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EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv31w1.htm
EX-32 - EX-32 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv32.htm
EX-13 - EX-13 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv13.htm
EX-24 - EX-24 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv24.htm
EX-23 - EX-23 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv23.htm
EX-21 - EX-21 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv21.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COl38890exv31w2.htm
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
For Annual and Transition Reports Pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
(Mark One)
 
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2009
 
or
 
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition
period from           to          
 
Commission File Number 001-04329
 
(COOPER TIRE LOGO)
 
COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
DELAWARE   34-4297750
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
701 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio   45840
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (419) 423-1321
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
(Title of each class)   (Name of each exchange on which registered)
Common Stock, $1 par value per share   New York Stock Exchange
Rights to Purchase Series A Preferred Stock   New York Stock Exchange
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months.
Yes [ ] No [ ]
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.        [X]
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
[  ] Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer  [  ] Non-Accelerated Filer  [  ] Smaller reporting company
(Do not check if a 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 [ ] No [X]
 The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2009 was $565,983,553.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of January 31, 2010 was 60,791,397.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 — 14, of this report.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY – FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
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PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (“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, 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 was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1930 as the successor to a business originally founded in 1914. Based in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper currently operates 7 manufacturing facilities and 38 distribution centers in 9 countries. As of December 31, 2009, the Company employed 12,568 persons worldwide.

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Business Segments
North American Tire Operations
The North American Tire Operations segment produces passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the United States replacement market. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and other large automotive products retail chains. 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 2009 of approximately 13 percent of all light vehicle replacement tire sales in the United States. In addition to manufacturing tires in the United States, 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 United States 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
In the United Kingdom, the segment produces passenger car, light truck, racing and motorcycle tires and markets these products primarily to dealers in the replacement markets in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Scandinavia. The segment does not sell its products directly to end users and does not manufacture tires for sale to OEMs in Europe, other than several small contracts with specialty vehicle manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
The segment has two joint venture manufacturing facilities, Cooper Chengshan and Cooper Kenda, in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). These facilities produce passenger car, light and medium truck tires, and off-the-road tires. These products are manufactured for export to Europe, North America and other markets as well as marketed to dealers in the replacement tire market within the PRC. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured in the PRC 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 cost-advantaged locations.
Discontinued Operations
The discontinued operations as reported in this Form 10-K include the operations of Cooper-Standard Automotive (formerly the Automotive segment), which was sold on December 23, 2004, and the operations of the Oliver Rubber Company (formerly a subsidiary which was part of the North American Tire Operations segment), which was sold on October 5, 2007.
Cooper-Standard Automotive 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.

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The Company elected to sell Cooper-Standard Automotive 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 2009, the Company experienced lower raw material costs compared with the historically high cost levels of 2008. The pricing volatility of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials.
The Company has a purchasing office in Singapore to acquire natural rubber and various raw materials 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 is an equity investor in Elemica, Inc., established by major manufacturers in the chemical and tire and rubber industry to achieve cost savings through increased efficiencies and opportunities for relevant benchmarking in the procurement and processing of raw materials, indirect materials and services through the application of strategic sourcing and supply chain management.
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 valued at a Last In First Out (LIFO) basis for the North American segment. 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, 2009, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $427 million. The Company’s finished goods inventory at December 31, 2009 is lower than in the prior year as a result of inventory management strategies by the Company and increasing 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 2009, approximately 51 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 $22.1 million, $23.1 million and $22.3 million during 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Patents, Intellectual Property and Trademarks
The Company owns and/or has licenses to use patents and intellectual property, covering various aspects in the design and manufacture of its products and processes, and equipment for the manufacture of its products that will continue to be amortized over the next three to ten 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.

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The Company owns and uses tradenames and trademarks worldwide. While the Company believes such tradenames and trademarks as a group are of material importance, the trademarks the Company considers most significant to its business are those using the words “Cooper,” “Mastercraft” and “Avon.” The Company believes all of these significant trademarks are valid and will have unlimited duration as long as they are adequately protected and appropriately used. Certain other tradenames and trademarks are being amortized over the next 8 to 20 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 2009 expense and capital expenditures for environmental matters at its facilities were not material, nor is it expected that expenditures in 2010 for such uses will be material.
Foreign Operations
The Company has a manufacturing facility, a technical center, a distribution center and its European headquarters office located in the United Kingdom. There are five distribution centers and five sales offices in Europe. The Company has two manufacturing facilities, 17 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 three distribution centers. 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 United States, 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 Internet 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 internet 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.

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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.
Pricing volatility for 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, its operations could be interrupted. In recent years, the severity of hurricanes and the consolidation of the supplier base have had an impact on the availability of raw materials.
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 have resulted in significant increases in energy costs in the past several years which have increased 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.
Further, if the Company is unable to obtain adequate sources of energy, its operations could be interrupted.
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, 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 decline could become material.
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.
The Company conducts its manufacturing, sales and distribution operations on a worldwide basis and is subject to risks associated with doing business outside the United States.
The Company has operations worldwide, including in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Europe, Mexico and the PRC. The Company has two joint venture manufacturing plants, Cooper Chengshan and Cooper Kenda, in the PRC and has continued to expand operations in that country. The Company has also invested in a tire manufacturing operation in Mexico. 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.

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The Company’s results could be impacted by the tariffs recently imposed by the United States government on tires imported from the PRC.
On September 26, 2009, a tariff was imposed on light vehicle tires imported into the United States from the PRC at a level of 35 percent for the first 12 months, 30 percent for the second 12 months, and 25 percent for the third 12 months. The Company’s ability to competitively source tires from its operations in the PRC could be significantly impacted. Other effects ranging from impacts on the price of tires to responsive actions from other governments 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 and/or increases in the health care trend rate.
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 obligations, the Company could experience changes to its Consolidated Balance Sheet which would include an increase to Pension benefits liabilities and a corresponding decrease in Stockholders’ equity through Cumulative other comprehensive loss and could result in higher minimum funding requirements.
Compliance with the TREAD Act and similar regulatory initiatives could increase the cost of operating the Company’s business.
The Company is subject to the Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and Documentation Act, or the TREAD Act, which was adopted in 2000. Proposed and final rules issued under the TREAD Act regulate test standards, tire labeling, tire pressure monitoring, early warning reporting, tire recalls and record retention. Compliance with TREAD Act regulations has increased, and will continue to increase, the cost of producing and distributing tires in the U.S. Compliance with the TREAD Act and other federal, state and local laws and regulations 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.
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, under the TREAD Act or otherwise, could occur in the future. A substantial recall could harm the Company’s reputation, operating results and financial position.
Beginning with the third quarter, 2003, the TREAD Act required that all tire companies submit quarterly data to NHTSA on fatalities, injuries and property damage claims on tires. On July 22, 2008, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that this data is not subject to automatic exemption from disclosure made in response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Consequently, the Company’s data, which is unverified at the time of submission to NHTSA, has been made public. The impact, if any, of this release on current or future litigation or on future sales is not known at this time.
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. 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. 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 stoppages, the Company’s business and operating results could suffer.

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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 litigation, could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
Those claims may result in material losses in the future and cause the Company to incur significant litigation defense costs. Further, the Company cannot provide assurance that its insurance coverage will be adequate to address any claims that may arise. A successful claim brought against the Company in excess of its available insurance coverage may have a significant negative impact on its business and financial condition.
Further, the Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to maintain adequate insurance coverage in the future at an acceptable cost or at all.
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 capital requirements 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” below.
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.
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 United States.

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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. While the Company believes there are a number of potential acquisition candidates available that would complement its business, it currently has no agreements to acquire any specific business or material assets. The Company cannot predict 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;
    increased intangible asset amortization;
    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.
A portion of the Company’s business is seasonal, which may affect its period-to-period results.
Although there is year-round demand for replacement tires, demand for passenger replacement tires is typically strongest during the third and fourth quarters of the year in the northern hemisphere where the majority of the Company’s business is conducted, principally due to higher demand for winter tires during the months of June through November. The seasonality of this portion of the Company’s business may affect its operating results from quarter-to-quarter.
The realizability of deferred tax assets may affect the Company’s profitability and cash flows.
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. 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 United States, the Company has recorded significant deferred tax assets, the largest of which relate to tax attribute carryforwards, products liabilities, pension and other post retirement 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 $174.4 million valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $2.4 million for certain non-U.S. net deferred tax assets primarily associated with losses in foreign jurisdictions. As a result of changes in the amount of U.S. and certain foreign net deferred tax assets during the year, the valuation allowance was decreased in 2009 by $56.8 million. The pension liability and associated deferred tax asset accounts for $127.0 million of the total valuation allowance at December 31, 2009.

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The impact of new accounting standards on determining pension and other postretirement benefit plans’ expense may have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering the second part of its review of accounting for pension and postretirement benefit plans. This second phase of this project may result in changes to the current manner in which pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs are expensed. These changes could result in higher pension and other postretirement costs.
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 above “Capital and Financial Markets; Liquidity.”
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 Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009, and continuing through December 31, 2011, the minority interest partner has the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company has the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent minority interest share at a minimum price of $62.7 million. The Company has received notification from its noncontrolling shareholder of its intention to exercise a portion of its put option. After receiving governmental approvals, the Company will purchase the 14 percent share for $17.9 million. The remaining shares may be sold to the Company under the put option through December 31, 2011.
The minority investment in a tire operation in Mexico, which is not consolidated with the Company’s results, is being funded largely by loans from the Company. The amount of such loans fluctuates with its results of operations and working capital needs and its ability to repay the existing loans is heavily dependent upon successful operations and cash flows.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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Item 2. PROPERTIES
As shown in the following table, at December 31, 2009 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       3       6       17       38  
Retail stores
    3       -       -       -       3  
Technical centers and offices
    6       1       7       5       19  
 
                                                   
Total
    25       4       14       24       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.
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, 2009.
On February 2, 2010 in the case of Cates, et al v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, the United States 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 provides for 1) a cash payment of $7.05 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 will result 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.
The Company is making plans to implement the settlement agreement. As a consequence of the settlement agreement, the Company recorded $7.05 million of expense during the first quarter relating to the specified cash payments. The estimated present value of costs related to the plan amendment is expected to be approximately $7.7 million which has been reflected as an increase 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 beginning with the effective date of the changes.
Item 4. RESERVED

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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
    57     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
    58     Vice President   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
    47     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
    68     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
    57     Vice President   Vice President since March 2002.
Each such officer shall hold such office until a successor is selected and qualified.

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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, 2008   High     Low  
 
               
First Quarter
  $ 20.80     $ 13.21  
Second Quarter
    15.81       7.74  
Third Quarter
    12.15       7.05  
Fourth Quarter
    8.86       3.67  
 
                 
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  
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, 2004, 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.

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Total Return To Shareholders
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)
                                         
 
    ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE  
    Years Ending  
Company / Index   Dec05     Dec06     Dec07     Dec08     Dec09  
 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    -27.14       -3.33       18.42       -60.98       241.72  
S&P 500 Index
    4.91       15.79       5.49       -37.00       26.46  
S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment
    -22.47       12.37       27.49       -48.66       54.68  

                                                 
            INDEXED RETURNS        
        Years Ending        
    Base            
    Period                                
Company / Index   Dec04     Dec05     Dec06     Dec07     Dec08     Dec09  
 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    100       72.86       70.44       83.41       32.55       111.24  
S&P 500 Index
    100       104.91       121.48       128.16       80.74       102.11  
S&P 500 Auto Parts & Equipment
    100       77.53       87.12       111.07       57.02       88.20  
 
Comparison of Cumulative Five Year Total Return
(GRAPH)

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(b)   Holders
The number of holders of record at December 31, 2009 was 2,822.
(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:
                     
    2008         2009  
 
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, 2009.

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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, 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) from     attributable to     attributable to  
    Net     Operating     Continuing Operations     Cooper Tire &     Cooper Tire & Rubber Company  
    Sales     Profit (Loss)     Before Income taxes     Rubber Company     Basic     Diluted  
 
                                               
2005
  $ 2,035,623     $ 25,150     $ (15,953 )   $ (16,016 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.25 )
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 )     (219,444 )     (3.72 )     (3.72 )
2009
    2,778,990       156,269       115,523       83,420       1.40       1.37  
                                                 
 
                    Net Property,                      
    Stockholders’     Total     Plant &     Capital             Long-term  
    Equity     Assets     Equipment     Expenditures     Depreciation     Debt  
 
                                               
2005
  $ 943,730     $ 2,152,186     $ 751,767     $ 160,273     $ 103,047     $ 491,618  
2006
    711,200       2,237,136       971,072       186,190       127,693       513,213  
2007
    882,948       2,298,490       992,215       140,972       131,007       464,608  
2008
    380,966       2,042,896       901,274       128,773       138,805       325,749  
2009
    464,052       2,100,340       850,971       79,333       121,483       330,971  
 
 
                             
    Long-term           Average        
    Debt To   Dividends     Common Shares     Number of  
    Capitalization   Per Share     (000)     Employees  
 
                           
2005
  34.3%   $ 0.42       63,653       8,762  
2006
  41.9%     0.42       61,338       13,361  
2007
  34.5%     0.42       61,938       13,355  
2008
  46.1%     0.42       59,048       13,311  
2009
  41.6%     0.42       59,439       12,568  
 
 
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 acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase transaction and the fair value of fixed assets, liabilities and tangible and identifiable intangible assets have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2009. The operating results of Cooper Chengshan have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the date of acquisition.
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 2 — Goodwill and Intangibles.
In 2008, the Company’s continuing operations recorded $76,402 of restructuring charges associated with the closures of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and Dayton, New Jersey distribution center as described in Note 14 — Restructuring.

