e10vk
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)
     
þ   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
or
     
o   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
(COOPERTIRES LOGO)
COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE
(State of incorporation)

701 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio
(Address of principal executive offices)
  34-4297750
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

45840
(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)
Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Rights to Purchase Series A Preferred Stock
  (Name of each exchange on which registered)
New York Stock Exchange
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 o No þ
     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 o No þ
     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 þ No o
     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 o No o
     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. þ
     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):
             
þ Large accelerated filer   o Accelerated filer   o Non-Accelerated Filer
(Do not check if a small reporting company)
  o Smaller Reporting Company
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2010 was $1,160,884,017.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of January 31, 2011 was 61,717,922.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 — 14, of this report.
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY — FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
         
    Page  
Cover
    1  
    2  
       
    2-5  
    5-10  
    10  
    10  
    11  
    11  
       
    13-15  
    16  
    17-31  
    32  
    33-69  
    70  
    70  
    71  
       
    71  
    72  
    72  
    72  
    72  
       
    73  
    74  
    75-77  
 EX-10.XI
 EX-13
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-24
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32
PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company with its affiliates and 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 7 manufacturing facilities and 38 distribution centers in 9 countries. As of December 31, 2010, it employed 12,898 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 at the Company’s subsidiaries. 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 manufacture tires for sale to the automobile 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 portion of the tire market. The segment also faces competition from low-cost producers in Asia and South America. Some of those producers are foreign subsidiaries of the segment’s competitors in North America. The segment had a market share in 2010 of approximately 13 percent of all light vehicle replacement tire sales in the U.S. In addition to manufacturing tires in the U.S., the segment has a minority interest in a joint venture manufacturing operation in Mexico. A percentage of the products manufactured by the segment in the U.S. 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 its 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 replacement tire business has a broad customer base. Overall, a balanced mix of customers and the offering of both proprietary brand and private label tires help to protect the segment from the adverse effects that could result from the loss of a major customer. 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.
International Tire Operations Segment
The International Tire Operations segment has affiliated operations in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and two joint ventures in 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. 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. The Cooper Kenda Tire joint venture currently manufactures light vehicle tires to be exported to markets outside of the PRC. Under the current agreement, until May 2012, all of the tires produced by this joint venture will be exported and sold to the Company and its affiliates around the world. 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 portion of the tire market. The segment also faces competition from low-cost producers in certain markets.
Discontinued Operations
The discontinued operations as reported in this Form 10-K include income and expenses related to Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc., (“CSA”, formerly the Automotive segment), which was sold on December 23, 2004, and to the Oliver Rubber Company (formerly a subsidiary which was part of the North American Tire Operations segment), which was sold on October 5, 2007.
CSA produced components, systems, subsystems and modules for incorporation into the passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured by the global automotive OEMs. The Company’s Oliver Rubber Company subsidiary produced tread rubber and retreading equipment.

- 3 -


Table of Contents

The Company elected to sell CSA and Oliver Rubber Company in order to more fully focus management attention and Company resources on the primary business of replacement tires.
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.
During 2010, the Company experienced higher raw material costs, particularly for natural rubber, compared to 2009. The pricing volatility of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials contributes to the difficulty in 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 and to reduce 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. Inventories turn regularly, but 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, 2010, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $413 million. The Company’s finished goods inventory at December 31, 2010 is higher than in the prior year as a result of increased units and higher raw material costs. The Company’s inventories remain at relatively low levels on a historical basis when compared to 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 2010, approximately 55 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 its 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 $33.5 million, $35.7 million and $39.7 million during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The Company has determined the amounts included here as research and development better align with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730, “Research and Development,” that includes all costs that can appropriately be considered in this classification. Previously, a narrow, more restrictive tax definition was used for this calculation. Amounts for prior years have been presented under the new definition.
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

- 4 -


Table of Contents

duration as long as they are adequately protected and appropriately used. Certain other tradenames and trademarks are being amortized over the next seven to eighteen 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.
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 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 2010 expense and capital expenditures for environmental matters at its facilities were not material, nor is it expected that expenditures in 2011 for such uses will be material. The Company was again awarded the right to display the Energy Star logo by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2010.
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 two joint venture manufacturing facilities, 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 sales office and one distribution center. The Company also has an investment in a manufacturing operation in Mexico.
The Company believes the risks of conducting business in less developed markets, including the PRC, other Asian countries and Mexico, are somewhat greater than in the U.S., Canadian and Western European markets. This is due to the increased potential for currency volatility, high interest and inflation rates, and the general political and economic instability that are associated with emerging markets.
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
The more significant risk factors related to the Company and its subsidiaries follow:
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 retail customers.
A deterioration in the global macroeconomic environment or in specific regions 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.
This may also be the result of increased price competition and product discounts, resulting in lower margins in the business.

- 5 -


Table of Contents

Pricing volatility for raw materials and 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 and petroleum-based 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.
If the price of natural gas or other energy sources increases, the Company’s operating expenses could increase significantly.
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.
Further, if the price of gasoline increases significantly for consumers, it can affect driving and purchasing habits and impact demand for tires.
The Company’s industry is highly competitive, and it may not be able to compete effectively with low-cost producers and larger competitors.
The replacement tire industry is a highly competitive, global industry. Some of the Company’s competitors are large companies with relatively 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.
The Company may be unable to recover new product and process development and testing costs, which could increase the cost of operating its business.
The Company’s business strategy emphasizes the development of new equipment and new products and using new technology to improve quality, performance and operating efficiency. 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.
The Company is implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system that will require significant amounts of capital and human resources to deploy. 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 joint venture manufacturing entities, Cooper Chengshan and Cooper Kenda, in the PRC and has continued to expand operations in that country. The Company has also recently increased its investment in a tire manufacturing entity in Mexico that it will begin to consolidate in 2011. There are a number of risks in doing business abroad, including political and economic uncertainty, social unrest, 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 the PRC and elsewhere 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.

- 6 -


Table of Contents

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 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.
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.
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 enacted 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.
Compliance with regulatory initiatives could increase the cost of operating the Company’s business.
The Company is subject to federal, state and local 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.
Any interruption in the Company’s skilled workforce 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 and professional workers 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 labor agreement at the Findlay, Ohio operation expires October 2011 and the labor agreement at the Texarkana, Arkansas operations expires January 2012. The labor agreement in Melksham, England expires March 2012. Although the Company believes that its relations with its employees are generally good, the Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to successfully maintain its relations with its employees. If the Company fails to extend or renegotiate its collective bargaining agreements with the labor unions on satisfactory terms, or if its unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work disruptions, the Company’s business and operating results could suffer.

- 7 -


Table of Contents

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 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.
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 and manufactures. 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. Those claims could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
The Company is largely self insured against these claims.
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. See also related comments under “There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy of using joint ventures and partially owned subsidiaries.”
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.
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 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.
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. Additionally, in any future acquisitions, the Company may encounter various risks, 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. Future acquisitions may involve the expenditure of significant funds and management time. Future 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.
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 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 or material unknown conditions that require remediation are discovered. 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.
The realizability of deferred tax assets may affect the Company’s profitability and cash flows.
The Company maintains a valuation allowance pursuant to ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” on its net U.S. 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. Based upon this assessment, the Company maintains a valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding its U.S. deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances for deferred tax assets associated with losses in foreign jurisdictions.
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, including revenue recognition, financial instruments, leasing, and others, which could have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

- 9 -


Table of Contents

There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy of using joint ventures and partially owned subsidiaries.
The Company’s strategy includes expanding its global footprint through 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: somewhat greater risk of sudden changes in laws and regulations which could impact their competitiveness, risk of joint venture partners or other investors failing to meet their obligations under related shareholders’ agreements 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, including certain of the agreements with the Company’s joint venture partners or other investors. In the event joint venture partners or other investors do not satisfy their funding or other obligations and the Company does not or cannot satisfy such obligations, the Company could be in default under its outstanding notes and primary credit facility and, accordingly, be required to repay or refinance such obligations. There is no assurance that the Company would be able to repay such obligations or that the current noteholders or creditors would agree to refinance or to modify the existing arrangements on acceptable terms or at all. 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 two consolidated Chinese joint ventures 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.
In connection with its acquisition of a controlling interest in Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009, and continuing through December 31, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders have the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company has the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent at a minimum price of $63 million. In 2009, the Company received notification from one of its noncontrolling shareholders of its intention to exercise its put option and after receiving governmental approvals, the Company purchased the 14 percent share for $18 million on March 31, 2010. The remaining shares may be sold to the Company under the put option through December 31, 2011.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
As shown in the following table, at December 31, 2010 the Company maintained 67 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       2 **     7  
Distribution
    12       1       6       19       38  
Retail Stores
    3                         3  
Technical centers and offices
    6       1       7       5       19  
 
                             
Total
    25       2       14       26       67  
 
*   The Company has a minority interest in a tire manufacturing operation in Mexico.
 
**   The manufacturing facilities are joint ventures in the PRC.
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.

- 10 -


Table of Contents

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, 2010.
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.
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
    58     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. Previously, Senior Vice President of Project Development at Whirlpool Corporation, a marketer and manufacturer of home appliances, since January 2006; Corporate Vice President and General Director at Whirlpool Mexico from 2002 to January 2006.
 
               
Brenda S. Harmon
    59     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
    48     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; Director, European Business Strategy and Implementation from 2004 to 2005.
 
               
James E. Kline
    69     Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since April 2003. Vice President from February to April 2003.
 
               
Harold C. Miller
    58     Vice President and President International Tire Operations   Vice President since March 2002.

- 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, 2009   High     Low  
First Quarter
  $ 6.96     $ 2.96  
Second Quarter
    11.74       3.86  
Third Quarter
    18.88       9.77  
Fourth Quarter
    20.55       14.15  
                 
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  
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, 2005, 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   Dec06     Dec07     Dec08     Dec09     Dec10  
 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    -3.33       18.42       -60.98       241.72       20.34  
S&P 500 Index
    15.79       5.49       -37.00       26.46       15.06  
S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment
    12.37       27.49       -48.66       54.68       42.78  
                                                 
            INDEXED RETURNS  
    Base     Years Ending  
    Period                                
Company / Index   Dec05     Dec06     Dec07     Dec08     Dec09     Dec10  
 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    100       96.67       114.48       44.67       152.66       183.71  
S&P 500 Index
    100       115.79       122.16       76.96       97.33       111.99  
S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment
    100       112.37       143.26       73.55       113.76       162.43  
(COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE FIVE YEAR TOTAL RETURN LOGO)

- 14 -


Table of Contents

(b)   Holders
      The number of holders of record at December 31, 2010 was 2,631.
(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 are as follows:
                         
    2009             2010  
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, 2010.

- 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)
                                                 
                            Income (loss) from     Earnings (Loss) Per Share  
                            Continuing Operations     from Continuing Operations  
                    Income (loss)     available to     available to  
                    from Continuing     Cooper Tire &     Cooper Tire & Rubber Company  
    Net     Operating     Operations Before     Rubber Company     common stockholders  
    Sales     Profit (Loss)     Income taxes     common stockholders     Basic     Diluted  
2006
  $ 2,575,218     $ (45,252 )   $ (75,995 )   $ (74,320 )   $ (1.21 )   $ (1.21 )
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  
                                         
            Redeemable                        
            Noncontrolling                     Net Property,  
    Stockholders’     Shareholders’     Long-term     Total     Plant &  
    Equity     Interests     Debt     Assets     Equipment  
2006
  $ 666,244     $ 44,956     $ 513,213     $ 2,237,136     $ 971,072  
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  
                                         
                            Average        
    Capital             Dividends     Common Shares     Number of  
    Expenditures     Depreciation     Per Share     (000s)     Employees  
2006
  $ 186,190     $ 127,693     $ 0.42       61,338       13,361  
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  
The Company’s continuing operations recorded an impairment charge during 2006 of $47,973 related to goodwill and an indefinite-lived intangible asset and recorded an impairment charge during 2008 of $31,340 related to goodwill as described in Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangibles.
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 16 — Restructuring.

