CS News

NOVI, Mich., August 11, 2011 - Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: COSH), the parent company of Cooper Standard Automotive and a leading global supplier of automotive sealing, fluid and anti-vibration systems, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.  The Company also provided an updated outlook for 2011.

“Cooper Standard delivered solid performance in the second quarter, including 21% sales growth and another quarter of double-digit EBITDA margins despite elevated raw material costs,” said Jim McElya, chairman and chief executive officer, Cooper Standard. “Our recent joint venture and acquisition transactions have further strengthened our global footprint and are enabling us to be even more competitive on global platforms across all of our businesses. We are capitalizing on the major trends shaping the global automotive manufacturing marketplace: global platforms, expansion of the BRIC markets, and tougher emissions and fuel economy standards.”

Second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 results

The Company reported revenue of $760.5 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with $628.4 million in the second quarter of 2010, reflecting increased sales resulting from its recently established joint venture with Fonds de Modernisation des Equipementiers Automobiles (FMEA), higher industry volumes, and favorable foreign currency exchange movement.

Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $1.45 billion, compared to $1.22 billion in the same period of 2010, reflecting an increase in volumes, the FMEA transaction, favorable foreign exchange and benefits of launch activity.

Cooper Standard reported net income of $19 million in the second quarter of 2011. This includes a $36 million restructuring charge related to the closing of a French joint venture facility. Net income reported for the prior year’s comparable periods included accounting adjustments related to the Company’s reorganization and therefore does not offer a reasonable basis for comparison.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $64.0 million.  Net income for both the quarter and year-to-date periods was favorably impacted by higher volumes and mix, partially offset by higher raw material costs, additions to engineering and customer support staff, and launch costs.

Gross profit for the quarter increased to $123.7 million, or 16.3% of sales, from $106.2 million, or 16.9% of sales, in the second quarter of 2010.  For the six-month period, gross profit was $244.5 million, or 16.9% of sales, compared to $210.7 million, or 17.2% of sales, in last year’s comparable period. The percentage-of-sales decline reflects lower margins at acquired businesses and increased raw material prices.

Cooper Standard also reported second quarter 2011 adjusted EBITDA of $90.3 million, or 11.9% of sales, compared with $73.8 million, or 11.7% of sales, in the second quarter of 2010.  Adjusted EBITDA for the six month period was $182.2 million, compared to $147.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Operational highlights

In the second quarter of 2011, Cooper Standard launched programs that included diverse customers, technologies and geographies:

• Audi – W-36 Platform
• Fisker – Karma
• GM - Meriva
• Peugeot – 508 (China)
• Porsche – 911 Coupe, 911 Convertible and Boxster
• Land Rover – Range Rover Evoque

Strategic highlights

During the first quarter, Cooper Standard advanced several of its strategies for revenue growth.

In particular, the Company continues to win diverse business awards, including two awards as part of the global Chrysler/Fiat C-EVO platform - a complete fuel and brake system for the Chrysler program in North America and the entire body sealing system for the Fiat program in China - as well as the complete body sealing package for the BMW X5 in North America.

Cooper Standard also executed on its acquisition strategy to increase its competitiveness for global platforms, further strengthen its emerging markets position and enhance its ability to provide customers with differentiated products.

Most recently, Cooper Standard, in partnership with the French government’s Fonds de Modernisation des Equipementiers Automobiles (FMEA), acquired strategically important new operations and capabilities in Europe that will dramatically enhance the Company’s ability to win anti-vibration and hose business on global platforms. The joint venture also expands the Company’s existing body sealing capability and further strengthens the global relationship with Peugeot Citroёn Automotive. In addition to the strategic and long-term opportunities it creates for the Company, the consolidated joint venture is expected to contribute to Cooper Standard approximately $125 million in incremental 2011 sales. The joint venture, called Cooper Standard France, combines the operations of Société des Polymères Barre-Thomas (including two manufacturing facilities in France and one in Poland, as well as a 50 percent interest in an anti-vibration systems business in India) with Cooper Standard’s existing French body sealing businesses. The joint venture company is 51 percent owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cooper Standard and 49 percent owned by the FMEA.

Cooper Standard also announced the expansion of its joint venture relationship with Nishikawa Rubber Co. to, among other things, strengthen the Company’s ability to serve customers in Thailand. The Company also acquired USi, Inc. to expand its technology capabilities with an exclusive hard coating process for use in automotive and industrial applications, including bright trim assemblies on vehicles.

McElya continued, “We expect our recent strategic transactions to add to our results this year and in future years, and to strengthen the Company’s competitive position. Our experienced team acted opportunistically and creatively to complete these investments on advantageous terms to Cooper Standard. We will continue to search with discipline for other acquisitions that meet our financial criteria and increase our competitive advantages.”

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Updated 2011 outlook

Reflecting the effects of the Company’s acquisitions and updated industry volume and foreign exchange projections, Cooper Standard raised its 2011 sales expectations to a range of $2.8 billion to $2.9 billion.  The Company expects its 2011 capital expenditures to be slightly higher than originally projected, between $105 million and $115 million.  Restructuring expenses for 2011 are expected to increase to between $50 million and $60 million, the majority of which will be related to, and funded by, the Company’s French joint venture. The Company continues to expect cash taxes to be in the range of $25 to $30 million.  The Company’s current 2011 industry volume assumptions are for North American production of 13.1 million units and European production of 20 million units.

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

Conference Call Details
The company’s earnings results are also posted to the Cooper Standard website, http://www.cooperstandard.com. Cooper Standard’s executive team will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2011 results, provide a general business update and respond to investor questions. An interactive webcast will also be available via http://www.cooperstandard.com/investor_home.php.

To participate in the live question-and-answer session, callers in the United States and Canada should dial toll-free 800-949-4315 (international callers dial 678-825-8315) and provide the conference ID 86723646 or ask to be connected to the Cooper Standard teleconference. Callers should dial in at least five minutes prior to the start of the call. Financial and automotive analysts are invited to ask questions after the presentations are made.  Individuals unable to participate during the live teleconference or webcast may visit the Investor Relations portion of the Cooper Standard website (http://www.cooperstandard.com/investor_home.php) for a webcast or podcast replay of the presentation.

About Cooper Standard Automotive
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 21,000 people globally and operates in 19 countries around the world. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.cooperstandard.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements, reflecting current analysis and expectations, based on what are believed to be reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, stated or implied, depending on many factors, including, without limitation: the inability to compare the company’s financial condition or results historically due to fresh start accounting; the ability to maintain contracts and suppliers and customer relationships; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; our dependence on the automotive industry; availability and cost of raw materials; our exposure to natural disasters; our dependence on certain major customers; competition in the automotive industry; sovereign and other risks related to our conducting operations outside the United States; the uncertainty of our ability to achieve expected cost reduction savings; our exposure to product liability and warranty claims; labor conditions; our vulnerability to changes in interest rates; our ability to meet customers’ needs for new and improved products in a timely manner; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; potential conflicts of interest between our owners and us; our legal rights to our intellectual property portfolio; our pension plans; and environmental and other regulations. There may be other factors that may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Cooper Standard will meet future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This paragraph is included to provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements, which are not generally required to be publicly revised as circumstances change and which Cooper Standard does not intend to update.

There may be other factors that may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Cooper Standard undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date such statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact for Analysts:
Glenn Dong, vice president and corporate treasurer, Cooper Standard, (248) 596-6031,
investorrelations@cooperstandard.com

Contact for Media:
Sharon Wenzl, vice president, corporate communications, Cooper Standard, (248) 596-6211,
sswenzl@cooperstandard.com