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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. These included volatile raw material costs, increasing product complexity and pressure from competitors with manufacturing in lower-cost regions. Industry demand for tires has been weak in recent years. The global economic environment began to severely decline in 2007 with a global recession beginning in 2008.
To address these conditions and position the Company for future success, a Strategic Plan was developed which the Company is implementing. 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 included 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.
The Company also is expanding 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 will both provide a lower cost source of tires for existing markets and be used to expand the Company’s market share in Mexico and the PRC.
Products that meet changing demands in the market, including improved fuel efficiency and consumer value, have been recently launched.
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. A discussion of the past results of its discontinued operations and information related to the gains recognized on the sales of Cooper-Standard Automotive and Oliver Rubber Company are also included. 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.

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Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations
                                         
            %             %        
(Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts)   2007     Change     2008     Change     2009  
 
Revenues:
                                       
North American Tire
  $ 2,209.8       -3.1 %   $ 2,142.1       -6.3 %   $ 2,006.2  
International Tire
    881.3       10.6 %     975.0       1.9 %     993.8  
Eliminations
    (158.5 )     48.5 %     (235.3 )     -6.1 %     (221.0 )
 
                                 
Net sales
  $ 2,932.6       -1.7 %   $ 2,881.8       -3.6 %   $ 2,779.0  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss):
                                       
North American Tire
  $ 119.4       n/m     $ (174.1 )     n/m     $ 111.0  
International Tire
    28.9       n/m       (30.1 )     n/m       72.8  
Eliminations
    (0.5 )     n/m       (1.3 )     n/m       (1.6 )
Unallocated corporate charges
    (13.4 )     -17.2 %     (11.1 )     133.3 %     (25.9 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Operating profit (loss)
    134.4       n/m       (216.6 )     n/m       156.3  
Interest expense
    48.5       4.1 %     50.5       -6.5 %     47.2  
Debt extinguishment (gains) losses
    2.6       n/m       0.6       n/m       -  
Interest income
    (18.0 )     -28.3 %     (12.9 )     -59.7 %     (5.2 )
Dividend from unconsolidated subsidiary
    (2.0 )     -5.0 %     (1.9 )     -100.0 %     -  
Other - net
    (12.7 )     n/m       4.9       n/m       (1.2 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    116.0       n/m       (257.8 )     n/m       115.5  
 
                                       
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    15.8       n/m       (30.3 )     n/m       0.2  
 
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    100.2       n/m       (227.5 )     n/m       115.3  
 
                                       
Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    (8.8 )     n/m       8.1       n/m       (31.9 )
 
                                 
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 91.4       n/m     $ (219.4 )     n/m     $ 83.4  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.48       -     $ (3.72 )     -     $ 1.40  
 
                                 
 
                                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.46       -     $ (3.72 )     -     $ 1.37  
 
                                 

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2009 versus 2008
Consolidated net sales decreased by $102.8 million in 2009. The decrease in net sales was primarily a result of lower volumes in the North American Tire Operations segment, unfavorable foreign currency impacts in the International Tire Operations segment and decreased pricing and mix in both the North American Tire Operations and International Tire Operations segments. These were partially offset by improved volumes in the International segment.
The Company recorded operating profit in 2009 of $156.3 million compared to an operating loss of $216.6 million in 2008. The favorable impacts of lower raw material costs, improved manufacturing operations, reduced restructuring costs and non-recurrence of a write off in 2008 of goodwill in the International Tire Operations segment all contributed to the profit improvement from 2008 to 2009. Partially offsetting improved operating profits were lower volumes, unfavorable pricing and mix and higher incentive-related compensation. 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 $15.6 million benefit in operating profit.
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 Company experienced significant decreases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2009 compared with the 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 $411.1 million from 2008.
The Company strives to assure raw material supply and to obtain the most favorable pricing. 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 these arrangements typically provide quantities necessary to satisfy normal manufacturing demands, the pricing volatility in these commodities contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $207.0 million (7.4 percent of net sales) in 2009 compared to $185.1 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. Included in the $81.5 million total recorded for 2009 are recoveries of legal fees of $2.5 million. Policies applicable to claims occurring on April 1, 2003 and thereafter do not provide for recovery of legal fees. 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.
During 2009, the Company recorded $48.7 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and the closure of three distribution centers located in Dayton, New Jersey; Moraine, Ohio and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Company recorded $76.4 million in restructuring costs in 2008 related to the two initiatives described in the Restructuring section below.
Interest expense decreased $3.3 million in 2009 from 2008 primarily due to lower debt levels primarily in the PRC.
Interest income decreased $7.7 million in 2009 from 2008 primarily as a result of lower interest rates.
The Company recorded dividend income from its investment in Kumho Tire Co., Inc. in both 2008 and 2007. The Company sold this investment in the third quarter of 2008.
Other — net increased $6.1 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 $115.5 million, prior to the deduction of noncontrolling shareholders’ interests of $31.9 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 $30.3 million on a loss before taxes of $257.8 million.

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The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance on the U.S. and certain non-U.S. net deferred tax assets existing at December 31, 2009. 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. 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 United States, the Company has recorded significant deferred tax assets, the largest of which relate to tax attribute carryforwards, products liabilities, pension and other post retirement 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 $174.4 million valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $2.4 million for certain non-U.S. net deferred tax assets primarily associated with losses in foreign jurisdictions. As a result of changes in the amount of U.S. and certain foreign net deferred tax assets during the year, the valuation allowance was decreased in 2009 by $56.8 million. The pension liability and associated deferred tax asset adjustment recorded to equity accounts for $127.0 million of the total valuation allowance at December 31, 2009.
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., and its Canadian affiliate. In 2009 the governments settled the APA between the governments and the taxpayers for periods 2000-2007. Under terms of the 2004 sale agreement for the subsidiary, the Company is responsible for all tax obligations and is entitled to promptly receive all tax refunds for periods relating to its ownership ending December 23, 2004. The anticipated cash impact to the Company of the above settlement consisted of a refund of taxes paid in Canada, net of various offsets, of approximately $70 million and a tax and interest obligation in the U.S. of approximately $31.1 million which was paid in the fourth quarter of 2009. On July 27, 2009, the Canadian affiliate received a substantial portion of the anticipated refund. However, the refund was not remitted to the Company and on August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the company that acquired the former subsidiary and its U.S. affiliates filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Canadian affiliate filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada on August 4, 2009. Based upon these facts, the Company does not believe the criteria for recognition of the receivable for the taxes paid during the Company’s ownership has been met and will not record a receivable until the certainty of realization is assured. The Company is pursuing all options to recover the tax refunds to which it is entitled and has filed adversary proceedings in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court against Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., and its Canadian affiliate.
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.
2008 versus 2007
Consolidated net sales decreased by $50.8 million in 2008. The decrease in net sales was primarily a result of lower volume, primarily in the North American Tire Operations segment. Partially offsetting the lower volumes were improved pricing and mix in both the North American Tire Operations and International Tire Operations segments. The Company recorded an operating loss in 2008 of $216.6 million compared to an operating profit of $134.4 million in 2007. The favorable impacts of improved pricing and mix, along with lower incentive-related compensation were offset by lower volumes, higher raw material costs, production curtailment costs, higher products liability costs and a lower of cost or market inventory adjustment in the International Tire Operations segment. During 2007, 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. In 2008 the Company wrote off the goodwill of the International Tire Operations segment which totaled $31.3 million. In December 2008, the Company announced the planned closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and its Dayton, New Jersey distribution center. The Company recorded $76.4 million of restructuring expenses associated with these initiatives in 2008.
The Company continued to experience significant increases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials during 2008 compared with the levels experienced during 2007. The principal raw materials for the Company include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, chemicals and reinforcement components. Approximately 65 percent of the Company’s raw materials are petroleum-based and crude oil prices reached record high levels during 2008. Natural rubber prices also peaked at all-time highs during 2008. The increases in the cost of natural rubber and petroleum-based materials were the most significant drivers of higher raw material costs during 2008, which were up approximately $302.9 million from 2007. The pricing volatility in these commodities contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials. The increased price of crude oil and natural rubber, along with the growing global demand, remains a fundamental factor to the cost increases experienced for raw materials used by the Company.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $185.1 million (6.4 percent of net sales) in 2008 compared to $177.5 million (6.1 percent of net sales) in 2007. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due primarily to higher advertising costs in the International Tire Operations segment and the continued ramp-up of the Company’s operations in the PRC, partially offset by lower incentive-related compensation costs.

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Products liability costs totaled $70.3 million and $81.3 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $9.8 million and $5.7 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Policies applicable to claims occurring on April 1, 2003 and thereafter do not provide for recovery of legal fees.
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.
During 2008, the Company recorded $76.4 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and the closure of a distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey. The Company recorded $3.5 million in restructuring costs in 2007 related to the four initiatives described in the Restructuring section below.
Interest expense increased $2.0 million in 2008 from 2007 primarily due to debt related to investments in PRC, partially offset by the Company’s repurchases of debt in 2008.
The Company incurred $.6 million in costs associated with the repurchase of $14.3 million of its long-term debt during 2008. During 2007, the Company incurred $2.6 million in costs associated with the repurchase of $80.9 million of its long-term debt.
Interest income decreased $5.1 million in 2008 from 2007 as a result of lower cash levels and short-term investments in 2008 than in 2007.
The Company recorded dividend income from its investment in Kumho Tire Co., Inc. of $2.0 million and $1.9 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Other — net decreased $17.5 million in 2008 from 2007 as a result of the Company recording a $3.1 million gain on the sale of stock in Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. and a $4.2 million gain on the sale of a corporate aircraft in 2007. Foreign currency losses were recorded in 2008 compared to foreign currency gains in 2007 accounting for a $6.9 million decrease. The Company recorded losses from an unconsolidated subsidiary of $2.4 million in 2008 compared to earnings of $1.7 million in 2007.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $30.3 million on a loss before taxes from continuing operations of $257.8 million prior to the loss on noncontrolling shareholders’ interests of $8.1 million. Worldwide tax expense was unfavorably impacted by the increase in the valuation allowance against U.S. net deferred tax assets and certain foreign net deferred tax assets. It was favorably impacted by the continuation of tax holidays for some of the Company’s Asian operations and a tax benefit for U.S. “specified liability loss” carry backs. Comparable amounts for 2007 were an income tax expense of $15.8 million on income before taxes of $116.0 million.
The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance on the U.S. net deferred tax assets and certain foreign net operating losses existing at December 31, 2008. A valuation allowance is required pursuant to SFAS No. 109, “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. 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 United States, the Company has recorded significant deferred tax assets, the largest of which relate to tax attribute carryforwards, products liabilities, pension and other post retirement 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 maintained a $222.1 million valuation allowance for the portion of U.S. deferred tax assets exceeding deferred tax liabilities. As a result of changes in the amount of U.S. and certain foreign net deferred tax assets during the year, the valuation allowance was increased in 2008 by $135.5 million. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $9.2 million for net deferred tax assets primarily associated with losses in foreign jurisdictions. The pension liability and associated deferred tax asset adjustment recorded to equity accounts for $142.3 million of the total valuation allowance at December 31, 2008.
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 2008.
Restructuring
During 2009, the North American Tire Operations and the International Tire Operations segments recorded $48.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of restructuring expense associated with initiatives announced at various times throughout 2008 and 2009.

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On October 21, 2008, the Company announced it would conduct a capacity study of its United States 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. The segment ceased production at the Albany facility in the third quarter of 2009 and has targeted the third quarter of 2010 to complete the relocation of equipment to its other facilities and completion of this initiative.
The cost of this initiative is estimated to range from between $135 million and $145 million. This amount consists of personnel related costs between $28 million and $30 million; and equipment related and other costs are estimated to be between $107 million and $115 million, including asset write downs of between $76 million and $79 million. The above estimates of personnel related costs for this initiative include pension curtailment and settlement costs.
Since the inception of this initiative in December 2008, the Company has recorded $122.7 million of costs related to this initiative. This amount includes employee related costs of $20.6 million and equipment related and other costs of $102.1 million, including impairment losses of $76.1 million to write the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value.
In the North American Tire Operations segment for 2009, the Company recorded $46.7 million of net restructuring expense related to the Albany closure, with $28.4 million used for equipment relocation and other costs, $20.2 million for employee related costs and $.9 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 $15.4 million, and $4.8 million of settlement losses partially offset by curtailment gains related to pension benefits. The Company received $2.8 million in government grant receipts throughout 2009, partially offsetting gross restructuring expense.
At December 31, 2008, the accrued severance balance was $0.4 million. During 2009, the Company recorded severance costs of $12.9 million and made $12.5 million of severance payments resulting in an accrued severance balance at December 31, 2009 of $0.8 million. The severance charges recorded represent the Company’s best estimate of future amounts to be paid and approximate 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 $1.6 million. Personnel related costs totaled $1.0 million and equipment related costs totaled $.6 million. All of the closures had been completed by the end of 2009 and severance payments totaled $0.8 million, leaving an accrual balance of $.2 million at December 31, 2009. The severance charges recorded represent the Company’s best estimate of future amounts to be paid and approximate fair value.
In the International Tire Operations segment, Cooper Europe 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 $.4 million of severance cost related to this initiative and all severance amounts have been paid.
During 2008, the Company incurred restructuring expenses related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and the closure of a distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey.
In connection with the Albany initiative, the Company recorded $0.4 million of personnel related costs all of which was accrued at December 31, 2008. The Company also recorded an impairment loss of $75.2 million to write down the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value. The fair value of the land and buildings was determined using a sales comparison approach using recent market data and comparing values to the Albany, Georgia location. The fair value of the machinery and equipment which will not be transferred to other Company locations was determined using the market value approach. The Company also recorded $0.4 million in other restructuring costs related to the Albany facility.
In December 2008, the Company also announced the planned closure of its Dayton, New Jersey distribution center. The cost of this initiative was $0.4 million related to asset write-downs taken in the fourth quarter of 2008. This initiative was completed during the first quarter 2009 and impacted nine people.
During 2007, the North American Tire Operations and the International Tire Operations segments recorded $3.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of restructuring expense associated with initiatives announced and started during 2006.