- 16 -


Table of Contents

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Business of the Company
The Company produces and markets passenger, light and medium truck, motorsport and motorcycle tires which are sold internationally 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 and racing products.
In recent years the Company has faced both general industry and company-specific challenges. This includes volatile raw material costs, which have increased dramatically throughout 2010, increasing product complexity and pressure from competitors with manufacturing in lower-cost regions.
To address these challenges and position the Company for future success, a Strategic Plan was developed and serves as the driving force for those strategic imperatives that are initiated. This plan, originally communicated in February 2008, has three strategic imperatives — building a sustainable cost competitive position, driving top-line profitable growth, and building bold organizational capabilities and enablers to support strategic goals.
To support these imperatives, the Company has undertaken a number of cost saving and profit improvement initiatives. These include a wide variety of projects in the areas of manufacturing, supply chain, selling and general administrative and logistics. The implementation of these projects had a favorable impact on the Company’s profitability in 2009 and 2010.
In recent years, the Company has also expanded operations in what are considered lower-cost countries. These initiatives include the Cooper Kenda Tire manufacturing joint venture in the PRC, the Cooper Chengshan joint venture in the PRC and an investment in a 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 2010, the Company increased its ownership percentage in the Cooper Chengshan joint venture and contractually agreed to increase its ownership in its Mexican operations. The increase in ownership of Mexican operations will be effective in 2011.
The Company continues to develop new products to meet the changing demands in the market, including improved fuel efficiency and consumer value.
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 presents information related to the consolidated results of the continuing operations of the Company, including the impact of restructuring costs on the Company’s results, a discussion of past results and future outlook of each of the Company’s segments and information concerning both the liquidity and capital resources and critical accounting policies of the Company. This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual 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)   2008     Change     2009     Change     2010  
Revenues:
                                       
North American Tire
  $ 2,142.1       -6.3 %   $ 2,006.2       20.8 %   $ 2,423.8  
International Tire
    975.0       1.9 %     993.8       28.0 %     1,272.2  
Eliminations
    (235.3 )     -6.1 %     (221.0 )     51.6 %     (335.0 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Net sales
  $ 2,881.8       -3.6 %   $ 2,779.0       20.9 %   $ 3,361.0  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss):
                                       
North American Tire
  $ (174.1 )     n/m     $ 111.0       17.7 %   $ 130.7  
International Tire
    (30.1 )     n/m       72.8       12.8 %     82.1  
Eliminations
    (1.3 )     n/m       (1.6 )     -81.3 %     (0.3 )
Unallocated corporate charges
    (11.1 )     133.3 %     (25.9 )     -6.9 %     (24.1 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss)
    (216.6 )     n/m       156.3       20.5 %     188.4  
Interest expense
    50.5       -6.5 %     47.2       -22.5 %     36.6  
Interest income
    (12.9 )     -59.7 %     (5.2 )     0.0 %     (5.2 )
Other — net
    3.6       n/m       (1.2 )     n/m       (2.8 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (257.8 )     n/m       115.5       38.4 %     159.8  
 
                                       
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (30.3 )     n/m       0.2       n/m       20.1  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (227.5 )     n/m       115.3       21.2 %     139.7  
 
                                       
Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    8.1       n/m       (31.9 )     -26.6 %     (23.4 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ (219.4 )     n/m     $ 83.4       39.4 %   $ 116.3  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ (3.88 )         $ 1.57           $ 1.90  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ (3.88 )         $ 1.54           $ 1.86  
 
                                 

- 18 -


Table of Contents

2010 versus 2009
Consolidated net sales were $582 million higher than 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. Also contributing to the increase in net sales in 2010 was favorable foreign exchange rates recorded in the International Tire Operations segment ($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 the North American and International Tire Operations 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 continued to experience significant increases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2010 compared with the 2009 levels. 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 2010, which were up $463 million from 2009. Natural rubber, in particular, increased during 2010 compared to 2009.
The Company strives to assure raw material 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, the pricing volatility in these commodities contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials.
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 intends to appeal the case. The remaining change in the liability primarily results from adjustments to existing reserves based on a 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 this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
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 increased sales in 2010 as the Company effectively controlled its expenses.
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.

- 19 -


Table of Contents

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 Company maintains a valuation allowance on its net U.S. deferred tax asset position. A valuation allowance is required pursuant to ASC 740 relating to Accounting for Income Taxes, when, based upon an assessment which is largely dependent upon objectively verifiable evidence including recent operating loss history, expected reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities and tax loss carry back capacity, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. 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. Based upon this assessment, the Company maintains a $177 million valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding its U.S. deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $7 million for deferred tax assets associated with the portion of non-U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding the non-U.S. deferred tax liabilities for a total valuation allowance of $184 million. The pension liability and the associated deferred tax asset adjustment recorded to equity accounts for $134 million of the total valuation allowance at December 31, 2010.
In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company reassesses the possibility of releasing the Valuation Allowance currently in place on its U.S. deferred tax assets. Based upon this assessment, the release of the Valuation Allowance will likely occur during 2011. The required accounting for the release will involve significant tax amounts and it will impact earnings in the quarter in which it is deemed appropriate to release the reserve.
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.
2009 versus 2008
Consolidated net sales decreased by $103 million in 2009. The decrease in net sales was primarily a result of lower unit volumes in the North American Tire Operations segment ($99 million), unfavorable foreign currency impacts in the International Tire Operations segment ($16 million) and unfavorable pricing and mix in both the North American Tire Operations and International Tire Operations segments ($74 million). These were partially offset by improved unit volumes in the International segment ($86 million).
The Company recorded operating profit in 2009 of $156 million compared to an operating loss of $217 million in 2008. The favorable impacts of lower raw material costs ($411 million), improved manufacturing operations ($54 million), reduced restructuring costs ($28 million) and the non-recurrence of a write-off in 2008 of goodwill in the International Tire Operations segment ($31 million) all contributed to the profit improvement from 2008 to 2009. Partially offsetting improved operating profits were unfavorable pricing and mix ($108 million) and lower unit volumes ($7 million). Other costs, including higher incentive-related compensation, were unfavorable ($16 million). 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 inventory 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.
The Company experienced significant decreases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2009 compared with the then record high levels experienced during 2008. The decreases in the cost of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials were the most significant drivers of lower raw material costs during 2009, which were down $411 million from 2008.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $207 million (7.4 percent of net sales) in 2009 compared to $185 million (6.4 percent of net sales) in 2008. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due primarily to higher incentive-based compensation and increases in accruals for stock-based liabilities.
Products liability costs in 2009 were flat compared to 2008.

- 20 -


Table of Contents

During 2009, the Company recorded $49 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and the closure of three distribution centers. The Company recorded $76 million in restructuring costs in 2008 related to the two initiatives described in the Restructuring section below.
Interest expense decreased $3 million in 2009 from 2008, primarily due to lower debt levels, principally in the PRC.
Interest income decreased $8 million in 2009 from 2008, primarily as a result of lower interest rates.
The Company recorded dividend income of $2 million from its investment in Kumho Tire Co., Inc. in 2008. The Company sold this investment in the third quarter of 2008.
Other — net increased $6 million in 2009 from 2008 as a result of the Company recording lower foreign currency losses in 2009, reduced losses from an unconsolidated subsidiary and proceeds from the settlement of a lawsuit.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.2 million on income before taxes from continuing operations of $116 million, prior to the deduction of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests of $32 million. Worldwide tax expense was favorably impacted by the decrease in the valuation allowance against U.S. net deferred tax assets and certain foreign net deferred tax assets. It was also favorably impacted by the continuation of tax holidays for some of the Company’s operations in the PRC and a tax benefit for U.S. “specified liability loss” carrybacks. Comparable amounts for 2008 were an income tax benefit of $30 million on a loss before taxes of $258 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 2009.
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 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Company recorded $76 million, $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 are 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.
Since the inception of this initiative in December 2008, 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.
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 $22 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.

- 21 -


Table of Contents

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)   2008     %     2009     %     2010  
Sales
  $ 2,142.1       -6.3 %   $ 2,006.2       20.8 %   $ 2,423.8  
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss)
  $ (174.1 )     n/m     $ 111.0       17.7 %   $ 130.7  
 
                                       
Operating margin
    -8.1 %   13.6 points     5.5 %   (.1) point     5.4 %
 
                                       
United States unit shipments changes:
                                       
Passenger tires
                                       
Segment
            -4.2 %             9.4 %        
RMA members
            -3.4 %             5.2 %        
Total Industry
            -2.2 %             5.9 %        
 
                                       
Light truck tires
                                       
Segment
            -13.6 %             7.1 %        
RMA members
            -5.2 %             7.5 %        
Total Industry
            -6.5 %             4.8 %        
 
                                       
Total light vehicle tires
                                       
Segment
            -6.0 %             9.0 %        
RMA members
            -3.6 %             5.5 %        
Total Industry
            -2.8 %             5.7 %        
 
                                       
Total segment unit sales changes
            -5.2 %             7.4 %        
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 subsidiaries. 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 manufacture tires for sale to the automobile OEMs.
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 Rubber Manufacturers Association (“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. Miles driven increased 1 percent compared to the prior year through November 2010 as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. From June through November of 2010, miles driven was reported as a positive every month as compared to 2009.
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).

- 22 -


Table of Contents

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.
During 2010, the North American Tire Operations segment experienced rapidly increasing raw material costs. The segment’s average raw material index for the full year 2010 increased by 29.6 percent from the full year 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 previously noted Albany manufacturing facility and the decisions to close three distribution centers. See the discussion of these initiatives in the Restructuring section.
2009 versus 2008
Sales of the North American Tire Operations segment decreased $136 million in 2009 from the sales levels achieved in 2008. The decrease in sales was a result of lower unit volumes ($99 million) and unfavorable pricing and mix ($37 million). The volume decline occurred in all product categories, but primarily in broadline and light truck tires similar to the decrease experienced in the industry. Pricing and mix was unfavorable as industry pricing mirrored lower raw material costs as compared to 2008. The pricing reductions all occurred in the first half of 2008 and were partially recovered by price increases during the third and fourth quarters of 2009 in reaction to additional tariffs imposed on imported tires from the PRC.
In the U.S., the segment’s unit shipments of total light vehicle tires decreased 6.0 percent in 2009 from 2008. This decrease exceeded the 3.6 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments experienced by all members of the RMA and also exceeded the 2.8 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments for the total industry for 2009. The industry decrease in light vehicle tire units was primarily due to the overall economic conditions in North America during the first half of 2009 as impacts of a global recession affected the demand for tires. During the second half of 2009, the industry began to stabilize and show improvement compared with 2008. Miles driven data increased 0.5 percent during 2009.
Operating profit for the segment increased $285 million in 2009 compared to 2008. The improvement was due to lower raw material costs ($307 million), improved manufacturing operations ($43 million) and reduced restructuring charges ($28 million) as the segment continued to reduce manufacturing overhead and scrap costs through the implementation of Six Sigma and LEAN initiatives. These improvements were partially offset by unfavorable pricing and mix ($46 million), higher incentive-related compensation expense ($27 million), lower unit volumes ($17 million) and the effects of production curtailments during the first half of 2009 required to align production with demand ($4 million). The significant decrease in raw material costs was a result of lower prices for raw materials throughout 2009. Raw material costs had reached then record high levels during the latter part of 2008.
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 using the LIFO method.

