Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Industrial Materials / Cooper Tire & Rubber

Cooper Tire & Rubber

ctb · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker ctb
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Industrial Materials
Employees 10,000+
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FY2005 Annual Report · Cooper Tire & Rubber
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2005 Annual Report

To our Shareholders:

Welcome to the new look for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company!  

As you know, for the past few years we have been undergoing 
a transformation like 
no other in the history 
of our company.  We 
are a performance tire 
manufacturer, we are 
involved in racing, and we 
own legendary off-road tire 
brand Mickey Thompson.  
We have completely 
changed our approach to 
commercial tires, we are 
now making racing tires in 
North America as well as in 
Europe and we will soon be 
making motorcycle tires in 
North America and Europe. 
We have manufacturing, 
sales and distribution 
operations around the world.  
Plus, we are now strictly a 
tire company. 

In Europe we have streamlined our manufacturing operations and 
increased our focus on high performance and racing tires.  Low-cost 
supply relationships with Asian manufacturers provide the balance of 
the economy and broadline tires we need to serve our customers.  We 
also expanded our sales and distribution in Europe with the opening 
of a new subsidiary operation in Spain and expanded relationships 
with key distributors across the continent.

In Asia, we are in the process of building a new Chinese 
manufacturing facility through our joint venture Cooper Kenda 
and construction is progressing.  Production of tires in this plant is 
scheduled to begin in the second half of 2006.  In January 2005, we 
announced the acquisition of 11 percent of Kumho, a Korean tire 
manufacturer.  In October we announced the acquisition of 51 percent 
of Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Passenger Tire Co. Ltd. and 
Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company, Ltd.  This acquisition, 
which was fi nalized in early 2006, gives us a signifi cant presence in 
the rapidly growing Chinese replacement tire market and provides 
tremendous opportunity for future growth.  Finally, we continue to 
benefi t from our relationships with Hangzhou Zhongce and Kenda 
as they supply us with various passenger, light truck and commercial 
tires produced in China for sale in North America and Europe.

The new logo that we launched in 2005 makes this transition and 
progress visible to the world and will help us better communicate all 
that we are:

§ Contemporary, smart, fast, fresh, high-tech, and innovative
§ Competing and connecting in new markets and arenas—

performance tires, motorsports, young consumers, different 
cultures 

§ A manufacturer and marketer of everyday tires for 

consumers around the world

§ And still known as reliable, friendly, consistent and 

dependable

This is a very exciting time for our company!  We have made 
signifi cant and positive changes that are creating new and increasing 
opportunities for all of us.  Our new image and logo respects all the 
good things that Cooper has always been, but affi rms and emphasizes 
all that we are today.  

Progress and Changes

In 2005, following the sale of our automotive components operations 
in December of 2004, we were able to focus our energy, efforts and 
resources entirely on the tire business.  This focus has enabled us to 
improve every aspect of the company.  

In North America, we completed the expansion of our manufacturing 
operations by adding new, more effi cient equipment to better meet 
the market demands for more fl exible operations and more high 
performance and large diameter tires.  We continued the introduction 
of new high performance products and we now have a total suite of 
products that compares favorably with any of our major competitors.

Recapitalization

During 2005 we made signifi cant strides in recapitalizing the 
company.  We repurchased $190 million worth of our common 
stock during the year and $83 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, 
reducing the number of shares outstanding by about 20 percent. We 
paid down $278 million of our debt, bringing our debt to total capital 
ratio down to 34 percent.  And we invested in our business, just as 
we said we would.  We made or announced acquisitions totaling 
$185 million in cash consideration, invested more than $45 million to 
expand production capacity for critical, high demand products in our 
North American plants and more than $30 million in more effi cient 
equipment, new tooling and molds, and new product development.

So 2005 was a pivotal year for our company.  We accomplished a 
great many things that have expanded and improved our business.  
While we will continue to move forward with our strategy 
and still have work to do, we are confi dent that our efforts and 
accomplishments will generate increasing returns in 2006 and 
beyond.  Our purpose as a company remains the same as always: 
increase the value of our long-term shareholder’s investment.

Thank you for your continued support.

Thomas A. Dattilo
Chairman, President and CEO

  
B R A N D S

It’s not just a transformation ... it’s an evolution.

2

Through the transformation of our Company, the Cooper brand has 

come to mean so much more than ever before, and the world is taking 

notice.  Today’s Cooper is contemporary, smart, fast 

and innovative – capable of connecting in consumer and specialty 

markets around the world.

