company believes none of the charges by the Union have merit, but that facts support the Company’s charges against the Union.

Item 4. RESERVED

 

- 11 -


Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The names, ages and all positions and offices held by all executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

Name

   Age     

Executive Office Held

  

Business Experience

Roy V. Armes

     59       Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director    Chairman of the Board since December 2007, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director since January 2007.

Brenda S. Harmon

     60       Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer    Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer since December 2009. Previously Owner of Harmon Consulting Services since November 2008. Vice President – Human Resources of Contech Construction Products, Inc., a privately held construction products and environmental solutions company from 2004 to 2008.
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

Bradley E. Hughes

     50       Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since November 2009. Previously Global Product Development Controller with Ford Motor Corporation, an automobile manufacturer, since 2008; Finance Director, Ford South America Operations from 2005 to

2008.

        
        
        
        
        
        

Harold C. Miller

     59       Vice President and President International Tire Operations    Vice President since March 2002.
        

Christopher E. Ostrander

     43       Vice President and President, North American Tire Operations    Vice president since January 2011. Previously Vice President and General Manager of the Torque Control Products Division at Eaton Corporation from 2008 to 2010; General Manager from 2007 to 2008; Multi-Business Unit Manager from 2006 to 2007.
        
        
        
        
        

Stephen Zamansky

     41       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary    Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary since April 2011. Previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Trinity Coal Corporation (now known as Essar Minerals Americas), a privately held mining company, from 2008 to 2011; served as a private consultant in his own consulting practice from 2007 to 2008.
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

- 12 -


Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

(a) Market information

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CTB. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the common stock as reported in the consolidated reporting system for the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010    High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 21.47       $ 16.16   

Second Quarter

     22.40         17.26   

Third Quarter

     23.21         16.05   

Fourth Quarter

     24.99         18.72   

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011    High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 26.23       $ 21.68   

Second Quarter

     27.73         18.57   

Third Quarter

     20.92         9.86   

Fourth Quarter

     15.00         9.64   

Five-Year Stockholder Return Comparison

The SEC requires that the Company include in its annual report to stockholders a line graph presentation comparing cumulative five-year stockholder returns on an indexed basis with the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Stock Index and either a published industry or line-of-business index or an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The Company in 1993 chose what is now the S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment Index as the most appropriate of the nationally recognized industry standards and has used that index for its stockholder return comparisons in all of its proxy statements since that time.

The following chart assumes three hypothetical $100 investments on December 31, 2006, and shows the cumulative values at the end of each succeeding year resulting from appreciation or depreciation in the stock market price, assuming dividend reinvestment.

 

- 13 -


Table of Contents

Total Return To Shareholders

(Includes reinvestment of dividends)

 

     ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE  
     Years Ending  

Company / Index

   Dec07      Dec08      Dec09      Dec10      Dec11  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

     18.42         -60.98         241.72         20.34         -39.09   

S&P 500 Index

     5.49         -37.00         26.46         15.06         2.11   

S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment

     27.49         -48.66         54.68         42.78         -17.74   

 

      Base     

INDEXED RETURNS

Years Ending

 

Company / Index

   Period
Dec07
     Dec07      Dec08      Dec09      Dec10      Dec11  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

     100         118.42         46.21         157.92         190.04         115.75   

S&P 500 Index

     100         105.49         66.46         84.05         96.71         98.76   

S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment

     100         127.49         65.45         101.24         144.55         118.91   

 

LOGO

 

- 14 -


Table of Contents
(b) Holders

The number of holders of record at December 31, 2011 was 2,500

 

(c) Dividends

The Company has paid consecutive quarterly dividends on its common stock since 1973. Future dividends will depend upon the Company’s earnings, financial condition and other factors. Additional information on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The Company’s retained earnings are available for the payment of cash dividends and the purchases of the Company’s shares. Quarterly dividends per common share for the most recent two years were as follows:

 

     2010           2011  

March 31

   $ 0.105       March 31    $ 0.105   

June 30

     0.105       June 30      0.105   

September 30

     0.105       September 30      0.105   

December 30

     0.105       December 30      0.105   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 0.420       Total:    $ 0.420   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(d) Issuer purchases of equity securities

There were no repurchases of Company stock during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

- 15 -


Table of Contents

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following Selected Financial Data of the Company reflects its continuing operations after the sale of its automotive operations, known as Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc., (“CSA”) in a transaction which closed on December 23, 2004 and the sale of the Oliver Rubber Company in a transaction which closed on October 5, 2007.

(Dollar amounts in thousands except for per share amounts)

 

     Net      Operating     Income (loss)
from Continuing
Operations Before
    Income (loss) from
Continuing Operations
available to Cooper
Tire & Rubber
Company
    Earnings (Loss) Per Share
from Continuing Operations
available to Cooper
Tire & Rubber Company
common stockholders
 
     Sales      Profit (Loss)     Income taxes     common stockholders     Basic     Diluted  

2007

     2,932,575         134,392        116,030        91,435        1.48        1.46   

2008

     2,881,811         (216,633     (257,775     (229,383     (3.88     (3.88

2009

     2,778,990         156,269        115,523        93,359        1.57        1.54   

2010

     3,360,984         188,374        159,826        116,331        1.90        1.86   

2011

     3,927,158         163,301        134,146        253,503        4.08        4.02   

 

            Redeemable                       
            Noncontrolling                    Net Property,  
     Stockholders’      Shareholders’      Long-term      Total      Plant &  
     Equity      Interests      Debt      Assets      Equipment  

2007

     826,262         56,686         464,608         2,298,490         992,215   

2008

     318,246         62,720         325,749         2,042,896         901,274   

2009

     380,524         83,528         330,971         2,100,340         850,971   

2010

     523,050         71,442         320,724         2,305,537         852,442   

2011

     697,890         —           329,496         2,501,005         969,103   

 

                          Average         
     Capital             Dividends      Common Shares      Number of  
     Expenditures      Depreciation      Per Share      (000s)      Employees  

2007

     140,972         131,007         0.42         61,938         13,355   

2008

     128,773         138,805         0.42         59,048         13,311   

2009

     79,333         121,483         0.42         59,439         12,568   

2010

     119,738         121,785         0.42         61,299         12,898   

2011

     155,406         121,556         0.42         62,150         —     

The Company’s continuing operations recorded an impairment charge during 2008 of $31,340 related to goodwill.

The Company’s continuing operations recorded $76,402, $48,718 and $20,649 of restructuring charges in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively, associated with the closures of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and other initiatives as described in Note 17 – Restructuring.

The Company’s continuing operations recorded the partial release of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $167,224 during 2011. The Redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interests were moved to Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests in consolidated subsidiaries within Equity at December 31, 2011 when the put option held by the Company’s joint venture partner in Cooper Chengshan Tire expired unexercised.

 

- 16 -


Table of Contents
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business of the Company

The Company manufactures and markets passenger car, light and medium truck, motorsport and motorcycle tires which are sold globally, primarily in the replacement tire market to independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products.

The Company continues to face both general industry and company-specific challenges. These include volatile raw material costs, increasing product complexity and pressure from competitors with manufacturing in lower-cost regions. To address these challenges and position the Company for future success, the Company continues to execute towards strategic imperatives outlined in its Strategic Plan. The three strategic imperatives, originally communicated in February 2008, are building a sustainable cost competitive position, driving top-line profitable growth and building bold organizational capabilities and enablers to support strategic goals.

In recent years, the Company expanded operations in what are considered lower-cost countries. These initiatives include the Cooper Kunshan Tire manufacturing operation in the PRC (now fully-owned by the Company), the Cooper Chengshan joint venture in the PRC and a joint venture manufacturing operation in Mexico. Products from these operations provide a lower-cost source of tires for existing markets and have been used to expand the Company’s market share in Mexico and the PRC. In early 2012, the Company completed an asset acquisition to establish a manufacturing facility in Serbia. Through a variety of other projects the Company also has improved the competitiveness of its manufacturing operations in the United States.

The Company continues to develop new products to meet changing demands in the market, including improved fuel efficiency and consumer value. During 2011, among other new products, the Company successfully launched highly rated products in the ultra-high performance and light truck categories. It also grew medium truck tire sales to earn a five percent share of the U.S. market.

The following discussion of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with “Selected Financial Data,” the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this report.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) presents information related to the consolidated results of the operations of the Company, a discussion of past results for both of the Company’s segments, future outlook for the Company and information concerning the liquidity, capital resources and critical accounting policies of the Company. The Company’s future results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. See Risk Factors in Item 1A for information regarding forward-looking statements.

 

- 17 -


Table of Contents

Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations

 

            %           %        
(Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts)    2009     Change     2010     Change     2011  

Revenues:

          

North American Tire

   $ 2,006.2        20.8   $ 2,423.8        17.9   $ 2,857.0   

International Tire

     993.8        28.0     1,272.2        22.4     1,557.1   

Eliminations

     (221.0     51.6     (335.0     45.3     (486.9
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 2,779.0        20.9   $ 3,361.0        16.8   $ 3,927.2   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss):

          

North American Tire

   $ 111.0        17.7   $ 130.7        -40.8   $ 77.4   

International Tire

     72.8        12.8     82.1        25.1     102.7   

Eliminations

     (1.6     -81.3     (0.3     366.7     (1.4

Unallocated corporate charges

     (25.9     -6.9     (24.1     -36.1     (15.4
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating profit

     156.3        20.5     188.4        -13.3     163.3   

Interest expense

     47.2        -22.5     36.6        -1.1     36.2   

Interest income

     (5.2     0.0     (5.2     -38.5     (3.2

Other—net

     (1.2     133.3     (2.8     35.7     (3.8
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     115.5        38.4     159.8        -16.1     134.1   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     0.2        n/m        20.1        -774.1     (135.5
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     115.3        21.2     139.7        93.0     269.6   

Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

     (31.9     -26.6     (23.4     -31.2     (16.1
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

   $ 83.4        39.4   $ 116.3        118.0   $ 253.5   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.57        21.0   $ 1.90        114.7   $ 4.08   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.54        20.8   $ 1.86        116.1   $ 4.02   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

- 18 -


Table of Contents

2011 versus 2010

Consolidated net sales for 2011 were $3.927 million, $566 million higher than 2010. The increase in net sales was primarily the result of favorable pricing and mix ($543 million). The Company’s unit volumes decreased ($20 million) from 2010. The International Tire Operations segment experienced favorable exchange rates in 2011 ($43 million).

The Company recorded operating profit in 2011 of $163 million, a decrease of $25 million compared with 2010. Improved pricing and mix ($601 million) were offset by higher raw material costs ($670 million). Reduced selling, general and administrative costs ($15 million) primarily reflected lower incentive compensation related expenses when compared with 2010. The non-recurrence of restructuring costs ($21 million), decreased products liability costs ($12 million) and inclusion of COOCSA operating profit ($9 million) in the North American Tire Operations segment improved operating profit. Unit volumes decreased ($2 million) and other operating costs, including currency impact, were unfavorable ($7 million) from 2010.

Manufacturing efficiencies decreased $3 million when compared with 2010. 2011 includes $11 million of cost during the fourth quarter related to the labor issues at the Findlay, Ohio manufacturing facility. The Company incurred $3 million in additional costs to mobilize and train a temporary workforce and $8 million of costs for the reduced unit volume as production was ramped up at the Findlay location. Exclusive of the labor issues, manufacturing efficiencies would have improved $8 million from 2010.

The Company experienced significant increases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2011 compared with 2010 levels. While raw material costs did begin to stabilize in the 4th quarter, they were volatile throughout the year and remained at elevated levels relative to historic prices. The principal raw materials for the Company include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, chemicals and steel reinforcement components. Approximately 65 percent of the Company’s raw materials are petroleum-based. The increases in the cost of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials were the most significant drivers of higher raw material costs during 2011, which were up $670 million from 2010. Substantially all U.S. inventories have been valued using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of inventory costing.

The Company strives to assure raw material and energy supply and to obtain the most favorable pricing possible. For natural rubber and natural gas, procurement is managed through a combination of buying forward of production requirements and utilizing the spot market. For other principal materials, procurement arrangements include supply agreements that may contain formula-based pricing based on commodity indices, multi-year agreements or spot purchase contracts. While the Company uses these arrangements to satisfy normal manufacturing demands, volatility in the pricing of these commodities makes it difficult to accurately forecast and manage the costs of raw materials.

Products liability expenses totaled $98 million and $110 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, and included recoveries of legal fees of $6 million in 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an additional $22 million for its self-insured portion of a jury verdict in one case. The Company is appealing the decision in that case. The absence of similar discrete items in 2011 is partially offset by continued adjustments to existing reserves based on the Company’s quarterly comprehensive review of outstanding claims. Additional information related to the Company’s accounting for products liability costs appears in the “Critical Accounting Policies” portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $201 million (5.1 percent of net sales) in 2011 compared with $212 million (6.3 percent of net sales) in 2010. The decrease was due primarily to reduced incentive compensation and decreases in the accrual for stock-based liabilities. These decreases were partially offset by higher advertising and selling costs to support the effort to grow the Company’s brands in Asia. These costs reduced as a percentage of net sales as a result of the aforementioned net reduction combined with an increase in net sales in 2011.

During 2010, the Company recorded $21 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and a personnel reduction at its U.K. location.

Interest expense and interest income have remained consistent with 2010.

Other income increased by $1 million in 2011 compared with 2010, primarily as a result of the change in accounting for COOCSA in 2011. COOCSA was treated as an unconsolidated subsidiary prior to the acquisition of an additional 20 percent ownership in the first quarter of 2011. In connection with its increased investment in COOCSA, the Company recorded a gain of $5 million on its original investment, which represents the excess of the fair value over the carrying value of the investment as of the transaction date. Partially offsetting this gain is the absence of equity investment earnings from COOCSA that are now included as a part of the consolidation, rather than in other income as in 2010.

 

- 19 -


Table of Contents

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $135 million on income from continuing operations before income taxes of $134 million, prior to the deduction of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests of $16 million. Excluding the release of the valuation allowance, the Company recorded income tax expense of $32 million. Comparable amounts for 2010 were an income tax expense of $20 million on income from continuing operations before income taxes of $160 million.

Worldwide tax expense for the current year was favorably impacted by the release of most of the U.S. valuation allowance in the amount of $167 million. The Company began to record a valuation allowance against its U.S. net deferred tax assets during the third quarter of 2006. The Company has now concluded that, due to the sustained positive operating performance of the U.S. operations, taxable income in carry back periods and the availability of expected future taxable income, it is more likely than not that the benefit of most of the U.S. deferred tax asset will be realized in support of the release of most of the U.S. valuation allowance. All prior year net operating losses have now been fully utilized. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company effectively settled a U.S. tax examination that covered years 2006 – 2010. The settlement resulted in a tax assessment which was offset by previously recorded tax reserves for a net benefit to tax expense of $1 million. In addition tax expense was favorably impacted by the remaining PRC tax holidays of $2 million. All current tax holidays for the PRC operations have now expired. Tax expense was unfavorably impacted by an increase to the non-US valuation allowance relating to increases in certain non-U.S. net deferred tax assets of $2 million.

The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against a portion of its U.S. and non-U.S. deferred tax asset position at December 31, 2011, as it cannot assure the utilization of these assets before they expire. In the U.S., the Company has offset a portion of its deferred tax asset relating primarily to a capital loss carryforward by a valuation allowance of $20 million. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $8 million relating primarily to non-U.S. net operating losses for a total valuation allowance of $28 million. In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company will continue to reassess the possibility of releasing all or part of the valuation allowances currently in place when they are deemed to be realizable.

The effects of inflation in areas other than raw materials and utilities did not have a material effect on the results of operations of the Company in 2011.

2010 versus 2009

Consolidated net sales were $582 million higher in 2010 than in 2009. The increase in net sales in 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily the result of favorable pricing and mix ($354 million) and higher unit volumes ($221 million) in both the North American and International Tire Operations segments. The International Tire Operations segment also experienced favorable exchange rates in 2010 ($7 million).

The Company recorded operating profit in 2010 of $188 million, an increase of $32 million compared to 2009. Operating profit increased as a result of favorable pricing and mix ($335 million), higher unit volumes ($71 million) and manufacturing efficiencies ($24 million) in both segments. Additionally, lower production curtailment costs due to better capacity utilization ($47 million) and reduced restructuring costs ($29 million) in the North American Tire Operations segment contributed favorably to the increased profits. Other costs, including distribution and currency impacts, were favorable ($14 million). Partially offsetting these improvements were higher raw material costs in both segments ($463 million) and increased products liability charges ($28 million) recorded in the North American Tire Operations segment.

During 2009, the Company recognized a benefit in its North American Tire Operations segment from inventory valuations as a result of the decline in finished goods inventory and the elimination of inventory layers at historically lower costs due to the Company’s LIFO accounting for cost flows in this segment. This decline in inventory levels resulted in the Company recognizing a $16 million benefit in operating profit through reduced raw material costs in 2009. In 2010, no benefit was recognized as inventory levels increased from 2009.

The Company experienced significant increases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2010 compared with the 2009 levels. The increases in the cost of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials were the most significant drivers of higher raw material costs during 2010, which were up $463 million from 2009. Natural rubber, in particular, increased during 2010 compared to 2009.

Products liability expenses totaled $110 million and $82 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The majority of the increase in products liability expense for the year is due to the Company recording an additional expense of $22 million for its self-insured portion of a jury verdict in one case during the first quarter of 2010. The Company is appealing the decision in that case. The remaining change in the liability primarily results from adjustments to existing reserves based on the Company’s quarterly comprehensive review of outstanding claims.

 

- 20 -


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $212 million (6.3 percent of net sales) in 2010 compared to $207 million (7.4 percent of net sales) in 2009. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in total was due primarily to higher professional service expense, costs associated with the Company’s ERP implementation and costs associated with maintaining the Company’s closed facility in Albany, Georgia. These increases were partially offset by reduced incentive-based compensation. The reduced percent to net sales is a result of the Company effectively controlling its expenses coupled with an increase in net sales in 2010.

During 2010, the Company recorded $21 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and a personnel reduction at its U.K. location. The Company recorded $49 million in restructuring costs in 2009 related to the Albany, Georgia closure and the closure of three distribution centers located in Dayton, New Jersey, Moraine, Ohio, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

As noted in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company recorded a $7 million charge during the first quarter of 2009 related to the agreement reached in the Cates retiree medical legal case which is reflected as unallocated corporate charges in 2009.