- 23 -


Table of Contents

During 2009, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $48 million related to the ongoing initiative to close its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility, as well as the decisions to close three distribution centers. During 2008, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $76 million related to the previously noted Albany manufacturing facility and one of the distribution centers.
International Tire Operations Segment
                                         
            Change             Change        
(Dollar amounts in millions)   2008     %     2009     %     2010  
Sales
  $ 975.0       1.9 %   $ 993.8       28.0 %   $ 1,272.2  
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss)
  $ (30.1 )     n/m     $ 72.8       12.8 %   $ 82.1  
 
                                       
Operating margin
    -3.1 %   10.4 points     7.3 %   (.8) points     6.5 %
 
                                       
Unit sales change
            8.7 %             13.8 %        
Overview
The International Tire Operations segment has affiliated operations in the U.K. and two joint ventures in 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. The Cooper Kenda Tire joint venture currently manufactures light vehicle tires to be exported to markets outside of the PRC. Under the current agreement, until May 2012, all of the tires produced by this joint venture will be exported and sold to the Company and its affiliates around the world. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured by the segment are sold to OEMs.
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 joint venture 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.
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).
2009 versus 2008
Sales of the International Tire Operations segment increased $19 million in 2009 from the sales levels achieved in 2008. The increase in sales was primarily due to higher unit volumes ($87 million) partially offset by unfavorable pricing and mix ($51 million) and the foreign currency impact of a stronger U.S. dollar in relation to the British pound ($17 million). The increase in unit volumes was primarily in the Asian operations of this segment. This increase was the result of unusually weak demand at the end of 2008 followed by relatively strong demand in 2009 as economic stimulus programs in the PRC were implemented. European volumes decreased for the year as a result of the carryover effect from the global economic crisis.
Operating profit for the segment in 2009 was $73 million, $103 million higher than in 2008. Excluding the $31 million write-off of goodwill in 2008, the increase in operating profit was due to lower raw material costs ($104 million), favorable foreign currency impact ($18 million) and improved manufacturing operations ($11 million). These impacts were partially offset by unfavorable pricing and mix ($63 million) and the effects of production curtailments in the European operations required to align production with demand ($2 million).

- 24 -


Table of Contents

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. In 2009 the governments settled the APA between the governments and the taxpayers. On August 19, 2009, the Company filed an action in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, in response to the Bankruptcy petition filed by Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. on August 3, 2009. The action related 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. The anticipated cash impact to the Company of the APA settlement consisted of a refund of taxes paid in Canada, net of various offsets, of approximately $70,000 and a tax and interest obligation in the U.S. of approximately $31 million which was in the fourth quarter of 2009 and recorded through discontinued operations. On March 17, 2010, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Cooper Standard Holdings, Inc., et al. to resolve the subject proceedings. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CSA paid the Company approximately $18 million in 2010 and this amount was recorded through discontinued operations. In addition CSA provided a letter of credit to be issued for the benefit of the Company in the initial amount of $7 million in connection with the Company’s guaranty of a lease for certain property in Surgoinsville, Tennessee. The letter of credit will be payable to the Company for amounts that the Company is called upon to pay in connection with the Company’s guaranty. The settlement agreement also provided for mutual releases with only certain limited obligations under the 2004 sale agreement to remain in force. Based upon the settlement, the Company released liabilities recorded on its books relating to the disposition of CSA in the amount of $7 million through Discontinued Operations net of the tax impact.
The following table provides details of the Company’s discontinued operations:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Income (loss) related to former automotive operations, net of tax
  $ 0.3     $ (31.4 )   $ 24.1  
 
                       
Income (loss) from Oliver Rubber subsidiary, net of tax
    (0.2 )     (0.3 )      
 
                 
 
                       
 
  $ 0.1     $ (31.7 )   $ 24.1  
 
                 
Outlook for the Company
For 2011, the Company expects that industry demand for tires will vary by region. Demand in developing markets, including the PRC, should remain robust while mature tire markets are forecasted to grow in a range approximating normal historical rates of 2 to 3 percent. The Company intends to manufacture ten percent more tires in 2011 than in 2010 to meet the strong demand for its products, and to rebuild inventory levels to improve customer service. The increase will occur across the supply network and should further leverage the manufacturing structure without requiring significant levels of capital investment which are expected to be between $150 million and $170 million. The Company will also continue to search for alternative tire sources that are a good fit for its long term strategic direction while providing necessary short term economic benefits.
Elevated raw material costs will be a significant issue for the tire industry in 2011 as it was not possible for tire manufacturers’ price increases to keep pace in the short term with the new historic highs for natural rubber experienced in early 2011. Persistent volatility also makes it difficult to accurately predict raw material prices. Raw material costs increased by between 15% and 20% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2011. The Company expects raw material costs to remain at elevated levels after the first quarter; however, the rate of increase should begin to slow during the second quarter. The industry has shown an ability to demonstrate pricing discipline, but these changes in price typically lag the changes in raw material costs. The Company implemented a price increase in the U.S. effective March 15, 2011, for a weighted average of eight to nine percent with the amount of increases varying by product. This follows a February 1, 2011 price increase of 2.5 percent on nearly all light vehicle products. We have also been steadily increasing prices in other regions where we participate.
The Company expects its effective tax rate for 2011 will most likely be between 20 percent and 30 percent.
The Company’s focus in 2011 is on efforts that will further propel the business forward and position the Company to improve shareholder returns. The tactics employed are guided by its Strategic Plan which calls for achieving profitable top line growth, improving its global cost structure and improving organizational capabilities. This focus and prudent management of critical resources should drive increased shareholder value. While there remain significant challenges to successfully competing in the tire industry, the Company is optimistic about opportunities to further improve results.

- 25 -


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Generation and uses of cash — Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $158 million in 2010. Net income attributable to continuing operations provided $140 million and other non-cash charges totaled $230 million. Partially offsetting these sources of cash were changes in working capital accounts which consumed $212 million as accounts receivable have increased as a result of improved sales; inventory levels decreased during 2009 resulting in a $221 million source of cash while during 2010, the levels increased consuming $149 million of cash; and accrued liabilities have consumed cash as a result of the timing of the accrual and payment of incentives during 2010.
Net cash used in investing activities during 2010 reflects capital expenditures of $120 million, an increase of $40 million from 2009. In 2008, the Company made the final payment related to the purchase of Cooper Chengshan. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company received $107 million as a result of exercising its put option on its investment in Kumho Tire Co., Inc. and sold the available-for-sale securities initially purchased in 2007. Also in 2008, the Company acquired an approximately 38 percent ownership share of a manufacturing operation in Mexico with an investment of $29 million and increased its investment in 2009 by $1 million. The manufacturing facility is located in Guadalajara, Mexico and is the second largest tire plant in Mexico.
The Company’s capital expenditure commitments at December 31, 2010 are $24 million and are included in the “Unconditional purchase” line of the Contractual Obligations table which appears later in this section. These commitments will be satisfied with existing cash and cash flows from operations in early 2011.
In December 2009, the Company repaid $97 million of its Senior Notes. The Company repurchased $14 million of these notes during 2008. During 2008 the Company repurchased 803,300 shares of its common stock for $14 million. During 2009 and 2010, the Company repaid $63 million and $33 million, respectively, of debt borrowed in the PRC. Cooper Kenda received capital contributions in 2008 and 2010 from its non-controlling owner for construction of the tire manufacturing facility in the PRC.
Dividends paid on the Company’s common shares in 2010 were $26 million, compared to $25 million in 2009 and 2008. The Company has maintained a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share in each quarter during the three years ending December 31, 2010. 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 credit facilities — On August 30, 2006, the Company established an accounts receivable securitization facility of up to $175 million. 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 was initially scheduled to expire in August 2009. On September 14, 2007, the Company amended the accounts receivable facility to exclude the sale of certain receivables, reduce the size of the facility to $125 million and to extend the maturity to September 2010. On August 4, 2010, the Company amended the accounts receivable facility to extend the maturity to August 2011. No ownership interests in the purchased trade receivables had been sold to the bank conduit as of December 31, 2010. The Company had issued standby letters of credit under this facility totaling $36 million and $38 million at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
On November 9, 2007, the Company and its subsidiary, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (New Credit Agreement) with a consortium of six banks. This New Credit Agreement provides a $200 million credit facility to the Company and Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc. The New Credit Agreement is a revolving credit facility maturing on November 9, 2012 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. The New Credit Agreement and the accounts receivable securitization facility have no significant financial covenants until available credit is less than specified amounts. There were no borrowings under the New Credit Agreement at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2010.
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, 2010. 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.
Available cash and contractual commitments — At December 31, 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $413 million. 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, 2010, was $218 million. The additional borrowing capacity on the Asia credit lines totaled $200 million.

- 26 -


Table of Contents

The Company believes that available cash and credit facilities will be adequate to fund its projected capital expenditures, including its portion of capital expenditures in partially-owned subsidiaries, and to meet dividend goals. The long-term debt due within one year and the entire amount of short-term notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2010 is primarily debt of consolidated subsidiaries. The Company expects its subsidiaries to refinance or pay these amounts during 2011.
In connection with its acquisition of Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders have the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company has 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 has the right to sell its 35 percent share to the Company at a minimum price of $45 million. At December 31, 2010, the formula price of $19 million is below the minimum price; however, the carrying value exceeds the formula price. The carrying value is the amount shown on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. This put option is not included in the following table.
The Company’s cash requirements relating to contractual obligations at December 31, 2010 are summarized in the following table:
                                         
    Payment Due by Period  
(Dollar amounts in thousands)           Less than                     After  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 year     1-3 years     3-5 years     5 years  
Long-term debt
  $ 316,128     $ 5,285     $ 20,385     $     $ 290,458  
Capital lease obligations and other
    10,481       600       1,200       1,200       7,481  
Interest on debt and capital lease obligations
    274,243       24,433       46,591       46,257       156,962  
Operating leases
    97,053       27,688       23,916       16,775       28,674  
Notes payable (b)
    146,947       146,947                    
Unconditional purchase (a)
    169,481       169,481                    
Postretirement benefits other than pensions (c)
    275,348       17,670       36,631       37,260       183,787  
Other long-term liabilities (d)
    438,404       212       53,900       41,788       342,504  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 1,728,085     $ 392,316     $ 182,623     $ 143,280     $ 1,009,866  
 
                             
 
(a)   Noncancelable purchase order commitments for capital expenditures and raw materials, principally natural rubber, made in the ordinary course of business.
 
(b)   Financing obtained from financial institutions in the PRC to support the Company’s operations there.
 
(c)   Represents both the current and long-term portions of postretirement benefits other than pensions liability.
 
(d)   Pension liability, 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 B with a positive outlook. Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a B2 corporate family rating and a B3 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 automobile 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 35 to 40 million passenger, light truck, SUV, high performance, ultra high performance and radial medium truck 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 2009, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $55 million. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $38 million of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. In addition, the Company also revised its estimate of the number of additional incidents expected during each year for years subsequent to 2008. These revisions increased the reserve by $3 million. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $14 million.

- 28 -


Table of Contents

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.
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 2009, the Company paid $28 million and during 2010, the Company paid $46 million to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2009 totaled $151 million (current portion of $31 million). At December 31, 2010, the products liability reserve balance totaled $191 million (current portion of $42 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. At December 31, 2010, substantially all legal fees reimbursements have been received related to these pre-April 2003 claims.
Products liability costs totaled $81 million, $82 million and $110 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $6 million, $3 million and $6 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. 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 will result in an increase or decrease to tax provisions in subsequent periods.
The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax asset. If recovery is questionable, the provision for income tax expense must be increased by recording a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. The Company has maintained a full valuation allowance against its net U.S. deferred tax asset position at December 31, 2010, as it cannot assure the utilization of these assets before they expire. In the event there is a change in circumstances in the future which would affect the utilization of these deferred tax assets, the tax provision in that accounting period would be adjusted by the amount of the assets then deemed to be realizable.
The Company maintains a valuation allowance on its net U.S. deferred tax asset position. A valuation allowance is required pursuant to ASC 740 relating to Accounting for Income Taxes, when, based upon an assessment which is largely dependent upon objectively verifiable evidence including recent operating loss history, expected reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities and tax loss carry back capacity, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. 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. Based upon this assessment, the Company maintains a $177 million valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding its U.S. deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $7 million for deferred tax assets associated with the portion of non-U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding the non-U.S. deferred tax liabilities for a total valuation allowance of $184 million. The pension liability and the associated deferred tax asset adjustment recorded to equity accounts for $134 million of the total valuation allowance at December 31, 2010.
In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company reassesses the possibility of releasing the Valuation Allowance currently in place on its U.S. deferred tax assets. Based upon this assessment, the release of the Valuation Allowance will likely occur during 2011. The required accounting for the release will involve significant tax amounts and it will impact earnings in the quarter in which it is deemed appropriate to release the reserve.

