CS News

NOVI, Mich. - Feb. 4, 2011 - Due to overcapacity in the North American automotive industry, Cooper-Standard Automotive announced it will permanently close its hose manufacturing facility located in Bowling Green, Ohio. Relocation of the facility’s business and equipment into existing Cooper Standard locations will occur over the next 12 months.

The decision follows an extensive review of the company’s current hose manufacturing capacity, as well as future market trends and forecasts for vehicle production rates in North America. As a result of this analysis, the Cooper Standard management team determined that there is not sufficient production volume to continue operating all three of its North American hose facilities.

The current Bowling Green hose business will be moved to Cooper Standard’s existing facilities in Mt. Sterling, Ky. and Atlacomulco, Mexico. Both facilities currently produce similar products to the Bowling Green facility and can quickly incorporate the transferred business.

The Bowling Green hose operation employs approximately 200 people and manufactures low-pressure rubber hoses for a variety of automakers. Cooper Standard is currently working with Bowling Green hose employees and the United Steelworkers (USW 1152L) and state and local agencies in accordance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

About Cooper Standard
Cooper Standard, headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include body sealing systems, fluid handling systems and anti-vibration systems. Cooper Standard employs approximately 19,000 people globally and operates in 18 countries around the world. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.cooperstandard.com.