Interest expense decreased $11 million in 2010 from 2009, primarily due to lower debt levels in both the parent Company and its subsidiaries. The Company repaid $97 million of its parent company Senior Notes in December 2009.

Interest income was $5 million in both 2010 and 2009.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $20 million on income from continuing operations before income taxes of $160 million, prior to the deduction of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests of $23 million. Worldwide tax expense was favorably impacted by the decrease in the valuation allowance resulting from changes in U.S. deferred tax asset and liability balances of $2 million. It was unfavorably impacted by the increase in certain foreign deferred net tax assets of $4 million. It was favorably impacted by the continuation of tax holidays for some of the Company’s operations in the PRC in the amount of $5 million. Comparable amounts for 2009 were an income tax expense of $0.2 million on income before taxes from continuing operations of $116 million.

The effects of inflation in areas other than raw materials and utilities did not have a material effect on the results of operations of the Company in 2010.

Restructuring

During 2010, the North American Tire Operations and the International Tire Operations segments recorded $20 million and $1 million, respectively, of restructuring expense associated with initiatives announced at various times throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010.

On October 21, 2008, the Company announced it would conduct a capacity study of its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The study was an evolution of the Strategic Plan as outlined by the Company in February 2008. All of the Company’s U.S. manufacturing facilities were included in the review and were analyzed based on a combination of factors, including long-term financial benefits, labor relations and productivity.

At the conclusion of the capacity study, on December 17, 2008, the North American Tire Operations segment announced its plans to close its tire manufacturing facility in Albany, Georgia. This closure resulted in a workforce reduction of approximately 1,330 people. Certain equipment in the facility was relocated to other manufacturing facilities of the Company. The segment ceased production at the Albany facility in the third quarter of 2009 and this initiative was substantially completed as of September 30, 2010.

In the North American Tire Operations segment for 2009 and 2010, the Company recorded $47 million and $20 million, respectively, of net restructuring expense related to the Albany closure. In 2010, restructuring expense included $13 million used for equipment relocation and other costs, $5 million for employee related costs and $2 million to write the Albany land and building down to fair value. In 2009, net restructuring expense included $26 million used for equipment relocation and other costs, $20 million for employee related costs and $1 million to write the Albany land, building and equipment down to fair value. Included in employee related costs were severance and other employee related costs of $15 million, and $5 million of settlement losses partially offset by curtailment gains related to pension benefits. The Company received $3 million in government grant receipts throughout 2009, partially offsetting gross restructuring expense.

The Company has recorded $142 million of costs related to the closure of the Albany manufacturing facility. This amount includes employee related costs of $25 million and equipment related and other costs of $117 million, including impairment losses of $78 million to write the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value.

 

- 21 -


Table of Contents

The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at Albany were classified as “assets held for sale” at estimated fair value less costs to sell determined based on a signed Real Estate Purchase Agreement at December 31, 2010. On September 30, 2011, those assets were sold for $8 million, which approximated the carrying value of those assets.

During 2009, the Company also recorded restructuring expenses associated with the closure of three North American distribution centers. The closure of these distribution centers impacted approximately 73 people and had a total cost of $2 million. All of the closures were completed by the end of 2009, with any remaining severance payments made in 2010.

In the International Tire Operations segment, Cooper Europe implemented a workforce reduction program during the second quarter of 2010. This initiative impacted 67 employees and was completed during the third quarter of 2010. The Company recorded $1 million of severance cost related to this initiative and all severance amounts have been paid.

Cooper Europe also initiated a restructuring program to reduce headcount to align with production volume requirements during the second quarter of 2009. This initiative resulted in the elimination of 45 positions and was completed early in the third quarter of 2009. The Company recorded $0.4 million of severance cost related to this initiative and all severance amounts have been paid.

North American Tire Operations Segment

 

           Change           Change        
(Dollar amounts in millions)    2009     %     2010     %     2011  

Sales

   $ 2,006.2        20.8   $ 2,423.8        17.9   $ 2,857.0   

Operating profit (loss)

   $ 111.0        17.7   $ 130.7        -40.8   $ 77.4   

Operating margin

     5.5     (0.1 ) point      5.4     (2.7 ) points      2.7

United States unit shipments changes:

          

Passenger tires

          

Segment

       9.4       -1.0  

RMA members

       5.2       -1.7  

Total Industry

       5.9       -2.5  

Light truck tires

          

Segment

       7.1       7.5  

RMA members

       7.5       1.8  

Total Industry

       4.8       -0.1  

Total light vehicle tires

          

Segment

       9.0       0.4  

RMA members

       5.5       -1.3  

Total Industry

       5.7       -2.2  

Total segment unit sales changes

       7.4       1.3  

The source of this information is the Rubber Manufacturers Association (“RMA”) and internal sources.

Overview

The North American Tire Operations segment manufactures and markets passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the U.S. replacement market. The segment also distributes tires for racing, medium truck and motorcycles that are manufactured at the Company’s affiliated operations. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products. The segment does not sell its products directly to end users, except through three Company-owned retail stores, and does not currently manufacture or sell tires for use as original equipment.

 

- 22 -


Table of Contents

2011 versus 2010

Sales

Sales of the North American Tire Operations segment increased by $433 million, or 17.9 percent, compared with 2010 sales. The increase in sales was a result of favorable pricing and mix ($398 million) and increased unit volumes ($35 million). The segment’s total unit sales increased by 1.3 percent over the prior year. In the United States, the segment’s unit shipments of total light vehicle tires increased 0.4 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. This increase compares with a 1.3 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments experienced by the members of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (“RMA”) and a 2.2 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments for the total industry (which includes an estimate for non-RMA members). Broadline tires, where the segment has a substantial presence, were weaker relative to other product lines for the industry. The segment was able to offset this weakness with performance above the industry in ultra-high performance, light truck and SUV tires resulting in a volume increase compared to industry shipments. Medium truck tire shipments of the Roadmaster brand, which are excluded from light vehicle shipments, were also strong during the year, up 34.8 percent compared with 2010.

Operating Profit

North American Tire segment operating profit decreased $53 million in 2011 compared to 2010. Improved pricing and mix ($308 million) only partially offset higher raw material costs ($410 million). Increased unit volumes ($3 million), the non-recurrence of restructuring costs ($20 million), decreased products liability charges ($13 million) and decreased selling, general and administrative costs, reflecting primarily lower incentive compensation expenses ($9 million), contributed favorably to the segment’s operating profit for 2011. The inclusion of COOCSA as a wholly consolidated entity added to operating profit ($9 million). Other operating costs were higher ($4 million) compared to 2010.

Manufacturing efficiencies increased $1 million when compared with 2010, including $11 million of cost during the fourth quarter related to the labor issues at the Findlay, Ohio manufacturing facility. The Company incurred $3 million in additional costs to mobilize and train a temporary workforce and $8 million of costs for the reduced unit volume as production was ramped up at the Findlay location. Exclusive of the labor issues, manufacturing efficiencies improved $12 million from 2010.

The North American Tire Operations segment continued to experience significant increases in the costs of certain of its raw materials in 2011 compared with 2010 levels. The segment’s internally calculated average raw material index of 259 during the year was an increase of 32 percent from 2010. During the third quarter of 2011 the raw material index reached an all time high of 276.

2010 versus 2009

Sales of the North American Tire Operations segment increased $418 million, or 20.8 percent from the sales levels achieved in 2009. The increase in sales was a result of favorable pricing and mix ($259 million) and higher unit volumes ($159 million). In the U.S., the segment’s unit shipments of total light vehicle tires increased 9.0 percent in 2010 from 2009. The increase exceeded the 5.5 percent increase in total light vehicle shipments experienced by the members of the RMA, and also exceeded the 5.7 percent increase in total light vehicle shipments experienced for the total industry (which includes an estimate for non-RMA members). This improvement occurred across nearly all product segments as the Company was able to significantly increase market share.

North American Tire Operations segment operating profit increased $20 million in 2010 compared to 2009. Operating profit increased as a result of favorable pricing and mix ($202 million), reduced production curtailment costs ($47 million), higher unit volumes ($39 million), lower restructuring costs ($29 million), improved manufacturing efficiencies ($18 million) and improvement in other costs, including favorable distribution costs ($6 million). These improvements were partially offset by higher raw material costs ($293 million) and increased products liability charges ($29 million).

The segment’s U.S. based operations determine cost flows using the LIFO method. During 2009, inventory levels declined as a result of the segment’s inventory management as well as increases in global demand for replacement tires in the third and fourth quarters. This decline in inventory levels resulted in the segment recognizing a $16 million benefit in operating profit from inventory valued at historically lower costs. In 2010, no benefit was recognized as inventory levels increased from 2009.

The segment’s internally calculated raw material index of 196 during the year was an increase of 30 percent from 2009.

During 2010, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $20 million related to the Company’s decision to close its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility. During 2009, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring expense of $48 million related to the Albany manufacturing facility and the decisions to close three distribution centers. See the discussion of these initiatives in the Restructuring section.

 

- 23 -


Table of Contents

International Tire Operations Segment

 

           Change           Change        
(Dollar amounts in millions)    2009     %     2010     %     2011  

Sales

   $ 993.8        28.0   $ 1,272.2        22.4   $ 1,557.1   

Operating profit

   $ 72.8        12.8   $ 82.1        25.1   $ 102.7   

Operating margin

     7.3     (0.8 ) points      6.5     0.1  point      6.6

Unit sales change

       13.8       -5.8  

Overview

The International Tire Operations segment has affiliated operations in the U.K. and the PRC. The U.K. entity manufactures and markets passenger car, light truck, motorcycle and racing tires and tire retread material for the global market. The Cooper Chengshan Tire joint venture manufactures and markets radial and bias medium truck tires as well as passenger and light truck tires for the global market. Cooper Kunshan Tire currently manufactures light vehicle tires and under an agreement with the government of the PRC, these tires will be exported to markets outside of the PRC until May 2012. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured by the segment are sold to OEMs. In late 2011, the Company reached agreement to purchase the assets of a light vehicle tire manufacturing facility in the Republic of Serbia. This transaction was completed in early 2012.

2011 versus 2010

Sales

Sales of the International Tire Operations segment increased by $285 million, or 22.4 percent, from the sales levels achieved in 2010. The increase in sales was a result of favorable pricing and mix ($319 million), partially offset by decreased unit volumes ($77 million). The segment also experienced favorable exchange rates in 2011($43 million). Intercompany unit volumes decreased in 2011 as the Company continued to manage its inventory levels to properly reflect global market demand. The ongoing exit from bias tire production also contributed to the decreased unit volume, as the Company continued to focus on producing a more premium mix of product. The segment was successful in increasing sales of Cooper Brand tires in the Chinese market, where it increased volumes by nearly 80 percent from 2010 levels.

Operating Profit

International Tire operating profit was $21 million higher than in 2010. The increase in operating profit was due to improved pricing and mix ($294 million) partially offset by higher raw material costs ($260 million), decreased unit volumes ($4 million), higher manufacturing costs ($4 million) and increased selling, general and administrative costs ($3 million). Other operating costs decreased operating profit ($3 million).

The International Tire Operations segment experienced significant increases in the costs of certain of its raw materials in 2011 as compared to 2010, consistent with those experienced in the North American Tire Operations segment. Raw material costs per unit sold have increased 33 percent for 2011 as compared to 2010. For inventory valuation, the segment uses FIFO and the average cost methods which are different than the North American segment and results in a longer lag between moves in the spot prices of commodities and the impact on financial statements.

2010 versus 2009

Sales of the International Tire Operations segment increased $278 million, or 28.0 percent, from the sales levels achieved in 2009. Contributing to the increase in sales were higher unit volumes ($176 million), primarily from the Company’s operations in Asia, favorable pricing and mix ($95 million) and favorable foreign exchange rates ($7 million). Despite the increase in unit volumes, the segment was able to actively reduce production of certain lower margin tires, including bias products.

 

- 24 -


Table of Contents

The International Tire Operations segment operating profit in 2010 was $82 million, $9 million higher than in 2009. The increase in operating profit was due to favorable pricing and mix ($132 million), higher unit volumes ($32 million), improved production utilization and manufacturing costs ($9 million) and favorable currency impacts ($6 million). These increases were partially offset by higher raw material costs ($169 million).

Discontinued Operations

In 2003 the Company initiated bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (“APA”) negotiations with the Canadian and U.S. governments to change its intercompany transfer pricing process between a formerly owned subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc., (“CSA”) and its Canadian affiliate. The governments settled the APA in 2009 and on August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. filed a Bankruptcy petition. On August 19, 2009, the Company filed an action in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, in response to the tax refunds owed to the Company pursuant to the September 16, 2004 sale agreement of CSA for pre-disposition periods ending December 23, 2004. On March 17, 2010, the Company entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the subject proceedings, which became non-appealable on April 29, 2010. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CSA paid the Company approximately $17,639, in addition to the resolution of other contingent liabilities between the parties. Based upon the settlement, the Company released liabilities recorded on its books relating to the disposition of CSA in the amount of $7,400 through Discontinued Operations, net of the tax impact, in the quarter ended June 30, 2010. There has been no activity relating to this item in 2011.

The following table provides details of the Company’s discontinued operations:

 

     2009     2010  

Income (loss) related to former automotive operations, net of tax

   $ (31.4   $ 24.1   

Income (loss) from Oliver Rubber subsidiary, net of tax

     (0.3     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (31.7   $ 24.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outlook for the Company

For 2012, the Company expects uncertainty to persist in the global economic environment. Demand for tires will vary by region and likely remain sluggish compared to historical growth rates. Demand in mature tire markets historically grows in a range of 1 to 3 percent, while developing markets including the PRC will be higher. Through its actions to launch new products and deliver exceptional value, the Company expects to exceed industry growth rates. Potential for higher volume growth exists as pent-up demand for replacement tires has continued to build. It is difficult to accurately predict when and how that demand will manifest.

The Company expects raw material costs to remain at elevated levels. The industry has demonstrated an ability to price to help offset raw material cost volatility, but these price changes typically lag the raw material cost changes.

Products liability expense is expected to be moderately higher in 2012 than 2011. This is the result of increases in legal expenses due to a more active trial docket and other activities in the coming year and increased charges to reserves consistent with the Company’s long-term trend for products liability.

The Company will also continue investing in the business and expects capital expenditures for 2012 to total $180 million to $210 million. This includes investments in an ERP system and investments to ramp up production at the Serbian plant acquired in early 2012.

The Company expects its effective tax rate for 2011 will most likely be between 26 percent and 34 percent.

If the company fails to reach a resolution with USW 207L at the Findlay, Ohio plant for an extended period, it will have a negative impact on the Company’s earnings.

The Company’s record of achievements gives it confidence that it can successfully compete in a volatile economy and industry. The Company’s focus in 2012 will continue to be guided by its Strategic Plan which calls for achieving profitable top line growth, improving its global cost structure and improving organizational capabilities. The Company is optimistic about its future and confident that successfully implementing this plan will drive increased shareholder value.

 

- 25 -


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Generation and uses of cash—Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $125 million in 2011, a decrease of $32 million from 2010. During 2011, net income attributable to continuing operations provided $270 million and other non-cash charges totaled $49 million. Partially offsetting these sources of cash were changes in working capital accounts which consumed $193 million. Inventory balances have increased from prior year levels as a result of higher finished goods unit levels and higher raw material costs. Accounts payable balances have decreased as a result of lower raw material purchases during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net cash used in investing activities during 2011 reflects capital expenditures of $155 million, an increase of $35 million from 2010. During 2011, the Company spent $41 million related to the implementation of its global ERP system. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company invested $17 million to increase its ownership percentage in COOCSA to approximately 58 percent, and because of the increase in voting rights, now consolidates the results of those operations.

The Company’s capital expenditure commitments at December 31, 2011 were $28 million and are included in the “Unconditional purchase” line of the Contractual Obligations table which appears later in this section. At December 31, 2011, the Company also had an agreement to purchase the assets of a light vehicle tire manufacturing facility in the Republic of Serbia. These commitments will be satisfied with existing cash and cash flows from operations in early 2012.

During 2011 the Company’s long-term debt increased as a result of notes issued in the PRC and amounts borrowed in Mexico. In 2011, the Company paid $117 million to purchase the remaining 50-percent ownership interest in Cooper Kunshan. In 2010, the Company’s Cooper Kunshan operations received capital contributions from the joint venture partner at the time. Also in 2010, the Company paid $18 million to purchase an additional 14-percent interest in its Cooper Chengshan joint venture, increasing its ownership share to 65 percent. In December 2009, the Company repaid $97 million of its Senior Notes.

Dividends paid on the Company’s common shares were $26 million in each of 2011 and 2010 compared to $25 million in 2009. The Company has maintained a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share in each quarter during the three years ending December 31, 2011. The Company also paid $6 million and $12 million in dividends to noncontrolling shareholders in the Cooper Chengshan joint venture in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

During 2011, stock options were exercised to acquire 315,785 shares of common stock and the Company recorded $0.4 million of excess tax benefits on equity instruments. During 2010, stock options were exercised to acquire 508,044 shares of common stock and the Company recorded $3 million of excess tax benefits on equity instruments. During 2009, stock options were exercised to acquire 26,230 shares of common stock and the Company recorded $1.9 million of excess tax benefits on equity instruments.

Available cash, credit facilities and contractual commitments—At December 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $234 million.

Domestically, the Company has a revolving credit facility with a consortium of four banks that provides up to $200 million based on available collateral. In July of 2011, the expiration of the facility was extended until July 2016. The Company also has an accounts receivable securitization facility which was amended in June 2011 to extend the maturity until June 2014. In July 2011, the limit of this facility was increased to $175 million. These credit facilities have no significant financial covenants until available credit is less than specified amounts. At December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and the credit facilities were undrawn except for amounts used to back letters of credit. The Company’s additional borrowing capacity, based on eligible collateral through use of its credit facility with its bank group and its accounts receivable securitization facility at December 31, 2011, was $293 million.