- 29 -


Table of Contents

In addition, the calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves a degree of uncertainty in the application of complex tax regulations. The Company recognizes liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other jurisdictions based on its estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional tax payments are more likely than not. If, and at the time, the Company determines payment of such amounts are less likely than not, the liability will be reversed and a tax benefit recognized to reduce the provision for income taxes. The Company will record an increase to its provision for income tax expense in the period it determines it is more likely than not that recorded liabilities are less than the ultimate tax assessment.
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 for tax positions. 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 tax benefit 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 $9 million as of December 31, 2010.
Impairment of long-lived assets — The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets. 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.
As discussed in the footnotes to the financial statements, Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangibles, at December 1, 2008, the Company assessed the goodwill in the International Tire Operations segment and determined that impairment existed. Following a review of the valuation of the segment’s identifiable assets, the Company wrote off the goodwill of the segment.
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 5.35 percent to measure its U.S. pension liabilities, which is lower than the 5.75 percent used at December 31, 2009. The Company used the Citigroup Pension Discount Liability Index yield curve rates to measure its other postretirement benefit liabilities. At December 31, 2010, the Company used a rate of 5.2 percent which is lower than the 5.75 percent used at December 31, 2009. 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 5.5 percent at December 31, 2010 from 5.7 percent at December 31, 2009.
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 based on 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 3.4 percent for the estimated future compensation increase at December 31, 2010 compared to a rate of 3.75 percent at December 31, 2009.

- 30 -


Table of Contents

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 57 percent in equity securities and 43 percent in debt securities. The Company is considering the adoption of a dynamic asset allocation strategy for the frozen Spectrum plan. This dynamic investment strategy would call for a gradual shifting from equities and intermediate fixed income to a higher allocation to long duration fixed income as the funding ratio of the plan rises. The Company’s investment policy for U.K. plan assets is to maintain an allocation of 60 percent in equity securities and 40 percent in fixed income securities. 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 11.3 percent in 2010 compared to an asset gain of approximately 22.6 percent in 2009. The actual return on U.K. pension plan assets approximated 13.5 percent in 2010 compared to an asset gain of 15.6 percent in 2009. The Company’s estimate for the expected long-term return on its U.S. plan assets was 8.5 percent which was used to derive 2009 and 2010 pension expense. The expected long-term return on U.K. plan assets used to derive the 2009 and 2010 pension expense was 7.4 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively.
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 liabilities, decreases and increases in the discount rate and the rate of future compensation increases and differences between actuarial assumptions and actual experience totaling $444.6 million at December 31, 2010. These amounts are being amortized in accordance with the corridor amortization requirements of US GAAP over periods ranging from 10 years to 15 years. Amortization of these net deferred losses was $34 million in both 2009 and 2010.
The Company has implemented household caps on the amounts of retiree medical benefits it will provide to future 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 US 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.

- 31 -


Table of Contents

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 $19 million at December 31, 2009. 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 nets the exposures on a consolidated basis to take advantage of natural offsets. 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 2009.
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.

- 32 -


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)
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Net sales
  $ 2,881,811     $ 2,778,990     $ 3,360,984  
Cost of products sold
    2,805,638       2,359,963       2,940,283  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross profit
    76,173       419,027       420,701  
 
                       
Selling, general and administrative
    185,064       206,990       211,678  
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset
    31,340              
Restructuring
    76,402       48,718       20,649  
Settlement of retiree medical case
          7,050        
 
                 
 
                       
Operating profit (loss)
    (216,633 )     156,269       188,374  
 
                       
Interest expense
    50,525       47,211       36,647  
Interest income
    (12,887 )     (5,193 )     (5,265 )
Other — net
    3,504       (1,272 )     (2,834 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (257,775 )     115,523       159,826  
 
                       
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (30,274 )     231       20,057  
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (227,501 )     115,292       139,769  
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    64       (31,653 )     24,118  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    (227,437 )     83,639       163,887  
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    (8,057 )     31,872       23,438  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ (219,380 )   $ 51,767     $ 140,449  
 
                 
 
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.57     $ 1.90  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
          (0.53 )     0.39  
 
                 
Net income (loss) available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.04     $ 2.29  
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.54     $ 1.86  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
          (0.52 )     0.38  
 
                 
Net income (loss) available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.02     $ 2.24  
 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 38 to 66.

- 33 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
                 
    2009     2010  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 426,981     $ 413,359  
Notes receivable
    42,599       69,547  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $10,928 in 2009 and $10,811 in 2010
    324,424       414,149  
Inventories at lower of cost or market:
               
Finished goods
    188,323       240,107  
Work in process
    22,090       26,735  
Raw materials and supplies
    88,022       119,985  
 
           
 
    298,435       386,827  
Other current assets
    39,392       56,357  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,131,831       1,340,239  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land and land improvements
    33,321       34,355  
Buildings
    320,021       320,997  
Machinery and equipment
    1,587,306       1,636,700  
Molds, cores and rings
    246,395       232,153  
 
           
 
    2,187,043       2,224,205  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    1,336,072       1,371,763  
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    850,971       852,442  
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $23,165 in 2009 and $24,455 in 2010
    18,546       17,256  
Restricted cash
    2,219       2,274  
Other assets
    96,773       93,326  
 
           
Total assets (1)
  $ 2,100,340     $ 2,305,537  
 
           
 
(1)   Assets of consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) were $204,995 and $204,535 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The assets (principally Property, plant and equipment) of the VIEs can only be used to settle obligations of those VIEs.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 38 to 66.

- 34 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except par value amounts)
(Continued)
                 
    2009     2010  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Notes payable
  $ 156,719     $ 146,947  
Accounts payable
    300,448       384,464  
Accrued liabilities
    158,643       152,364  
Income taxes
    3,955       4,601  
Liabilities related to the sale of automotive operations
    1,061        
Current portion of long-term debt
    15,515       5,885  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    636,341       694,261  
 
               
Long-term debt
    330,971       320,724  
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
    244,905       257,657  
Pension benefits
    272,050       258,321  
Other long-term liabilities
    145,978       180,082  
Long-term liabilities related to the sale of automotive operations
    6,043        
Redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    83,528       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 2009 and in 2010
    87,850       87,850  
Capital in excess of par value
    70,645       61,444  
Retained earnings
    1,133,133       1,247,265  
Cumulative other comprehensive loss
    (470,272 )     (468,063 )
 
           
 
    821,356       928,496  
Less: common shares in treasury at cost (27,327,646 in 2009 and 26,205,336 in 2010)
    (490,548 )     (467,707 )
 
           
Total parent stockholders’ equity
    330,808       460,789  
Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests in consolidated subsidiaries
    49,716       62,261  
 
           
Total equity
    380,524       523,050  
 
           
Total liabilities and equity (1)
  $ 2,100,340     $ 2,305,537  
 
           
 
(1)   Liabilities (principally Notes payable) of consolidated VIEs were $105,806 and $80,414 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and represent claims against the specific assets of the VIEs.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 38 to 66.

- 35 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
                                                                         
            Total Equity        
                                                            Noncontrolling        
    Redeemable                             Cumulative             Total     Shareholders’        
    Noncontrolling     Common     Capital In             Other     Common     Parent     Interests in        
    Shareholders’     Stock     Excess of     Retained     Comprehensive     Shares in     Stockholders’     Consolidated        
    Interests     $1 Par Value     Par Value     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Treasury     Equity     Subsidiaries     Total  
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 56,686     $ 86,323     $ 40,676     $ 1,350,527     $ (213,414 )   $ (479,558 )   $ 784,554     $ 41,708     $ 826,262  
 
                                                                       
Net (loss)
    (7,584 )                     (219,380 )                     (219,380 )     (473 )     (219,853 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                       
Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $1,306 tax effect
                                    (234,455 )             (234,455 )             (234,455 )
Currency translation adjustment
    3,679                               (23,961 )             (23,961 )     2,932       (21,029 )
Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $103 tax effect
                                    7,403               7,403               7,403  
 
                                                               
Comprehensive income (loss)
    (3,905 )                                             (470,393 )     2,459       (467,934 )
Transactions between Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and noncontrolling shareholders
                                                            4,250       4,250  
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    9,939                       (9,939 )                     (9,939 )             (9,939 )
Purchase of 803,300 treasury shares
                                            (13,853 )     (13,853 )             (13,853 )
Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $26
                    3,088       (30 )             1,175       4,233               4,233  
Cash dividends — $.42 per share
                            (24,773 )                     (24,773 )             (24,773 )
 
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Balance at December 31, 2008
    62,720       86,323       43,764       1,096,405       (464,427 )     (492,236 )     269,829       48,417       328,185  
 
                                                                       
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  
 
                                                     
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 38 to 66.

- 36 -


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Operating activities:
                       
Net income/(loss)
  $ (227,437 )   $ 83,639     $ 163,887  
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations:
                       
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    (64 )     31,653       (24,118 )
Depreciation
    138,805       121,483       121,785  
Amortization
    3,954       2,028       1,936  
Deferred income taxes
    (3,327 )     (6,950 )     (1,153 )
Stock based compensation
    3,924       5,419       6,845  
Net impact of inventory write-down and change in LIFO reserve
    92,283       (94,790 )     64,116  
Amortization of unrecognized postretirement benefits
    12,963       32,903       32,522  
Loss on sale of assets
    4,199       874       2,797  
Debt extinguishment costs
    593              
Restructuring asset write-down
    75,557       900       1,845  
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset
    31,340              
Changes in operating assets and liabilities of continuing operations:
                       
Accounts and notes receivable
    20,149       (42,544 )     (113,197 )
Inventories
    (217,557 )     221,109       (148,785 )
Other current assets
    (34,600 )     26,769       (13,906 )
Accounts payable
    (46,906 )     49,548       78,477  
Accrued liabilities
    (8,518 )     32,658       (11,491 )
Other items
    (10,350 )     13,647       (3,883 )
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
    (164,992 )     478,346       157,677  
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
    (2,225 )     (33,777 )     17,014  
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (167,217 )     444,569       174,691  
Investing activities:
                       
Property, plant and equipment
    (128,773 )     (79,333 )     (119,738 )
Proceeds from sale of investment in Kumho Tire Company
    106,950              
Proceeds from the sale of (investment in) available-for-sale debt securities
    49,765              
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
    (29,194 )     (659 )      
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (5,956 )            
Proceeds from the sale of assets
    6,408       1,535       2,498  
 
                 
Net cash used in continuing operations
    (800 )     (78,457 )     (117,240 )
Financing activities:
                       
Payments on long-term debt of parent company
    (14,300 )     (96,913 )      
Premium paid on debt repurchases
    (552 )            
Net borrowings (repayments) on debt in partially owned subsidiaries
    108,818       (63,111 )     (32,726 )
Contributions of joint venture partner
    4,250             6,750  
Acquisition of noncontrolling shareholder interest
                (17,920 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (13,853 )            
Payment of dividends to noncontrolling shareholders
                (11,637 )
Payment of dividends
    (24,773 )     (24,926 )     (25,770 )
Issuance of common shares and excess tax benefits on options
    309       2,301       10,308  
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    59,899       (182,649 )     (70,995 )
 
                       
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash of continuing operations
    9,843       (4,154 )     (78 )
 
                 
Changes in cash and cash equivalents
    (98,275 )     179,309       (13,622 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    345,947       247,672       426,981  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 247,672     $ 426,981     $ 413,359  
 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 38 to 66.