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North American Tire Operations Segment
                                         
            Change             Change        
    2007     %     2008     %     2009  
(Dollar amounts in millions)                                        
 
                                       
Sales
  $ 2,209.8       -3.1 %   $ 2,142.1       -6.3 %   $ 2,006.2  
Operating profit (loss)
  $ 119.4       n/m     $ (174.1 )     n/m     $ 111.0  
Operating profit margin
    5.4 %     n/m       -8.1 %     n/m       5.5 %
United States unit shipments changes:
                                       
Passenger tires
                                       
Segment
            -16.1 %             -4.2 %        
RMA members
            -8.1 %             -3.4 %        
Total Industry
            -4.6 %             -2.2 %        
Light truck tires
                                       
Segment
            -18.6 %             -13.6 %        
RMA members
            -15.0 %             -5.2 %        
Total Industry
            -15.1 %             -6.5 %        
Total light vehicle tires
                                       
Segment
            -16.6 %             -6.0 %        
RMA members
            -9.1 %             -3.6 %        
Total Industry
            -6.1 %             -2.8 %        
Total segment unit sales changes
            -11.2 %             -5.2 %        
Overview
The North American Tire Operations segment produces passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the United States replacement market. 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 also distributes in North America radial medium truck and motorcycle tires that are manufactured in the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.
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 volume ($98.6 million) and reduced pricing and mix ($37.4 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. The reduced pricing and mix declined 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 United States, 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 Rubber Manufacturers Association (“RMA”) and also exceeded the 2.8 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments for the total industry (which includes an estimate for non-RMA members) 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 have 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 improved .5% during 2009.

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Operating profit for the segment increased $285 million in 2009 compared to 2008. The improvement was due to lower raw material costs ($307.4 million), improved manufacturing operations ($43.3 million) and reduced restructuring charges ($28.1 million) as the segment continues to reduce manufacturing overhead and scrap costs through the implementation of Six Sigma and LEAN initiatives. These improvements were partially offset by reduced pricing and mix ($45.7 million), higher incentive-related compensation expense ($26.8 million), lower unit volumes ($16.9 million) and the effects of production curtailments during the first half of 2009 required to align production with demand ($4.2 million). The significant decrease in raw material costs was a result of lower prices for raw materials throughout 2009. Raw material costs had reached record high levels during the latter part of 2008.
The segment’s United States based operations determine inventory cost flows using the last-in, first-out (“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 $15.6 million benefit in operating profit from inventory valued at historically lower costs.
During 2009, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $48.3 million related to the ongoing initiative to close its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility, as well as the decisions to close three distribution centers in Dayton, New Jersey; Moraine, Ohio and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During 2008, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $76.4 million related to the previously noted Albany manufacturing facility and the Dayton distribution center. See the discussion of these initiatives in the Restructuring section.
2008 versus 2007
Sales of the North American Tire Operations segment decreased slightly in 2008 from levels in 2007. The decrease in sales was a result of lower unit volume ($312.3 million) offset by improved pricing and mix ($244.6 million). The improved pricing was the result of price increases implemented during 2007 and 2008. The improved mix was primarily the result of increased sales volumes of the Cooper brand, which continues to gain market share, while unit sales to private brand distributors declined from the prior year. The volume decline in the segment was the result of lower unit sales in almost all product segments, but primarily in broadline and light truck tires similar to the decrease experienced in the industry.
In the United States, the segment’s unit shipments of total light vehicle tires decreased 16.6 percent in 2008 from 2007. This decrease exceeded the 9.1 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments experienced by all members of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (“RMA”) and also exceeded the 6.1 percent decrease in total light vehicle shipments for the total industry (which includes an estimate for non-RMA members) for 2008. Partially offsetting this decrease in the United States were increased shipments by the segment to Mexico and Canada. The industry decrease in light vehicle tire units was primarily due to the macroeconomic conditions in North America. Higher fuel prices during the first half of the year and recession concerns during the latter half of the year reduced consumer replacement tire purchases. Volumes in the segment decreased more significantly than the industry due to a tougher comparable period as the segment benefited in 2007 from a competitor’s strike. Further impacting the segment’s volumes were strategic decisions made by the Company to eliminate one brand and to exit unprofitable lines of business. Sales to both private brand distributors and to wholesale channel customers decreased as competition increased in these price sensitive channels.
Segment operating profit in 2008 decreased $293.5 million from 2007. The decreased operating profit was due to higher raw material costs ($258.7 million), increased restructuring costs ($73.1 million), lower unit volumes ($68.6 million), higher products liability costs ($11.0 million) and LIFO inventory liquidation benefits experienced in 2007 that were not available in 2008 ($22.1 million). Production curtailments caused by raw material shortages and management actions to control inventories in response to the weak North American replacement tire market negatively impacted operating profit ($41.9 million). Partially offsetting these factors were improvements in pricing and mix ($164 million) and lower incentive-related compensation expense and other costs.
The United States based operations of the segment determines its inventory cost flows using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. During 2007, inventory levels declined as a result of the segment’s inventory management initiative. This 2007 decline resulted in the segment recognizing a $22.1 million benefit in operating profit from inventory liquidations due to the elimination of LIFO inventory layers at historically lower costs.
During 2008, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $76.4 million related to the decisions to close its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and its Dayton, New Jersey distribution center. During 2007, the North American Tire Operations segment recorded restructuring charges of $3.3 million, primarily related to the reconfiguration of the Texarkana, Arkansas manufacturing facility and the reduction of salaried support positions. See the discussion of these initiatives under the Restructuring section above.

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International Tire Operations Segment
                                         
            Change             Change        
    2007     %     2008     %     2009  
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
                                       
Sales
  $ 881.3       10.6 %   $ 975.0       1.9 %   $ 993.8  
Operating profit (loss)
  $ 28.9       n/m     $ (30.1 )     n/m     $ 72.8  
Operating profit margin
    3.3 %     n/m       -3.1 %     n/m       7.3 %
Unit sales change
            7.3 %             8.7 %        
Overview
In the United Kingdom, the segment produces passenger car, light truck, racing and motorcycle tires and markets these products primarily to dealers in the replacement markets in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Scandinavia. The segment does not sell its products directly to end users and does not manufacture tires for sale to OEMs in Europe, other than several small contracts with specialty vehicle manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
The segment has two joint venture manufacturing facilities in the PRC, Cooper Chengshan and Cooper Kenda. These facilities produce passenger car, light and medium truck tires and off-the-road tires. These products are manufactured for export to Europe, North America and other markets as well as marketed to dealers in the replacement tire market within the PRC. Only a small percentage of the tires manufactured in the PRC are sold to OEMs.
The segment’s Cooper Kenda joint venture manufactures tires to be exported to markets outside of the PRC. Under the current agreement all of the tires produced by this joint venture will be exported and sold through Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and its affiliates until May 2012.
2009 versus 2008
Sales of the International Tire Operations segment increased $18.8 million in 2009 from the sales levels achieved in 2008. The increase in sales was primarily due to higher unit volumes ($86.7 million) partially offset by decreased pricing and mix ($51.3 million) and the foreign currency impact of a stronger United States dollar in relation to the British pound ($16.6 million). The increase in unit sales 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 $72.8 million, $102.8 million higher than in 2008. Excluding the $31.3 million write-off of goodwill in 2008, the increase in operating profit was due to lower raw material costs ($103.7 million), favorable foreign currency impact ($18.0 million) and improved manufacturing operations ($10.6 million). These impacts were partially offset by unfavorable pricing and mix ($62.6 million) and the effects of production curtailments in the European operations required to align production with demand ($2.4 million).
2008 versus 2007
Sales of the International Tire Operations segment increased $93.7 million in 2008 from the sales levels in 2007. The foreign currency impact increased sales $26.7 million in 2008. The remainder of the increase in sales was due to higher unit volumes ($35.5 million) and improved pricing and mix ($31.5 million). The increase in unit sales was the result of increased transfers to the Company’s North American segment. During the first three quarters of 2008 the segment experienced strong sales in its operations in the PRC. These increases declined during the fourth quarter as a result of the global economic slow down and its effects on both the PRC market and the segment’s exports. European volumes decreased slightly for the year. Throughout 2008 the segment increased prices to offset raw material cost increases. These contributed to a positive price impact, while a higher relative percentage of passenger tires versus radial medium truck tires resulted in an offsetting negative mix impact.

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Operating profit for the segment in 2008 was $59.0 million lower than in 2007. The impacts of improved pricing and mix ($76 million) and volume ($2 million) were offset by higher raw material costs ($82 million), including a lower of cost or market inventory adjustment to reflect current prices in PRC ($10 million), the write-off of goodwill ($31 million) and higher advertising, utility and Cooper Kenda ramp up costs. The segments operations reacted to the declining global demand for tires by curtailing operations in its manufacturing facilities to align inventory. During 2007, the segment recorded a gain on the sale of land in Europe ($2.2 million).
Discontinued Operations
On October 5, 2007, the Company sold its Oliver Rubber Company subsidiary which manufactured tread rubber and retreading equipment. During 2007, this subsidiary recorded net sales of $62.3 million and generated an operating profit of $5.2 million.
As discussed in Footnote 7 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, during 2009, the Company recorded an income tax and interest obligation related to the Advance Pricing Agreement of $31.1 million. This was recorded as a current tax liability for discontinued operations. The Company is pursuing all options to recover approximately $70 million in tax refunds to which it is entitled under the 2004 Sale agreement for the disposition of the Cooper-Standard Automotive group. During the third quarter of 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc., the company that acquired Cooper-Standard Automotive, and its United States and Canadian affiliates filed for bankruptcy protection and the Company has filed adversary proceedings in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.
The following table provides details of the Company’s discontinued operations:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Income (loss) related to former automotive operations, net of tax
  $ (1.8 )   $ 0.3     $ (31.4 )
 
                       
Income (loss) from Oliver Rubber subsidiary, net of tax
    3.5       (0.2 )     (0.3 )
 
                 
 
  $ 1.7     $ 0.1     $ (31.7 )
 
                 
Gain on Sale of Oliver Rubber Company
On October 5, 2007, the Company sold its Oliver Rubber Company subsidiary to Michelin North America, Inc. Proceeds from the sale were $66.3 million. The sale resulted in a gain of $26.5 million, net of taxes of $1.9 million including the release of a tax valuation allowance.
Outlook for the Company
The Company expects the return to more normal levels of demand in the replacement tire industry that began in the second half of 2009 will continue into 2010. Demand and growth rates will vary by region as developing markets, including PRC, present more robust opportunities for improvement. Mature tire markets are expected to return to growth approximating normal historical growth rates of two to three percent. While the Company believes pent up demand for tires exists, it does not believe a surge in demand for tires will occur until consumer confidence recovers more fully.
The heightened demand, in combination with relatively low levels of inventory, means the Company expects to operate its manufacturing facilities at very high utilization rates in 2010. This is partially the result of successful efforts to optimize production capacity in recent years. The Company also expects to invest in increased inventory levels during the year, both as a function of the normal pattern of seasonal demand and to support service expectations of customers.
As success continues to build through improved competitiveness there will be additional focus shifted to the imperative of profitable growth. This is designed to leverage the Company’s position and prepare for future growth opportunities. These actions will include the launch of new products to meet market demands, growth in sales channels where the Company is underrepresented and progress in emerging markets. The Company expects this will position it for growth at or above industry rates.
Raw material prices have proven very difficult to accurately predict as commodity markets remain volatile. The Company expects prices for commodities to be higher in 2010 than in 2009. The Company expects its effective tax rate for 2010 will most likely be between 5 percent and 15 percent.