The Company’s consolidated operations in Asia have annual renewable unsecured credit lines that provide up to $428 million of borrowings and do not contain financial covenants. The additional borrowing capacity on the Asian credit lines, based on eligible collateral and the short-term notes payable, totaled $240 million at December 31, 2011.

The Company believes that available cash from operating cash flows and credit facilities will be adequate to fund its needs, including working capital requirements, projected capital expenditures, including its portion of capital expenditures in partially-owned subsidiaries, and dividend goals. The long-term debt due within one year and the entire amount of short-term notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2011 is primarily debt of consolidated subsidiaries. The Company expects its subsidiaries to refinance or pay these amounts during 2012.

The Company established a $1.2 billion universal shelf registration in 1999 in connection with an acquisition. Fixed rate debt of $800 million was issued pursuant to the shelf registration in December 1999 to fund the acquisition. The remaining $400 million available under the shelf registration continues to be available at December 31, 2011. Securities that may be issued under this shelf registration include debt securities, preferred stock, fractional interests in preferred stock represented by depositary shares, common stock and warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock or preferred stock.

 

- 26 -


Table of Contents

In connection with its acquisition of Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders had the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company had the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent noncontrolling interest share at a minimum price of $63 million. In 2009, the Company received notification from a noncontrolling shareholder of its intention to exercise its put option and after receiving governmental approvals in 2010, the Company purchased the 14 percent share for $18 million. The remaining noncontrolling shareholder had the right to sell its 35 percent share to the Company at a minimum price of $45 million. This right expired on December 31, 2011.

The Company’s cash requirements relating to contractual obligations at December 31, 2011 are summarized in the following table:

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)    Payment Due by Period  
            Less than                    After  

Contractual Obligations

   Total      1 year      1-3 years      3-5 years      5 years  

Long-term debt

   $ 340,833       $ 20,599       $ 26,528       $ 3,248       $ 290,458   

Capital lease obligations and other

     9,862         600         1,200         1,200         6,862   

Interest on debt and capital lease obligations

     254,132         25,219         48,701         46,383         133,829   

Operating leases

     108,388         23,144         28,613         22,195         34,436   

Notes payable (a)

     131,651         131,651         —           —           —     

Unconditional purchase (b)

     161,830         161,830         —           —           —     

Commitment to acquire assets in the Republic of Serbia

     16,450         16,450         —           —           —     

Postretirement benefits other than pensions (c)

     311,069         17,802         35,721         37,278         220,268   

Pensions

     360,632         45,000         100,000         100,000         115,632   

Other long-term liabilities (d)

     168,703         —           103,946         49,985         14,772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 1,863,550       $ 442,295       $ 344,709       $ 260,289       $ 816,257   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Financing obtained from financial institutions in the PRC and Mexico to support the Company’s operations there.
(b) Noncancelable purchase order commitments for capital expenditures and raw materials, principally natural rubber, made in the ordinary course of business.
(c) Represents both the current and long-term portions of postretirement benefits other than pensions liability.
(d) Products liability, nonqualified benefit plans, warranty reserve and other non-current liabilities.

Credit agency ratings – Standard & Poor’s has rated the Company’s long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt at BB- with a positive outlook. Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a B1 corporate family rating and a B2 rating to senior unsecured debt.

New Accounting Standards

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on the Company, see the “Significant Accounting Policies—Accounting pronouncements” note to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. When more than one accounting principle, or the method of its application, is generally accepted, the Company selects the principle or method that is appropriate in its specific circumstances. The Company’s accounting policies are more fully described in the “Significant Accounting Policies” note to the consolidated financial statements. Application of these accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment or estimation than other accounting policies.

 

- 27 -


Table of Contents

Products liability – The Company is a defendant in various products liability claims brought in numerous jurisdictions in which individuals seek damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents allegedly caused by defective tires manufactured by the Company. Each of the products liability claims faced by the Company generally involve different types of tires, models and lines, different circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s products liability lawsuits, the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, both the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The aggregate amount of damages asserted at any point in time is not determinable since often times when claims are filed, the plaintiffs do not specify the amount of damages. Even when there is an amount alleged, at times the amount is wildly inflated and has no rational basis.

The fact that the Company is a defendant in products liability lawsuits is not surprising given the current litigation climate, which is largely confined to the U.S. However, the fact that the Company is subject to claims does not indicate that there is a quality issue with the Company’s tires. The Company sells approximately 30 to 40 million passenger, light truck, SUV, radial medium truck and motorcycle tires per year in North America. The Company estimates that approximately 300 million Cooper-produced tires – made up of thousands of different specifications – are still on the road in North America. While tire disablements do occur, it is the Company’s and the tire industry’s experience that the vast majority of tire failures relate to service-related conditions which are entirely out of the Company’s control – such as failure to maintain proper tire pressure, improper maintenance, road hazard and excessive speed.

The Company’s exposure for each claim occurring prior to April 1, 2003 is limited by the coverage provided by its excess liability insurance program. The program for that period includes a relatively low per claim retention and a policy year aggregate retention limit on claims arising from occurrences which took place during a particular policy year. Effective April 1, 2003, the Company established a new excess liability insurance program. The new program covers the Company’s products liability claims occurring on or after April 1, 2003 and is occurrence-based insurance coverage which includes an increased per claim retention limit, increased policy limits and the establishment of a captive insurance company.

The Company accrues costs for products liability at the time a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be estimated. The Company believes the probability of loss can be established and the amount of loss can be estimated only after certain minimum information is available, including verification that Company-produced products were involved in the incident giving rise to the claim, the condition of the product purported to be involved in the claim, the nature of the incident giving rise to the claim and the extent of the purported injury or damages. In cases where such information is known, each products liability claim is evaluated based on its specific facts and circumstances. A judgment is then made to determine the requirement for establishment or revision of an accrual for any potential liability. The liability often cannot be determined with precision until the claim is resolved.

Pursuant to applicable accounting rules, the Company accrues the minimum liability for each known claim when the estimated outcome is a range of possible loss and no one amount within that range is more likely than another. The Company uses a range of settlements because an average settlement cost would not be meaningful since the products liability claims faced by the Company are unique and widely variable. The cases involve different types of tires, models and lines, different circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s products liability lawsuits, the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $33 million in one case with no “average” that is meaningful. No specific accrual is made for individual unasserted claims or for premature claims, asserted claims where the minimum information needed to evaluate the probability of a liability is not yet known. However, an accrual for such claims based, in part, on management’s expectations for future litigation activity and the settled claims history is maintained. Because of the speculative nature of litigation in the U.S., the Company does not believe a meaningful aggregate range of potential loss for asserted and unasserted claims can be determined. The Company’s experience has demonstrated that its estimates have been reasonably accurate and, on average, cases are settled at amounts close to the reserves established. However, it is possible an individual claim from time to time may result in an aberration from the norm and could have a material impact.

The Company determines its reserves using the number of incidents expected during a year. During 2010, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $85 million. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $40 million of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $2 million. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $43 million. Of this amount, $22 million was the result of the Company increasing its self-insured portion of a jury verdict in one case during the first quarter of 2010. The Company considered the impact of this case when evaluating the assumptions used in establishing reserve balances and did not adjust its assumptions based solely on this case.

 

- 28 -


Table of Contents

During 2011, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $67 million. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $42 million of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $13 million. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $12 million.

The time frame for the payment of a products liability claim is too variable to be meaningful. From the time a claim is filed to its ultimate disposition depends on the unique nature of the case, how it is resolved – claim dismissed, negotiated settlement, trial verdict and appeals process – and is highly dependent on jurisdiction, specific facts, the plaintiff’s attorney, the court’s docket and other factors. Given that some claims may be resolved in weeks and others may take five years or more, it is impossible to predict with any reasonable reliability the time frame over which the accrued amounts may be paid.

During 2010, the Company paid $46 million and during 2011, the Company paid $50 million to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2010 totaled $191 million (current portion of $42 million). At December 31, 2011, the products liability reserve balance totaled $207 million (current portion of $58 million).

The products liability expense reported by the Company includes amortization of insurance premium costs, adjustments to settlement reserves and legal costs incurred in defending claims against the Company offset by recoveries of legal fees. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and products liability insurance premiums are amortized over coverage periods. The Company is entitled to reimbursement, under certain insurance contracts in place for periods ending prior to April 1, 2003, of legal fees expensed in prior periods based on events occurring in those periods. The Company records the reimbursements under such policies in the period the conditions for reimbursement are met. Substantially all legal fees reimbursements have been received related to these pre-April 2003 claims.

Products liability costs totaled $82 million, $110 million and $98 million in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $3 million and $6 million 2009 and 2010, respectively. Insurance policies applicable to claims occurring on April 1, 2003, and thereafter, do not provide for recovery of legal fees.

Income Taxes – The Company is required to make certain estimates and judgments to determine income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments are made in the calculation of tax credits, tax benefits and deductions (such as the U.S. tax incentive for domestic manufacturing activities) and in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities which arise from differences in the timing of the recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. Changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to tax expense in subsequent periods.

The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax asset. A valuation allowance is required pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) when, based upon an assessment which is largely dependent upon objectively verifiable evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined separately for each taxing jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations or otherwise generates taxable income or losses. In the event there is a change in circumstances in the future which would affect the utilization of these deferred tax assets, tax expense in that accounting period would be adjusted by the amount of the assets then deemed to be realizable.

During 2011, the Company released the valuation allowance that was previously established related to most of its deferred tax assets in the United States, based upon its assessment of realizability of those assets. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against a portion of its U.S. and non-U.S. deferred tax asset position at December 31, 2011, as it cannot assure the utilization of these assets before they expire. In the U.S. the Company has offset a portion of its deferred tax asset relating primarily to a capital loss carryforward by a valuation allowance of $20 million. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $8 million relating primarily to non-U.S. net operating losses for a total valuation allowance of $28 million. In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company will continue to reassess the possibility of releasing all or part of the valuation allowances currently in place when they are deemed to be realizable.

The Company applies the rules under ASC 740-10 in its Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes for uncertain tax positions using a “more likely than not” recognition threshold. Pursuant to these rules, the Company will initially recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the tax position, that such a position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. If the tax benefit meets the “more likely than not” threshold, the measurement of the tax benefit will be based on the Company’s estimate of the ultimate amount to be sustained if audited by the taxing authority. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits for permanent and temporary book/tax differences for continuing operations, exclusive of interest, totaled approximately $1 million at December 31, 2011. In accordance with Company policy, the liability relating to pre-2011 years was released or reclassified following the effective settlement of a U.S. federal income tax examination for pre-2011 years and the net result including estimated interest, net of prior year refunds, is reflected as an income tax receivable in the amount of $5 million.

 

- 29 -


Table of Contents

Impairment of long-lived assets – The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and other assets that are intangible. If an indicator of impairment exists for certain groups of property, plant and equipment or definite-lived intangible assets, the Company will compare the forecasted undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets to their carrying values. If the carrying values exceed the undiscounted cash flows, the Company then determines the fair values of the assets. If the carrying values exceed the fair values of the assets, then an impairment charge is recognized for the difference.

The Company assesses the potential impairment of its indefinite-lived assets at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The carrying value of these assets is compared to their fair value. If the carrying values exceed the fair values, then a hypothetical purchase price allocation is computed and the impairment charge, if any, is then recorded.

The Company cannot predict the occurrence of future impairment-triggering events. Such events may include, but are not limited to, significant industry or economic trends and strategic decisions made in response to changes in the economic and competitive conditions impacting the Company’s businesses.

Pension and postretirement benefits – The Company has recorded significant pension liabilities in the U.S. and the U.K. and other postretirement benefit liabilities in the U.S. that are developed from actuarial valuations. The determination of the Company’s pension liabilities requires key assumptions regarding discount rates used to determine the present value of future benefits payments, expected returns on plan assets and the rates of future compensation increases. The discount rate is also significant to the development of other postretirement benefit liabilities. The Company determines these assumptions in consultation with its investment advisors and actuaries.

The discount rate reflects the rate used to estimate the value of the Company’s pension and other postretirement liabilities for which they could be settled at the end of the year. When determining the discount rate, the Company discounted the expected pension disbursements over the next fifty years using the Principal Financial Group’s Pension Discount Yield Curve. Based upon this analysis, the Company used a discount rate of 4.80 percent to measure its U.S. pension liabilities at December 31, 2011, which is lower than the 5.35 percent used at December 31, 2010. The Company used the Citigroup Pension Discount Liability Index yield curve rates to measure its other postretirement benefit liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the Company used a rate of 4.15 percent which is lower than the 5.20 percent used at December 31, 2010. A similar analysis was completed in the U.K. and the Company decreased the discount rate used to measure its U.K. pension liabilities to 4.85 percent at December 31, 2011 from 5.5 percent at December 31, 2010.

The rate of future compensation increases is used to determine the future benefits to be paid for salaried and non-bargained employees, since the amount of a participant’s pension is partially attributable to the compensation earned during his or her career. The rate reflects the Company’s expectations over time for salary and wage inflation and the impacts of promotions and incentive compensation, which is typically tied to profitability. Effective July 1, 2009, the Company froze the Spectrum (salaried employees) Plan in the U.S. so this assumption is not applicable to valuing the pension liability. In the U.K., the Company used 3.0 percent for the estimated future compensation increase at December 31, 2011 compared to a rate of 3.4 percent at December 31, 2010.

The assumed long-term rate of return on pension plan assets is applied to the market value of plan assets to derive a reduction to pension expense that approximates the expected average rate of asset investment return over ten or more years. A decrease in the expected long-term rate of return will increase pension expense, whereas an increase in the expected long-term rate will reduce pension expense. Decreases in the level of actual plan assets will serve to increase the amount of pension expense, whereas increases in the level of actual plan assets will serve to decrease the amount of pension expense. Any shortfall in the actual return on plan assets from the expected return will increase pension expense in future years due to the amortization of the shortfall, whereas any excess in the actual return on plan assets from the expected return will reduce pension expense in future periods due to the amortization of the excess.

The Company’s current asset allocation for U.S. plans’ assets is 61 percent in equity securities and 37 percent in debt securities. The Company investment strategy is to match assets to the cash flows of the pension obligations. The Company’s investment policy for U.K. plan assets is to maintain an allocation of 60 percent in equity securities, 20 percent in fixed income securities and 20 percent in property and infrastructure funds. Equity security investments are structured to achieve a balance between growth and value stocks. The Company determines the annual rate of return on pension assets by first analyzing the composition of its asset portfolio. Historical rates of return are applied to the portfolio. This computed rate of return is reviewed by the Company’s investment advisors and actuaries. Industry comparables and other outside guidance is also considered in the annual selection of the expected rates of return on pension assets.

The actual return on U.S. pension plans’ assets approximated 0.40 percent in 2011 compared to an asset gain of approximately 11.3 percent in 2010. The actual return on U.K. pension plan assets approximated 0.22 percent in 2011 compared to an asset gain of 13.5 percent in 2010. The Company’s estimate for the expected long-term return on its U.S. plan assets used to derive 2010 and 2011 pension expense was 8.50 percent and 7.75 percent, respectively. The expected long-term return on U.K. plan assets used to derive the 2010 and 2011 pension expense was 7.50 percent and 7.10 percent, respectively.

 

- 30 -


Table of Contents

The Company has accumulated net deferred losses resulting from the shortfalls and excesses in actual returns on pension plan assets from expected returns and, in the measurement of pensions and other postretirement liabilities, decreases and increases in the discount rate and the rate of future compensation increases and differences between actuarial assumptions and actual experience totaling $672.8 million at December 31, 2011. These amounts are being amortized in accordance with the corridor amortization requirements of U.S. GAAP over periods ranging from 10 years to 15 years. Amortization of these net deferred losses was $33 million in 2010 and $35 million in 2011.

The Company has implemented household caps on the amounts of retiree medical benefits it will provide to certain retirees. The caps do not apply to individuals who retired prior to certain specified dates. Costs in excess of these caps will be paid by plan participants. The Company implemented increased cost sharing in 2004 in the retiree medical coverage provided to certain eligible current and future retirees. Since then cost sharing has expanded such that nearly all covered retirees pay a charge to be enrolled. See Item 1A. Risk Factors – “The Company’s expenditures for pension and postretirement obligations could be materially higher than it has predicted if its underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect.”

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company recognizes the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of its pension and other postretirement benefit (“OPEB”) plans and the net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs in the consolidated balance sheets. The unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs (components of cumulative other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet) will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic benefit costs in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income.

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates from its financial instruments. The Company actively monitors its exposure to risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are used to reduce the impact of these risks. See the “Significant Accounting Policies—Derivative financial instruments” and “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The Company has estimated its market risk exposures using sensitivity analysis. These analyses measure the potential loss in future earnings, cash flows or fair values of market sensitive instruments resulting from a hypothetical ten percent change in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates.

A decrease in interest rates by ten percent of the actual rates would have adversely affected the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate, long-term debt by approximately $17 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011. An increase in interest rates by ten percent of the actual rates for the Company’s floating rate long-term debt obligations would not have been material to the Company’s results of operations and cash flows.

To manage the volatility of currency exchange exposures related to future sales and purchases, the Company first nets the exposures on a consolidated basis to take advantage of natural offsets. Then, for the residual portion, the Company enters into forward exchange contracts and purchases options with maturities of less than 12 months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. The changes in fair value of these hedging instruments are offset, in part or in whole, by corresponding changes in the fair value of cash flows of the underlying exposures being hedged. The Company’s unprotected exposures to earnings and cash flow fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates were not significant at December 31, 2010 and 2011.

The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The impact from a ten percent change in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s foreign currency denominated obligations and related foreign exchange contracts would not have been material to the Company’s results of operations and cash flows.

 

- 31 -


Table of Contents
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Years Ended December 31

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Net sales

   $ 2,778,990      $ 3,360,984      $ 3,927,158   

Cost of products sold

     2,359,963        2,940,283        3,562,813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     419,027        420,701        364,345   

Selling, general and administrative

     206,990        211,678        201,044   

Restructuring

     48,718        20,649        —     

Settlement of retiree medical case

     7,050        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     156,269        188,374        163,301   

Interest expense

     47,211        36,647        36,191   

Interest income

     (5,193     (5,265     (3,190

Other—net

     (1,272     (2,834     (3,846
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     115,523        159,826        134,146   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     231        20,057        (135,457
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     115,292        139,769        269,603   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     (31,653     24,118        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     83,639        163,887        269,603   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

     31,872        23,438        16,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

   $ 51,767      $ 140,449      $ 253,503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

      

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.57      $ 1.90      $ 4.08   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.53     0.39        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.04      $ 2.29      $ 4.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

      

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.54      $ 1.86      $ 4.02   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.52     0.38        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.02      $ 2.24      $ 4.02   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 37 to 66.