- 37 -


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 equity method of accounting is followed for investments in 20 percent to 50 percent owned companies that are not otherwise consolidated based on variable interests. The Company’s investment in the Mexican tire manufacturing facility represents an approximate 38 percent ownership interest.
The cost method is followed in those situations where the Company’s ownership is less than 20 percent and the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the affiliate.
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. 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 affiliates at a price that provides an acceptable return to the joint venture. Due to this requirement, the Company has 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 has determined it is the primary beneficiary of this joint venture because of the operational control and the fact it currently receives all of the tires produced by this manufacturing operation.
The Company has also entered into a joint venture with Nemet International to market and distribute Cooper, Pneustone and associated brand tires in Mexico. The Company has determined it has the power to control the purchasing and marketing of tires for this joint venture. The Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary of this joint venture due to its ability to control the primary economic activity.
Since the Company has determined that each of these entities, Cooper Kenda and Cooper de Mexico, is a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) and it is the primary beneficiary, it has included their assets, liabilities and operating results in its consolidated financial statements. Assets recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims against the Company’s general assets; rather, they represent claims against the specific assets of the consolidated VIEs. The Company has recorded the interest related to the joint venture partners’ ownership in noncontrolling shareholders’ interests in consolidated subsidiaries.
The following table summarizes the balance sheets of these VIEs at December 31:
                 
    2009     2010  
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,998     $ 16,360  
Accounts receivable
    9,359       8,881  
Inventories
    16,472       26,155  
Prepaid expenses
    2,688       3,112  
 
           
Total current assets
    52,517       54,508  
Net property, plant and equipment
    139,705       137,502  
Intangibles and other assets
    12,773       12,525  
Total assets
  $ 204,995     $ 204,535  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Notes payable
  $ 87,016     $ 71,985  
Accounts payable
    7,147       8,707  
Accrued liabilities
    1,118       (278 )
Current portion of long-term debt
    10,525        
 
           
Current liabilities
    105,806       80,414  
Stockholders’ equity
    99,189       124,121  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 204,995     $ 204,535  
 
           

- 38 -


Table of Contents

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 $426,981 and $413,359 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, 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.
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 last-in, first-out (“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.
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. Indefinite-lived intangibles are assessed for potential impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.
Pre-production costs related to long-term supply arrangements - When the Company has a contractual arrangement for reimbursement of costs incurred during the engineering and design phase of customer-owned mold projects by the customer, development costs are recorded in Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Reimbursable costs for customer-owned molds included in Other assets were $812 and $1,017 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Upon completion and acceptance of customer-owned molds, reimbursable costs are recorded as accounts receivable. At December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, $243 and $69 were included in Accounts receivable for customer-owned molds.

- 39 -


Table of Contents

Earnings (loss) per common share — Net income (loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding each year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations includes the dilutive effect of stock options and other stock units. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                         
(Number of shares and dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)   2008     2009     2010  
Numerator
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ (219,444 )   $ 83,420     $ 116,331  
 
                       
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling shareholders’ interest
    (9,939 )     9,939        
 
                 
 
                       
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share — income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ (229,383 )   $ 93,359     $ 116,331  
 
                 
 
                       
Denominator
                       
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted average shares outstanding
    59,048       59,439       61,299  
 
                       
Effect of dilutive securities — stock options and other stock units
          1,242       1,349  
 
                 
 
                       
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average share outstanding
    59,048       60,681       62,648  
 
                 
 
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.57     $ 1.90  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
          (0.53 )     0.39  
 
                 
Net income (loss) available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.04     $ 2.29  
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.54     $ 1.86  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
          (0.52 )     0.38  
 
                 
Net income (loss) available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
  $ (3.88 )   $ 1.02     $ 2.24  
 
                 
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 in 2009 and 8,000 in 2010. These options could be dilutive in the future depending on the performance of the Company’s stock. Due to the loss recorded in 2008, 1,239,138 options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.
The Company repurchased 803,300 shares in 2008. No shares were repurchased in 2009 or 2010.

- 40 -


Table of Contents

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 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. For periods presented, an immaterial amount of ineffectiveness has been identified and recorded.
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 affiliates 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.

- 41 -


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, 2010, 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 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $48,102, $43,690 and $48,432, 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, stock appreciation rights, performance units, 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 restricted stock units and performance based units, 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 14 — 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:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Reserve at January 1
  $ 16,510     $ 18,244     $ 23,814  
 
                       
Additions
    19,816       23,134       24,791  
Payments
    (18,082 )     (17,564 )     (23,681 )
 
                 
 
                       
Reserve at December 31
  $ 18,244     $ 23,814     $ 24,924  
 
                 
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 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 $33,514, $35,672 and $39,748 during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The Company has determined the amounts included here as research and development better align with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730, “Research and Development,” that includes all costs that can appropriately be considered in this classification. Previously, a narrow, more restrictive tax definition was used for this calculation. Amounts for prior years have been presented under the new definition.
Accounting pronouncements
Fair value measurements — In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance to amend the disclosure requirements related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The guidance requires disclosure of transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons and the timing of the transfers and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured under Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

- 42 -


Table of Contents

Accounting for transfers of financial assets - In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets. This guidance amends previous guidance by including: the elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) concept; a new participating interest definition that must be met for transfers of portions of financial assets to be eligible for sale accounting; clarifications and changes to the derecognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale; and a change to the amount of recognized gain or loss on a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale when beneficial interests are received by the transferor. Additionally, the guidance requires extensive new disclosures regarding an entity’s involvement in a transfer of financial assets. Finally, existing QSPEs (prior to the effective date of this guidance) must be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance upon the elimination of this concept. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements but will be considered if the Company elects to utilize its accounts receivable securitization facility.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. This new guidance revises previous guidance by eliminating the exemption for qualifying special purpose entities, by establishing a new approach for determining who should consolidate a variable-interest entity and by changing when it is necessary to reassess who should consolidate a variable interest entity. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification — On December 23, 2004, the Company sold its automotive business, Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc. (“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.
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, 2008, 2009 and 2010 reflect this segregation as income from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations.
Note 2 — Inventories
At December 31, 2009 and 2010, approximately 45 percent and 37 percent, respectively, of the Company’s inventories had been valued under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. An increase in inventory balances in the PRC has caused this percentage to decrease in 2010. 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 $127,064 and $191,180 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, from current cost which would be reported under the FIFO method. Inventories in the U.S. which are accounted for under the LIFO method declined in 2009 from 2008. As a result of this inventory decline, cost of products sold for 2009 was reduced $15,600 in the North American Tire Operations segment.
The Company’s International Tire Operations segment pre-purchased significant amounts of raw materials, particularly natural rubber during a period when prices for these commodities were high at the end of 2008. This was done with the intent of assuring supply and minimizing future costs. At the end of 2008 demand for tires severely declined affecting the rate at which these raw materials could be used and the number of units in finished goods inventory. The Company was required to record a charge of $5,809 related to these raw materials and $4,428 related to finished goods at the end of 2008 to adhere to lower of cost or market accounting principles.
Note 3 — Other Current Assets
Other current assets at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Income tax recoverable
  $ 9,967     $ 29,957  
Assets held for sale
    10,000       8,155  
Other
    19,425       18,245  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 39,392     $ 56,357  
 
           
The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at the Albany, Georgia are now classified as “assets held for sale” at estimated fair value less costs to sell determined based on a signed Real Estate Purchase Agreement. The fair value of these assets, $8,155 at December 31, 2010, is considered a Level 2 valuation. See Note 16 for additional details on the Albany restructuring.

- 43 -


Table of Contents

Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangibles
Goodwill is recorded in the segment where it was generated by acquisitions. 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 quarter of 2008, the Company completed its annual test for impairment and determined that impairment existed in the goodwill of its International Tire Operations segment. The impact of the global economic environment caused the Company to revise its future cash flow projections and, following a review of the valuation of the segment’s identifiable assets, the Company wrote off the goodwill of the International Tire Operations segment which totaled $31,340 and represented all of the goodwill recorded.
During the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2010, the Company completed its annual intangible assets impairment tests and no impairment was indicated.
The following table presents intangible assets and accumulated amortization balances as of December 31, 2009 and 2010:
                                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2010  
    Gross             Net     Gross             Net  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
Definite-lived:
                                               
Trademarks and tradenames
  $ 10,891     $ (4,467 )   $ 6,424     $ 10,891     $ (5,060 )   $ 5,831  
Patents and technology
    15,038       (14,606 )     432       15,038       (14,764 )     274  
Other
    5,965       (4,092 )     1,873       5,965       (4,631 )     1,334  
 
                                   
 
    31,894       (23,165 )     8,729       31,894       (24,455 )     7,439  
 
                                               
Indefinite-lived:
                                               
Trademarks
    9,817             9,817       9,817             9,817  
 
                                   
 
  $ 41,711     $ (23,165 )   $ 18,546     $ 41,711     $ (24,455 )   $ 17,256  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Estimated amortization expense over the next five years is as follows: 2011 — $1,259, 2012 - $1,237, 2013 — $863, 2014 — $613 and 2015 — $593.
Note 5 — Other Assets
Other assets at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
  $ 20,835     $ 24,398  
Deferred tax assets
    31,892       27,369  
Land use rights
    11,078       10,921  
Tax incentives
    11,375       11,724  
Other
    21,593       18,914  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 96,773     $ 93,326  
 
           
During 2008, the Company invested $29,200 in a Mexican tire manufacturing operation and obtained an approximate 38 percent ownership interest and recorded its share of the loss of the operation in the amount of $2,352 in Other — net on the statements of operations. During 2009, the Company invested an additional $659, recorded its share of the loss of the operations of $672 in Other — net on the statements of operations and recorded a currency loss of $6,000 included in the Cumulative currency translation adjustment of the Cumulative other comprehensive loss component of Stockholders’ equity. In 2010, the Company recorded its share of the profit of the operations of $2,456 in Other —net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and recorded a currency gain of $1,107 included in the Cumulative currency translation adjustment of the Cumulative other comprehensive loss component of Stockholders’ equity.

- 44 -


Table of Contents

Note 6 — Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Payroll and withholdings
  $ 55,087     $ 45,862  
Products liability
    30,805       41,892  
Warranty
    18,210       19,669  
Other postretirement benefits
    17,021       17,692  
Foreign currency loss on derivative financial instruments
    2,080       3,977  
Other
    35,440       23,272  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 158,643     $ 152,364  
 
           
Note 7 — Income Taxes
Components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling shareholders’ interests are as follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
United States
  $ (228,398 )   $ 35,200     $ 67,579  
Foreign
    (29,377 )     80,323       92,247  
 
                 
Total
  $ (257,775 )   $ 115,523     $ 159,826  
 
                 
The provision (benefit) for income tax for continuing operations consists of the following:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ (31,368 )   $ (3,990 )   $ 2,823  
State and local
    147       966       3,716  
Foreign
    4,274       10,020       10,731  
 
                 
 
    (26,947 )     6,996       17,270  
 
                       
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    (2,005 )     (770 )     3,921  
State and local
                 
Foreign
    (1,322 )     (5,995 )     (1,134 )
 
                 
 
    (3,327 )     (6,765 )     2,787  
 
                 
 
  $ (30,274 )   $ 231     $ 20,057  
 
                 

- 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:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Income tax provision (benefit) at 35%
  $ (90,221 )   $ 40,423     $ 55,939  
 
                       
State and local income tax, net of federal income tax effect
    (6,399 )     628       1,913  
 
                       
U.S. tax credits
    (2,415 )     (1,478 )     (2,220 )
 
                       
Difference in effective tax rates of international operations
    13,235       (24,078 )     (22,689 )
 
                       
Interest on tax settlement
          (4,239 )      
 
                       
Valuation allowance
    54,458       (14,139 )     (9,423 )
 
                       
Other — net
    1,068       3,114       (3,463 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income tax expense
  $ (30,274 )   $ 231     $ 20,057  
Payments, including discontinued operations, for income taxes in 2008, 2009 and 2010, net of refunds, were $10,351, ($8,405) and $30,186, 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 are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Postretirement and other employee benefits
  $ 189,269     $ 183,983  
Products liability
    45,753       61,510  
Net operating loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards
    47,708       37,966  
All other items
    49,515       49,129  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    332,245       332,588  
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    (108,398 )     (106,716 )
All other items
    (15,189 )     (14,591 )
 
           
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (123,587 )     (121,307 )
 
           
 
               
 
    208,658       211,281  
Valuation allowances
    (176,766 )     (183,912 )
 