Cooper provides a full line of tires to meet the needs of virtually all 

consumers from everyday motorists to the most demanding high 
performance, off -road and motorsport enthusiasts.  To those who 

know us, our products speak for themselves.  

National advertising and promotions, such as our affi  liation with 

collegiate athletics, have been key to our comprehensive strategy to 

raise brand awareness and reach the broadest audience possible.

Targeted print ads address the specifi c interests of specialty market 

segments and refl ect the passion, style and energy of Cooper on an 

evolving culture.

Involvement in motorsports programs affi  rms Cooper’s technical 

capabilities and has put the Cooper brand in the global spotlight as 

the exclusive tire of the A1 Grand Prix.

Cooper still means “dealer friendly.”  Beyond Cooper, 

our suite of associate brands - including Mastercraft, Avon, 

Starfi re and Dean along with Mickey Thompson tires, 

and Oliver tread rubber products - enables each of our 

customers to provide a full range of products for consumers, 

fl eets and specialty markets with a measure of brand and 

territorial exclusivity.  Through careful distribution and brand 

management, Cooper brings value to all our 

customers and their businesses and 

maximizes Cooper brand equity in the marketplace.

3

P R O D U C T S Recent introductions and expansions of our performance tire lines 

complement one of the most comprehensive 
line-ups of passenger car tires in the industry.  

P A S S E N G E R   C A R   •   S U V   •   L I G H T   T R U C K   •   C O M M E R C I A L

“Cooper has had an impressive STT mud-type tyre for 

years, but this new, vastly diff erent rubber, with its 
modern technology and latest compounds, is far 
more advanced than the old STT and many others like it.”  

Australia 4X4, April 2005 - “Super Coopers”

4

Innovative new sizes, styles and technology provide a winning 

combination of style, performance and value for just about anyone, 

no matter what they drive.

The Cooper Lifeliner products provide passenger car drivers with 

quality and value while the top-of-the-line Lifeliner Touring SLE 

adds an extra measure of handling and performance in a range 

of speed ratings.  

Cooper’s Zeon line of performance and ultra-high performance 

tires brings out the best in handling, performance and style on 

today’s most powerful and sporty rides.

Cooper’s Discoverer line of tires for SUVs has been a leader in 
the industry – on the road and off   – for years.  Our 

reputation has been well earned and proven time and time again.  

Recent innovations include expanded sizes, more tread patterns 

for varying applications, improved traction and quieter ride.

Cooper off ers the most comprehensive line-up of light truck tires in 

the industry.  Durability, performance and value are the hallmarks 

of Cooper Discoverer tires.  But all work and no play makes for…well, 

all work and no play!  So we have introduced the Cooper Zeon sport 

truck tires to provide style and speed to those who see their trucks 

as much more than a work tool.

Cooper manufactures nearly 1 out of every 4 
light truck tires sold in North America today.

This includes the Cooper brand, such as the Cooper Discoverer line, 

our associated brands like Mastercraft, Starfi re and Dean, and the 

private brand tires we produce exclusively for certain customers.

5

 
P R O D U C T S

R A C I N G   •   O F F - R O A D   •   M O T O R C Y C L E

“… the Cooper Zeon 2XS is certainly a solid high-performance tire 

with predictable limits.  Combine the performance with the long life 

we have experienced with our test models, and the Zeon 2XS could 
be called a very good value in the performance-tire market.”

Grassroots Motorsports, October 2004
“Tech Forum:  Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”

6

When teams from around the world compete in the A1 Grand Prix racing 

series, every car will be driving on Cooper tires.  And while these road-

hugging high-speed slicks may not be available to the public, the technology 

that went into them can be found in every tire we sell.

With the Cooper and Avon brands, we continue 

to supply competition tires to more than 100 

championships around the world.

Other motorsport circuits and events we are involved with include European 

Formula 3000, Global Formula Ford Series, US Drift, Formula Drift Series, SCCA 

Cooper Tire Championship Series, and Bob Land Off -Road Racing Team.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, a performance and 

motorsport division of Cooper Tire, designs, develops, and markets some 

of the hottest and fastest racing and high performance tires for drag racing 

cars and motorcycles.  The Mickey Thompson legend and Cooper racing tire 
technology have combined to deliver head-turning, eye-popping, 
record-setting results. 