 

- 32 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     2010      2011  

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 413,359       $ 233,710   

Notes receivable

     69,547         71,661   

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $10,811 in 2010 and $10,622 in 2011

     414,149         427,782   

Inventories at lower of cost or market:

     

Finished goods

     240,107         294,384   

Work in process

     26,735         40,899   

Raw materials and supplies

     119,985         130,110   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     386,827         465,393   

Other current assets

     56,357         65,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,340,239         1,263,980   

Property, plant and equipment:

     

Land and land improvements

     34,355         32,432   

Buildings

     320,997         305,581   

Machinery and equipment

     1,636,700         1,739,241   

Molds, cores and rings

     232,153         231,824   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,224,205         2,309,078   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     1,371,763         1,339,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

     852,442         969,103   

Goodwill

     —           18,851   

Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $24,455 in 2010 and $25,759 in 2011

     17,256         17,352   

Restricted cash

     2,274         2,475   

Deferred income tax assets

     27,369         197,580   

Other assets

     65,957         31,664   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,305,537       $ 2,501,005   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 37 to 66.

 

- 33 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except par value amounts)

(Continued)

 

December 31    2010     2011  

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable

   $ 146,947      $ 131,651   

Accounts payable

     384,464        339,215   

Accrued liabilities

     152,364        152,306   

Income taxes payable

     4,601        6,646   

Current portion of long-term debt

     5,885        21,199   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     694,261        651,017   

Long-term debt

     320,724        329,496   

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     257,657        293,267   

Pension benefits

     258,321        360,632   

Other long-term liabilities

     180,082        168,703   

Redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

     71,442        —     

Equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

     —          —     

Common stock, $1 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 87,850,292 shares issued in 2010 and in 2011

     87,850        87,850   

Capital in excess of par value

     61,444        1,042   

Retained earnings

     1,247,265        1,464,392   

Cumulative other comprehensive loss

     (468,063     (520,878
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     928,496        1,032,406   

Less: common shares in treasury at cost (26,205,336 in 2010 and 25,551,636 in 2011)

     (467,707     (454,605
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total parent stockholders’ equity

     460,789        577,801   

Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     62,261        120,089   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     523,050        697,890   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 2,305,537      $ 2,501,005   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 37 to 66.

 

- 34 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

 

          Total Equity  
    Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Shareholders’
Interests
    Common
Stock

$1 Par Value
    Capital In
Excess of
Par
Value
    Retained
Earnings
    Cumulative
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Common
Shares in
Treasury
    Total
Parent
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Shareholders’
Interests in
Consolidated
Subsidiaries
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2009

  $ 62,720      $ 86,323      $ 43,764      $ 1,096,405      $ (464,427   $ (492,236   $ 269,829      $ 48,417      $ 318,246   

Net income

    30,539            51,767            51,767        1,333        53,100   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $17,337 tax effect

            (4,801       (4,801       (4,801

Currency translation adjustment

    208              3,774          3,774        (34     3,740   

Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $2,397 tax effect

            (4,818       (4,818       (4,818
 

 

 

             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    30,747                  45,922        1,299        47,221   

Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

    (9,939         9,939            9,939          9,939   

Issuance of 1,527,778 shares of stock

      1,527        20,473              22,000          22,000   

Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $1,944

        6,408        (52       1,688        8,044          8,044   

Cash dividends—$.42 per share

          (24,926         (24,926       (24,926
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

    83,528        87,850        70,645        1,133,133        (470,272     (490,548     330,808        49,716        380,524   

Net income

    19,376            140,449            140,449        4,062        144,511   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $1,488 tax effect

            (2,949       (2,949       (2,949

Currency translation adjustment

    (521           5,978          5,978        1,733        7,711   

Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $206 tax effect

            (820       (820       (820
 

 

 

             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    18,855                  142,658        5,795        148,453   

Dividends payable to noncontrolling shareholder

    (11,637                

Contribution of noncontrolling shareholder

                  6,750        6,750   

Acquisition of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

    (19,304       1,384              1,384          1,384   

Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $3,294

        (10,585     (547       22,841        11,709          11,709   

Cash dividends—$.42 per share

          (25,770         (25,770       (25,770
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

  $ 71,442      $ 87,850      $ 61,444      $ 1,247,265      $ (468,063   $ (467,707   $ 460,789      $ 62,261      $ 523,050   

Net income

    13,628            253,503            253,503        2,472        255,975   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $45,283 tax effect

            (80,715       (80,715       (80,715

Currency translation adjustment

    3,594              11,955          11,955        (3,169     8,786   

Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $899 tax effect

            8,290          8,290          8,290   
 

 

 

             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    17,222                  193,033        (697     192,336   

Dividends payable to noncontrolling shareholder

    (5,731                

Acquisition of business

                  37,853        37,853   

Acquisition of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests

        (51,812     (10,082     7,655          (54,239     (62,261     (116,500

Expiration of put option

    (82,933                 82,933        82,933   

Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $412

        (8,590     (167       13,102        4,345          4,345   

Cash dividends—$.42 per share

          (26,127         (26,127       (26,127
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ —        $ 87,850      $ 1,042      $ 1,464,392      $ (520,878   $ (454,605   $ 577,801      $ 120,089      $ 697,890   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 37 to 66.

 

- 35 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended December 31

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 83,639      $ 163,887      $ 269,603   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by continuing operations:

      

Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     31,653        (24,118     —     

Depreciation

     121,483        121,785        121,556   

Amortization

     2,028        1,936        1,343   

Deferred income taxes

     (6,765     2,787        (168,690

Stock based compensation

     5,419        6,845        4,133   

Change in LIFO reserve

     (94,790     64,116        45,352   

Amortization of unrecognized postretirement benefits

     32,903        32,522        35,325   

Loss on sale of assets

     874        2,797        2,838   

Restructuring asset write-down

     900        1,845        —     

Changes in operating assets and liabilities of continuing operations:

      

Accounts and notes receivable

     (42,544     (113,197     (27,131

Inventories

     221,109        (148,785     (105,583

Other current assets

     26,769        (13,906     6,629   

Accounts payable

     49,548        78,477        (58,048

Accrued liabilities

     32,658        (11,491     773   

Other items

     13,462        (7,823     (2,583
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

     478,346        157,677        125,517   

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

     (33,777     17,014        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     444,569        174,691        125,517   

Investing activities:

      

Property, plant and equipment

     (79,333     (119,738     (155,406

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

     (659     —          —     

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          —          (17,380

Proceeds from the sale of assets

     1,535        2,498        3,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (78,457     (117,240     (169,336

Financing activities:

      

Net payments on short-term debt

     (32,965     (12,974     (23,590

Additions to long-term debt

     26,510        —          30,017   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (153,569     (19,752     (600

Contributions by noncontrolling shareholder

     —          6,750        —     

Acquisition of noncontrolling shareholder interest

     —          (17,920     (116,500

Payment of dividends to noncontrolling shareholders

     —          (11,637     (5,731

Payment of dividends

     (24,926     (25,770     (26,127

Issuance of common shares and excess tax benefits on options

     2,301        10,308        4,470   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (182,649     (70,995     (138,061

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash of continuing operations

     (4,154     (78     2,231   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

     179,309        (13,622     (179,649

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     247,672        426,981        413,359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 426,981      $ 413,359      $ 233,710   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 37 to 66.

 

- 36 -


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company consolidates into its financial statements the accounts of the Company, all wholly-owned subsidiaries, and any partially-owned subsidiary that the Company has the ability to control. Control generally equates to ownership percentage, whereby investments that are more than 50-percent owned are consolidated, investments in subsidiaries of 50 percent or less but greater than 20-percent are accounted for using the equity method, and investments in subsidiaries of 20 percent or less are accounted for using the cost method. The Company does not consolidate any entity for which it has a variable interest based solely on power to direct the activities and significant participation in the entity’s expected results that would not otherwise be consolidated based on control through voting interests. Further, the Company’s joint ventures are businesses established and maintained in connection with the Company’s operating strategy.

The Company entered into a joint venture with Kenda Tire Company to construct and operate a tire manufacturing facility in the PRC which began production in 2007. Under the initial agreements for this entity, until May 2012, all of the tires produced by this joint venture are required to be exported and sold to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and its subsidiaries at a price that would provide an acceptable return to the joint venture. Due to this requirement, the Company had the power to direct the manufacturing operations of the joint venture to produce the types of tires required by the Company to meet its global demands. The Company had determined it was the primary beneficiary of this joint venture because of the operational control and the fact it received all of the tires produced by this manufacturing operation. Previously known as Cooper Kenda Tire, this entity, now known as Cooper Kunshan Tire, is wholly owned by the Company effective March 1, 2011.

The Company had entered into a joint venture named Cooper de Mexico between the Company and Nemet International to market and distribute Cooper, Pneustone and associated brand tires in Mexico. The Company had determined it had the power to control the purchasing and marketing of tires for the joint venture. The Company had determined it was the primary beneficiary of this joint venture due to its ability to control the primary economic activity. Effective January 14, 2011, this entity is virtually 100 percent owned by the Company.

Since the Company had determined as of December 31, 2010, that both Cooper Kenda and Cooper de Mexico were Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) and it was the primary beneficiary, it had included their assets, liabilities and operating results in its consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2010, the assets (principally Property, plant and equipment) of these VIEs, $204,535, could only be used to settle obligations of those VIEs. Similarly, liabilities (principally Notes payable) of consolidated VIEs, $80,414, at December 31, 2010, represented claims against the specific assets of the VIEs.

Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments—The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

The Company’s objectives related to the investment of cash not required for operations is to preserve capital, meet the Company’s liquidity needs and earn a return consistent with these guidelines and market conditions. Investments deemed eligible for the investment of the Company’s cash include: 1) U.S. Treasury securities and general obligations fully guaranteed with respect to principal and interest by the government; 2) obligations of U.S. government agencies; 3) commercial paper or other corporate notes of prime quality purchased directly from the issuer or through recognized money market dealers; 4) time deposits, certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of banks rated “A-” by Standard & Poor’s or “A3” by Moody’s; 5) collateralized mortgage obligations rated “AAA” by Standard & Poor’s and “Aaa” by Moody’s; 6) tax-exempt and taxable obligations of state and local governments of prime quality; and 7) mutual funds or outside managed portfolios that invest in the above investments. The Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $413,359 and $233,710 at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The majority of the cash and cash equivalents were invested in eligible financial instruments in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and, therefore, subject to credit risk. Management believes that the probability of losses related to credit risk on investments classified as cash and cash equivalents is unlikely.

 

- 37 -


Table of Contents

Notes receivable – The Company has received bank secured notes from certain of its customers in the PRC to settle trade accounts receivable. These notes generally have maturities of six months or less.

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.

Allowance for doubtful accounts—The allowance for doubtful accounts is established through charges to the provision for bad debts. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts throughout the year. The evaluation includes historical trends in collections and write-offs, management’s judgment of the probability of collecting specific 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. Accounts are determined to be uncollectible when the debt is deemed to be worthless or only recoverable in part, and are written off at that time through a charge against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories—Inventories are valued at cost, which is not in excess of market. Inventory costs have been determined by the LIFO method for substantially all U.S. inventories. Costs of other inventories have been determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) and average cost methods which include direct material, direct labor, and applicable manufacturing and engineering overhead costs.

Long-lived assets—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized using the straight-line or accelerated methods over the following expected useful lives:

 

Buildings and improvements

     10 to 40 years   

Machinery and equipment

     5 to 14 years   

Furniture and fixtures

     5 to 10 years   

Molds, cores and rings

     4 to 10 years   

Intangibles with definite lives include trademarks, technology and intellectual property which are amortized over their useful lives, which range from five years to 30 years. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets based on undiscounted projected cash flows excluding interest and taxes when any impairment is indicated. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are assessed for potential impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.

 

- 38 -


Table of Contents

Earnings per common share – Net income per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding each year. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options and other stock units. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

(Number of shares and dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     2009     2010      2011  

Numerator

       

Income from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

   $ 83,420      $ 116,331       $ 253,503   

Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interest

     9,939        —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share—income from continuing operations available to common stockholders

   $ 93,359      $ 116,331       $ 253,503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator

       

Denominator for basic earnings per share— weighted average shares outstanding

     59,439        61,299         62,150   

Effect of dilutive securities—stock options and other stock units

     1,242        1,349         862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share— adjusted weighted average share outstanding

     60,681        62,648         63,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

       

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.57      $ 1.90       $ 4.08   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     (0.53     0.39         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.04      $ 2.29       $ 4.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

       

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.54      $ 1.86       $ 4.02   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     (0.52     0.38         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

   $ 1.02      $ 2.24       $ 4.02   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares were 503,114, 8,000 and 1,045,709 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. These options could be dilutive in the future depending on the performance of the Company’s stock.

Derivative financial instruments – Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce foreign currency exchange risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company offsets fair value amounts recognized on the statement of financial position for derivative financial instruments executed with the same counter-party.

 

- 39 -


Table of Contents

The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts as hedges of the fair value of certain non-U.S. dollar denominated asset and liability positions, primarily accounts receivable. Gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on these forward contracts are recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the foreign currency gains and losses on the underlying exposure being hedged.

Foreign currency forward contracts are also used to hedge variable cash flows associated with forecasted sales and purchases denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency of certain entities. The forward contracts have maturities of less than twelve months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. These forward contracts meet the criteria for and have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the change in fair value of unrealized gains and losses on such forward contracts are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and reclassified into earnings as the hedged transaction affects earnings.

The Company assesses hedge effectiveness quarterly. In doing so, the Company monitors the actual and forecasted foreign currency sales and purchases versus the amounts hedged to identify any hedge ineffectiveness. The Company also performs regression analysis comparing the change in value of the hedging contracts versus the underlying foreign currency sales and purchases, which confirms a high correlation and hedge effectiveness. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded as an adjustment in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of operations in the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

The Company is exposed to price risk related to forecasted purchases of certain commodities that are used as raw materials, principally natural rubber. Accordingly, it uses commodity contracts with forward pricing. These contracts generally qualify for the normal purchase exception under guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, and therefore are not subject to its provisions.

Income taxes—Income tax expense for continuing operations and discontinued operations is based on reported earnings (loss) before income taxes in accordance with the tax rules and regulations of the specific legal entities within the various specific taxing jurisdictions where the Company’s income is earned. The income tax rates imposed by these taxing jurisdictions vary substantially. Taxable income may differ from income before income taxes for financial accounting purposes. To the extent that differences are due to revenue or expense items reported in one period for tax purposes and in another period for financial accounting purposes, a provision for deferred income taxes is made using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is anticipated that some or all of a deferred tax asset may not be realized. Deferred income taxes are not recorded on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries based on the Company’s intention that these earnings will continue to be reinvested.

Products liability – The Company accrues costs for products liability at the time a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be estimated. The Company believes the probability of loss can be established and the amount of loss can be estimated only after certain minimum information is available, including verification that Company-produced products were involved in the incident giving rise to the claim, the condition of the product purported to be involved in the claim, the nature of the incident giving rise to the claim and the extent of the purported injury or damages. In cases where such information is known, each products liability claim is evaluated based on its specific facts and circumstances. A judgment is then made to determine the requirement for establishment or revision of an accrual for any potential liability. The liability often cannot be determined with precision until the claim is resolved.

Pursuant to applicable accounting rules, the Company accrues the minimum liability for each known claim when the estimated outcome is a range of possible loss and no one amount within that range is more likely than another. The Company uses a range of settlements because an average settlement cost would not be meaningful since the products liability claims faced by the Company are unique and widely variable. The cases involve different types of tires, models and lines, different circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s products liability lawsuits the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $33 million in one case with no “average” that is meaningful. No specific accrual is made for individual unasserted claims or for premature claims, asserted claims where the minimum information needed to evaluate the probability of a liability is not yet known. However, an accrual for such claims based, in part, on management’s expectations for future litigation activity and the settled claims history is maintained. Because of the speculative nature of litigation in the U.S., the Company does not believe a meaningful aggregate range of potential loss for asserted and unasserted claims can be determined. The Company’s experience has demonstrated that its estimates have been reasonably accurate and, on average, cases are settled at amounts close to the reserves established. However, it is possible an individual claim from time to time may result in an aberration from the norm and could have a material impact.

 

- 40 -


Table of Contents

The products liability expense reported by the Company includes amortization of insurance premium costs, adjustments to settlement reserves and legal costs incurred in defending claims against the Company offset by recoveries of legal fees. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and products liability insurance premiums are amortized over coverage periods. The Company is entitled to reimbursement, under certain insurance contracts in place for periods ending prior to April 1, 2003, of legal fees expensed in prior periods based on events occurring in those periods. The Company records the reimbursements under such policies in the period the conditions for reimbursement are met. At December 31, 2011, substantially all legal fees reimbursements have been received related to these pre-April 2003 claims.

Advertising expense – Expenses incurred for advertising include production and media and are generally expensed when incurred. Dealer-earned cooperative advertising expense is recorded when earned. Advertising expense for 2009, 2010 and 2011 was $43,690, $48,432 and $53,735, respectively.

Stock-based compensation— The Company’s incentive compensation plans allow the Company to grant awards to key employees in the form of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights, performance stock units (“PSUs”), dividend equivalents and other awards. Compensation related to these awards is determined based on the fair value on the date of grant and is amortized to expense over the vesting period. For RSUs and PSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire. If awards can be settled in cash, these awards are recorded as liabilities and marked to market. See Note 15 – Stock-Based Compensation for additional information.

Warranties – The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized based primarily on historical return rates, estimates of the eligible tire population and the value of tires to be replaced. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s product warranty liabilities which are recorded in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Reserve at January 1

   $ 18,244      $ 23,814      $ 24,924   

Additions

     23,134        24,791        34,288   

Payments

     (17,564     (23,681     (31,812
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserve at December 31

   $ 23,814      $ 24,924      $ 27,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in the warranty provision is due primarily to truck and bus tires in the PRC and the increased prices of tires used to compute the warranty provision.