           
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 31,892     $ 27,369  
 
           
The net deferred tax assets are included in the consolidated balance sheets in Other assets.
At December 31, 2010, the Company has apportioned state tax losses of $152,559 and foreign tax losses of $20,797 available for carryforward. The Company also has U.S. federal tax credits of $1,357 and state tax credits of $4,209 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 2011 through 2029. 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 ASC 740 in Accounting for Income Taxes including ASC 740-10 relating to Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits for permanent and temporary book/tax differences for continuing operations, exclusive of interest, total approximately $9,237 as itemized in the tabular roll forward below:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Balance at January 1
  $ 3,777     $ 7,623     $ 7,517  
Settlements for tax positions of prior years
          (164 )      
Additions for tax positions of the current year
    1,640       934       1,686  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    2,307       18       62  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (101 )     (894 )     (28 )
 
                 
 
                       
Balance at December 31
  $ 7,623     $ 7,517     $ 9,237  
 
                 
Of this amount, the effective rate would change upon the recognition of approximately $7,858 of these unrecognized tax benefits. The Company accrued, through the tax provision, approximately $419, $451 and $79 of interest expense for 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. At December 31, 2010, the Company has $524 of interest accrued.
U.S. income taxes were not provided on a cumulative total of approximately $211,169 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. 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 joint ventures in the PRC that have been granted full and partial income tax holidays which resulted in a $5,140, ($.08 earnings per share) favorable impact to the Company in 2010. The holidays terminate after five years and begin to be completed after 2010.
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. In 2009 the governments settled the APA between the governments and the taxpayers for periods 2000-2007. On August 19, 2009, the Company filed an action in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, in response to the Bankruptcy petition filed by Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. on August 3, 2009. The action related 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 with Cooper Standard Holdings, Inc., et al. to resolve the subject proceedings. The approved settlement agreement was docketed by the Court on April 15 and became final and non-appealable on April 29, 2010. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CSA paid the Company approximately $17,639. In addition CSA provided a letter of credit to be issued for the benefit of the Company in the initial amount of $7,000 in connection with the Company’s guaranty of a lease for certain property in Surgoinsville, Tennessee. The letter of credit will be payable to the Company for amounts that the Company is called upon to pay in connection with the Company’s guaranty. The settlement agreement also provides for mutual releases with only certain limited obligations under the 2004 sale agreement to remain in force. 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.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2002.
Note 8 — Debt
On August 30, 2006, the Company established 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 was initially scheduled to expire in August 2009. On September 14, 2007, the Company amended the accounts receivable facility to exclude the sale of certain receivables, reduce the size of the facility to $125 million and to extend the maturity to September 2010. On August 4, 2010, the Company amended the accounts receivable facility to extend the maturity to August 2011. No ownership interests in the purchased trade receivables had been sold to the bank conduit as of December 31, 2010. The Company had issued standby letters of credit under this facility totaling $36,000 and $38,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
On November 9, 2007, the Company and its subsidiary, Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (New Credit Agreement) with a consortium of six 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 maturing on November 9, 2012 and is secured by the

- 47 -


Table of Contents

Company’s U.S. inventory, certain North American accounts receivable that have not been previously pledged and general intangibles related to the foregoing. The New Credit Agreement and the accounts receivable securitization facility have no financial covenants. Borrowings under the New Credit Agreement bear a margin based on the London Interbank Offered Rate. There were no borrowings under the New Credit Agreement at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2010.
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, the assets and liabilities associated with these City of Texarkana IRBs were $11,200.
The following table summarizes the long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2009 and 2010 and, except for capital leases; the long-term debt is due in an aggregate principal payment on the due date:
                 
    2009     2010  
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
    11,081       10,481  
 
           
 
    301,539       300,939  
Subsidiaries
               
3.718% to 7.47% unsecured notes due in 2010
    14,915        
5.13% unsecured notes due in 2011
    9,522       5,285  
4.86% to 5.13% unsecured notes due in 2012
    20,510       20,385  
 
           
 
    44,947       25,670  
 
           
 
    346,486       326,609  
Less current maturities
    15,515       5,885  
 
           
 
  $ 330,971     $ 320,724  
 
           
Over the next five years, the Company has payments related to the above debt of: 2011 — $5,885, 2012 — $20,985, 2013 — $600, 2014 — $600 and 2015 — $600. In addition, the Company’s partially owned, consolidated subsidiary operations in the PRC have short-term notes payable of $147 million due in 2011. The weighted average interest rate of the short-term notes payable at December 31, 2009 and 2010 was 3.68 percent and 3.72 percent, respectively.
Interest paid on debt during 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $51,964, $48,125 and $37,758, respectively. The amount of interest capitalized was $1,683, $663 and $959 during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Note 9 — 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, 2009 and 2010 was $207,600 and $234,600, respectively. The counterparties to each of these agreements are major commercial banks. Management believes that the probability of losses related to credit risk on investments classified as cash and cash equivalents 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.

- 48 -


Table of Contents

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 $(2,136) and $(3,032) as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, 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 Statement of Financial Position:
                         
    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2010
Designated as hedging instruments
  Accrued liabilities   $ 2,158     Accrued liabilities   $ 3,413  
 
                       
Not designated as hedging instruments
  Accrued liabilities   $ (78 )   Accrued liabilities   $ 564  
The following table presents the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
                                                 
                    Amount of (Loss)        
    Amount of (Loss)     Reclassified     Amount of (Loss)  
    Recognized in     from Cumulative     Recognized in  
    Other Comprehensive     Other Comprehensive     Income  
    Income on Derivative     Loss into Income     on Derivative  
    (Effective Portion)     (Effective Portion)     (Ineffective Portion)  
Derivatives in                                    
Cash Flow   Year     Year     Year     Year     Year     Year  
Hedging   Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
Relationships   Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2010     Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2010     Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2010  
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ (7,208 )   $ (1,795 )   $ (4,198 )   $ (692 )   $ (458 )   $ (161 )
                         
    Location of     Amount of Gain (Loss)  
    Gain (Loss)     Recognized in Income on Derivatives  
Derivatives not   Recognized     Year     Year  
Designated as   in Income on     Ended     Ended  
Hedging Instruments   Derivatives     Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2010  
Foreign exchange contracts
  Other income (expense)     $ 142     $ (758 )
 
                       
Interest swap contracts
  Other income (expense)       1,855        
 
                       
 
                   
 
          $ 1,997     $ (758 )
 
                   
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.

- 49 -


Table of Contents

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 Sheet 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 Company defines the fair value of foreign exchange contracts as the amount of the difference between the contracted and current market value at the end of the period. The Company estimates the current market value of foreign exchange contracts by obtaining month-end market quotes of foreign exchange rates and forward rates for contracts with similar terms.
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, 2009 and 2010:
                                 
            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, 2009
  $ 2,080             $ 2,080          
The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at Albany, Georgia are now classified as “assets held for sale” at estimated fair value less costs to sell determined based on a signed Real Estate Purchase Agreement. The fair value of these assets, $8,155 at December 31, 2010, is considered a Level 2 valuation. See Note 16 for additional details on the Albany restructuring initiative.

- 50 -


Table of Contents

The fair value of the Company’s debt is based upon prices of similar instruments in the marketplace. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2010  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 426,981     $ 426,981     $ 413,359     $ 413,359  
Notes receivable
    42,599       42,599       69,547       69,547  
Notes payable
    (156,719 )     (156,719 )     (146,947 )     (146,947 )
Current portion of long-term debt
    (15,515 )     (15,515 )     (5,885 )     (5,885 )
Long-term debt
    (330,971 )     (309,371 )     (320,724 )     (322,124 )
Derivative financial instruments
    (2,080 )     (2,080 )     (3,977 )     (3,977 )
Note 10 — Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
The Company and its subsidiaries have a number of plans providing pension, retirement or profit-sharing benefits. 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. These plans include defined benefit and defined contribution plans. The Company has an unfunded, nonqualified supplemental retirement benefit plan 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.
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 $0, $9,150 and $12,827 for 2008, 2009 and 2010, 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 future 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 US 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.

- 51 -


Table of Contents

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:
                                                                 
    2009     2010        
    Pension Benefits     Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    Domestic     International     Total     Domestic     International     Total     2009     2010  
Change in benefit obligation:
                                                               
Projected Benefit Obligation at January 1
  $ 779,890     $ 214,641     $ 994,531     $ 826,458     $ 313,659     $ 1,140,117     $ 252,679     $ 261,926  
Service cost — employer
    6,532       1,852       8,384       4,316       2,327       6,643       3,431       3,160  
Service cost — employee
          2,273       2,273             2,660       2,660              
Interest cost
    43,650       14,765       58,415       45,653       16,923       62,576       14,740       14,115  
Amendments
    (20,010 )     (8,215 )     (28,225 )           (2,260 )     (2,260 )     7,700       (8,956 )
Actuarial (gain)/loss
    84,442       73,605       158,047       53,761       12,729       66,490       (5,790 )     15,478  
Benefits paid
    (68,046 )     (10,580 )     (78,626 )     (64,206 )     (14,426 )     (78,632 )     (10,834 )     (10,375 )
Foreign currency translation effect
          25,317       25,317             (10,994 )     (10,994 )            
 
                                               
Projected Benefit Obligation at December 31
  $ 826,458     $ 313,659     $ 1,140,117     $ 865,982     $ 320,618     $ 1,186,600     $ 261,926     $ 275,348  
 
                                                               
Change in plans’ assets:
                                                               
Fair value of plans’ assets at January 1
  $ 553,005     $ 172,901     $ 725,906     $ 654,991     $ 213,189     $ 868,180     $     $  
Actual return on plans’ assets
    126,028       21,846       147,875       71,350       27,076       98,426              
Employer contribution
    44,004       7,597       51,600       36,692       8,404       45,096              
Employee contribution
          2,273       2,273             2,660       2,660              
Benefits paid
    (68,046 )     (10,580 )     (78,626 )     (64,206 )     (14,426 )     (78,632 )            
Foreign currency translation effect
          19,152       19,152             (7,407 )     (7,407 )            
 
                                               
Fair value of plans’ assets at December 31
  $ 654,991     $ 213,189     $ 868,180     $ 698,827     $ 229,496     $ 928,323     $     $  
 
                                                               
Funded status
  $ (171,467 )   $ (100,470 )   $ (271,937 )   $ (167,155 )   $ (91,122 )   $ (258,277 )   $ (261,926 )   $ (275,348 )
 
                                                               
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:
                                                               
Other assets
  $     $ 113     $ 113     $     $ 44     $ 44     $     $  
Accrued liabilities
                                        (17,021 )     (17,692 )
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
                                        (244,905 )     (257,657 )
Pension benefits
    (171,467 )     (100,583 )     (272,050 )     (167,155 )     (91,166 )     (258,321 )                
Included in cumulative other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2009 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of ($11,951) (($9,455) net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $557,722 ($484,568 net of tax).
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). 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, 2011 are ($1,400) and $37,200, respectively.
The underfunded status of the pension plans of $258,277 at December 31, 2010 is recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as Other assets for those overfunded plans and Pension benefits for those underfunded plans. The unfunded status of the other postretirement benefits is recognized as Accrued liabilities for the current portion of $17,692 and as Postretirement benefits other than pensions for the long-term portion of $257,657.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,135,328 and $1,183,474 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

- 52 -


Table of Contents

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
                                 
                    Other  
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
All plans
                               
Discount rate
    5.74 %     5.39 %     5.75 %     5.20 %
Rate of compensation increase
    1.03 %     0.92 %            
 
                               
Domestic plans
                               
Discount rate
    5.75 %     5.35 %     5.75 %     5.20 %
Rate of compensation increase
                       
 
                               
Foreign plans
                               
Discount rate
    5.70 %     5.50 %            
Rate of compensation increase
    3.74 %     3.39 %            
At December 31, 2010, the weighted average assumed annual rate of increase in the cost of medical benefits was 8.6 percent for 2011 trending linearly to 5.0 percent per annum in 2020.
                                                 