Cooper’s motorcycle tire history began in Europe.  Cooper Tires Europe, 

began producing motorcycle tires in 1957 and has had a long record of 

championships.  The success on the highways and autobahns of Europe has 

carried over to North American streets and drag strips with 

Avon and Mickey Thompson brands.  Production of 

motorcycle tires continues in our Melksham, 

England, facility and will expand in 2006 into 

our Athens, Ga., facility, which 

was recently converted 

from producing commercial 

retread products.

Cooper also designs, develops and 

produces a wide variety of specialty and 

performance products for modifi ed street 

cars, off -road race vehicles, modifi ed pick-up 

trucks and sport utility vehicles.  

Where ever and how ever you fulfi  ll your need for 
speed, Cooper can take you there.

7

 
 
T E C H N O L O G Y

At Cooper, we employ innovative and advanced 

technology to give us a competitive edge in design, 

development and performance.  

Our proprietary Vtech modeling tools employ state-of-the-art computer-

aided engineering to create virtual tire models and prototypes that 

can predict tire performance, speed up new product development and 

improve the design of existing products.

The Cooper Tire & Vehicle Test Center is a world class test facility where 

professional drivers, including Cooper’s performance tire consultant, 

Johnny Unser, and specialized engineers combine eff orts to evaluate 

and refi ne new Cooper product designs to ensure that your tires 

deliver maximum performance in all conditions, 

on or off   the road.

Our Mold Operations facility combines the latest computer 

design technology with a modern, automated production facility to 

produce thousands of new tire molds each year.  In 2005 this facility 

was expanded to add capacity, tools and technology to engrave 

steel molds in support of our increased focus on segmented 

molds and high-end products.

Cooper’s materials and testing laboratories are ISO 17025 

certifi ed, which is what you should expect from a company 

with a focus on consistent, superior product 

design, quality and performance.

At Cooper, it’s passion that drives us to 
be painstakingly precise in conforming 
to the highest of standards.

8

9

G L O B A L   R E ACH

Facilities
North America

  United States
  Albany, Georgia, tires
  Albany, Georgia, distribution center
  Asheboro, North Carolina, tread rubber
  Asheboro, North Carolina, sales offi ce
  Asheboro, North Carolina, distribution center
  Athens, Georgia, mixing, tires
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa, distribution center
  Clarksdale, Mississippi, bladders/mixing
  Corona, California, sales offi ce
  Corona, California, distribution center
  Dayton, New Jersey, distribution center
  Findlay, Ohio, tires
  Findlay, Ohio (2), technical centers
  Findlay, Ohio, headquarters
  Findlay, Ohio, distribution center
  Grand Prairie, Texas, distribution center

Moraine, Ohio, distribution center

  Pearsall, Texas, test track
  Rancho Cucamonga, California, distribution center
  Salisbury, North Carolina, tread rubber
  Stow, Ohio, sales offi ce
  Stow, Ohio, distribution center 
  Sumner, Washington, distribution center
  Texarkana, Arkansas, tires
  Texarkana, Arkansas, distribution center
  Tupelo, Mississippi, tires
  Tupelo, Mississippi, distribution center

Asia

  China
  Baotou, China, distribution center

Beijing, China, sales offi ce
Changchun, China, distribution center
Chongqing, China, sales offi ce
Guiyang, China, distribution center
Kunming, China, distribution center
Kunshan, China, tires
Lanzhou, China, distribution center
Liuzhou, China, distribution center
Nanchang, China, distribution center
Rongchen City, China, tires
Shanghai, China, sales offi ce
Shanghai, China, distribution center
Wuhan, China, distribution center
Wulu Muqi, China, distribution center
Xiamen, China, distribution center
Zhang Jiagang, China, distribution center

  Singapore
  Singapore, purchasing offi ce

Europe
  France
  Compiegne, France, sales offi ce
  Compiegne, France, distribution center

Italy

  Milan, Italy, sales offi ce

Milan, Italy, distribution center

  Germany
  Wilnsdorf, Germany, sales offi ce
  Wilnsdorf, Germany, distribution center

  Spain
  Madrid, Spain, sales offi ce
  Madrid, Spain, distribution center

  Switzerland
  Dietikon, Switzerland, sales offi ce 
  Dietikon, Switzerland, distribution center

  United Kingdom
  Melksham, U.K., European headquarters
  Melksham, U.K., tires
  Melksham, U.K., technical center

Melksham, U.K.,  distribution center

10

Cooper is a global competitor in the replacement tire industry.  