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In 2010, the Company will continue to focus on building a strong foundation to take advantage of future market opportunities. This will require the Company to continue investing in opportunities that will make it more cost competitive including automation, LEAN-Six Sigma and manufacturing located in lower cost countries. Additionally, in 2010 the Company will continue to prepare for the implementation of a global ERP system that will enhance organizational capabilities.
The Company remains committed to the Strategic Plan initially communicated in February, 2008. The plan calls for the Company to improve its cost structure, pursue profitable top line growth and improve organizational capabilities. Successful implementation of the three imperatives detailed in the Strategic Plan and improvement in market or industry conditions can drive improved operating results, which may also be subjected to uncontrollable factors including: consumer confidence, gasoline prices, raw material cost volatility, intense competition, government intervention and currency fluctuations. The Company’s focus remains on prudent management of critical resources to drive shareholder value. The Company’s outlook remains cautiously optimistic. The successes it achieves combined with improved global industry conditions can result in an even stronger Company with a more consistent level of profitability.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Generation and uses of cash — Net cash provided by the operating activities of continuing operations was $478.3 million in 2009, an improvement of $643.3 million from 2008. The improved operating results of continuing operations and the decrease in inventories in 2009 compared to an increase in inventories during 2008 were the primary reasons for this improvement. In 2009, the Company paid the tax and interest liability recorded as discussed in Discontinued Operations.
Net cash used in investing activities during 2009 reflects capital expenditures of $79.3 million, a decrease of $49.4 million from 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company received $107.0 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. During 2008, the Company acquired an approximately 38 percent ownership share of a manufacturing operation in Mexico with an investment of $29.2 million and increased its investment in 2009 by $0.7 million. The manufacturing facility is located in Guadalajara, Mexico and is the second largest tire plant in Mexico. The Company made the final payment related to the purchase of Cooper Chengshan in 2008. The Company, in 2007, realized proceeds of $66.3 million from the sale of Oliver Rubber Company. In 2007, “Proceeds from the sale of assets” related primarily to the sale of the Company’s 25 percent interest in the steel cord facility acquired with the Chengshan acquisition, the sale of a corporate aircraft and the sale of a stock investment. The Company’s capital expenditure commitments at December 31, 2009 are $16.1 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 2010.
In December 2009, the Company repaid $96.9 million of its Senior Notes. The Company repurchased $80.9 million and $14.3 million of these notes during 2007 and 2008, respectively and has remaining authorization to repurchase $104 million of debt. During 2007, the Company repurchased 2,991,900 shares of its common stock for $45.9 million and during 2008 the Company repurchased 803,300 shares of its common stock for $13.9 million. At December 31, 2009, the Company has remaining authorization of $40 million for share repurchases. The Company has temporarily suspended it debt and share repurchase programs. During 2009, the Company repaid $63.1 million of debt borrowed in the PRC. Cooper Kenda received capital contributions in 2007 and 2008 from its non-controlling owner for construction of the tire manufacturing facility in the PRC.
Dividends paid on the Company’s common shares in 2009 were $24.9 million, compared to $24.7 million in 2008. The Company has maintained a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share in each quarter during the three years ending December 31, 2009. 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. During 2008 stock options were exercised to acquire 19,192 shares of common stock compared to 2007 when stock options were exercised to acquire 1,236,660 shares of common stock.
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. No ownership interests in the purchased trade receivables had been sold to the bank conduit as of December 31, 2009. The Company had issued standby letters of credit under this facility totaling $29.5 million and $36.0 million at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

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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 United States 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, 2008 or December 31, 2009.
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, 2009. 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, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $427.0 million. The Company’s additional borrowing capacity based on eligible collateral through use of the above credit facilities with its bank group and other bank lines at December 31, 2009 was $295.6 million. The facilities are sized to meet seasonal working capital demands which are generally highest in the second and third quarters and lowest at year-end.
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 meet dividend goals. The long-term debt due within one year and the entire amount of short-term notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2009 is primarily debt of consolidated subsidiaries. The Company expects its subsidiaries to refinance or pay these amounts during 2010.
In connection with its acquisition of Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2011, the minority interest partner has the right to sell and, if exercised, the Company has the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent minority interest share at a minimum price of $62.7 million. The Company has received notification from its noncontrolling shareholder of its intention to exercise a portion of its put option. After receiving governmental approvals, the Company will purchase the 14 percent share for $17.9 million. This put option is not included in the following table.
The Company’s cash requirements relating to contractual obligations at December 31, 2009 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
  $ 335,405     $ 14,915     $ 30,032     $ -     $ 290,458  
Capital lease obligations and other
    11,081       600       1,200       1,200       8,081  
Interest on debt and capital lease obligations
    297,954       24,464       47,143       46,257       180,090  
Operating leases
    86,136       15,522       29,072       12,222       29,320  
Notes payable (b)
    156,719       156,719       -       -       -  
Unconditional purchase (a)
    83,578       83,578       -       -       -  
Postretirement benefits other than pensions (c)
    261,926       17,021       34,757       35,178       174,970  
Other long-term liabilities and noncontrolling shareholders’ interests (d) (e)
    421,630       117       52,451       46,523       322,539  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 1,654,429     $ 312,936     $ 194,655     $ 141,380     $ 1,005,458  
 
                             
  (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)   Based on long-term amounts recorded under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
  (e)   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.

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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 United States. 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.
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 United States. 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.

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Accordingly, the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $12 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 United States, 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 2008, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $55.9 million. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $35.3 million of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $8.0 million. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $12.6 million.
During 2009, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $55.5 million. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $38.4 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 $3.4 million. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $13.7 million.
The time frame for the payment of a products liability claim is too variable to be meaningful. From the time a claim is filed to its ultimate disposition depends on the unique nature of the case, how it is resolved — claim dismissed, negotiated settlement, trial verdict and appeals process — and is highly dependent on jurisdiction, specific facts, the plaintiff’s attorney, the court’s docket and other factors. Given that some claims may be resolved in weeks and others may take five years or more, it is impossible to predict with any reasonable reliability the time frame over which the accrued amounts may be paid.
During 2008, the Company paid $39.6 million and during 2009, the Company paid $27.7 million to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2008 totaled $123.6 million (current portion of $28.7 million). At December 31, 2009, the products liability reserve balance totaled $151.4 million (current portion of $30.8 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.
Products liability costs totaled $70.3 million, $81.3 million and $81.5 million in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $9.8 million, $5.7 million and $2.5 million in 2007, 2008 and 2009, 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 assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for income tax expense must be increased by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that are deemed to be not recoverable. The Company has maintained a full valuation allowance against its net U.S. deferred tax asset position at December 31, 2009, 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.

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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, totals approximately $7.5 million.
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 Intangible Assets, during 2006, the Company recorded goodwill of $31.3 million and recorded definite-lived intangible assets of $7.2 million associated with the Chengshan acquisition. 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 United States and the United Kingdom and other postretirement benefit liabilities in the United States 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 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 Citigroup Pension Discount Liability Index yield curve rates. Based upon this analysis, the Company used a discount rate of 5.75 percent to measure its United States pension and postretirement benefit liabilities, which is lower than the 6.0 percent used at December 31, 2008. A similar analysis was completed in the United Kingdom and the Company decreased the discount rate used to measure its United Kingdom pension liabilities to 5.7 percent at December 31, 2009 from 6.5 percent at December 31, 2008.
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. The Company used 3.25 percent for the estimated future compensation increases in measuring its United States pension liabilities at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. In the United Kingdom, the Company used 3.75 percent for the estimated future compensation increase at December 31, 2009 compared to a rate of 3.57 percent at December 31, 2008.

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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 investment policy for United States plans’ assets is to maintain an allocation of 70 percent in equity securities and 30 percent in debt securities. The Company’s investment policy for United Kingdom 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 United States pension plans’ assets approximated 22.6 percent in 2009 compared to an asset loss of approximately 26.4 percent in 2008. The actual return on United Kingdom pension plan assets approximated 15.6 percent in 2009 compared to an asset loss of 18.5 percent in 2008. The Company’s estimate for the expected long-term return on its United States plan assets was 8.5 percent which was used to derive 2008 and 2009 pension expense. The expected long-term return on United Kingdom plan assets used to derive the 2008 and 2009 pension expense was 7.6 percent and 7.4 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 $448.3 million at December 31, 2009. 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 $11.6 million and $34.3 million in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
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 stockholder 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.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Certain operating leases related to property and equipment used in the operations of Cooper-Standard Automotive were guaranteed by the Company. These guarantees require the Company, in the event Cooper-Standard Automotive fails to honor its commitments, to satisfy the terms of the lease agreements. As part of the sale of the automotive operations, the Company is seeking releases of those guarantees but to date has been unable to secure releases from certain lessors. The most significant of those leases is for a U. S. manufacturing facility with a remaining term of seven years and total remaining payments of approximately $8.2 million. Other leases cover two facilities in the United Kingdom. These leases have remaining terms of four years and remaining payments of approximately $2.6 million. The Company does not believe it is presently probable that it will be called upon to make these payments. Accordingly, no accrual for these guarantees has been recorded. If information becomes known to the Company at a later date which indicates its performance under these guarantees is probable, accruals for the obligations will be required.

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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 $18.7 million at December 31, 2009 and approximately $15.8 million at December 31, 2008. 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, 2009 and 2008.
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.

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Item 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years ended December 31
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
                       
Net sales
  $ 2,932,575     $ 2,881,811     $ 2,778,990  
Cost of products sold
    2,617,161       2,805,638       2,359,963  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross profit
    315,414       76,173       419,027  
 
                       
Selling, general and administrative
    177,507       185,064       206,990  
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset
    -       31,340       -  
Restructuring
    3,515       76,402       48,718  
Settlement of retiree medical case
    -       -       7,050  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating profit (loss)
    134,392       (216,633 )     156,269  
 
                       
Interest expense
    48,492       50,525       47,211  
Debt extinguishment costs
    2,558       593       -  
Interest income
    (18,004 )     (12,887 )     (5,193 )
Dividend from unconsolidated subsidiary
    (2,007 )     (1,943 )     -  
Other - net
    (12,677 )     4,854       (1,272 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    116,030       (257,775 )     115,523  
 
                       
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    15,835       (30,274 )     231  
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    100,195       (227,501 )     115,292  
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    1,660       64       (31,653 )
 
                       
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    26,475       -       -  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    128,330       (227,437 )     83,639  
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders’ interests
    8,760       (8,057 )     31,872  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 119,570     $ (219,380 )   $ 51,767  
 
                 
 
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.48     $ (3.72 )   $ 1.40  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.03       -       (0.53 )
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
    0.43       -       -  
 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.93 *   $ (3.72 )   $ 0.87  
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.46     $ (3.72 )   $ 1.37  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.03       -       (0.52 )
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
    0.42       -       -  
 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.91     $ (3.72 )   $ 0.85  
 
                 
* Amounts do not add due to rounding
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 39 to 69.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except par value amounts)
                 
    2008     2009  
 
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 247,672     $ 426,981  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $10,680 in 2008 and $10,928 in 2009
    318,109       367,023  
Inventories at lower of cost or market:
               
Finished goods
    247,187       188,323  
Work in process
    28,234       22,090  
Raw materials and supplies
    144,691       88,022  
 
           
 
    420,112       298,435  
Other current assets
    58,290       39,392  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,044,183       1,131,831  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land and land improvements
    33,731       33,321  
Buildings
    319,025       320,021  
Machinery and equipment
    1,627,896       1,587,306  
Molds, cores and rings
    273,641       246,395  
 
           
 
    2,254,293       2,187,043  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    1,353,019       1,336,072  
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    901,274       850,971  
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $24,096 in 2008 and $23,165 in 2009
    19,902       18,546  
Restricted cash
    2,432       2,219  
Other assets
    75,105       96,773  
 
           
 
  $ 2,042,896     $ 2,100,340  
 
           
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 39 to 69.