Use of estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of: (1) revenues and expenses during the reporting period; and (2) assets and liabilities, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue recognition—Revenues are recognized when title to the product passes to customers. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in cost of products sold. Allowance programs such as volume rebates and cash discounts are recorded at the time of sale as a reduction to revenue based on anticipated accrual rates for the year.

Research and development—Costs are charged to cost of products sold as incurred and amounted to approximately $35,672, $39,748 and $44,586 during 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Related Party Transactions—The Company’s CCT joint venture had notes payable to the noncontrolling shareholder of $18,120 and $14,283 as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively and paid $944, $941 and $859 of interest in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The CCT joint venture also paid $35,164, $41,032 and $41,595 to the noncontrolling shareholder primarily for the purchase of utilities during 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

- 41 -


Table of Contents

Accounting pronouncements

Goodwill Impairment Testing – In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, which permits an entity to first qualitatively assess the likelihood of impairment of goodwill to determine the necessity of performing the traditional two-step goodwill impairment test. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Other Comprehensive Income – In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”, which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The update eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”. The amendments under this update defer only a portion of ASU 2011-05, and accordingly, the components of other comprehensive income are still required to be presented either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The effective date of ASU 2011-12 coincides with the effective date of ASU 2011-05 noted above.

Although the Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-05 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements, it will change its financial statement presentation.

Financial and Derivative Instruments—In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”, which requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with retrospective application. Although the Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-11 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements, it will expand disclosures relating to financial and derivative instruments.

Fair value measurements In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS”. The amendments in this update clarify requirements of fair value measurements and related disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this accounting standards update will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued operations – On December 23, 2004, the Company sold its automotive business, CSA, to an entity formed by The Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. The operations of the Company’s Oliver Rubber Company subsidiary (formerly part of the North American Tire Operations segment), were sold on October 5, 2007. These operations are considered to be discontinued operations.

In 2003 the Company initiated bilateral APA negotiations with the Canadian and U.S. governments to change its intercompany transfer pricing process between a formerly owned subsidiary, CSA, and its Canadian affiliate. The governments settled the APA in 2009 and on August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. filed a Bankruptcy petition. On August 19, 2009, the Company filed an action in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, in response to the tax refunds owed to the Company pursuant to the September 16, 2004 sale agreement of CSA for pre-disposition periods ending December 23, 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company settled a tax and interest obligation in the U.S. of approximately $31,400. On March 17, 2010, the Company entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the subject proceedings, which became non-appealable on April 29, 2010. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CSA paid the Company approximately $17,639, in addition to the resolution of other contingent liabilities between the parties. Based upon the settlement, the Company released liabilities recorded on its books relating to the disposition of CSA in the amount of $7,400 through Discontinued Operations, net of the tax impact, in the quarter ended June 30, 2010. There has been no activity relating to this item in 2011.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the accounting and disclosure requirements which mandate the segregation of operating results and the balance sheets related to the discontinued operations from those related to ongoing operations. Accordingly, the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 reflect this segregation as income from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations.

Reclassification—certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

- 42 -


Table of Contents

Note 2—Acquisition

On January 14, 2011, the Company invested $21,775 and acquired an additional 21-percent ownership in COOCSA, a Mexican tire manufacturing entity in which the Company had previously been an equity investor. The Company’s ownership share increased to approximately 58 percent and, because of the increase in voting rights, the results of the entity and 100 percent of its assets and liabilities were consolidated from the date of this transaction. The Company made this additional investment as part of its strategic plan to build a sustainable, competitive cost position.

The COOCSA acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase transaction. The total consideration (including the $21,775 paid and the fair value of the original 38-percent ownership interest) has been allocated to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling shareholder interest based on their respective fair values at January 14, 2011. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill consists of anticipated growth opportunities for COOCSA and is recorded in the North American Tire Operations segment. Goodwill is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. The operating results of COOCSA have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the date of the transaction.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on January 14, 2011, translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on that date.

 

Assets

  

Cash

   $ 4,395   

Inventory

     14,105   

Other current assets

     3,645   

Property, plant & equipment

     84,069   

Goodwill

     18,851   

Liabilities

  

Payable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

     (4,185

Accounts payable

     (4,990

Accrued liabilities

     (2,817

Deferred income taxes

     (7,896

Notes payable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

     (11,269
  

 

 

 
     93,908   

Noncontrolling shareholder interest

     (37,853
  

 

 

 

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company consideration

   $ 56,055   
  

 

 

 

The Company has determined that the nonrecurring fair value measurements related to each of these assets and liabilities rely primarily on Company-specific inputs and the Company’s assumptions about the use of the assets and settlement of liabilities, as observable inputs are not available and, as such, reside within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in Footnote 10. The Company utilized a third party to assist in the fair value determination of certain components of the purchase price allocation, namely Property, plant and equipment. The valuation of Property, plant and equipment was developed using primarily the cost approach. The fair value of the Company’s investment was determined based upon internal and external inputs considering various relevant market transactions and discounted cash flow valuation methods, among other factors. The fair value of noncontrolling shareholder interest was valued using the same method used to value the investment.

At December 31, 2010, the Company’s previously recorded investment in COOCSA was recorded as an Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary of $24,398, which was included in Other assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had also recorded a Cumulative currency loss of $4,893 associated with this investment, which was included in Cumulative other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In connection with its increased investment in COOCSA, the Company recorded a gain of $4,989 on its original investment, which represents the excess of the fair value of approximately $34,280 over the January 14, 2011 carrying value and previously unrecognized currency losses. The gain was recorded in Other income in the financial statements.

The Cooper Tire & Rubber Company consideration from the table above of $56,055 represents the $21,775 additional investment made by the Company plus the fair value of the original investment of $34,280.

The acquisition does not meet the thresholds for a significant acquisition and therefore no pro forma financial information is presented.

 

- 43 -


Table of Contents

Note 3—Inventories

At December 31, 2010 and 2011, approximately 37 percent and 29 percent, respectively, of the Company’s inventories had been valued under the LIFO method. Increases in inventory balances in the international segment as well as the inclusion of the consolidated financial statements for COOCSA as a result of the acquisition have caused this percentage to decrease in 2011. The remaining inventories have been valued under the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method and all inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.

Under the LIFO method, inventories have been reduced by approximately $191,180 and $236,532 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, from current cost which would be reported under the FIFO method.

Note 4—Other Current Assets

Other current assets at December 31 were as follows:

 

     2010      2011  

Deferred tax assets

   $ —         $ 41,774   

Income tax recoverable

     29,957         9,855   

Assets held for sale

     8,155         —     

Other

     18,245         13,805   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 56,357       $ 65,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at Albany, Georgia were classified as “assets held for sale” at estimated fair value less costs to sell based on a signed Real Estate Purchase Agreement at December 31, 2010. On September 30, 2011, those assets were sold for $8,139.

Note 5—Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill is recorded in the segment where it was generated by acquisitions. See Note 2 – Acquisition for a discussion of the goodwill recorded during 2011. Purchased goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment unless indicators are present that would require an earlier test.

During the fourth quarters of 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Company completed its annual goodwill and intangible assets impairment tests and no impairment was indicated.

The following table presents intangible assets and accumulated amortization balances as of December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

     December 31, 2010      December 31, 2011  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
 

Definite-lived:

               

Trademarks and tradenames

   $ 10,891       $ (5,060   $ 5,831       $ 10,891       $ (5,652   $ 5,239   

Patents and technology

     15,038         (14,764     274         15,038         (14,891     147   

Other

     5,965         (4,631     1,334         7,365         (5,216     2,149   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     31,894         (24,455     7,439         33,294         (25,759     7,535   

Indefinite-lived:

               

Trademarks

     9,817         —          9,817         9,817         —          9,817   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 41,711       $ (24,455   $ 17,256       $ 43,111       $ (25,759   $ 17,352   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Estimated amortization expense over the next five years is as follows: 2012—$1,467, 2013—$1,093, 2014—$843, 2015—$823 and 2016—$778.

 

- 44 -


Table of Contents

Note 6—Other Assets

Other assets at December 31 were as follows:

 

     2010      2011  

Land use rights

   $ 10,921       $ 11,076   

Tax incentives

     11,724         8,593   

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

     24,398         —     

Other

     18,914         11,995   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 65,957       $ 31,664   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2010, the Company had an approximate 38 percent ownership in a tire manufacturing operation in Mexico. In January of 2011, the Company acquired an additional 21% ownership and now consolidates the results of this operation.

Note 7—Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities at December 31 were as follows:

 

     2010      2011  

Products liability

   $ 41,892       $ 58,506   

Payroll and withholdings

     45,862         26,942   

Warranty

     19,669         22,078   

Other postretirement benefits

     17,692         17,802   

Foreign currency derivative instruments

     3,977         (5,869

Other

     23,272         32,847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 152,364       $ 152,306   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 8—Income Taxes

Components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling shareholders’ interests were as follows:

 

     2009      2010      2011  

United States

   $ 35,200       $ 67,579       $ 21,763   

Foreign

     80,323         92,247         112,383   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 115,523       $ 159,826       $ 134,146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The provision (benefit) for income tax for continuing operations consisted of the following:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ (3,990   $ 2,823      $ 6,694   

State and local

     966        3,716        2,053   

Foreign

     10,020        10,731        24,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6,996        17,270        33,233   

Deferred:

      

Federal

     (770     3,921        (139,697

State and local

     —          —          (28,893

Foreign

     (5,995     (1,134     (100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (6,765     2,787        (168,690
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 231      $ 20,057      $ (135,457
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

- 45 -


Table of Contents

A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations to the tax based on the U.S. statutory rate is as follows:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Income tax provision (benefit) at 35%

   $ 40,423      $ 55,939      $ 46,951   

State and local income tax, net of federal income tax effect

     628        1,913        1,879   

U.S. tax credits

     (1,478     (2,220     (1,732

Difference in effective tax rates of international operations

     (24,078     (22,689     (14,948

Interest on tax settlement

     (4,239     —          —     

Valuation allowance

     (14,139     (9,423     —     

Valuation allowance—domestic release

     —          —          (167,224

Other—net

     3,114        (3,463     (383
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ 231      $ 20,057      $ (135,457
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company released most of the valuation allowance recorded against U.S. deferred tax assets in the amount of $167,224 based upon the Company’s sustained positive operating performance, taxable income in carryback periods and the availability of expected future taxable income.

Payments, including discontinued operations, for income taxes in 2009, 2010 and 2011, net of refunds, were ($8,405), $30,186 and $6,988, respectively.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows:

 

     2010     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Postretirement and other employee benefits

   $ 183,983      $ 243,222   

Products liability

     61,510        68,261   

Net operating loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards

     37,966        36,924   

All other items

     49,129        41,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     332,588        390,042   

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Property, plant and equipment

     (106,716     (114,034

All other items

     (14,591     (8,383
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (121,307     (122,417
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     211,281        267,625   

Valuation allowances

     (183,912     (28,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 27,369      $ 239,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company has apportioned state tax losses of $118,589 and foreign tax losses of $22,422 available for carryforward. The Company also has U.S. federal tax credits of $4,520 and state tax credits of $5,045 in addition to U.S. capital losses of $53,516 available for carryforward. Valuation allowances have been provided for those items which, based upon an assessment, it is more likely than not that some portion may not be realized. The U.S. federal and state tax loss carryforwards and other tax attributes will expire from 2012 through 2030. The foreign tax losses expire no sooner than 2012. The U.S. capital loss carryforward will expire in 2015.

 

- 46 -


Table of Contents

The Company applies the rules under ASC 740-10 in its Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes for uncertain tax positions using a “more likely than not” recognition threshold. Pursuant to these rules, the Company will initially recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the tax position, that such a position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. If the tax benefit meets the “more likely than not” threshold, the measurement of the tax benefit will be based on the Company’s estimate of the ultimate amount to be sustained if audited by the taxing authority. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for permanent and temporary book/tax differences for continuing operations, exclusive of interest, totaled approximately $987 at December 31, 2011, as itemized in the tabular roll forward below. In accordance with Company policy, the liability relating to pre 2011 years was released or reclassified following the effective settlement of a U.S. federal income tax examination for pre 2011 years and the net result including estimated interest, net of prior year refunds, is reflected as an income tax receivable in the amount of $4,963.

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Balance at January 1

   $ 7,623      $ 7,517      $ 9,237   

Settlements for tax positions of prior years

     (164     —          (15,969

Additions for tax positions of the current year

     934        1,686        987   

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     18        62        7,837   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     (894     (28     (572

Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations

     —          —          (533
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ 7,517      $ 9,237      $ 987   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of this amount, the effective rate would change upon the recognition of approximately $812 of these unrecognized tax benefits. The Company accrued, through the tax provision, approximately $451, $79 and $226 of interest expense for 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company has no interest accrued as an ASC 740-10 reserve since all U.S. taxes are effectively settled with the resulting net tax receivable including estimated interest, net of prior year refunds, reflected as an income tax receivable.

U.S. income taxes were not provided on a cumulative total of approximately $287,360 of undistributed earnings, as well as a minimal amount of other comprehensive income for certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company currently intends to reinvest these earnings in operations outside the U.S. and considers the non-U.S. tax implications from potential distributions between non-U.S. subsidiaries in this evaluation. It is not practicable to determine the amount of additional U.S. income taxes that could be payable upon remittance of these earnings since taxes payable would be reduced by foreign tax credits based upon income tax laws and circumstances at the time of distribution. The Company has ventures in the PRC that had been granted full and partial income tax holidays. This resulted in a $1,965 favorable impact to the Company in 2011. All remaining PRC tax holidays expired in 2011.

In 2003 the Company initiated bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (“APA”) negotiations with the Canadian and U.S. governments to change its intercompany transfer pricing process between a formerly owned subsidiary, CSA, and its Canadian affiliate. The governments settled the APA in 2009 and on August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. filed a Bankruptcy petition. On August 19, 2009, the Company filed an action in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, in response to the tax refunds owed to the Company pursuant to the September 16, 2004 sale agreement of CSA for pre-disposition periods ending December 23, 2004. On March 17, 2010, the Company entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the subject proceedings, which became non-appealable on April 29, 2010. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CSA paid the Company approximately $17,639, in addition to the resolution of other contingent liabilities between the parties. Based upon the settlement, the Company released liabilities recorded on its books relating to the disposition of CSA in the amount of $7,400 through Discontinued Operations, net of the tax impact, in the quarter ended June 30, 2010. There has been no activity relating to this item in 2011.

The Company operates in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world. The Company has effectively settled U.S. federal tax examinations for years before 2011and state and local examinations for years before 2006, with limited exceptions. Furthermore, the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax examinations in major foreign taxing jurisdictions for years prior to 2005. The income tax returns of various subsidiaries in various jurisdictions are currently under examination and it is possible that these examinations will conclude within the next twelve months. However, it is not possible to estimate net increases or decreases to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.

 

- 47 -


Table of Contents

Note 9—Debt

The Company has an accounts receivable securitization facility of up to $175,000. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Company is permitted to sell certain of its domestic trade receivables on a continuous basis to its wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, Cooper Receivables LLC (“CRLLC”). In turn, CRLLC may sell from time to time an undivided ownership interest in the purchased trade receivables, without recourse, to a PNC Bank administered, asset-backed commercial paper conduit. The facility has a maturity date of June 2014.

The Company and its subsidiary, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., have entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (New Credit Agreement) with a consortium of four banks. This New Credit Agreement provides a $200,000 credit facility to the Company and Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc. The New Credit Agreement is a revolving credit facility and is secured by the Company’s U.S. inventory, certain North American accounts receivable that have not been previously pledged and general intangibles related to the foregoing. During 2011, the maturity of this New Credit Agreement was extended until July 2016.

The New Credit Agreement and the accounts receivable securitization facility have no significant financial covenants until availability is reduced to specified levels. Borrowings under the New Credit Agreement bear a margin based on the London Interbank Offered Rate. At December 31, 2011 the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants. There were no borrowings under the New Credit Agreement or the accounts receivable securitization facility at December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2011, except amounts used to secure letters of credit totaling $38,000 and $66,800 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s additional borrowing capacity, based on eligible collateral through use of its credit facility with its bank group and its accounts receivable securitization facility at December 31, 2011, was $293,200.

The Company’s consolidated operations in Asia have annual renewable unsecured credit lines that provide up to $428,000 of borrowings and do not contain financial covenants. The additional borrowing capacity on the Asian credit lines, based on eligible collateral and the short-term notes payable, totaled $239,500 at December 31, 2011.

In 2010, Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) were issued by the City of Texarkana to finance the design, equipping, construction and start-up of the expansion of the Texarkana manufacturing facility. Because the assets related to the expansion provide security for the bonds issued by the City of Texarkana, the City retains title to the assets. However, the Company has recorded the property in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, along with a capital lease obligation to repay the proceeds of the IRB because the arrangement is cancelable at any time at the Company’s request. The Company has also purchased the IRBs and therefore is the bondholder as well as the borrower/lessee of the property purchased with the IRB proceeds. The capital lease obligation and IRB asset are recorded net in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. At December 31, 2010 and 2011, the assets and liabilities associated with these City of Texarkana IRBs were $11,200 and $17,400, respectively.

The following table summarizes the long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2011 and, except for capitalized leases and other, the long-term debt is due in an aggregate principal payment on the due date:

 

     2010      2011  

Parent company

     

8% unsecured notes due December 2019

   $ 173,578       $ 173,578   

7.625% unsecured notes due March 2027

     116,880         116,880   

Capitalized leases and other

     10,481         9,862   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     300,939         300,320   

Subsidiaries

     

5.13% unsecured notes due in 2011

     5,285         —     

5.795% to 6.3175% unsecured notes due in 2012

     20,385         20,599   

6.10% to 6.65% unsecured notes due in 2014

     —           26,528   

2.25% unsecured notes due in 2016

     —           3,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     25,670         50,375   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     326,609         350,695   

Less current maturities

     5,885         21,199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 320,724       $ 329,496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Over the next five years, the Company has payments related to the above debt of: 2012—$21,199, 2013—$600, 2014—$27,128, 2015—$600 and 2016—$38,848. In addition, the Company’s partially-owned, consolidated subsidiary operations in the PRC and Mexico have short-term notes payable of $131,651 due in 2012. The weighted average interest rate of the short-term notes payable at December 31, 2010 and 2011 was 3.72 percent and 4.61 percent, respectively.