With manufacturing facilities on three continents, sales and 

distribution networks around the world, and products that 

meet and exceed the demands of the world’s most dynamic 

markets, we have solid opportunities for growth today and 

well into the future.

In the North American market, we are benefi ting from improving brand 

recognition, one of the industry’s most eff  ective distribution networks, 

and a tremendous customer base.  We have grown our market share to 

about 16 percent of the North American light vehicle replacement tire 

market to date.  New products are driving increased sales and creating 

additional opportunity and growth potential in this key market.

In 2005 we expanded our European Operations through the addition 

of a new sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary in Spain.  This new 

operation complements the production and distribution operations in our 

European headquarters in the UK and the existing distribution subsidiaries in 

France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  Production in Europe is concentrated 

on premium, high performance and racing tire products, and entry level 

products are outsourced to maximize profi tability.

The recent acquisition of Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company 

and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Truck Tire Company will add 

profi table sales to Cooper in 2006, mostly within the rapidly expanding 

Chinese market.  Through an additional joint venture plant now under 

construction and supply agreements in China, Cooper is developing tires 

for export to Europe and North America.

This is an exciting time of global expansion for Cooper.  We accomplished 

much in 2005 and we continue to study further opportunities in rapidly 

developing regions of the world. More change is a certainty.  But the one 

constant for Cooper is that wherever we are in the world, our focus will be 

on serving our customers and growing our business in order to generate 

increasing returns for our shareholders.

11

 
 
Shareholder Information
Transfer Agent & Registrar

Computershare Investor Services LLC
2 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL   60602

(888) 294-8217 (toll free)
24 hours automated or Mon. - Fri. 
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (central time)

www.computershare.com

web.queries@computershare.com

Stockholders requiring a change of name, 
address or ownership of stock as well as 
information about stockholder records, lost or 
stolen certifi cates, dividend checks, dividend 
direct deposit and dividend reinvestment should 
contact our transfer agent by mail, by telephone 
or through its web site. 

v
Filing Certifi cations

The Company has fi led the certifi cation 
required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002 as an exhibit to its Form 10-K for 
the fi scal year ending December 31, 2005, fi led 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  
On August 10, 2005, the Company fi led with 
the New York Stock Exchange its Annual 
CEO Certifi cation. 

Direct Investment Plan

Computershare Investor Services serves as Ad-
ministrator for a direct investment plan for the 
purchase, sale and/or dividend reinvestment 
of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common 
stock. For information, call Computershare 
Investor Services at (888) 294-8217.

Executive Offi  cers

Other Corporate Offi  cers

Thomas A. Dattilo
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Offi cer

James H. Geers
Vice President

James E. Kline
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Harold C. Miller
Vice President

D. Richard Stephens
Vice President

Philip G. Weaver
Vice President and Chief Financial Offi cer

Patricia J. Brown
Vice President

Donald P. Ingols
Vice President

Jack J. McCracken
Assistant Secretary

Gregory E. Meyers
Assistant General Counsel

Charles F. Nagy
Assistant Treasurer

Stephen O. Schroeder
Vice President and Treasurer

Stephen W. Switzer
Vice President

Shareholder Information
Executive Offi  ces

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
701 Lima Avenue
Findlay, OH  45840
(419) 423-1321

For Information
Tire products  
Investor Relations 
Web site      

Annual Meeting

(800) 854-6288
(419) 427-4768
www.coopertire.com

The 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders 
of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company will be 
held at the Alumni Memorial Union, North 
Multi-Purpose Room at the University of 
Findlay, 1000 North Main Street, Findlay, 
Ohio, 45840, on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 
10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. All stock-
holders are cordially invited to attend. Proxy 
material is sent to stockholders together with 
this report.
Board of Directors

Arthur H. Aronson 1, 2
Former Executive Vice President, 
Allegheny Teledyne Incorporated

Laurie J. Breininger 2
Former President, Americas Bath and Kitchen, 
American Standard Companies Inc.

Steven M. Chapman
Group VP, Emerging Markets & Businesses 
Cummins, Inc.

Thomas A. Dattilo 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

John J. Holland 1, 2
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Butler Manufacturing Company

John F. Meier 1, 3
Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Libbey Inc.

Byron O. Pond 3
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Amcast Industrial Corporation

John H. Shuey 1, 2
Former Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Amcast Industrial Corporation

Richard L. Wambold 3
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
Pactiv Corporation

1   Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee
2    Member of the Audit Committee
3    Member of the Compensation Committee

12

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
www.coopertire.com