- 35 -


 

                 
    2008     2009  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Notes payable
  $ 184,774     $ 156,719  
Accounts payable
    248,637       300,448  
Accrued liabilities
    123,771       158,643  
Income taxes
    1,409       3,955  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
    1,182       1,061  
Current portion of long-term debt
    147,761       15,515  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    707,534       636,341  
 
               
Long-term debt
    325,749       330,971  
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
    236,025       244,905  
Pension benefits
    268,773       272,050  
Other long-term liabilities
    115,803       145,978  
Long-term liabilities related to the sale of automotive operations
    8,046       6,043  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, $1 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 86,322,514 shares issued in 2008 and 87,850,292 issued in 2009
    86,323       87,850  
Capital in excess of par value
    43,764       70,645  
Retained earnings
    1,106,344       1,133,133  
Cumulative other comprehensive loss
    (450,079 )     (455,750 )
 
           
 
    786,352       835,878  
 
               
Less: common shares in treasury at cost (27,411,564 in 2008 and 27,327,646 in 2009)
    (492,236 )     (490,548 )
 
           
Total parent stockholders’ equity
    294,116       345,330  
Noncontrolling shareholders’ interests in consolidated subsidiaries
    86,850       118,722  
Total stockholders’ equity
    380,966       464,052  
 
           
 
  $ 2,042,896     $ 2,100,340  
 
           
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 39 to 69.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
                                                 
                                                    Noncontrolling  
                            Cumulative             Total     Shareholders’  
    Common     Capital In             Other     Common     Parent     Interests in  
    Stock     Excess of     Retained     Comprehensive     Shares in     Stockholders’     Consolidated  
    $1 Par Value     Par Value     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Treasury     Equity     Subsidiaries  
 
Balance at January 1, 2007
  $ 86,323     $ 38,144     $ 1,256,971     $ (282,552 )   $ (458,995 )   $ 639,891     $ 71,309  
 
                                                       
Net income
                    119,570                       119,570       8,760  
Other comprehensive income:
                                                       
Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $6,629 tax effect
                            68,462               68,462          
Currency translation adjustment
                            13,847               13,847          
Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $1,835 tax effect
                            (5,434 )             (5,434 )        
 
                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                            196,445       8,760  
Transactions between Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and noncontrolling shareholders
                                                    10,588  
Purchase of 2,991,900 treasury shares
                                    (45,882 )     (45,882 )        
Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $2,915
            2,532       (13 )             25,319       27,838          
Cash dividends — $.42 per share
                    (26,001 )                     (26,001 )        
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance at December 31, 2007
    86,323       40,676       1,350,527       (205,677 )     (479,558 )     792,291       90,657  
Net (loss)
                    (219,380 )                     (219,380 )     (8,057 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                       
Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $1,306 tax effect
                            (234,455 )             (234,455 )        
Currency translation adjustment
                            (17,350 )             (17,350 )        
Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $103 tax effect
                            7,403               7,403          
 
                                                     
Comprehensive loss
                                            (463,782 )     (8,057 )
Transactions between Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and noncontrolling shareholders
                                                    4,250  
Purchase of 803,300 treasury shares
                                    (13,853 )     (13,853 )        
Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $26
            3,088       (30 )             1,175       4,233          
Cash dividends — $.42 per share
                    (24,773 )                     (24,773 )        
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance at December 31, 2008
    86,323       43,764       1,106,344       (450,079 )     (492,236 )     294,116       86,850  
 
                                                       
Net income
                    51,767                       51,767       31,872  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                       
Unrecognized postretirement benefits, net of $17,337 tax effect
                            (4,801 )             (4,801 )        
Currency translation adjustment
                            3,948               3,948          
Change in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of $2,397 tax effect
                            (4,818 )             (4,818 )        
 
                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                            46,096       31,872  
Issuance of 1,527,778 shares of stock
    1,527       20,473                               22,000          
Stock compensation plans, including tax benefit of $1,944
            6,408       (52 )             1,688       8,044          
Cash dividends — $.42 per share
                    (24,926 )                     (24,926 )        
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 87,850     $ 70,645     $ 1,133,133     $ (455,750 )   $ (490,548 )   $ 345,330     $ 118,722  
 
                                         
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 39 to 69.

- 37 -


 

          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
          Years ended December 31
          (Dollar amounts in thousands)
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Operating activities:
                       
Net income/(loss)
  $ 128,330     $ (227,437 )   $ 83,639  
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by continuing operations:
                       
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    (1,660 )     (64 )     31,653  
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    (26,475 )           -  
Depreciation
    131,007       138,805       121,483  
Amortization
    5,925       3,954       2,028  
Deferred income taxes
    16,717       (3,327 )     (6,950 )
Stock based compensation
    3,731       3,924       5,419  
Net impact of inventory write-down and change in LIFO reserve
    (7,585 )     92,283       (94,790 )
Amortization of unrecognized postretirement benefits
    18,499       12,963       32,903  
Loss (gain) on sale of assets
    (3,477 )     4,199       874  
Debt extinguishment costs
    2,558       593       -  
Restructuring asset write-down
    197       75,557       900  
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset
          31,340       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities of continuing operations:
                       
Accounts receivable
    42,748       20,149       (42,544 )
Inventories
    48,311       (217,557 )     221,109  
Other current assets
    (2,654 )     (34,600 )     26,769  
Accounts payable
    30,026       (46,906 )     49,548  
Accrued liabilities
    19,446       (8,518 )     32,658  
Other items
    (44,893 )     (10,350 )     13,647  
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
    360,751       (164,992 )     478,346  
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
    12,043       (2,225 )     (33,777 )
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    372,794       (167,217 )     444,569  
Investing activities:
                       
Property, plant and equipment
    (140,972 )     (128,773 )     (79,333 )
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 )     49,765       -  
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
          (29,194 )     (659 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (11,964 )     (5,956 )     -  
Proceeds from the sale of business
    66,256             -  
Proceeds from the sale of assets
    19,654       6,408       1,535  
 
                 
Net cash used in continuing operations
    (116,791 )     (800 )     (78,457 )
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    (1,859 )           -  
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (118,650 )     (800 )     (78,457 )
Financing activities:
                       
Payments on long-term debt of parent company
    (80,867 )     (14,300 )     (96,913 )
Premium paid on debt repurchases
    (2,224 )     (552 )     -  
Net borrowings (repayments) on debt in partially owned subsidiaries
    (10,667 )     108,818       (63,111 )
Contributions of joint venture partner
    15,588       4,250       -  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (45,882 )     (13,853 )     -  
Payment of dividends
    (26,001 )     (24,773 )     (24,926 )
Issuance of common shares and excess tax benefits on options
    24,107       309       2,301  
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (125,946 )     59,899       (182,649 )
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash of continuing operations
    (3,906 )     9,843       (4,154 )
 
                 
Changes in cash and cash equivalents
    124,292       (98,275 )     179,309  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    221,655       345,947       247,672  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 345,947     $ 247,672     $ 426,981  
 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 39 to 69.

- 38 -


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies
Reclassification – On December 23, 2004, the Company sold its automotive business, Cooper-Standard Automotive (“Cooper-Standard”), 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. Proceeds from the sale were $66,256. The sale resulted in a gain of $26,475, net of taxes of $1,924 including the release of a tax valuation allowance. 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 for the current year and comparable prior year periods 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, 2007, 2008 and 2009 reflect this segregation as income from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations and the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2009 display the current and long-term liabilities related to the sale of the automotive operations. These liabilities reflect amounts associated with a pension related obligation in the United Kingdom, a deferred compensation program and tax reserves.
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 820, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51”. This standard changes the reporting of noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statement of operations and the consolidated balance sheet. Certain amounts for the prior year have been reclassified to conform to 2009 presentations. On the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the 2009 caption “Net income (loss) attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company” is comparable to the caption “Net income (loss)” used in prior years.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the time it filed this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2010.
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. The Company’s investment in the Mexican tire manufacturing facility represents an approximate 38 percent interest 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 by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and its affiliates. 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 provided additional financial support to this joint venture in order to allow it to finance its business activities. The joint venture partner has not provided such additional support. The Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary of this joint venture due to the subordinated financial support it has provided to the entity which would require the Company to absorb more than 50% of expected losses.
Since the Company has determined that each of these entities 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. 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 variable interest entities at December 31:

- 39 -


 

                 
    2008     2009  
 
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,911     $ 23,998  
Accounts receivable
    11,607       9,359  
Inventories
    28,080       16,472  
Prepaid expenses
    3,221       2,688  
 
           
Total current assets
    47,819       52,517  
Net property, plant and equipment
    134,639       139,705  
Intangibles and other assets
    14,247       12,773  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 196,705     $ 204,995  
 
           
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Notes payable
  $ 69,430     $ 87,016  
Accounts payable
    8,478       7,147  
Accrued liabilities
    11,548       1,118  
Current portion of long-term debt
          10,525  
 
           
Current liabilities
    89,456       105,806  
Long-term debt
    10,500       -  
Stockholders’ equity
    96,749       99,189  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 196,705     $ 204,995  
 
           
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 principle 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 $247,672 and $426,981 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The majority of the cash and cash equivalents was invested in eligible financial instruments in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and, therefore, subject to credit risk.
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.

- 40 -


 

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 $442 and $812 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Upon completion and acceptance of customer-owned molds, reimbursable costs are recorded as accounts receivable. At December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, $558 and $243 were included in Accounts receivable for customer-owned molds.
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 in thousands)
  2007     2008     2009  
 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share - income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ 91,435     $ (219,444 )   $ 83,420  
 
                       
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted average shares outstanding
    61,938       59,048       59,439  
 
                       
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and other stock units
    774       -       1,242  
 
                 
 
                       
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding
    62,712       59,048       60,681  
 
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.48     $ (3.72 )   $ 1.40  
 
                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  $ 1.46     $ (3.72 )   $ 1.37  

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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 756,740 in 2007 and 503,114 in 2009. 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 2,991,900 shares in 2007 and 803,300 shares in 2008. No shares were repurchased in 2009.
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 income in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the foreign currency gains and losses on the underlying exposure being hedged.
Foreign currency forward contracts are also used to hedge variable cash flows associated with forecasted sales and purchases denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency of certain entities. The forward contracts have maturities of less than twelve months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. These forward contracts meet the criteria for and have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the change in fair value of 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.
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 $12 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

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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 United States, 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 2008, the Company increased its products liability reserve by $55,970. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $35,348 of this increase. The Company revised its estimates of future settlements for unasserted and premature claims. These revisions increased the reserve by $7,956. Finally, changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $12,666.
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.
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 2008, the Company paid $39,643 and during 2009, the Company paid $27,663 to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s products liability reserve balance at December 31, 2008 totaled $123,632 (current portion of $28,737). At December 31, 2009, the products liability reserve balance totaled $151,421 (current portion of $30,805).
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.
Products liability costs totaled $70,303, $81,262 and $81,475 in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and include recoveries of legal fees of $9,795, $5,742 and $2,486 in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Policies applicable to claims occurring on April 1, 2003, and thereafter, do not provide for recovery of legal fees.
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 2007, 2008 and 2009 was $42,555, $48,102 and $43,690, 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:
 

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    2008     2009  
 
Reserve at January 1
  $ 16,510     $ 18,244  
Additions
    19,816       23,134  
Payments
    (18,082 )     (17,564 )
 
           
Reserve at December 31
  $ 18,244     $ 23,814  
 
           
The warranty reserve increase was mainly in the PRC driven by increased sales volumes and an increase in the mix of domestic tires.
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 $22,186, $23,054 and $22,298 in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Accounting pronouncements
Accounting Codification – In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved the “FASB Accounting Standards Codification” (“the Codification” or “ASC”) as the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP. The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered nonauthoritative. The Codification was effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of the Codification changed the Company’s references to U.S. GAAP accounting standards but did not impact the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
Fair value measurements – In September 2006, the FASB issued accounting guidance on fair value measurements, which provides a common definition of fair value and a framework for measuring assets and liabilities at fair values when a particular standard prescribes it. In addition, this guidance expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued additional guidance that (1) deferred the effective date of the original guidance for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities and (2) removed certain leasing transactions from the scope of the original guidance. The Company has adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2009 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. See Note 9- Fair Value of Financial Instruments for additional information.
Business combinations and noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements – In December 2007, the FASB issued accounting guidance on business combinations and noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. The guidance on business combinations requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Further, it also changes the accounting for acquired in-process research and development assets, contingent consideration, partial acquisitions and transaction costs. Under the guidance on noncontrolling interests, all entities are required to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests will be treated as equity transactions. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009. As required, the guidance on noncontrolling interests was adopted through retrospective application, and all prior period information has been adjusted accordingly. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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Disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities – In March 2008, the FASB issued accounting guidance on disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. This guidance expands disclosures for derivative instruments by requiring entities to disclose the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains or losses in tabular format. It also requires disclosure of information about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements, counterparty credit risk, and strategies and objectives for using derivative instruments. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 9 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments for additional information.
Employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets – In December 2008, the FASB issued accounting guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. This guidance expands the disclosure set forth in previous guidance by adding required disclosures about (1) how investment allocation decisions are made by management, (2) major categories of plan assets, and (3) significant concentration of risk. Additionally, this guidance requires an employer to disclose information about the valuation of plan assets similar to that required under the accounting guidance on fair value measurements. The Company adopted this guidance for its consolidated financial statements for the annual period ending December 31, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 10 – Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pension for additional information.
Interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments – In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires that the fair value disclosures previously required on an annual basis be included for interim reporting periods. The Company adopted this guidance on April 1, 2009 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. See Note 9 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments for additional information.
Recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments – In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. This new guidance amends the existing impairment guidance relating to certain debt securities and requires a company to assess the likelihood of selling the security prior to recovering its cost basis. When a security meets the criteria for impairment, the impairment charges related to credit losses would be recognized in earnings, while noncredit losses would be reflected in other comprehensive income. Additionally, it requires a more detailed, risk-oriented breakdown of major security types and related information. The Company adopted this guidance on April 1, 2009 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on tits consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent events – In May 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on subsequent events that establishes standards of accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events. In addition, it requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. This new guidance was adopted for the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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 will be required to adopt this new guidance effective January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance and the impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation of variable interest entities – In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities (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 will be required to adopt this new guidance effective January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance and the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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Note 2 – Inventories
At December 31, 2008, approximately 33 percent of the Company’s inventories had been valued under the LIFO method. During 2009, raw material and finished goods inventory in Asia returned to more normal levels when compared to the December 31, 2008 balances. This reduction in inventory in Asia coupled with lower finished goods inventories in North America caused the percentage of the Company’s inventories valued under the LIFO method to increase to 45 percent at December 31, 2009. The remaining inventories have been valued under the 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 $221,854 and $127,064 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, from current cost which would be reported under the first-in, first-out method. Inventories in the United States which are accounted for under the LIFO method declined in 2007 and 2009 from prior years. As a result of these inventory declines, cost of products sold for these years was reduced $22,009 and $15,600, respectively in the North American Tire Operations segment.
The Company’s International Tire Operations 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:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Income tax recoverable
  $ 43,441     $ 9,967  
Assets held for sale
    -       10,000  
Other
    14,849       19,425  
 
           
 
  $ 58,290     $ 39,392  
 
           
The land, building and certain manufacturing equipment located at the Albany, Georgia are now classified as “assets held for sale” at a fair value determined based on quoted prices for similar assets in an active market.
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 2007, the Company completed its annual test for impairment and no impairment was indicated.
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 quarter of 2009, the Company completed its annual impairment test and no impairment was indicated.