 

- 48 -


Table of Contents

Interest paid on debt during 2009, 2010 and 2011 was $48,125, $37,758 and $38,853, respectively. The amount of interest capitalized was $663, $959 and $3,527 during 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The increase in capitalized interest in 2011 is related to the Company’s global ERP project.

Note 10—Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce foreign currency exchange risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The derivative financial instruments include fair value and cash flow hedges of foreign currency exposures. Exchange rate fluctuations on the foreign currency-denominated intercompany loans and obligations are offset by the change in values of the fair value foreign currency hedges. The Company presently hedges exposures in the Euro, Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Swiss franc, Swedish kronar, Mexican peso and Chinese yuan generally for transactions expected to occur within the next 12 months. The notional amount of these foreign currency derivative instruments at December 31, 2010 and 2011 was $234,600 and $263,944, respectively. The counterparties to each of these agreements are major commercial banks. Management believes that the probability of losses related to credit risk on derivative financial instruments is unlikely.

The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts as hedges of the fair value of certain non-U.S. dollar denominated asset and liability positions, primarily accounts receivable and debt. Gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on these forward contracts are recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the foreign currency gains and losses on the underlying exposure being hedged.

Foreign currency forward contracts are also used to hedge variable cash flows associated with forecasted sales and purchases denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency of certain entities. The forward contracts have maturities of less than twelve months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. These forward contracts meet the criteria for and have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the change in fair value of such forward contracts (approximately $(3,180) and $6,009 as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively) are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and reclassified into earnings as the hedged transaction affects earnings.

The Company assesses hedge ineffectiveness quarterly using the hypothetical derivative methodology. In doing so, the Company monitors the actual and forecasted foreign currency sales and purchases versus the amounts hedged to identify any hedge ineffectiveness. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded as an adjustment in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs. The Company also performs regression analysis comparing the change in value of the hedging contracts versus the underlying foreign currency sales and purchases, which confirms a high correlation and hedge effectiveness.

The following table presents the location and amounts of derivative instrument fair values in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

     December 31, 2010      December 31, 2011  

Designated as hedging instruments

     Accrued liabilities       $ 3,413         Accrued liabilities       $ (6,214

Not designated as hedging instruments

     Accrued liabilities       $ 564         Accrued liabilities       $ 345   

 

- 49 -


Table of Contents

The following table presents the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

           Amount of Gain (Loss)        
     Amount of Gain (Loss)     Reclassified     Amount of Gain (Loss)  
Derivatives    Recognized in     from Cumulative     Recognized in  
Designated as    Other Comprehensive     Other Comprehensive     Income  
Cash Flow    Income on Derivative     Loss into Income     on Derivative
 

Hedges

   (Effective Portion)     (Effective Portion)     (Ineffective Portion)  

Year ended Dec. 31, 2009

   $ (7,208   $ (4,198   $ (458

Year ended Dec. 31, 2010

   $ (1,795   $ (692   $ 47   

Year ended Dec. 31, 2011

   $ 4,563      $ (4,626   $ (367

 

Derivatives not    Location of Gain (Loss)    Amount of Gain (Loss)  
Designated as    Recognized in Income    Recognized in Income  

Hedging Instruments

  

on Derivatives

   on Derivatives  

Year ended Dec. 31, 2009

   Other income (expense)    $ 1,997   

Year ended Dec. 31, 2010

   Other income (expense)    $ (758

Year ended Dec. 31, 2011

   Other income (expense)    $ 212   

For effective designated foreign exchange hedges, the Company reclassifies the gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Income into Net Sales and the ineffective portion is recorded directly into Other – net.

The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into the three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within the different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following.

 

  a. Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

  b. Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;

 

  c. Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

  d. Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The valuation of foreign exchange forward contracts was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques. This analysis reflected the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and used observable market-based inputs, including forward points. The Company incorporated credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. Although the Company determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as current credit ratings, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

- 50 -


Table of Contents

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

           Quoted Prices    Significant      
     Total     in Active Markets    Other     Significant
     Derivative     for Identical    Observable     Unobservable
     (Assets)     Assets    Inputs     Inputs

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Liabilities     Level (1)    Level (2)     Level (3)

December 31, 2010

   $ 3,977         $ 3,977     

December 31, 2011

   $ (5,869      $ (5,869  

The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at Albany, Georgia were classified as “assets held for sale” at estimated fair value less costs to sell determined based on a signed Real Estate Purchase Agreement at December 31, 2010. The fair value of these assets, $8,155 at December 31, 2010, was considered a Level 2 valuation. These assets were sold on September 30, 2011. See Note 17 for additional details on the Albany restructuring initiative.

The fair value of the Company’s debt was based upon prices of similar instruments in the marketplace. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
     Amount     Value     Amount     Value  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 413,359      $ 413,359      $ 233,710      $ 233,710   

Notes receivable

     69,547        69,547        71,661        71,661   

Notes payable

     (146,947     (146,947     (131,651     (131,651

Current portion of long-term debt

     (5,885     (5,885     (21,199     (21,199

Long-term debt

     (320,724     (322,124     (329,496     (325,596

Derivative financial instruments

     (3,977     (3,977     5,869        5,869   

Note 11—Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

The Company and its subsidiaries have a number of plans providing pension, retirement or profit-sharing benefits. These plans include defined benefit and defined contribution plans. The plans cover substantially all U.S. domestic employees. There are also plans that cover a significant number of employees in the U.K. and Germany. The Company has an unfunded, nonqualified supplemental retirement benefit plan in the U.S. covering certain employees whose participation in the qualified plan is limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

For defined benefit plans, benefits are generally based on compensation and length of service for salaried employees and length of service for hourly employees. In 2002, a new hybrid pension plan covering all domestic salaried and non-bargained hourly employees was established. Employees at the effective date, meeting certain requirements, were grandfathered under the previous defined benefit rules. The new hybrid pension plan covering non-grandfathered employees resembles a savings account. Nominal accounts are credited based on a combination of age, years of service and percentage of earnings. A cash-out option is available upon termination or retirement. Employees of certain of the Company’s foreign operations are covered by either contributory or non-contributory trusteed pension plans. During 2009, the Company froze the pension benefits in its Spectrum (salaried employees) Plan in the U.S., and in the U.K., it modified its early retirement benefits, both actions resulting in lower pension liabilities.

 

- 51 -


Table of Contents

Participation in the Company’s defined contribution plans is voluntary. The Company matches certain plan participants’ contributions up to various limits. Participants’ contributions are limited based on their compensation and, for certain supplemental contributions which are not eligible for company matching, based on their age. Company contributions for certain of these plans are dependent on operating performance. Expense for those plans was $9,150, $12,827 and $14,311 for 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The Company currently provides retiree health care and life insurance benefits to a significant percentage of its U.S. salaried and hourly employees. U.S. salaried and non-bargained hourly employees hired on or after January 1, 2003 are not eligible for retiree health care or life insurance coverage. The Company has reserved the right to modify or terminate certain of these salaried benefits at any time.

The Company has implemented household caps on the amounts of retiree medical benefits it will provide to certain retirees. The caps do not apply to individuals who retired prior to certain specified dates. Costs in excess of these caps will be paid by plan participants. The Company implemented increased cost sharing in 2004 in the retiree medical coverage provided to certain eligible current and future retirees. Since then cost sharing has expanded such that nearly all covered retirees pay a charge to be enrolled.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company recognizes the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of its pension and other postretirement benefit (“OPEB”) plans and the net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs in the consolidated balance sheets. The unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs (components of cumulative other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet) will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic benefit costs in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income.

The following table reflects changes in the projected obligations and fair market values of assets in all defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans of the Company:

 

    2010     2011        
    Pension Benefits     Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    Domestic     International     Total     Domestic     International     Total     2010     2011  

Change in benefit obligation:

               

Projected Benefit Obligation at January 1

  $ 826,458      $ 313,659      $ 1,140,117      $ 865,982      $ 320,618      $ 1,186,600      $ 261,926      $ 275,348   

Service cost—employer

    4,316        2,327        6,643        7,700        2,497        10,197        3,160        3,103   

Service cost—employee

    —          2,660        2,660        —          2,308        2,308        —          —     

Interest cost

    45,653        16,923        62,576        45,260        18,009        63,269        14,115        13,846   

Amendments

    —          (2,260     (2,260     —          —          —          (8,956     —     

Actuarial (gain)/loss

    53,761        12,729        66,490        54,022        13,846        67,868        15,478        27,928   

Benefits paid

    (64,206     (14,426     (78,632     (48,420     (12,506     (60,926     (10,375     (9,156

Foreign currency translation effect

    —          (10,994     (10,994     —          (1,553     (1,553     —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected Benefit Obligation at December 31

  $ 865,982      $ 320,618      $ 1,186,600      $ 924,544      $ 343,219      $ 1,267,763      $ 275,348      $ 311,069   

Change in plans’ assets:

               

Fair value of plans’ assets at January 1

  $ 654,991      $ 213,189      $ 868,180      $ 698,827      $ 229,496      $ 928,323      $ —        $ —     

Actual return on plans’ assets

    71,350        27,076        98,426        3,375        30        3,405        —          —     

Employer contribution

    36,692        8,404        45,096        26,435        8,420        34,855        —          —     

Employee contribution

    —          2,660        2,660        —          2,308        2,308        —          —     

Benefits paid

    (64,206     (14,426     (78,632     (48,420     (12,506     (60,926     —          —     

Foreign currency translation effect

    —          (7,407     (7,407     —          (834     (834     —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plans’ assets at December 31

  $ 698,827      $ 229,496      $ 928,323      $ 680,217      $ 226,914      $ 907,131      $ —        $ —     

Funded status

  $ (167,155   $ (91,122   $ (258,277   $ (244,327   $ (116,305   $ (360,632   $ (275,348   $ (311,069

Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:

               

Other assets

  $ —        $ 44      $ 44      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Accrued liabilities

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (17,692     (17,802

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (257,657     (293,267

Pension benefits

    (167,155     (91,166     (258,321     (244,327     (116,305     (360,632    

Included in cumulative other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2010 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of ($13,443) (($10,620) net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $560,160 ($488,682 net of tax).

Included in cumulative other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of ($12,002) (($8,501) net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $684,717 ($567,278 net of tax). The prior service credit and actuarial loss included in cumulative other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2012 are ($1,412) and $47,047, respectively.

 

- 52 -


Table of Contents

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,183,474 and $1,264,377 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

 

                 Other  
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     2010     2011     2010     2011  

All plans

        

Discount rate

     5.39     4.81     5.20     4.15

Rate of compensation increase

     0.92     0.81     —          —     

Domestic plans

        

Discount rate

     5.35     4.80     5.20     4.15

Foreign plans

        

Discount rate

     5.50     4.85     —          —     

Rate of compensation increase

     3.39     2.99     —          —     

At December 31, 2011, the weighted average assumed annual rate of increase in the cost of medical benefits was 8.20 percent for 2012 trending linearly to 5.00 percent per annum in 2020.

 

     Pension Benefits - Domestic     Pension Benefits - International  
     2009     2010     2011     2009     2010     2011  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost

   $ 6,532      $ 4,316      $ 7,700      $ 1,852      $ 2,327      $ 2,497   

Interest cost

     43,650        45,653        45,260        14,764        16,923        18,009   

Expected return on plan assets

     (42,001     (50,457     (50,206     (13,580     (15,249     (16,646

Amortization of prior service cost

     (874     —          —          (177     (600     (747

Amortization of actuarial loss

     31,737        27,741        30,300        2,524        5,924        5,772   

Spectrum plan freeze

     (10,133     —          —          —          —          —     

Albany curtailment gain

     (5,220     —          —          —          —          —     

Recognized actuarial loss (gain)

     9,956        4,323        —          —          (673     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 33,647      $ 31,576      $ 33,054      $ 5,383      $ 8,652      $ 8,885   

 

     Other Post Retirement Benefits  
     2009     2010     2011  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

      

Service cost

   $ 3,637      $ 3,160      $ 3,103   

Interest cost

     14,765        14,115        13,846   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (307     (542     (688

Amortization of actuarial loss

     —          —          1,261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 18,095      $ 16,733      $ 17,522   

Pension benefits in the Spectrum (salaried employees) Plan were frozen effective July 1, 2009. The impact of the pension freeze was a reduction of pension expense for 2009 of $7,800.

 

- 53 -


Table of Contents

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

 

           Other  
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     2009     2010     2011     2009     2010     2011  

All plans

            

Discount rate

     6.11     5.74     5.39     6.00     5.75     5.20

Expected return on plan assets

     8.22     8.24     7.58     —          —          —     

Rate of compensation increase

     3.32     1.03     0.92     —          —          —     

Domestic plans

            

Discount rate

     6.00     5.75     5.35     6.00     5.75     5.20

Expected return on plan assets

     8.50     8.50     7.75     —          —          —     

Rate of compensation increase

     3.25     0.00     0.00     —          —          —     

Foreign plans

            

Discount rate

     6.49     5.70     5.50     —          —          —     

Expected return on plan assets

     7.32     7.44     7.05     —          —          —     

Rate of compensation increase

     3.55     3.74     3.39     —          —          —     

The following table lists the projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with projected benefit obligations and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

     2010      2011  
     Projected
benefit
obligation
exceeds plan
assets
     Accumulated
benefit
obligation
exceeds plan
assets
     Projected
benefit
obligation
exceeds plan
assets
     Accumulated
benefit
obligation
exceeds plan
assets
 

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 1,184,320       $ 1,184,320       $ 1,267,763       $ 1,267,763   

Accumulated benefit obligation

     1,181,208         1,181,208         1,264,377         1,264,377   

Fair value of plan assets

     925,999         925,999         907,131         907,131   

Assumed health care cost trend rates for other postretirement benefits have a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

     Percentage Point  
     Increase      Decrease  

Increase (decrease) in total service and interest cost components

   $ 179       $ (161

Increase (decrease) in the postretirement benefit obligation

     4,884         (4,139

 

- 54 -


Table of Contents

The Company’s weighted average asset allocations for its domestic and U.K. pension plans’ assets at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 by asset category were as follows:

 

     U.S. Plans     U.K. Plan  

Asset Category

   2010     2011     2010     2011  

Equity securities

     57     61     61     56

Debt securities

     42        37        33        29   

Other investments

     0        0        5        14   

Cash

     1        2        1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In the U.S. the Company’s asset allocation strategy is based on a combination of factors, including the profile of the pension liability, the timing of future cash requirements, and the level of invested assets available to meet plan obligations. Our goal is to manage the assets in such a way that the cost and risk are managed through portfolio diversification which is designed to maximize returns consistent with levels of liquidity and investment risk that are prudent and reasonable. The Company’s investment policy for U.K. plan assets is to maintain an allocation of 60 percent in equity securities, 20 percent in fixed income securities and 20 percent in property and infrastructure funds. Rebalancing of asset portfolios occurs periodically if the mix differs from the target allocation. Equity security investments are structured to achieve a balance between growth and value stocks. The Company also has a pension plan in Germany and the assets of that plan consist of investments in German insurance contracts.

The fair market value of U.S. plan assets was $698,827 and $680,217 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The fair market value of the U.K. plan assets was $227,173 and $224,626 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The fair market value of the German pension plan assets was $2,324 and $2,288 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The table below classifies the assets of the U.S. and U.K. plans using the Fair Value Hierarchy described in Note 10 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

            Fair Value Heirarchy  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

December 31, 2010

           

United States plans

           

Cash & Cash Equivalents

   $ 22,537       $ 22,537       $ —         $ —     

Equity securities

     456,213         171,889         284,324         —     

Fixed income securities

     220,077         72,984         147,093         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 698,827       $ 267,410       $ 431,417       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United Kingdom plan

           

Cash & Cash Equivalents

   $ 2,854       $ 2,854       $ —         $ —     

Equity securities

     138,141         138,141         —           —     

Fixed income securities

     75,364         75,364         —           —     

Other investments

     10,814         —           —           10,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 227,173       $ 216,359       $ —         $ 10,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

           

United States plans

           

Cash & Cash Equivalents

   $ 16,106       $ 16,106       $ —         $ —     

Equity securities

     412,809         168,240         244,569         —     

Fixed income securities

     251,302         83,274         168,028         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 680,217       $ 267,620       $ 412,597       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United Kingdom plan

           

Cash & Cash Equivalents

   $ 796       $ 796       $ —         $ —     

Equity securities

     126,126         126,126         —           —     

Fixed income securities

     66,491         66,491         —           —     

Other investments

     31,213         18,379         —           12,834   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 224,626       $ 211,792       $ —         $ 12,834   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

- 55 -


Table of Contents

Plan assets are measured at fair value. While the Company believes its valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. The Company’s valuation methodologies used for the plan assets measured at fair value are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit and investments in money market mutual funds that invest mainly in short-term instruments and cash, both of which are valued using a market approach.

Equity securities—Common, preferred, and foreign stocks are valued using a market approach at the closing price on their principal exchange and are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fixed Income Securities—Corporate and foreign bonds are valued using a market approach at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded and are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Common/Commingled Trust Funds—Common/Commingled trust funds are valued at the net asset value of units held at year end and are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The various funds consist of either equity or fixed income investment portfolios with underlying investments held in U.S. and non-U.S. securities.

The Level 3 asset in the U.K. plan is an investment in a European Infrastructure fund. The fair market value is determined by the fund manager using a discounted cash flow methodology. The future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets of the fund and made available to investors are estimated and then discounted back to the valuation data. The discount rate is derived by adding a risk premium to the risk-free interest rate applicable to the country in which the asset is located.