    Pension Benefits - Domestic     Pension Benefits - International  
    2008     2009     2010     2008     2009     2010  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                                               
Service cost
  $ 18,498     $ 6,532     $ 4,316     $ 3,377     $ 1,852     $ 2,327  
Interest cost
    46,165       43,650       45,653       17,734       14,764       16,923  
Expected return on plan assets
    (61,818 )     (42,001 )     (50,457 )     (19,666 )     (13,580 )     (15,249 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    158       (874 )           325       (177 )     (600 )
Amortization of actuarial loss
    10,243       31,737       27,741       1,350       2,524       5,924  
Spectrum plan freeze
          (10,133 )                      
Albany curtailment gain
          (5,220 )                        
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
          9,956       4,323                   (673 )
 
                                   
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 13,246     $ 33,647     $ 31,576     $ 3,120     $ 5,383     $ 8,652  
                         
    Other Post Retirement Benefits  
    2008     2009     2010  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 4,974     $ 3,637     $ 3,160  
Interest cost
    15,492       14,765       14,115  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (308 )     (307 )     (542 )
Amortization of actuarial loss
    1,196              
 
                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 21,354     $ 18,095     $ 16,733  
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  
    2008     2009     2010     2008     2009     2010  
All plans
                                               
Discount rate
    5.97 %     6.11 %     5.74 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     5.75 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.25 %     8.22 %     8.24 %                  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.46 %     3.32 %     1.03 %                  
 
                                               
Domestic plans
                                               
Discount rate
    6.00 %     6.00 %     5.75 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     5.75 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %                  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.25 %     3.25 %     0.00 %                  
 
                                               
Foreign plans
                                               
Discount rate
    5.89 %     6.49 %     5.70 %                  
Expected return on plan assets
    7.55 %     7.32 %     7.44 %                  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.96 %     3.55 %     3.74 %                  
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, 2009 and 2010:
                                 
    2009     2010  
    Projected     Accumulated     Projected     Accumulated  
    benefit     benefit     benefit     benefit  
    obligation     obligation     obligation     obligation  
    exceeds plan     exceeds plan     exceeds plan     exceeds plan  
    assets     assets     assets     assets  
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 1,137,709     $ 1,137,709     $ 1,184,320     $ 1,184,320  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    1,132,988       1,132,988       1,181,208       1,181,208  
Fair value of plan assets
    867,500       867,500       925,999       925,999  
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
  $ 108     $ (94 )
Increase (decrease) in the postretirement benefit obligation
    3,433       (3,091 )

- 54 -


Table of Contents

The Company’s weighted average asset allocations for its domestic and U.K. pension plans’ assets at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010 by asset category are as follows:
                                 
    U.S. Plans     U.K. Plan  
Asset Category   2009     2010     2009     2010  
Equity securities
    66 %     57 %     59 %     61 %
Debt securities
    34       42       35       33  
Other investments
    0       0       5       5  
Cash
    0       1       1       1  
 
                       
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
                       
In the U.S., the Company is considering the adoption of a dynamic asset allocation strategy for the frozen Spectrum pension plan. This dynamic investment strategy calls for a gradual shifting from equities and intermediate fixed income to a higher allocation of long duration fixed income as the funding ratio of the plan rises. The Company’s investment policy for U.K. plan assets is to maintain an allocation of 60 percent in equity securities and 40 percent in fixed income securities. 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 a German insurance company.
The fair market value of U.S. plan assets was $654,991 and $698,827 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The fair market value of the U.K. plan assets was $210,669 and $227,173 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The fair market value of the German pension plan assets was $2,519 and $2,324 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The table below classifies the assets of the U.S. and U.K. plans using the Fair Value Hierarchy described in Note 9 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
                                 
            Fair Value Heirarchy  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
United States plans
                               
Cash
  $ 6,549     $ 6,549     $     $  
Equity securities
    397,682             397,682        
Fixed income securities
    294,596             294,596        
 
                       
 
  $ 698,827     $ 6,549     $ 692,278     $  
 
                       
 
                               
United Kingdom plan
                               
Cash
  $ 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     $ 2,854     $ 213,505     $ 10,814  
 
                       
Individual equity and fixed income securities are valued using quoted prices from the published market prices. Commingled equity and fixed income funds are valued using significant observable inputs of net asset value provided by the fund manager. The net asset value is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the funds.
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.

- 55 -


Table of Contents

The following table details the activity in this investment for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2010:
                 
    2009     2010  
Balance at January 1
  $ 10,007     $ 9,788  
 
               
Contributions
            1,335  
Disbursements
    (153 )     (166 )
Change in fair value
    (1,102 )     187  
Foreign currency translation effect
    1,036       (330 )
 
           
 
               
Balance at December 31
  $ 9,788     $ 10,814  
 
           
The change in fair value of the Level 3 investment does not directly impact earnings as it is included in the pension assets and is accounted for under pension accounting guidance.
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 2010, the Company contributed $45,096 to its domestic and foreign pension plans, and during 2011, the Company expects to contribute between $40,000 and $45,000 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  
2011
  $ 67,000     $ 18,000  
2012
    67,000       18,000  
2013
    70,000       18,000  
2014
    70,000       19,000  
2015
    72,000       19,000  
2016 through 2020
    382,000       97,000  
Note 11 — Other Long-term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Products liability
  $ 120,616     $ 149,141  
Other
    25,362       30,941  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 145,978     $ 180,082  
 
           
Note 12 — Common Stock
There were 13,998 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, 2010. 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.

- 56 -


Table of Contents

Note 13 — Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss
The balances of each component of cumulative other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of equity are as follows:
                 
    2009     2010  
Cumulative currency translation adjustment
  $ 6,970     $ 12,948  
Changes in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities
    (2,154 )     (3,180 )
Tax effect
    25       231  
 
           
Net
    (2,129 )     (2,949 )
 
               
Unrecognized postretirement benefit plans
    (545,771 )     (546,717 )
Tax effect, net of valuation allowance
    70,658       68,655  
 
           
Net
    (475,113 )     (478,062 )
 
           
 
  $ (470,272 )   $ (468,063 )
 
           
Note 14 — 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, stock appreciation rights, performance units, 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 restricted stock units and performance based units, 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  
    2008     2009     2010  
Stock options
  $ 350     $ 943     $ 1,414  
Restricted stock units
    1,796       1,667       745  
Performance based units
    1,778       2,809       4,686  
 
                 
Total stock based compensation
  $ 3,924     $ 5,419     $ 6,845  
 
                 
Stock Options
The Company’s 1998, 2001, 2006 and 2010 incentive compensation plans allow the Company to grant awards to key employees in the form of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards. The 1996 incentive stock option plan and 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.

- 57 -


Table of Contents

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. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weight-average assumptions:
                 
    2009     2010  
Risk-free interest rate
    2.2 %     2.8 %
Dividend yield
    2.7 %     2.2 %
Expected volatility of the Company’s common stock
    0.568       0.604  
Expected life in years
    6.0       6.0  
The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2009 and 2010 was $2.08 and $9.01, respectively. No stock options were granted in 2008.
Compensation expense for these options is recorded over the vesting period. The Company recorded compensation expense of $350, $943 and $1,414 for 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, related to stock options.
Summarized information for the plans follows:
                             
                Weighted        
                Average        
        Number of     Exercise     Available  
        Shares     Price     For Grant  
January 1, 2008
                        4,787,535  
 
  Outstanding     1,607,477     $ 18.23          
 
  Exercisable     1,390,828       18.80          
 
                           
 
  Granted                    
 
  Exercised     (19,192 )     14.75          
 
  Expired     (247,570 )     19.80          
 
  Cancelled     (78,398 )     19.16          
 
                         
December 31, 2008
                        4,738,633  
 
                           
 
  Outstanding     1,262,317       17.77          
 
  Exercisable     1,135,148       18.15          
 
                           
 
  Granted     1,155,000       4.82          
 
  Exercised     (26,230 )     13.61          
 
  Expired     (145,018 )     14.19          
 
  Cancelled     (179,463 )     13.23          
 
                         
December 31, 2009
                        2,740,071  
 
                           
 
  Outstanding     2,066,606       11.23          
 
  Exercisable     1,031,175       17.12          
 
                           
 
  Granted     304,120       18.70          
 
  Exercised     (581,244 )     12.07          
 
  Expired     (2,798 )     12.78          
 
  Cancelled     (7,500 )     16.99          
 
                         
December 31, 2010
                        4,054,478  
 
                           
 
  Outstanding     1,779,184       12.21          
 
  Exercisable     823,064       15.67          
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 2010 is 6.7 years.

- 58 -


Table of Contents

Segregated disclosure of options outstanding at December 31, 2010 is as follows:
                         
    Range of Exercise Prices  
    Less than or     Greater than $12.14 and     Greater than or  
    equal to $12.14     less than $19.75     equal to $19.75  
Options outstanding
    816,500       573,920       388,764  
 
                       
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 4.82     $ 16.90     $ 20.82  
 
                       
Remaining contractual life
    8.3       6.5       3.6  
 
                       
Options exercisable
    164,500       269,800       388,764  
 
                       
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 4.82     $ 14.86     $ 20.82  
Restricted Stock Units
Under the 1998, 2001, 2006 and 2010 Incentive Compensation Plans, restricted stock units may be granted to officers and other key employees. Compensation related to the restricted stock units 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 restricted stock units granted in 2008 and 2009 have vesting periods ranging from one to four years. No restricted stock units 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 Company recorded $1,796, $1,667 and $745 of compensation expense for 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, related to restricted stock units. The following table provides details of the restricted stock units granted by the Company:
                 
    2009     2010  
Restricted stock units outstanding at beginning of period
    403,637       526,809  
 
               
Restricted stock units granted
    153,509        
Accrued dividend equivalents
    18,384       5,577  
Restricted stock units settled
    (43,884 )     (285,964 )
Restricted stock units cancelled
    (4,837 )     (4,149 )
 
           
 
               
Restricted stock units outstanding at end of period
    526,809       242,273  
 
           
Performance Based Units (PBUs)
Compensation related to the performance based units 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 performance based units based on the Company’s financial performance in 2007. These units vested in February 2010 and the Company recorded $1,778, $990 and $132 in compensation expense associated with these units in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. No PBUs were earned in 2008. During 2009, executives participating in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan earned 545,930 performance based units 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 performance based units based on the Company’s financial performance in 2010. Of these units, 183,961 vested in 2010 and 60,082 will vest in 2012. The Company recorded $3,849 of compensation expense associated with these units in 2010. Similar to restricted stock units, the Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire.

- 59 -


Table of Contents

The following table provides details of the performance based units earned under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan:
                         
    Long-Term Incentive Plan Years  
    2007-2009     2008-2010     2010-2012  
Performance-based units outstanding at January 1, 2009
    290,671              
Performance-based units earned
    255,070       290,860        
Accrued dividend equivalents
    14,210              
 
                 
Performance-based units outstanding at December 31, 2009
    559,951       290,860        
Performance-based units earned
          183,961       60,082  
Accrued dividend equivalents
          6,037        
Performance-based units settled
    (559,951 )            
 
                 
Performance-based units outstanding at December 31, 2010
          480,858       60,082  
 
                 
The Company’s restricted stock units and performance based units 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. Restricted stock units earn dividend equivalents from the time of the award until distribution is made in common shares. Performance based units 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 restricted stock units or performance based units, accordingly, such units do not represent participating securities.
The Company recognized $26, $1,944 and $3,294 of excess tax benefits as a financing cash inflow for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
At December 31, 2010, the Company has $5,299 of unvested compensation cost related to stock options, restricted stock units and performance based units. This cost will be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 27 months.
Note 15 — 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 $26,664, $27,713 and $27,863 for 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Future minimum payments for all non-cancelable operating leases through the end of their terms, which in aggregate total $97,053, are listed below. Certain of these leases contain provisions for optional renewal at the end of the lease terms.
         