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The following table presents intangible assets and accumulated amortization balances as of December 31, 2008 and 2009:
                                                 
    December 31, 2008     December 31, 2009  
    Gross             Net     Gross             Net  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
Definite-lived:
                                               
Trademarks and tradenames
  $ 10,891     $ (3,874 )   $ 7,017     $ 10,891     $ (4,467 )   $ 6,424  
Patents and technology
    15,038       (14,382 )     656       15,038       (14,606 )     432  
Other
    8,252       (5,840 )     2,412       5,965       (4,092 )     1,873  
 
                                   
 
    34,181       (24,096 )     10,085       31,894       (23,165 )     8,729  
Indefinite-lived:
                                               
Trademarks
    9,817       -       9,817       9,817       -       9,817  
 
                                   
 
  $ 43,998     $ (24,096 )   $ 19,902     $ 41,711     $ (23,165 )   $ 18,546  
 
                                   
Estimated amortization expense over the next five years is as follows: 2010 - $1,289, 2011 - $1,259, 2012 - $1,237, 2013 - $863 and 2014 - $613.
Note 5 – Other Assets
Other assets at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
  $ 26,848     $ 20,835  
Deferred tax assets
    11,147       31,892  
Other
    37,110       44,046  
 
           
 
  $ 75,105     $ 96,773  
 
           
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. During 2009, the Company invested an additional $659, recorded its share of the loss of the operations of $672 in Other – net on the Statement 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.
Note 6 – Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Payroll and withholdings
  $ 22,047     $ 55,087  
Products liability
    28,737       30,805  
Medical
    22,396       5,351  
Foreign currency (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments
    (1,252 )     2,080  
Other
    51,843       65,320  
 
           
 
  $ 123,771     $ 158,643  
 
           

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Note 7 - Income Taxes
Components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling shareholders’ interests were as follows:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
United States
  $ 69,205     $ (228,398 )   $ 35,200  
Foreign
    46,825       (29,377 )     80,323  
 
                 
Total
  $ 116,030     $ (257,775 )   $ 115,523  
 
                 
The provision (benefit) for income tax for continuing operations consists of the following:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ 5,124     $ (31,368 )   $ (3,990 )
State and local
    753       147       966  
Foreign
    2,447       4,274       10,020  
 
                 
 
    8,324       (26,947 )     6,996  
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    4,171       (2,005 )     (770 )
State and local
    (183 )     -       -  
Foreign
    3,523       (1,322 )     (5,995 )
 
                 
 
    7,511       (3,327 )     (6,765 )
 
                 
 
  $ 15,835     $ (30,274 )   $ 231  
 
                 
A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations to the tax based on the U.S. statutory rate is as follows:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Income tax provision (benefit) at 35%
  $ 40,610     $ (90,221 )   $ 40,423  
State and local income tax, net of federal income tax effect
    613       (6,399 )     628  
U.S. tax credits
    (1,689 )     (2,415 )     (1,478 )
Difference in effective tax rates of international operations
    (8,662 )     13,235       (24,078 )
Interest on tax settlement
    -       -       (4,239 )
Valuation allowance
    (12,804 )     54,458       (14,139 )
Other — net
    (2,233 )     1,068       3,114  
 
                 
Income tax expense
  $ 15,835     $ (30,274 )   $ 231  
Payments, including discontinued operations, for income taxes in 2007, 2008 and 2009, net of refunds, were $16,200, $10,351 and ($8,405), respectively.

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Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Postretirement and other employee benefits
  $ 198,881     $ 189,269  
Products liability
    40,304       45,753  
Net operating loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards
    63,066       47,708  
All other items
    70,072       49,515  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    372,323       332,245  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    (114,462 )     (108,398 )
All other items
    (15,444 )     (15,189 )
 
           
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (129,906 )     (123,587 )
 
           
 
    242,417       208,658  
Valuation allowances
    (231,270 )     (176,766 )
 
           
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 11,147     $ 31,892  
 
           
The net deferred taxes are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Other assets
  $ 11,147     $ 31,892  
 
           
At December 31, 2009, the Company has U.S. federal tax losses of $31,927, as well as apportioned state tax losses of $247,139 and foreign tax losses of $8,413 available for carryforward. The Company also has U.S. federal tax credits of $14,491 and state tax credits of $6,111 in addition to U.S. capital losses of $1,011 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 2010 through 2028. The foreign tax losses expire no sooner than 2012. U.S. capital loss carryforwards of $42,011 expired unutilized as of the end of the year.
The Company’s remaining U.S. federal tax loss carryforward is net of a current year “specified liability loss” carryback of $23,872. This carryback resulted in a current year tax benefit of $8,355.
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 $7,517 as itemized in the tabular roll forward below:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Balance at January 1
  $ 1,658     $ 3,777     $ 7,623  
Settlements for tax positions of prior years
    -       -       (164 )
Additions for tax positions of the current year
    403       1,640       934  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    1,716       2,307       18  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    -       (101 )     (894 )
 
                 
Balance at December 31
  $ 3,777     $ 7,623     $ 7,517  
 
                 
Of this amount, the effective rate would change upon the recognition of approximately $6,111 of these unrecognized tax benefits. The Company accrued, through the tax provision, approximately $319, $419 and $451 of interest expense for 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. At December 31, 2009, the Company has $445 of interest accrued and unpaid.

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U. S. income taxes were not provided on a cumulative total of approximately $140,315 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 United States. 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 $4,289, $.07 per share, favorable impact to the Company in 2009. The holidays terminate after five years and will begin to phase out 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., and its Canadian affiliate. In 2009 the governments settled the APA between the governments and the taxpayers for periods 2000-2007. Under terms of the 2004 sale agreement for the subsidiary, the Company is responsible for all tax obligations and is entitled to promptly receive all tax refunds for periods relating to its ownership ending December 23, 2004. The anticipated cash impact to the Company of the above settlement consists 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 $31,051 which was paid in the fourth quarter. On July 27, 2009, the Canadian affiliate received a substantial portion of the anticipated refund. However, the refund was not remitted to the Company and on August 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the company that acquired the former subsidiary, and its U.S. affiliates filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Canadian affiliate filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada on August 4, 2009. Based upon these facts, the Company does not believe the criteria for recognition of the receivable for the taxes paid during the Company’s ownership has been met and will not record a receivable until the certainty of realization is assured. The Company is pursuing all options to recover the tax refunds to which it is entitled and has filed adversary proceedings in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court against Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., and its Canadian affiliate.
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 2000.
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. No ownership interests in the purchased trade receivables had been sold to the bank conduit as of December 31, 2009. The Company had issued standby letters of credit under this facility totaling $29,500 and $36,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
In accordance with US GAAP, the ownership interest in the trade receivables sold to the bank conduit will be recorded as legal transfers without recourse, with those accounts receivable removed from the consolidated balance sheet. The Company continues to service any sold trade receivables for the financial institution at market rates; accordingly, no servicing asset or liability will be recognized.
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 Company’s United States 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, 2008 or December 31, 2009.

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The following table summarizes the long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2008 and 2009 and, except for capital leases; the long-term debt is due in an aggregate principal payment on the due date:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Parent company
               
7.75% unsecured notes due December 2009
  $ 96,913     $ -  
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
    5,081       11,081  
 
           
 
    392,452       301,539  
Subsidiaries
               
3.693% to 5.58% unsecured notes due in 2009
    50,848       -  
3.718% to 7.47% unsecured notes due in 2010
    14,880       14,915  
5.67% to 7.56% unsecured notes due in 2011
    15,330       9,522  
4.86% to 5.13% unsecured notes due in 2012
    -       20,510  
 
           
 
    81,058       44,947  
 
           
 
    473,510       346,486  
Less current maturities
    147,761       15,515  
 
           
 
  $ 325,749     $ 330,971  
 
           
Over the next five years, the Company has payments related to the above debt of: 2010 - $15,515, 2011 — $10,122, 2012 — $21,110, 2013 — $600 and 2014 — $600. In addition, the Company’s partially owned, consolidated subsidiary operations in PRC have short-term notes payable of $158 million due in 2010. The weighted average interest rate of the short-term notes payable at December 31, 2008 and 2009 was 7.75 percent and 3.68 percent, respectively.
Interest paid on debt during 2007, 2008 and 2009 was $51,970, $51,964 and $48,125, respectively. The amount of interest capitalized was $2,983, $1,683 and $663 during 2007, 2008 and 2009, 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 training 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, 2008 and 2009 was $178,100 and $207,600, 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.
Foreign currency forward contracts are also used to hedge variable cash flows associated with forecasted sales and purchases denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency of certain entities. The forward contracts have maturities of less than twelve months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. These forward contracts meet the criteria for and have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the change in fair value of such forward contracts (approximately $3,272 and $(2,136) as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, 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.

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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 financial 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:
                         
(assets)/liabilities   December 31, 2008     December 31, 2009  
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
  Accrued liabilities   $ (1,058 )   Accrued liabilities   $ 2,158  
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
  Accrued liabilities   $ (194 )   Accrued liabilities   $ (78 )
The following table presents the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
                         
            Amount of Gain (Loss)        
    Amount of Gain (Loss)     Reclassified     Amount of Gain (Loss)  
    Recognized in     from Cumulative     Recognized in  
    Other Comprehensive     Other Comprehensive     Other - net  
    Income on Derivative     Loss into Net Sales     on Derivative  
  (Effective Portion)     (Effective Portion)     (Ineffective Portion)  
  Year     Year     Year  
  Ended     Ended     Ended  
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges   Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2009     Dec. 31, 2009  
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ (7,208 )   $ (4,198 )   $ (458 )
             
        Amount of Gain (Loss)  
    Location of   Recognized in Income  
    Gain (Loss)   on Derivatives  
  Recognized   Year  
  in Income on   Ended  
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments   Derivatives   Dec. 31, 2009  
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  Other - net   $ 142  
Interest swap contracts
  Interest expense     1,855  
 
         
 
      $ 1,997  
 
         
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.

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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, 2008 and 2009:
                                 
            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, 2009
  $ (2,080 )           $ (2,080 )        
December 31, 2008
  $ (1,252 )           $ (1,252 )        
The fair value of the Company’s debt is computed using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s estimated current incremental borrowing rates. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
                                 
    December 31, 2008     December 31, 2009  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 247,672     $ 247,672     $ 426,981     $ 426,981  
Notes payable
    (184,774 )     (184,774 )     (156,719 )     (156,719 )
Current portion of long-term debt
    (147,761 )     (142,161 )     (15,515 )     (15,515 )
Long-term debt
    (325,749 )     (158,949 )     (330,971 )     (309,371 )
Derivative financial instruments
    1,252       1,252       (2,080 )     (2,080 )

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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 for substantially all domestic employees. 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.
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 $5,122, $0 and $6,619 for 2007, 2008 and 2009, 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 stockholder 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.