The following table details the activity in this investment for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

     2010     2011  

Balance at January 1

   $ 9,788      $ 10,814   

Contributions

     1,335        1,668   

Disbursements

     (166     (150

Change in fair value

     187        538   

Foreign currency translation effect

     (330     (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ 10,814      $ 12,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company determines the annual expected rates of return on pension assets by first analyzing the composition of its asset portfolio. Historical rates of return are applied to the portfolio. These computed rates of return are reviewed by the Company’s investment advisors and actuaries. Industry comparables and other outside guidance are also considered in the annual selection of the expected rates of return on pension assets.

During 2011, the Company contributed $35,000 to its domestic and foreign pension plans, and during 2012, the Company expects to contribute between $40,000 and $50,000 to its domestic and foreign pension plans.

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

 

            Other  
     Pension      Postretirement  
     Benefits      Benefits  

2012

   $ 70,000       $ 18,000   

2013

     70,000         18,000   

2014

     71,000         18,000   

2015

     72,000         18,000   

2016

     73,000         19,000   

2017 through 2021

     393,000         98,000   

 

- 56 -


Table of Contents

Note 12—Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities at December 31 were as follows:

 

     2010      2011  

Products liability

   $ 149,141       $ 148,877   

Other

     30,941         19,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 180,082       $ 168,703   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 13—Common Stock

There were 11.7 million common shares reserved for grants under compensation plans and contributions to the Company’s Spectrum Investment Savings Plan and Pre-Tax Savings plans at December 31, 2011. The Company matches contributions made by participants to these plans in accordance with a formula based upon the financial performance of the Company. Matching contributions are directed to the Company Stock Fund; however, employees may transfer these contributions to any of the other investment funds offered under the plans.

Note 14—Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss

The balances of each component of cumulative other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of equity were as follows:

 

     2010     2011  

Cumulative currency translation adjustment

   $ 12,948      $ 32,558   

Changes in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities

     (3,180     6,009   

Tax effect

     231        (668
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

     (2,949     5,341   

Unrecognized postretirement benefit plans

     (546,717     (672,715

Tax effect, net of valuation allowance

     68,655        113,938   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

     (478,062     (558,777
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (468,063   $ (520,878
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 15—Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s incentive compensation plans allow the Company to grant awards to key employees in the form of stock options, stock awards, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, PSUs, dividend equivalents and other awards. Compensation related to these awards is determined based on the fair value on the date of grant and is amortized to expense over the vesting period. For RSUs and PSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire. If awards can be settled in cash, these awards are recorded as liabilities and marked to market.

The following table discloses the amount of stock-based compensation expense:

 

     Stock Based Compensation  
     2009      2010      2011  

Stock options

   $ 943       $ 1,414       $ 2,553   

Restricted stock units

     1,667         745         1,214   

Performance stock units

     2,809         4,686         366   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation

   $ 5,419       $ 6,845       $ 4,133   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

- 57 -


Table of Contents

Stock Options

The 1998, 2001, 2006 and 2010 incentive compensation plans provide for granting options to key employees to purchase common shares at prices not less than market at the date of grant. Options under these plans may have terms of up to ten years becoming exercisable in whole or in consecutive installments, cumulative or otherwise. The plans allow the granting of nonqualified stock options which are not intended to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to incentive stock options under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Company’s 2002 nonqualified stock option plan provides for granting options to directors who are not current or former employees of the Company to purchase common shares at prices not less than market at the date of grant. Options granted under this plan have a term of ten years and become exercisable one year after the date of grant.

In April 2009, executives participating in the 2009 – 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 1,155,000 stock options which will vest one third each year through April 2012. This plan does not contain any performance-based criteria. In March 2010, executives participating in the 2010 – 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 303,120 stock options which will vest one third each year through March 2013. During 2011, executives participating in the 2011 – 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 311,670 stock options, which will vest one-third each year through 2014. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Risk-free interest rate

     2.2     2.8     2.7

Dividend yield

     2.7     2.2     1.8

Expected volatility of the Company's common stock

     0.568        0.604        0.615   

Expected life in years

     6.0        6.0        6.0   

The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 was $2.08, $9.01 and $11.57, respectively. Compensation expense for these options is recorded over the vesting period.

Summarized information for the plans follows:

 

           Weighted      Aggregate  
           Average      Intrinsic  
     Number of     Exercise      Value  
     Shares     Price (per share)      (thousands)  

Outstanding at January 1, 2011

     1,779,184      $ 12.21      

Granted

     311,670        23.10      

Exercised

     (315,785     12.85      

Expired

     (3,000     7.70      

Cancelled

     (34,188     17.49      
  

 

 

      

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     1,737,881        13.95       $ 6,275   
  

 

 

      

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

     949,966        12.81         3,610   
  

 

 

      

Available for Grant at December 31, 2011

     3,546,110        
  

 

 

      

 

     Year ended December 31  
     2009      2010      2011  

Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted (per share)

   $ 2.08       $ 9.01       $ 11.57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised (thousands)

   $ 116       $ 5,279       $ 3,515   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of shares vested (thousands)

   $ 414       $ 899       $ 1,655   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 2011 is 6.5 years. Approximately 438,403 stock options will become exercisable over the next twelve months.

 

- 58 -


Table of Contents

Segregated disclosure of options outstanding at December 31, 2011 was as follows:

 

     Range of Exercise Prices  
     Less than or      Greater than $12.52 and      Greater than or  
     equal to $12.52      less than $19.33      equal to $19.33  

Options outstanding

     681,000         479,169         577,712   

Weighted average exercise price

   $ 4.82       $ 17.17       $ 22.05   

Remaining contractual life

     7.3         5.8         6.1   

Options exercisable

     391,000         291,424         267,542   

Weighted average exercise price

   $ 4.82       $ 16.18       $ 20.82   

At December 31, 2011, the Company had $3,803 of unvested compensation cost related to stock options, and this cost will be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 22 months.

Restricted Stock Units

Under the 1998, 2001, 2006 and 2010 Incentive Compensation Plans, RSUs may be granted to officers and other key employees. Compensation related to the RSUs is determined based on the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and is amortized to expense over the vesting period. The RSUs granted in 2009 and 2011 have vesting periods ranging from one to four years. No RSUs were granted in 2010. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire. The following table provides details of the nonvested RSUs for 2011:

 

           Weighted  
           Average  
     Number of     Grant-Date  
     Restricted     Fair Value  
     Units     (per share)  

Nonvested at January 1, 2011

     140,405      $ 16.05   

Granted

     100,400        23.68   

Vested

     (55,837     14.53   

Settled

     —       

Cancelled

     (3,846     8.47   

Accrued dividend equivalents

     5,683        14.22   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at December 31, 2011

     186,805      $ 20.70   
  

 

 

   

 

     Year ended December 31  
     2009      2010      2011  

Weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted shares granted (per share)

   $ 16.62       $ —         $ 23.68   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of shares vested (thousands)

   $ 545       $ 5,117       $ 811   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The number of vested RSUs at December 31, 2010 and 2011 was 101,868 and 103,834, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company has $2,871 of unvested compensation cost related to RSUs and this cost will be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 32 months.

 

- 59 -


Table of Contents

Performance Stock Units

Compensation related to the PSUs is determined based on the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant combined with performance metrics and is amortized to expense over the vesting period. During 2007, executives participating in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan earned 283,254 PSUs based on the Company’s financial performance in 2007. These units vested in February 2010 and the Company recorded $990 and $132 in compensation expense associated with these units in 2009 and 2010, respectively. No PSUs were earned in 2008. During 2009, executives participating in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan earned 545,930 PSUs based on the Company’s financial performance in 2009 and all of these units vested in 2010. The Company recorded $1,819 and $705 of compensation expense associated with these units in 2009 and 2010, respectively. During 2010, executives participating in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan earned 244,043 PSUs based on the Company’s financial performance in 2010. Of these units, 183,961 vested in 2010 and 60,082 will vest in 2012. No PSUs were earned in 2011. Similar to RSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire.

The following table provides details of the nonvested PSUs earned under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan:

 

Performance stock units outstanding at January 1, 2011

     60,082   

Performance stock units cancelled

     (325

Accrued dividend equivalents

     1,693   
  

 

 

 

Performance stock units outstanding at December 31, 2011

     61,450   
  

 

 

 

The weighted average fair value of PSUs granted in 2010 and 2011 was $18.71 and $22.97, respectively. There were no PSUs granted in 2009.

At December 31, 2011, the Company has $346 of unvested compensation cost related to PSUs and this cost will be recognized as expense over the next twelve months.

The Company’s RSUs and PSUs are not participating securities. These units will be converted into shares of Company common stock in accordance with the distribution date indicated in the agreements. RSUs earn dividend equivalents from the time of the award until distribution is made in common shares. PSUs earn dividend equivalents from the time the units have been earned based upon Company performance metrics until distribution is made in common shares. Dividend equivalents are only earned subject to vesting of the underlying RSUs or PSUs, accordingly, such units do not represent participating securities.

The Company recognized $1,944, $3,294 and $349 of excess tax benefits as a financing cash inflow for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Note 16—Lease Commitments

The Company rents certain distribution facilities and equipment under long-term leases expiring at various dates. The total rental expense for the Company, including these long-term leases and all other rentals, was $27,713, $27,863 and $29,239 for 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Future minimum payments for all non-cancelable operating leases through the end of their terms, which in aggregate total $108,388, are listed below. Certain of these leases contain provisions for optional renewal at the end of the lease terms.

 

2012

     23,144   

2013

     15,561   

2014

     13,052   

2015

     11,693   

Thereafter

     44,938   

 

 

- 60 -


Table of Contents

Note 17—Restructuring

The table below details the Company’s restructuring expense for the years indicated:

 

     2009      2010  

Albany plant closure

     

Asset writedowns

   $ 900       $ 1,845   

Equipment relocation and other costs

     25,595         12,980   

Employee related costs

     20,210         4,751   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     46,705         19,576   

Distribution centers

     

Equipment relocation and other costs

     672         —     

Employee related costs

     946         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,618         —     

European headcount reduction

     

Employee related costs

     395         1,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restructuring costs

   $ 48,718       $ 20,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Albany manufacturing facility closure

On October 21, 2008, the Company announced it would conduct a capacity study of its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The study was an evolution of the Strategic Plan as outlined by the Company in February 2008. All of the Company’s U.S. manufacturing facilities were included for review and were analyzed based on a combination of factors, including long-term financial benefits, labor relations and productivity.

At the conclusion of the capacity study, on December 17, 2008, the North American Tire Operations segment announced its plans to close its tire manufacturing facility in Albany, Georgia. This closure resulted in a workforce reduction of approximately 1,330 people. Certain equipment in the facility has been relocated to other manufacturing facilities of the Company. This initiative was substantially completed at September 30, 2010 at a total cost of $142,265 for restructuring expense and asset impairment.

Since the inception of this initiative in December 2008, the Company has recorded $25,390 of employee related costs, $38,968 of equipment related and other costs and $77,907 of impairment losses to write down the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value.

Distribution centers

During 2009, the Company recorded restructuring expenses associated with the closure of three North American distribution centers. The closure of these distribution centers impacted approximately 70 people and had a total cost of $1,618. Personnel related costs totaled $946 and equipment related costs totaled $672. All of the closures had been completed by the end of 2009. At December 31, 2009, the accrued severance balance was $167 and this amount was paid during 2010.

International Tire Operations segment headcount reduction

The Company’s International Tire Operations segment, at its U.K. location, implemented a workforce reduction program during the second quarter of 2010. This initiative impacted 67 employees with a total cost of $1,073. This initiative was completed during the third quarter of 2010 and all employee severance payments have been made.

A similar restructuring program to reduce headcount to align with production volume requirements was implemented during the second quarter of 2009. This initiative resulted in the elimination of 45 positions and was completed early in the third quarter. The Company recorded $395 of severance cost related to this initiative and all severance amounts have been paid.

 

- 61 -


Table of Contents

Note 18—Other—Net

Other income increased by $1,012 in 2011 compared with 2010, primarily as a result of the change in accounting for COOCSA in 2011. COOCSA was treated as an unconsolidated subsidiary prior to the acquisition of an additional 21 percent ownership in the first quarter of 2011. In connection with its increased investment in COOCSA, the Company recorded a gain of $4,989 on its original investment, which represents the excess of the fair value over the carrying value of the investment as of the transaction date. Partially offsetting this gain is the absence of equity investment earnings from COOCSA that are now included as a part of the consolidation, rather than in other income as in 2010.

Other income increased by $1,562 in 2010 compared with 2009, primarily due to increased equity earnings in COOCSA offset by the absence of proceeds from the settlement of a lawsuit in 2009.

Note 19—Contingent Liabilities

Litigation

The Company is a defendant in various products liability claims brought in numerous jurisdictions in which individuals seek damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents allegedly caused by defective tires manufactured by the Company. Each of the products liability claims faced by the Company generally involve different types of tires, models and lines, different circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s products liability lawsuits the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, both the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The aggregate amount of damages asserted at any point in time is not determinable since often times when claims are filed, the plaintiffs do not specify the amount of damages. Even when there is an amount alleged, at times the amount is wildly inflated and has no rational basis.

Pursuant to applicable accounting rules, the Company accrues the minimum liability for each known claim when the estimated outcome is a range of possible loss and no one amount within that range is more likely than another. The Company uses a range of losses because an average cost would not be meaningful since the products liability claims faced by the Company are unique and widely variable, and accordingly, the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $33 million in one case with no “average” that is meaningful. No specific accrual is made for individual unasserted claims or for premature claims, asserted claims where the minimum information needed to evaluate the probability of a liability is not yet known. However, an accrual for such claims based, in part, on management’s expectations for future litigation activity and the settled claims history is maintained. Because of the speculative nature of litigation in the U.S., the Company does not believe a meaningful aggregate range of potential loss for asserted and unasserted claims can be determined. The Company’s experience has demonstrated that its estimates have been reasonably accurate and, on average, cases are settled at amounts close to the reserves established. However, it is possible an individual claim from time to time may result in an aberration from the norm and could have a material impact.

The Company determines its reserves using the number of incidents expected during a year. During 2010, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $85,271. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $39,560 of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $2,270. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $43,441. Of this amount, $21,800 was the result of the Company increasing its self-insured portion of a jury verdict in one case during the first quarter of 2010. The Company considered the impact of this case when evaluating the assumptions used in establishing reserve balances and did not adjust its assumptions based solely on this case.

During 2011, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $66,788. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $42,277 of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $13,131. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $11,380.

The time frame for the payment of a products liability claim is too variable to be meaningful. From the time a claim is filed to its ultimate disposition depends on the unique nature of the case, how it is resolved – claim dismissed, negotiated settlement, trial verdict and appeals process – and is highly dependent on jurisdiction, specific facts, the plaintiff’s attorney, the court’s docket and other factors. Given that some claims may be resolved in weeks and others may take five years or more, it is impossible to predict with any reasonable reliability the time frame over which the accrued amounts may be paid.

 

- 62 -


Table of Contents

During 2010, the Company paid $45,659 and during 2011, the Company paid $50,468 to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2010 totaled $191,033 (current portion of $41,892). At December 31, 2011, the products liability reserve balance totaled $207,353 (current portion of $58,476).

Products liability costs totaled $81,475, 110,103 and $97,504 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $2,486 and $5,629 in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Insurance policies applicable to claims occurring on April 1, 2003, and thereafter, do not provide for recovery of legal fees.

Retiree Medical Case

On February 2, 2010 in the case of Cates, et al. v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio entered an order approving the settlement agreement negotiated by the parties in April 2009, in its entirety, as being fair, reasonable and adequate and dismissed, with prejudice, the case and a related lawsuit, Johnson, et al. v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. The settlement agreement provided for 1) a cash payment of $7,000 to the Plaintiffs for reimbursement of costs; and 2) modification to the Company’s approach and costs of providing future health care to specified current retiree groups which resulted in an amendment to the Company’s retiree medical plan.

A group of the Company’s union retirees and surviving spouses filed the Cates lawsuit on behalf of a purported class claiming that the Company was not entitled to impose any contribution requirement for the cost of their health care coverage pursuant to a series of letter agreements entered into by the Company and the United Steelworkers and that Plaintiffs were promised lifetime benefits, at no cost, after retirement. As a result of settlement discussions, the related Johnson case was filed with the Court on behalf of a different, smaller group of hourly union-represented retirees.

As a consequence of the settlement agreement, the Company recorded $7,000 of expense during the first quarter of 2009 relating to the specified cash payments. The estimated present value of the plan amendment has been reflected in the accrual for Other Post-employment Benefits with an offset to the Cumulative other comprehensive loss component of Parent stockholders’ equity and will be amortized as a charge to operations over the remaining life expectancy of the affected plan participants.

Cooper Chengshan Acquisition

Effective February 4, 2006, the Company acquired a 51 percent ownership position in Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Passenger Tire Company, Ltd. and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company, Ltd. (“Cooper Chengshan”). The new companies, which were formed upon governmental approval of the transaction, together were known as Shandong Chengshan Tire Company, Ltd. (“Chengshan”) of Shandong, PRC. The two companies were formed by transferring specified assets and obligations to newly formed entities and the Company acquired a 51 percent interest in each thereafter.

In connection with this acquisition, beginning January 1, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders had the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company had the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent noncontrolling share at a minimum price of $63,000. In 2009, the Company received notification from a noncontrolling shareholder of its intention to exercise a portion of its put option and in 2010, after receiving governmental approvals; the Company purchased the 14 percent share for $18,000. The remaining noncontrolling shareholder had the right to sell its 35 percent share to the Company at a minimum price of $45,000. At December 31, 2011, this right expired without being exercised. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2011, the Company recorded the $82,933 of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests associated with Cooper Chengshan in the equity section of its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011.

Employment Contracts and Agreements

The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Armes. No other executives have employment agreements. The other Named Executive Officers are covered by the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Change in Control Severance Pay Plan.

At December 31, 2011, approximately 24% of the Company’s workforce was represented by collective bargaining units.

Unconditional Purchase Orders

Noncancelable purchase order commitments for capital expenditures and raw materials, principally natural rubber, made in the ordinary course of business were $161,830 at December 31, 2011.

 

- 63 -


Table of Contents

Labor Issues

The USW and its Local 207L have filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against the Company. The Union asserts that the unfair labor practices arose during negotiations for a new labor contract at the Company’s Findlay, Ohio facility. The Company also filed unfair labor practice charges against the Union. The Company believes none of the charges by the Union have merit, but that facts support the Company’s charges against the Union.