2011
  $ 27,688  
2012
    13,998  
2013
    9,918  
2014
    8,656  
2015
    8,119  
Thereafter
    28,674  

- 60 -


Table of Contents

Note 16 — Restructuring
The table below details the Company’s restructuring expense for the years indicated:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Albany plant closure
                       
Asset writedowns
  $ 75,162     $ 900     $ 1,845  
Equipment relocation and other costs
    393       25,595       12,980  
Employee related costs
    429       20,210       4,751  
 
                 
 
    75,984       46,705       19,576  
 
                       
Distribution centers
                       
Asset writedowns
    394              
Equipment relocation and other costs
          672        
Employee related costs
    24       946        
 
                 
 
    418       1,618        
 
                       
European headcount reduction
                       
Employee related costs
          395       1,073  
 
                 
 
                       
Total restructuring costs
  $ 76,402     $ 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.
At December 31, 2009, the accrued severance balance was $848. During 2010, the Company made severance payments of $753 resulting in an accrued severance balance at December 31, 2010 of $95.
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.
In December 2008, the Company also announced the planned closure of its Dayton, New Jersey distribution center. The cost of this initiative was $418 related to asset write-downs taken in the fourth quarter of $394 and severance costs accrued and not yet paid of $24. This initiative was completed during the first quarter 2009 and impacted nine people.

- 61 -


Table of Contents

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.
Note 17 — Other — Net
The components of Other — net in the statements of operations for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Foreign currency losses
  $ 2,966     $ 886     $ 780  
Equity in loss (earnings) from joint ventures
    2,346       673       (2,456 )
Dividend income from unconsolidated subsidiary
    (1,943 )            
Other
    135       (2,831 )     (1,158 )
 
                 
 
  $ 3,504     $ (1,272 )   $ (2,834 )
 
                 
Note 18 — Contingent Liabilities
Litigation
The Company is a defendant in various products liability claims brought in numerous jurisdictions in which individuals seek damages resulting from automobile 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 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 2009, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $55,452. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $38,369 of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $3,379. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $13,705.

- 62 -


Table of Contents

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.
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 2009, the Company paid $27,663 and during 2010, the Company paid $45,659 to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2009 totaled $151,421 (current portion of $30,805). At December 31, 2010, the products liability reserve balance totaled $191,033 (current portion of $41,892).
Products liability costs totaled $81,262, $81,475 and $110,103 in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $5,742, $2,486 and $5,629 in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. 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 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 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 have the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company has the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent noncontrolling share at a minimum price of $63 million. 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 million. The remaining noncontrolling shareholder has the right to sell its 35 percent share to the Company at a minimum price of $45 million. At December 31, 2010, the formula price of $19 million is below the minimum price; however, the carrying value exceeds the formula price.

- 63 -


Table of Contents

Employment Contracts
The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Armes. No other executives have employment agreements; however, Mr. Hughes’ offer of employment provides for certain benefits, including six months of severance pay and pro-rated bonus payments, should there be a material change in his responsibilities before November 5, 2011. Mr. Hughes and the other Named Executive Officers are covered by the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Change in Control Severance Pay Plan.
Unconditional Purchase Orders
Noncancelable purchase order commitments for capital expenditures and raw materials, principally natural rubber, made in the ordinary course of business were $169,481 at December 31, 2010.
Note 19 — 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 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 subsidiaries. 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 manufacture tires for sale to the automobile OEMs.
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. The Cooper Kenda Tire joint venture currently manufactures light vehicle tires to be exported to markets outside of the PRC. Under the current agreement, until May 2012, all of the tires produced by this joint venture will be exported and sold to the Company and its affiliates around the world. 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 2008, 2009 and 2010. Net sales and percentage of consolidated Company sales for this customer in 2008, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:
                                                 
    2008     2009     2010  
            Consolidated             Consolidated             Consolidated  
Customer   Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales  
TBC/Treadways
  $ 385,495       13 %   $ 331,898       12 %   $ 424,051       13 %

- 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:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Revenues
                       
North American Tire
  $ 2,142,139     $ 2,006,183     $ 2,423,808  
International Tire
    975,007       993,839       1,272,224  
Eliminations and other
    (235,335 )     (221,032 )     (335,048 )
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,881,811       2,778,990       3,360,984  
 
                       
Segment profit (loss)
                       
North American Tire
    (174,065 )     110,957       130,694  
International Tire
    (30,094 )     72,753       82,081  
Unallocated corporate charges and eliminations
    (12,474 )     (27,441 )     (24,401 )
 
                 
Operating profit (loss)
    (216,633 )     156,269       188,374  
Interest income
    12,887       5,193       5,265  
Other — net
    (3,504 )     1,272       2,834  
Interest expense
    (50,525 )     (47,211 )     (36,647 )
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing
                       
operations before income taxes
    (257,775 )     115,523       159,826  
 
                       
Depreciation and amortization expense
                       
North American Tire
    96,057       76,001       76,065  
International Tire
    45,418       46,317       46,728  
Corporate
    1,284       1,193       928  
 
                 
Consolidated
    142,759       123,511       123,721  
 
                       
Segment assets
                       
North American Tire
    977,545       857,734       982,001  
International Tire
    740,583       770,557       823,011  
Corporate and other
    324,768       472,049       500,525  
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,042,896       2,100,340       2,305,537  
 
                       
Expenditures for long-lived assets
                       
North American Tire
    55,560       41,917       66,100  
International Tire
    72,723       37,410       37,395  
Corporate
    490       6       16,243  
 
                 
Consolidated
    128,773       79,333       119,738  

- 65 -


Table of Contents

Geographic information for revenues, based on country of origin, and long-lived assets follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2010  
Revenues
                       
North America
  $ 2,055,769     $ 1,933,503     $ 2,356,908  
Europe
    303,742       257,351       276,319  
Asia
    522,300       588,136       727,757  
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,881,811       2,778,990       3,360,984  
 
                       
Long-lived assets
                       
North America
    506,248       459,129       460,956  
Europe
    48,660       48,614       43,487  
Asia
    346,366       343,228       347,999  
 
                 
Consolidated
    901,274       850,971       852,442  
Shipments of domestically-produced products to customers outside the U.S. approximated nine percent of net sales in 2008, ten percent of net sales in 2009 and nine percent of net sales in 2010.
Note 20 — Subsequent Events
On January 14, 2011, as a result of a $12,000 capital call, the Company achieved virtually 100% ownership in its Mexican marketing entity. This entity was previously consolidated in the Company’s financial results. Additional information on this entity is contained in Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies, Principles of Consolidation.
On January 14, 2011, the Company invested approximately $22,000 and acquired an additional 21% ownership share in a Mexican tire manufacturing entity of which it had previously been an equity investor. The Company’s ownership share is now approximately 58% and because of the increase in voting rights, the results of the entity will be consolidated from the date of this transaction.

- 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, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. 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, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, 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, 2010, 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 25, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
     
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Ernst & Young LLP
   
 
Toledo, Ohio
   
February 25, 2011
   

- 67 -


Table of Contents

     
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA
  (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts.)
   
                                 
    2009  
    First     Second     Third     Fourth  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
Net sales
  $ 571,408     $ 631,729     $ 802,794     $ 773,059  
Gross profit
    50,269       100,460       140,517       127,781  
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
    (22,013 )     30,629       51,713       33,030  
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
    (0.37 )     0.52       0.87       0.55  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations available to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders
    (0.37 )     0.51       0.85       0.53  
Revenues from external customers:
                               
North American Tire
  $ 439,317     $ 427,333     $ 573,886     $ 565,647  
International Tire
    166,212       257,182       296,841       273,604  
Eliminations and other
    (34,121 )     (52,786 )     (67,933 )     (66,192 )
 
                       
Net sales
  $ 571,408     $ 631,729     $ 802,794     $ 773,059  
 
                       
 
                               
Segment profit (loss):
                               
North American Tire
  $ (3,620 )   $ 27,951     $ 47,618     $ 39,008  
International Tire
    (2,821 )     19,204       29,902       26,468  
Eliminations
    (274 )     (786 )     (520 )     (59 )
Corporate
    (9,524 )     (4,896 )     (6,312 )     (5,070 )
 
                       
Operating profit (loss)
    (16,239 )     41,473       70,688       60,347  
Interest expense
    (12,655 )     (12,097 )     (11,440 )     (11,019 )
Interest income
    1,375       1,105       2,259       454  
Other — net
    823       1,249       (1,047 )     247  
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ (26,696 )   $ 31,730     $ 60,460     $ 50,029  
 
                       
                                 
    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  
 
                       

- 68 -


Table of Contents

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010
                                         
    Balance at     Additions             Balance  
    Beginning     Charged     Business     Deductions     at End  
    of Year     To Income     Acquisitions     (a)     of Year  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
                                       
2008
  $ 8,631,233     $ 2,449,691     $     $ 401,050     $ 10,679,874  
 
                             
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  
 
                             
 
(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
                                       
2008
  $ 87,366,717     $ 62,903,924     $ 84,413,313     $ 3,413,944     $ 231,270,010  
 
                             
2009
  $ 231,270,010     $     $     $ 54,503,772     $ 176,766,238  
 
                             
2010
  $ 176,766,238     $ 2,843,723     $ 4,301,882     $     $ 183,911,843  
 
                             
 
(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
                                       
2008
  $     $ 10,237,000     $     $     $ 10,237,000  
 
                             
2009
  $ 10,237,000     $     $     $ 10,237,000     $  
 
                             
2010
  $     $     $     $     $  
 
                             
 
(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
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, 2010 (“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, 2010. 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, 2010, 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, 2010.
     (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, 2010, 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.
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

- 70 -


Table of Contents

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, 2010 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, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 and our report dated February 25, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP      
Ernst & Young LLP

Toledo, Ohio
February 25, 2011
     (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 2010 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 appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 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,” appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 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, appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.
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.

- 71 -


Table of Contents

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding executive and director compensation, Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, and the Compensation Committee Report appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 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 appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2010 regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans, all of which have been approved by the Company’s security holders:
                         
                    Number of securities  
                    remaining available for  
    Number of securities             future issuance under  
    to be issued upon     Weighted-average     equity compensation  
    exercise of outstanding     exercise price of     plans (excluding  
    options, warrants and     outstanding options,     securities reflected  
    rights     warrants and rights     in column (a))  
Plan category
    (a)       (b)       (c)  
 
                 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
    2,490,173     $ 8.73       4,054,478  
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
                 
 
                 
Total
    2,490,173     $ 8.73       4,054,478  
 
                 
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 2010.
Information regarding the independence of the Company’s directors appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 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 appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 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:
         
    Page(s)  
    Reference  
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
     
 
    33  
    34-35  
    36  
    37  
    38-66  
    67  
    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 25, 2011
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
      Chairman of the Board,   February 25, 2011
             
ROY V. ARMES
      President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
           
/s/ Bradley E. Hughes
      Vice President and   February 25, 2011
             
BRADLEY E. HUGHES
      Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
 
           
/s/ Robert W. Huber
      Director of External Reporting   February 25, 2011
             
ROBERT W. HUBER
      (Principal Accounting Officer)    
 
           
LAURIE J. BREININGER*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
THOMAS P. CAPO*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
STEVEN M. CHAPMAN*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
JOHN J. HOLLAND*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
JOHN F. MEIER*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
JOHN H. SHUEY*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
RICHARD L. WAMBOLD*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
           
ROBERT D. WELDING*
      Director   January 14, 2011
 
*   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/ James E. Kline    
  JAMES E. KLINE,
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 2011 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)   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
 
  (viii)   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
 
  (ix)   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
 
  (x)   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

- 75 -


Table of Contents

  (xi)   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
 
  (xii)   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
 
  (xiii)   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
 
  (xiv)   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*
 
  (xv)   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*
 
  (xvi)   Amended and Restated 1998 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Deferral Plan dated as of May 7, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(xvi) of the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008*
 
  (xvii)   2001 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 20, 2001*
 
  (xviii)   2010 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 25, 2010*
 
  (xix)   Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (10)(iv) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001*
 
  (xx)   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*
 
  (xxi)   2006 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 21, 2006*
 
  (xxii)   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
 
  (xxiii)   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
 
  (xxiv)   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
 
  (xxv)   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
 
  (xxvi)   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

- 76 -


Table of Contents

  (xxvii)   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
 
  (xxviii)   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
 
  (xxix)   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
 
  (xxx)   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
(13)   Annual report to security holders
 
(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
 
*   Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

- 77 -