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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:
                                 
                    Other  
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2009     2008     2009  
 
Change in projected benefit obligation:
                               
Projected benefit obligation at January 1
  $ 1,098,859     $ 994,531     $ 261,145     $ 252,679  
Service cost — employer
    21,875       8,384       4,974       3,431  
Service cost — employee
    2,109       2,273       -       -  
Interest cost
    63,899       58,414       15,492       14,740  
Amendments
    -       (28,225 )     -       7,700  
Actuarial (gain)/loss
    (54,311 )     158,047       (16,213 )     (5,790 )
Benefits paid
    (58,789 )     (78,626 )     (12,719 )     (10,834 )
Foreign currency translation effect
    (79,111 )     25,318       -       -  
 
                       
Projected benefit obligation at December 31
  $ 994,531     $ 1,140,116     $ 252,679     $ 261,926  
 
                       
Change in plans’ assets:
                               
Fair value of plans’ assets at January 1
  $ 1,056,252     $ 725,905     $ -     $ -  
Actual return on plans’ assets
    (248,978 )     147,875       -       -  
Employer contributions
    39,886       51,600       -       -  
Participant contributions
    2,258       2,273       -       -  
Benefits paid
    (58,789 )     (78,626 )     -       -  
Foreign currency translation effect
    (64,724 )     19,152       -       -  
 
                       
Fair value of plans’ assets at December 31
  $ 725,905     $ 868,179     $ -     $ -  
 
                       
Funded status of the plans
  $ (268,626 )   $ (271,937 )   $ (252,679 )   $ (261,926 )
 
                       
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:
                               
Other assets
  $ 147     $ 113     $ -     $ -  
Accrued liabilities
    -       -       (16,654 )     (17,021 )
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
    -       -       (236,025 )     (244,905 )
Pension benefits
    (268,773 )     (272,050 )     -       -  
During 2009, the Company froze the pension benefits in its Spectrum (salaried employees) Plan in the United States, and in the United Kingdom, it modified its early retirement benefits, both actions resulting in lower pension liabilities.
Included in cumulative other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2008 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of ($18,046) (($16,698) net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $541,679 ($487,010 net of tax).
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). The prior service credit and actuarial loss included in cumulative other comprehensive loss and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2010 are ($1,200) and $34,000, respectively.
The underfunded status of the pension plans of $271,937 at December 31, 2009 is recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as Other assets for those overfunded plans and Other long-term liabilities for those underfunded plans. The unfunded status of the other postretirement benefits is recognized as Accrued liabilities for the current portion of $17,021 and as Postretirement benefits other than pensions for the long-term portion of $244,905.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $954,971 and $1,135,328 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

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Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
                                 
                    Other  
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2009     2008     2009  
 
All plans
                               
Discount rate
    6.12 %     5.74 %     6.00 %     5.75 %
Rate of compensation increase
    3.33 %     3.74 %     -       -  
Domestic plans
                               
Discount rate
    6.00 %     5.75 %     6.00 %     5.75 %
Rate of compensation increase
    3.25 %     -       -       -  
Foreign plans
                               
Discount rate
    6.50 %     5.70 %     -       -  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.56 %     3.74 %     -       -  
At December 31, 2009, the weighted average assumed annual rate of increase in the cost of medical benefits was 9.0 percent for 2010 trending linearly to 5.0 percent in 2020.
                                                 
                            Other  
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2007     2008     2009     2007     2008     2009  
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                                               
Service cost
  $ 21,991     $ 21,875     $ 8,384     $ 5,570     $ 4,974     $ 3,431  
Interest cost
    62,012       63,899       58,414       15,674       15,492       14,740  
Expected return on plan assets
    (77,893 )     (81,484 )     (55,581 )     -       -       -  
Amortization of prior service cost
    714       483       (1,051 )     (308 )     (308 )     (307 )
Amortization of actuarial loss
    15,257       11,593       34,261       2,836       1,196       -  
Spectrum plan freeze
    -       -       (10,133 )     -       -       -  
Albany curtailment gain
    -       -       (5,220 )     -       -       -  
Albany settlement loss
    -       -       9,956       -       -       -  
 
                                   
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 22,081     $ 16,366     $ 39,030     $ 23,772     $ 21,354     $ 17,864  
 
                                   
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.

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Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
                                                 
                            Other  
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2007     2008     2009     2007     2008     2009  
 
All plans
                                               
Discount rate
    5.61 %     5.97 %     6.11 %     5.75 %     6.00 %     6.00 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.58 %     8.25 %     8.22 %     -       -       -  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.37 %     3.46 %     3.32 %     -       -       -  
Domestic plans
                                               
Discount rate
    5.75 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     5.75 %     6.00 %     6.00 %
Expected return on plan assets
    9.00 %     8.50 %     8.50 %     -       -       -  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.25 %     3.25 %     3.25 %     -       -       -  
Foreign plans
                                               
Discount rate
    5.29 %     5.89 %     6.49 %     -       -       -  
Expected return on plan assets
    7.45 %     7.55 %     7.32 %     -       -       -  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.65 %     3.96 %     3.55 %     -       -       -  
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, 2008 and 2009:
                                 
    2008     2009  
    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
  $ 992,228     $ 992,228     $ 1,137,709     $ 1,137,709  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    952,751       952,751       1,132,988       1,132,988  
Fair value of plan assets
    723,455       723,455       867,500       867,500  
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
  $ 137     $ (122 )
 
               
Increase (decrease) in the postretirement benefit obligation
    1,885       (1,678 )

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The Company’s weighted average asset allocations for its domestic and foreign pension plans’ assets at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 by asset category are as follows:
                                 
    U. S. Plans     U. K. Plan  
Asset Category   2008     2009     2008     2009  
 
Equity securities
    70 %     66 %     52 %     59 %
Debt securities
    30       34       39       35  
Other investments
    0       0       6       5  
Cash
    0       0       3       1  
 
                       
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
                       
The Company’s investment policy for United States plans’ assets is to maintain an allocation of 70 percent in equity securities and 30 percent in debt securities. The Company’s investment policy for United Kingdom plan assets is to maintain an allocation of 60 percent in equity securities and 40 percent in fixed income securities. Rebalancing of the 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 $553,005 and $654,991 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The fair market value of the United Kingdom plan assets was $170,450 and $210,669 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The fair market value of the German pension plan assets was $2,450 and $2,519 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
The table below classifies the assets of the United States and United Kingdom 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
  $ 254     $ 254     $ -     $ -  
Equity securities
    432,338       6,255       426,083       -  
Fixed income securities
    222,399       -       222,399       -  
 
                       
 
  $ 654,991     $ 6,509     $ 648,482     $ -  
 
                       
United Kingdom plan
                               
Cash
  $ 2,538     $ 2,538     $ -     $ -  
Equity securities
    123,626       -       123,626       -  
Fixed income securities
    74,717       -       74,717       -  
Other investments
    9,788       -       -       9,788  
 
                       
 
  $ 210,669     $ 2,538     $ 198,343     $ 9,788  
 
                       
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 United Kingdom 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.

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The following table details the activity in this investment for the year ended December 31, 2009:
         
Balance at January 1, 2009
  $ 10,007  
Disbursements
    (153 )
Change in fair value
    (1,102 )
Foreign currency translation effect
    1,036  
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 9,788  
 
     
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 2009, the Company contributed $51,600 to its domestic and foreign pension plans of which $22,000 was funded through the contribution of Company stock to its Spectrum Plan. During 2010, the Company expects to contribute between $35,000 and $40,000 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
 
2010
    84,000       17,000  
2011
    62,000       18,000  
2012
    65,000       18,000  
2013
    65,000       18,000  
2014
    67,000       18,000  
2015 through 2019
    363,000       91,000  
Note 11 - Other Long-term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Products liability
  $ 94,895     $ 120,616  
Other
    20,908       25,362  
 
           
 
  $ 115,803     $ 145,978  
 
           
Note 12 - Common Stock
There were 14,072 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, 2009. 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.

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Note 13 – Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss
The balances of each component of cumulative other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity are as follows:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Cumulative currency translation adjustment
  $ 17,544     $ 21,492  
Changes in the fair value of derivatives and unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities
    267       (2,154 )
Tax effect
    2,422       25  
 
           
Net
    2,689       (2,129 )
Unrecognized postretirement benefit plans
    (523,633 )     (545,771 )
Tax effect, net of valuation allowance
    53,321       70,658  
 
           
Net
    (470,312 )     (475,113 )
 
           
 
  $ (450,079 )   $ (455,750 )
 
           
Note 14 – Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Options
The Company’s 1998, 2001 and 2006 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 and 2006 incentive compensation plans provide for granting options to key employees to purchase common shares at prices not less than market at the date of grant. Options under these plans may have terms of up to ten years becoming exercisable in whole or in consecutive installments, cumulative or otherwise. The plans allow the granting of nonqualified stock options which are not intended to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to incentive stock options under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Company’s 2002 nonqualified stock option plan provides for granting options to directors who are not current or former employees of the Company to purchase common shares at prices not less than market at the date of grant. Options granted under this plan have a term of ten years and become exercisable one year after the date of grant.
In April 2009, executives participating in the 2009 – 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 1,155,000 stock options which will vest one third each year through April 2012. This plan does not contain any performance based criteria. 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:
                 
    2007     2009  
 
Risk-free interest rate
    4.6 %     2.2 %
Dividend yield
    2.2 %     2.7 %
Expected volatility of the Company’s common stock
    0.360       0.568  
Expected life in years
    8.0       6.0  
The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2007 and 2009 was $7.28 and $2.08, 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 $321, $351 and $943 for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, related to stock options.

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Summarized information for the plans follows:
                             
                Weighted        
                Average        
        Number of     Exercise     Available  
        Shares     Price     For Grant  
 
January 1, 2007
                           
 
  Outstanding     3,032,551       17.76          
 
  Exercisable     2,670,865       18.22          
 
 
  Granted     8,280       19.33          
 
  Exercised     (1,245,910 )     17.01          
 
  Expired     (6,827 )     24.33          
 
  Cancelled     (180,617 )     18.47          
 
                         
December 31, 2007
                        4,787,535  
 
  Outstanding     1,607,477       18.23          
 
  Exercisable     1,390,828       18.80          
 
 
  Granted     -       -          
 
  Exercised     (19,192 )     14.75          
 
  Expired     (246,215 )     20.57          
 
  Cancelled     (107,470 )     18.95          
 
                         
December 31, 2008
                        4,708,946  
 
  Outstanding     1,234,600       17.76          
 
  Exercisable     1,108,910       18.12          
 
 
  Granted     1,155,000       4.82          
 
  Exercised     (26,230 )     13.61          
 
  Expired     (145,018 )     14.19          
 
  Cancelled     (178,882 )     13.19          
 
                         
December 31, 2009
                        2,710,965  
 
  Outstanding     2,039,470       11.14          
 
  Exercisable     1,011,231       17.09          
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 2009 is 6.6 years.

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Segregated disclosure of options outstanding at December 31, 2009 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
    1,037,000       500,356       502,114  
 
                       
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 4.82     $ 14.67     $ 20.66  
Remaining contractual life
    8.9       4.1       4.5  
 
                       
Options exercisable
    59,000       450,117       502,114  
 
                       
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 4.82     $ 14.70     $ 20.66  
Restricted Stock Units
Under the 1998, 2001 and 2006 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. 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 $2,008, $1,796 and $1,667 of compensation expense for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, related to restricted stock units. The following table provides details of the restricted stock units granted by the Company:
                 
    2008     2009  
 
Restricted stock units outstanding at beginning of period
    401,681       403,637  
 
               
Restricted stock units granted
    22,500       153,509  
Accrued dividend equivalents
    19,700       18,384  
Restricted stock units settled
    (35,405 )     (43,884 )
Restricted stock units cancelled
    (4,839 )     (4,837 )
 
           
 
               
Restricted stock units outstanding at end of period
    403,637       526,809  
 
           
Performance Based Units
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 will vest in February 2010 and the Company recorded $1,348, $1,778 and $990 in compensation expense associated with these units in 2007, 2008 and 2009, 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. Of these units, 255,070 will vest in 2010 and 290,860 will vest in 2011. The Company recorded $1,819 of compensation expense associated with these units in 2009. 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.

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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  
    2008     2009     2009  
 
Performance based units
                   
At beginning of period
    283,254       290,671       -  
Units earned
    -       255,070       290,860  
Accrued dividend equivalents
    14,143       14,210       -  
Units cancelled
    (6,726 )     -       -  
 
                 
Performance based units
            -       -  
At end of period
    290,671       559,951       290,860  
 
                 
The Company recognized $2,915, $26 and $1,944 of excess tax benefits as a financing cash inflow for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
At December 31, 2009, the Company has $5,276 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 $27,560, $26,664 and $27,713 for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Future minimum payments for all non-cancelable operating leases through the end of their terms, which in aggregate total $86,136, are listed below. Certain of these leases contain provisions for optional renewal at the end of the lease terms.
         
2010
  $ 15,522  
2011
    20,887  
2012
    8,185  
2013
    6,852  
2014
    5,370  
Thereafter
    29,320  
Note 16 - Restructuring
During 2009, the North American Tire Operations and the International Tire Operations segments recorded $48,323 and $395, respectively, of restructuring expense associated with initiatives announced at various times throughout 2008 and 2009.
On October 21, 2008, the Company announced it would conduct a capacity study of its United States 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. The segment has targeted the third quarter of 2010 as the completion date for this plant closure.

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The cost of this initiative is estimated to range from between $135,000 and $145,000. This amount consists of personnel related costs of between $28,000 and $30,000; and equipment related and other costs are estimated to be between $107,000 and $115,000, including asset write downs of between $76,000 and $79,000. The above estimates of personnel related costs for this initiative include pension curtailment and settlement costs.
Since the inception of this initiative in December 2008, the Company has recorded $122,689 of costs related to this initiative. This amount includes employee related costs of $20,639 and equipment related and other costs of $102,050, including impairment losses of $76,062, to write down the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value.
In the North American Tire Operations segment for 2009, the Company recorded $46,705 of net restructuring expense related to the Albany closure, with $28,362 used for equipment relocation and other costs, $20,210 for employee related costs and $900 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 $15,414 and $4,796 of settlement losses partially offset by curtailment gains related to pension benefits. The Company received $2,767 in government grant receipts throughout 2009, partially offsetting gross restructuring expense.
At December 31, 2008, the accrued severance balance was $429. During 2009, the Company recorded severance costs of $12,887 and made severance payments of $12,468 resulting in an accrued severance balance at December 31, 2009 of $848. The severance charges recorded represent the Company’s best estimate of future amounts to be paid and approximate 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 $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 and severance payments totaled $779, leaving an accrual balance of $167 at December 31, 2009. The severance charges recorded represent the Company’s best estimate of future amounts to be paid and approximate fair value.
In the International Tire Operations segment, Cooper Europe 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. The Company recorded $395 of severance cost related to this initiative and all severance amounts have been paid.
During 2008, the Company incurred restructuring expenses related to the closure of its Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and the closure of a distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey.
In connection with the Albany initiative, the Company recorded $429 of personnel related costs all of which was accrued at December 31, 2008. The Company also recorded an impairment loss of $75,162 to write down the Albany land, building and equipment to fair value. The fair value of the land and buildings was determined using a sales comparison approach using recent market data and comparing values to the Albany, Georgia location. The fair value of the machinery and equipment which will not be transferred to other Company locations was determined using the market value approach. The Company also recorded $393 in other restructuring costs related to the Albany facility.
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.
During 2007, the North American Tire Operations and the International Tire Operations segments recorded $3,327 and $188, respectively, of restructuring expense associated with initiatives announced and begun during 2006.