Note 20—Business Segments

The Company has two reportable segments – North American Tire Operations and International Tire Operations. The Company’s reportable segments are each managed separately. The reportable segments are based on components of the Company that engage in business activities that earn revenue and incur expenses and (a) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resource allocation and performance and (b) for which discrete financial information is available.

The North American Tire Operations segment manufactures and markets passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the U.S. replacement market. The segment also distributes tires for racing, medium truck and motorcycles that are manufactured at the Company’s affiliated operations. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products. The segment does not sell its products directly to end users, except through three Company-owned retail stores, and does not currently manufacture or sell tires for use as original equipment.

The International Tire Operations segment has affiliated operations in the U.K., the Republic of Serbia and the PRC. The U.K. entity manufactures and markets passenger car, light truck, motorcycle and racing tires and tire retread material for the global market. The Cooper Chengshan Tire joint venture manufactures and markets radial and bias medium truck tires as well as passenger and light truck tires for the global market. Cooper Kunshan Tire currently manufactures light vehicle tires and under an agreement with the government of the PRC, these tires will be exported to markets outside of the PRC until May 2012. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured by the segment are sold to OEMs.

The following customer of the North American Tire Operations segment contributed ten percent or more of the Company’s total consolidated net sales in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Net sales and percentage of consolidated Company sales for this customer in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were as follows:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Customer

   Net Sales      Consolidated
Net Sales
    Net Sales      Consolidated
Net Sales
    Net Sales      Consolidated
Net Sales
 

TBC/Treadways

   $ 331,898         12   $ 424,051         13   $ 475,586         12

 

- 64 -


Table of Contents

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those described in the Significant Accounting Policies note to the consolidated financial statements. Corporate administrative expenses are allocated to segments based principally on assets, employees and sales. The following table details segment financial information:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Revenues

      

North American Tire

      

External Customers

   $ 1,933,504      $ 2,356,907      $ 2,763,462   

Intercompany

     72,679        66,901        93,464   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,006,183        2,423,808        2,856,926   

International Tire

      

External Customers

     845,486        1,004,077        1,163,696   

Intercompany

     148,353        268,147        393,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     993,839        1,272,224        1,557,080   

Eliminations and other

     (221,032     (335,048     (486,848
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

     2,778,990        3,360,984        3,927,158   

Segment profit

      

North American Tire

     110,957        130,694        77,432   

International Tire

     72,753        82,081        102,720   

Unallocated corporate charges and eliminations

     (27,441     (24,401     (16,851
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     156,269        188,374        163,301   

Interest income

     5,193        5,265        3,190   

Other—net

     1,272        2,834        3,846   

Interest expense

     (47,211     (36,647     (36,191
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     115,523        159,826        134,146   

Depreciation and amortization expense

      

North American Tire

     76,001        76,065        72,787   

International Tire

     46,317        46,728        49,778   

Corporate

     1,193        928        334   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

     123,511        123,721        122,899   

Segment assets

      

North American Tire

     857,734        982,001        1,096,083   

International Tire

     770,557        823,011        884,337   

Corporate and other

     472,049        500,525        520,585   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

     2,100,340        2,305,537        2,501,005   

Expenditures for long-lived assets

      

North American Tire

     41,917        66,100        69,168   

International Tire

     37,410        37,395        32,849   

Corporate

     6        16,243        53,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

     79,333        119,738        155,406   

 

- 65 -


Table of Contents

Geographic information for revenues, based on country of origin, and long-lived assets follows:

 

     2009      2010      2011  

Revenues

        

United States

   $ 1,889,829       $ 2,305,020       $ 2,694,870   

PRC

     588,136         727,758         833,146   

Rest of world

     301,025         328,206         399,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

     2,778,990         3,360,984         3,927,158   

Long-lived assets

        

United States

     458,722         460,362         499,753   

PRC

     343,228         347,999         354,351   

Rest of world

     49,021         44,081         114,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

     850,971         852,442         969,103   

Shipments of domestically-produced products to customers outside the U.S. approximated ten percent of net sales in 2009 and nine percent of net sales in 2010 and 2011.

Note 21—Subsequent Events

On January 17, 2012, the Company acquired certain assets of Trayal Korporacija in Krusevac, Serbia for approximately €13 million ($16.45 million). The assets purchased include land, building and machinery and equipment. In conjunction with the asset acquisition, the Company established Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Serbia d.o.o. (“Cooper Serbia”). Cooper Serbia will be comprised of the assets acquired from Trayal Korporacija, coupled with those assets acquired through additional capital spending. Once operational, Cooper Serbia’s tire-making operations will complement Cooper Europe’s operations and product offerings. The newly formed Serbian entity will be included in the International Tire Operations segment. This transaction is being accounted for as an asset acquisition by the Company.

The Company reached a tentative agreement with USW Local 207L at its facility in Findlay, Ohio. A ratification vote on this agreement was scheduled to occur on February 27, 2012; the outcome of this vote is not known at the time of this filing.

 

- 66 -


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a) (2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Toledo, Ohio

February 27, 2012

 

- 67 -


Table of Contents

 

SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA    (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts.)     

 

     2010  
     First     Second     Third     Fourth  
     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  

Net sales

   $ 754,443      $ 803,959      $ 882,942      $ 919,640   

Gross profit

     85,172        95,382        128,247        111,900   

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     12,336        18,951        44,599        40,445   

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     0.20        0.31        0.73        0.66   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     0.20        0.30        0.71        0.64   

Revenues from external customers:

        

North American Tire

   $ 531,717      $ 574,968      $ 647,787      $ 669,336   

International Tire

     293,557        312,156        325,200        341,311   

Eliminations and other

     (70,831     (83,165     (90,045     (91,007
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 754,443      $ 803,959      $ 882,942      $ 919,640   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment profit:

        

North American Tire

   $ 13,602      $ 19,680      $ 54,971      $ 42,441   

International Tire

     22,550        20,528        20,511        18,492   

Eliminations

     (509     42        (1,183     1,400   

Corporate

     (2,688     (6,568     (7,169     (7,726
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     32,955        33,682        67,130        54,607   

Interest expense

     (8,730     (9,149     (9,397     (9,371

Interest income

     1,213        771        2,166        1,115   

Other – net

     237        988        719        890   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 25,675      $ 26,292      $ 60,618      $ 47,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income

   $ 17,172      $ 50,171      $ 50,308      $ 46,236   

Net Income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

   $ 11,576      $ 44,077      $ 44,598      $ 40,198   
     2011  
     First     Second     Third     Fourth  
     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  

Net sales

   $ 905,962      $ 922,207      $ 1,053,503      $ 1,045,486   

Gross profit

     85,128        72,743        92,985        113,489   

Income from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     15,674        11,523        17,281        209,025   

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     0.25        0.19        0.28        3.36   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders

     0.25        0.18        0.27        3.33   

Revenues from external customers:

        

North American Tire

   $ 647,944      $ 666,816      $ 764,681      $ 777,485   

International Tire

     363,422        395,620        421,847        376,191   

Eliminations and other

     (105,404     (140,229     (133,025     (108,190
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 905,962      $ 922,207      $ 1,053,503      $ 1,045,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment profit:

        

North American Tire

   $ 21,529      $ 3,675      $ 17,340      $ 34,888   

International Tire

     20,072        23,300        30,442        28,906   

Eliminations

     (1,743     (990     356        949   

Corporate

     (7,675     (1,732     (926     (5,090
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     32,183        24,253        47,212        59,653   

Interest expense

     (9,421     (9,229     (8,953     (8,588

Interest income

     669        901        829        791   

Other – net

     5,505        143        (124     (1,678
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 28,936      $ 16,068      $ 38,964      $ 50,178   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income

   $ 18,477      $ 14,447      $ 21,961      $ 214,718   

Net Income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

   $ 15,674      $ 11,523      $ 17,281      $ 209,025   

 

- 68 -


Table of Contents

 

 

SCHEDULE VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

 

     Balance at      Additions             Balance  
     Beginning      Charged      Business      Deductions      at End  
     of Year      To Income      Acquisitions      (a)      of Year  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

              

2009

   $ 10,679,874       $ 1,990,692       $ —         $ 1,742,585       $ 10,927,981   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2010

   $ 10,927,981       $ 3,236,138       $ —         $ 3,353,093       $ 10,811,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2011

   $ 10,811,026       $ 2,259,690       $ —         $ 2,448,442       $ 10,622,274   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Accounts charged off during the year, net of recoveries of accounts previously charged off.

 

     Balance at      Additions             Balance  
     Beginning      Charged      Charged      Deductions      at End  
     of Year      To Income      To Equity      (a)      of Year  

Tax valuation allowance

              

2009

   $ 231,270,010       $ —         $ —         $ 54,503,772       $ 176,766,238   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2010

   $ 176,766,238       $ 2,843,723       $ 4,301,882       $ —         $ 183,911,843   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2011

   $ 183,911,843       $ 13,812,211       $ —         $ 169,453,483       $ 28,270,571   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Net decrease in tax valuation allowance is primarily a result of net changes in cumulative book/tax timing differences, the write-off of capital loss carry forward and changes in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets, plus the impact of the change in the postretirement benefits component of Cumulative other comprehensive loss.

 

     Balance at      Additions             Balance  
     Beginning      Charged      Charged      Deductions      at End  
     of Year      To Income      To Equity      (a)      of Year  

Lower of cost or market inventory reserve

              

2009

   $ 10,237,000       $ —         $ —         $ 10,237,000       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2010

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2011

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Decrease in lower of cost or market reserve as a result of lower raw material costs and increased sales prices.

 

- 69 -


Table of Contents
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of December 31, 2011 (“Evaluation Date”)). Based on its evaluation, its CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the Evaluation Date.

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, management conducted an assessment, including testing, using the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) as of December 31, 2011. The Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting is 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. 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.

Based on its assessment, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO, and that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.

(c) Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

We have audited Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Cooper Tire & Rubber 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 Annual 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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.

 

- 70 -


Table of Contents

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.

In our opinion, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 and our report dated February 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Toledo, Ohio

February 27, 2012

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning the Company’s directors, corporate governance guidelines, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Information regarding the Audit Committee, including the identification of the Audit Committee members and the “audit committee financial expert,” will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

 

- 71 -


Table of Contents

CODE OF ETHICS

Information regarding the Company’s code of business ethics and conduct is available on the Company’s website at http://www.coopertire.com. To access this information, first click on “Investors” and then click on “Corporate Governance” of the Company’s website. Then, select the “Code of Business Ethics and Conduct” link listed in the middle of the web page under Corporate Governance.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information regarding executive and director compensation, Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, and the Compensation Committee Report will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information concerning the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management of the Company’s voting securities and equity securities will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2011 regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans, all of which were approved by the Company’s security holders:

 

     Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
     Number of securities
remaining  available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
 

Plan category

   (a)      (b)      (c)  

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

     2,084,954       $ 11.63         3,546,110   

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,084,954       $ 11.63         3,546,110   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional information on equity compensation plans is contained in the “Stock-Based Compensation” note to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

There were no transactions with related persons during 2011.

Information regarding the independence of the Company’s directors will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information regarding the Company’s independent auditor will appear in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

 

- 72 -


Table of Contents

PART IV

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page(s)  
     Reference  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     32   

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2011

     33-34   

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     35   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     36   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     37-66   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     67   

Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

     68   

2. Financial Statement Schedule

 

Valuation and qualifying accounts—Allowance for doubtful accounts, tax valuation allowance and lower of cost or market inventory reserve

     69   

All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

3. Exhibits

    The exhibits listed on the accompanying exhibit index are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

- 73 -


Table of Contents

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 TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
/s/ Roy V. Armes

ROY V. ARMES, Chairman of the Board,

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

   Date  

/s/ Roy V. Armes

ROY V. ARMES

  

Chairman of the Board,

President, Chief Executive

Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

     February 27, 2012   

/s/ Bradley E. Hughes

BRADLEY E. HUGHES

  

Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

    
February 27, 2012
  

/s/ Robert W. Huber

ROBERT W. HUBER

  

Director of External Reporting

(Principal Accounting Officer)

     February 27, 2012   
     

THOMAS P. CAPO*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

STEVEN M. CHAPMAN*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

JOHN J. HOLLAND*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

JOHN F. MEIER*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

CYNTHIA A. NIEKAMP

   Director      February 27, 2012   

JOHN H. SHUEY*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

RICHARD L. WAMBOLD*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

ROBERT D. WELDING*

   Director      February 27, 2012   

 

* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to a Power of Attorney executed on behalf of the above-indicated directors of the registrant and filed herewith as Exhibit 24 on behalf of the registrant.

 

*By:   /s/ Stephen Zamansky
  STEPHEN ZAMANSKY, Attorney-in-fact

 

- 74 -


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

(3)      Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
     (i)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 4, 2010, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3(i) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010
     (ii)    Bylaws, as amended as of May 4, 2010, are incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010
(4)      (i)    Prospectus Supplement dated March 20, 1997 for the issuance of $200,000,000 notes is incorporated herein by reference from Form S-3 – Registration Statement No. 33-44159
     (ii)    Prospectus Supplement dated December 8, 1999 for the issuance of an aggregate $800,000,000 notes is incorporated herein by reference from Form S-3 – Registration Statement No. 333-89149
(10)      (i)    Employment Agreement Amended and Restated dated as of December 22, 2008 between Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Roy V. Armes is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(i) of the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008*
     (ii)    Description of management contracts, compensatory plans, contracts, or arrangements will be herein incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders*
     (iii)    Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of August 30, 2006, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Oliver Rubber Company and Cooper Receivables LLC is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 30, 2006
     (iv)    Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of August 30, 2006, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, PNC Bank, National Association, and the various purchaser groups from time to time party thereto is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(2) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 30, 2006
     (v)    First Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 30, 2006
     (vi)    Second Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2010, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 9, 2010
     (vii)    Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated June 2, 2011, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Market Street Funding LLC and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated June 8, 2011
     (viii)    Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2011, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Cooper Receivables LLC, Market Street Funding LLC and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(ii) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 2, 2011
     (ix)    Second Amendment to Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2007, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Market Street Funding LLC and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 9, 2007
     (x)    First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2007, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, PNC Bank, National Association, and Market Street Funding LLC is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 14, 2007
     (xi)    Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2007, by and among Cooper Receivables LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, PNC Bank, National Association and Market Street Funding LLC is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(2) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 14, 2007

 

- 75 -


Table of Contents
(xii) Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., Bank of America, N.A. (as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent); PNC Bank, National Association (as Syndication Agent); Banc of America Securities LLC and PNC Capital Markets LLC (as Joint Book Managers and Joint Lead Arrangers); National City Business Credit, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as Co-Documentation Agents); and Bank of America, N.A.; PNC Bank, National Association; National City Business Credit, Inc.; Keybank National Association; Fifth Third Bank; and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as Lenders) is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 9, 2007

 

(xiii) First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 8, 2010, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders, and the Lenders party hereto is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10(xi) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

(xiv) Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2011, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., certain financial institutions named therein (as Lenders), Bank of America, N.A. (as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent), PNC Bank, National Association (as Syndication Agent), Banc of America Securities LLC and PNC Capital Markets LLC (as Joint Book Managers and Joint Lead Arrangers) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as Documentation Agent) is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(1) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 2, 2011.

 

(xv) Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Bank of America, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(2) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 9, 2007

 

(xvi) Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Cooper Receivables LLC; PNC Bank, National Association (as Administrator); and Bank of America, N.A. (as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent) is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(3) of the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 9, 2007

 

(xvii) 1991 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1991*

 

(xviii) 1998 Incentive Compensation Plan and 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan are incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 24, 1998*

 

(xix) 1998 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Deferral Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2011*

 

(xx) 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 20, 2001*

 

(xxi) 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 25, 2010*

 

(xxii) Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2008*

 

(xxiii) Form of Participation Agreement for Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2008*

 

(xxiv) 2002 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 27, 2002*

 

(xxv) 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 21, 2006*

 

(xxvi) Change in Control Severance Pay Plan (Amended and Restated as of August 4, 2010) is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 6, 2010

 

(xxvii) Written Description of Changes to Independent Director Compensation and Stock Ownership Guidelines (as approved by the Board of Directors on August 3, 2011) is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(iii) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011

 

(xxviii) Form of Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement for the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Change in Control Severance Pay Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(iii) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011

 

(xxix) Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 20, 2006

 

- 76 -


Table of Contents

 

  (xxx)    Nonqualified Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of June 1, 1999*
  (xxxi)    Form of Participation Agreement for the Nonqualified Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of June 1, 1999”
  (xxxii)    Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of September 16, 2004 by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Cooper Tyre & Rubber Company UK Limited and CSA Acquisition Corp. is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004
  (xxxiii)    First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 3, 2004 by and among Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Cooper Tyre & Rubber Company UK Limited and CSA Acquisition Corp. is herein incorporated by reference from Exhibit (xxvi) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004
  (xxxiv)    Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Contract for Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Passenger Tire Company Ltd. by and among Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Limited by Shares and Cooper Tire Investment Holding (Barbados) Ltd. and Joy Thrive Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxvii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
  (xxxv)    Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Limited by Shares and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Passenger Tire Company Ltd. and Chengshan Group Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxviii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
  (xxxvi)    Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Contract for Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd. by and among Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Limited by Shares and Cooper Tire Investment Holding (Barbados) Ltd. and Joy Thrive Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxix) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
  (xxxvii)    Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Limited by Shares and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Limited and Chengshan Group Company Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxx) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
  (xxxviii)    Share Purchase Agreement by and among Chengshan Group Company Limited and CTB (Barbados) Investment Co. Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxxii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
  (xxxix)    Supplementary Agreement by and among Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Limited by Shares, Cooper Tire Investment Holding (Barbados) Ltd., Joy Thrive Investments Limited, Chengshan Group Company Limited and CTB (Barbados) Investment Co., Ltd. Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (xxxviii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006
(21)      Subsidiaries of the Registrant
(23)      Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(24)      Power of Attorney
(31.1)      Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) of the Exchange Act
(31.2)      Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) of the Exchange Act
(32)      Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(101.INS)*      XBRL Instance Document
(101.SCH)*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
(101.DEF)*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
(101.CAL)*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
(101.LAB)*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
(101.PRE)*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

- 77 -