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Note 17 - Other – Net
The components of Other — net in the statement of operations for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as follows:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Foreign currency (gains)/losses
  $ (3,890 )   $ 2,966     $ 886  
Equity in earnings from joint ventures
    (1,725 )     2,346       673  
Loss (gain) on sale of assets
    (7,230 )     948       141  
Other
    168       (1,406 )     (2,972 )
 
                 
 
  $ (12,677 )   $ 4,854     $ (1,272 )
 
                 
Note 18 - Contingent Liabilities
Indemnities Related to the Sale of Cooper-Standard Automotive
The sale of the Company’s automotive segment included contract provisions which provide for indemnification of the buyer by the Company for all income tax liabilities related to periods prior to closing and for various additional items outlined in the agreement. Indemnity payments would be reflected as expenses of discontinued operations. The recorded gain on the sale includes reductions for estimates of the expected tax liabilities and the other potential indemnity items to the extent they are deemed to be probable and estimable at December 31, 2009. For indemnity commitments where the Company believes future payments are probable, it also believes the expected outcomes can be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Accordingly, for such amounts, a liability has been recorded with a corresponding decrease in the gain on the sale. Other indemnity provisions will be monitored for possible future payments not presently contemplated. The Company will reevaluate the probability and amounts of indemnity payments being required quarterly and adjustments, if any, to the initial estimates will be reflected as income or loss from discontinued operations in the periods when revised estimates are determined.
Guarantees
Certain operating leases related to property and equipment used in the operations of Cooper-Standard Automotive were guaranteed by the Company. These guarantees require the Company, in the event Cooper-Standard Automotive fails to honor its commitments, to satisfy the terms of the lease agreements. As part of the sale of the automotive segment, the Company is seeking releases of those guarantees, but to date has been unable to secure releases from certain lessors. The most significant of those leases is for a U. S. manufacturing facility with a remaining term of seven years and total remaining payments of approximately $8,200. Other leases cover two facilities in the United Kingdom. These leases have remaining terms of four years and remaining payments of approximately $2,600. The Company does not believe it is presently probable that it will be called upon to make these payments. Accordingly, no accrual for these guarantees has been recorded. If information becomes known to the Company at a later date which indicates its performance under these guarantees is probable, accruals for the obligations will be required.
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.

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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 $12 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 United States, 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.
On February 2, 2010 in the case of Cates, et al v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, the United States 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 provides for 1) a cash payment of $7.05 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 will result 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.
The Company is making plans to implement the settlement agreement. As a consequence of the settlement agreement, the Company recorded $7.05 million of expense during the first quarter relating to the specified payments. The estimated present value of costs related to the plan amendment is expected to be approximately $7.7 million which has been reflected as an increase in the accrual for Other Post-employment Benefits with an offset to the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income component of Shareholders’ Equity and will be amortized as a charge to operations over the remaining life expectancy of the affected plan participants beginning with the effective date of the changes.
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 the investment in Cooper Chengshan, beginning January 1, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2011, the minority interest partner has the right to sell, and, if exercised, the Company has the obligation to purchase, the remaining 49 percent minority interest share at a minimum price of $62,700. The Company has been notified by its noncontrolling shareholder that it has exercised its put option and after governmental approval, the Company will purchase the 14 percent share for $17,920.

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Employment Contracts
The Company has an employment arrangement with one key executive employee and has change in control severance agreements covering 17 additional key executives. These arrangements provide for continuity of management and provide for payments of multiples of annual salary, potential tax gross-up amounts, certain incentives and continuation of benefits upon the occurrence of specified events in a manner that is believed to be consistent with comparable companies.
Unconditional Purchase Orders
Noncancelable purchase order commitments for capital expenditures and raw materials, principally natural rubber, made in the ordinary course of business were $83,578 at December 31, 2009.
Note 21 - 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 produces passenger and light truck tires, which are sold nationally and 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 products.
The International Tire Operations segment currently manufactures and markets passenger car, light and medium truck and motorcycle tires for the replacement market, as well as racing tires and materials for the tire retread industry, in Europe and the United Kingdom. The segment manufactures and markets passenger car, bias and radial light and medium truck tires and off-the-road tires in the PRC.
The following customers of the North American Tire Operations segment contributed ten percent or more of the Company’s total consolidated net sales in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Net sales and percentage of consolidated Company sales for these customers in 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as follows:
                                                 
    2007     2008     2009  
            Consolidated             Consolidated             Consolidated  
Customer   Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales     Net Sales  
 
TBC/Treadways
  $ 415,713       14 %   $ 385,495       13 %   $ 331,898       12 %

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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:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Revenues
                       
North American Tire
  $ 2,209,822     $ 2,142,139     $ 2,006,183  
International Tire
    881,297       975,007       993,839  
Eliminations and other
    (158,544 )     (235,335 )     (221,032 )
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,932,575       2,881,811       2,778,990  
 
                       
Segment profit (loss)
                       
North American Tire
    119,440       (174,065 )     110,957  
International Tire
    28,902       (30,094 )     72,753  
Unallocated corporate charges
                       
and eliminations
    (13,950 )     (12,474 )     (27,441 )
 
                 
Operating profit (loss)
    134,392       (216,633 )     156,269  
Interest income
    18,004       12,887       5,193  
Dividend from unconsolidated subsidiary
    2,007       1,943       -  
Debt extinguishment costs
    (2,558 )     (593 )     -  
Other — net
    12,677       (4,854 )     1,272  
Interest expense
    (48,492 )     (50,525 )     (47,211 )
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    116,030       (257,775 )     115,523  
 
                       
Depreciation and amortization expense
                       
North American Tire
    97,746       96,057       76,001  
International Tire
    37,264       45,418       46,317  
Corporate
    1,922       1,284       1,193  
 
                 
Consolidated
    136,932       142,759       123,511  
 
                       
Segment assets
                       
North American Tire
    1,021,132       977,545       857,734  
International Tire
    736,568       740,583       770,557  
Corporate and other
    540,790       324,768       472,049  
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,298,490       2,042,896       2,100,340  
 
                       
Expenditures for long-lived assets
                       
North American Tire
    63,466       55,560       41,917  
International Tire
    76,755       72,723       37,410  
Corporate
    751       490       6  
 
                 
Consolidated
    140,972       128,773       79,333  

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Geographic information for revenues, based on country of origin, and long-lived assets follows:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
Revenues
                       
North America
  $ 2,124,586     $ 2,055,769     $ 1,933,503  
Europe
    318,732       303,742       257,351  
Asia
    489,257       522,300       588,136  
 
                 
Consolidated
    2,932,575       2,881,811       2,778,990  
 
                       
Long-lived assets
                       
North America
    630,055       506,248       459,129  
Europe
    70,756       48,660       48,614  
Asia
    291,404       346,366       343,228  
 
                 
Consolidated
    992,215       901,274       850,971  
Shipments of domestically-produced products to customers outside the U. S. approximated seven percent of net sales in 2007, nine percent of net sales in 2008 and ten percent of net sales in 2009.

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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, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. 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, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, 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.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted for the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, (formerly FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements).
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, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 2, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
Toledo, Ohio
March 2, 2010

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SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA   (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts.)    
                                 
    2008  
    First     Second     Third     Fourth  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
 
Net sales
  $ 679,321     $ 772,907     $ 793,751     $ 635,832  
Gross profit
    56,238       29,829       (137 )     (9,757 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    1,342       (22,100 )     (55,248 )     (143,438 )
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    0.03       (0.38 )     (0.94 )     (2.43 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    0.03       (0.38 )     (0.94 )     (2.43 )
Revenues from external customers:
                               
North American Tire
  $ 497,672     $ 547,513     $ 586,188     $ 510,766  
International Tire
    231,780       282,966       284,684       175,577  
Eliminations and other
    (50,131 )     (57,572 )     (77,121 )     (50,511 )
 
                       
Net sales
  $ 679,321     $ 772,907     $ 793,751     $ 635,832  
 
                       
Segment profit (loss):
                               
North American Tire
  $ 8,144     $ (21,906 )   $ (51,165 )   $ (109,138 )
International Tire
    6,909       5,944       7,231       (50,179 )
Eliminations
    (1,269 )     987       396       (1,443 )
Corporate
    (4,230 )     (442 )     (3,477 )     (2,995 )
 
                       
Operating profit (loss)
    9,554       (15,417 )     (47,015 )     (163,755 )
Interest expense
    (11,478 )     (12,742 )     (12,821 )     (13,484 )
Debt extinguishment costs
    (583 )     -       (10 )     -  
Interest income
    3,723       3,669       3,902       1,593  
Dividend from unconsolidated subsidiary
    1,943       -       -       -  
Other – net
    1,317       2,201       (1,244 )     (7,128 )
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ 4,476     $ (22,289 )   $ (57,188 )   $ (182,774 )
 
                       
                                 
    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 attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    (22,923 )     30,763       57,832       49,620  
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    (0.35 )     0.41       0.79       0.55  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    (0.35 )     0.40       0.77       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  
 
                       
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $31,340 related to the write off of goodwill in the International Tire Operations segment and also recorded restructuring charges of $76,402 related to the planned closure of the Albany, Georgia manufacturing facility and Dayton, New Jersey distribution center.

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COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
                                         
    Balance at     Additions             Balance  
    Beginning     Charged     Business     Deductions     at End  
    of Year     To Income     Acquisitions     (a)     of Year  
 
Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
                                       
2007
  $ 8,837,656     $ 1,579,369     $ -     $ 1,785,792     $ 8,631,233  
 
                             
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  
 
                             
  (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
                                       
2007
  $ 128,640,174     $ 811,940     $ -     $ 42,085,397     $ 87,366,717  
 
                             
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  
 
                             
  (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 carryforward and changes in judgement 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
                                       
2007
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
                             
2008
  $ -     $ 10,237,000     $ -     $ -     $ 10,237,000  
 
                             
2009
  $ 10,237,000     $ -     $ -     $ 10,237,000     $ -  
 
                             
  (a)   Decrease in lower of cost or market reserve as a result of lower raw material costs and increased sales prices.

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Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, have evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in identifying the information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and ensuring that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
     (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 has 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”). 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 has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO, and that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective. Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this annual report and has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.
     (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, 2009, 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 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 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 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

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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, 2009, 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, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and our report dated March 2, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Toledo, Ohio
March 2, 2010
     (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 2009 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 2010 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 2010 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 2010 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.
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 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

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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 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2009 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
    2,848,060     $7.98       2,710,965  
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
    -       -       -  
 
                 
Total
    2,848,060     $7.98       2,710,965  
 
                 
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 2009.
Information regarding the independence of the Company’s directors appears in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2010 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 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be herein incorporated by reference.

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PART IV
Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
     1. Consolidated Financial Statements
         
    Page(s)
    Reference
    34  
    35-36  
    37  
    38  
    39-69  
    70  
    71  
 
       
2. Financial Statement Schedule
       
    72  
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.

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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: March 2, 2010
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
 
 
/s/ Roy V. Armes
 
ROY V. ARMES
  Chairman of the Board,
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  March 2, 2010
/s/ Bradley E. Hughes
 
BRADLEY E. HUGHES
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   March 2, 2010
/s/ Robert W. Huber
 
ROBERT W. HUBER
  Director of External Reporting
(Principal Accounting Officer)
  March 2, 2010
LAURIE J. BREININGER*   Director   January 15, 2010
THOMAS P. CAPO*   Director   January 15, 2010
STEVEN M. CHAPMAN*   Director   January 15, 2010
JOHN J. HOLLAND*   Director   January 15, 2010
JOHN F. MEIER*   Director   January 15, 2010
JOHN H. SHUEY*   Director   January 15, 2010
RICHARD L. WAMBOLD*   Director   January 15, 2010
ROBERT D. WELDING*   Director   January 15, 2010
*   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    

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EXHIBIT INDEX
(3)    Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
         
 
  (i)   Certificate of Incorporation, as restated and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 17, 1993, is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3(i) of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993
 
      Certificate of Correction of Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 24, 1998, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(i) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
 
  (ii)   Bylaws, as amended as of February 28, 2007, are incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated February 28, 2007
(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 Form 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 2010 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 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
 
  (vii)   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
 
  (viii)   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
 
  (ix)   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
 
  (x)   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

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  (xi)   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
 
  (xii)   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*
 
  (xiii)   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*
 
  (xiv)   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 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008*
 
  (xv)   2001 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 20, 2001*
 
  (xvi)   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*
 
  (xvii)   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*
 
  (xviii)   2006 Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 21, 2006*
 
  (xix)   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
 
  (xx)   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
 
  (xxi)   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
 
  (xxii)   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
 
  (xxiii)   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
 
  (xxiv)   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
 
  (xxv)

(xxvi)
  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
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

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(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.

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