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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FY2009 Annual Report · Cooper Tire & Rubber
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2009 Annual Report

To our Shareholders:

2009 was a year full of both challenges and successes. It was also a year 
with two distinctly different halves. In spite of the sluggish economy, we 
continued throughout the year to make consistent and positive progress 
toward our three strategic imperatives of:

•	 Building	a	sustainable	cost-competitive	position,	
•	 Driving	top-line	profitable	growth,	and	
•	 Building	bold	organizational	capabilities.

As	we	ushered	in	2009,	we	had	a	strong	focus	on	the	first	of	our	strategic	
imperatives.  In  North America,  we  successfully  moved  product  from 
Albany,  Ga.,  to  our  remaining  plants,  making  the  transition  virtually 
invisible	to	our	customers	while	at	the	same	time	improving	efficiency	
and  reducing  waste.   The  international  operations  were  aggressively 
attacking  costs,  while  continuously  improving  quality.  From  a  supply 
standpoint,  we  were  faced  with  continually  adjusting  our  production 
to weakening levels of demand across the industry. Raw material costs 
declined	 in	 the	 first	 half	 of	 2009	 from	 a	 peak	 in	 2008,	 but	 rapidly	
escalated	again	in	the	second	half.		Across	the	organization,	we	did	an	
excellent	job	of	managing	our	costs	against	difficult	headwinds.		These	
challenges  did  not  detract  from  our  unwavering  focus  on  safety  and 
quality.   We are particularly proud of reducing lost time accidents and 
injury frequency rates across all areas in the business. 

Although results weren’t readily apparent in the early part of the year, 
we	also	had	substantial	resources	and	energy	directed	at	top-line	growth	
initiatives.  This effort delivered results later in the year with the successful 
implementation of channel strategies at the national, regional, wholesale 
and independent retail levels.  We developed and introduced successful 
new	products,	including	an	entry	level	tire	and	greater	fuel	efficiency	
tire to meet market demands for both product segments, driven by the 
economic downturn.  In Asia and Europe, we also launched  products 
that  have  been  extremely  popular  in  those  respective  markets.  In  the 
second half of the year we began to see the results of these efforts and 
our performance compared to the market improved noticeably.

From	an	organizational	capability	perspective	we	concentrated	on	talent	
development  and  beginning  to  prepare  for  an  ERP  implementation.  
Investing	in	our	people	and	organization	will	continue	to	be	important	
so we are in position to take advantage of the opportunities encountered 
as we expand globally.

We also maintained and strengthened our balance sheet to ensure we 
could deal with challenges presented by changes in the economy while 
still having the flexibility necessary to invest in those options that would 
benefit	shareholders.		

Cooper	has	a	long	and	proud	history	of	being	a	responsible	corporate	citizen	
and our employees are extremely active in their communities through a 
variety of programs and charities.  This belief in sustainability is an intrinsic 
part of “The Cooper Way”.  In 2009 this was demonstrated both through 
the  actions  of  our  individual  employees  and  the  recognition  of  various 
awards including our newly built Franklin, Ind., warehouse facility earning 
the reputation as a “green” landmark as the recipient of a gold Leadership 
in	Energy	and	Environmental	Design	award.		In	November	our	Texarkana	
facility was one of 93 sites nationwide to merit the prestigious Energy Saver 
award	from	the	U.S.	Department	of	Energy.		These	efforts	at	sustainability	
ultimately result in increased shareholder value.

We  have  built  a  strong  business  foundation  with  the  changes 
implemented in recent years, and are excited about the opportunities 
our future holds.  We believe we are moving in the right direction and 
have	full	confidence	in	our	ability	to	successfully	identify	and	meet	the	
opportunities	the	market	presents,	while	also	effectively	optimizing	our	
manufacturing capacity and capabilities.  

For 2010 we expect the return to a more normal level of demand for 
the  replacement  tire  industry  that  began  in  the  second  half  of  2009 
will	 continue	 to	 develop.	 	 Demand	 and	 growth	 rates	 will	 vary	 by	
region  as  developing  markets,  including  China,  present  more  robust 
opportunities for improvement.  We expect mature tire markets to have 
growth approximating normal historical rates of 2 to 3 percent.  While 
consumer	 confidence	 remains	 restrained,	 it	 is	 unlikely	 that	 there	 will	
be a surge due to any existing pent up demand.  Raw materials during 
2010 will be higher than 2009.  

Several factors should be noticeable as we continue to transform Cooper 
in 2010.  They include:

•	 improved	utilization	rates	as	we	optimize	our	manufacturing	

footprint;

•	 new	product	launches	and	initiatives	that	will	help	strengthen	
our  core  business  and  build  momentum  for  our  top  line 
growth;

•	 enhanced	improvements	in	our	global	cost	structure	through	
the	implementation	of	LEAN-Six	Sigma,	and	automation;
•	 investment	in	our	organization	and	people	to	further	enable	

them;

•	 preparation	for	the	implementation	of	an	ERP	system	that	will	
allow us to be a more nimble and effective company; and
•	 continued	 focus	 on	 managing	 our	 resources	 to	 maximize	

shareholder returns.

The  tire  industry  and  the  global  environment  continue  to  be  fluid.  
Successful  implementation  of  the  three  imperatives  detailed  in  our 
Strategic Plan and improvement in market or industry conditions can 
drive	improved	operating	results	for	us.		We	recognize	these	results	may	
also be subjected to uncontrollable factors that impact the replacement 
tire industry.  Our focus remains on prudent management of our critical 
resources to drive shareholder value.   With recent trends in mind, we 
remain cautiously optimistic that the successes we achieve, combined 
with improved global industry conditions, can result in an even stronger 
Company	with	a	more	consistent	level	of	profitability.		

The	Board	of	Directors,	management,	employees	and	I	are	committed	to	
delivering improvements for all stakeholders of the Company. 

We	thank	you	for	your	support	and	confidence.

Roy Armes
Chairman	of	the	Board,
President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer

	
	
	
 
Shareholder Information

Executive Offices

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

Board of Directors

Executive Officers

Roy V. Armes 
Chairman	of	the	Board,	 
President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer,	 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company 

Roy V. Armes 
Chairman	of	the	Board,	 
President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer,	 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company 

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

Laurie J. Breininger 1, 2
Former	President,	Americas	Bath	and	Kitchen,	 
American Standard Companies Inc.

Brenda S. Harmon
Vice President and  
Chief	Human	Resources	Officer

Bradley E. Hughes
Vice President and  
Chief	Financial	Officer

James E. Kline
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Harold C. Miller
Vice President

Appointed Corporate Officers

Donald P. Ingols
Vice President

Jack J. McCracken
Assistant Secretary

Gregory E. Meyers
Assistant General Counsel

Carl R. Montalbine
Vice President

Charles F. Nagy
Assistant Treasurer

Linda L. Rennels
Vice President

Stephen O. Schroeder
Vice President and Treasurer

For Information
Tire	products		
Investor	Relations	
Web site      

Annual Meeting

The 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cooper 
Tire & Rubber Company will be held at The Westin 
Hotel,	Lindbergh	Ballroom,	Detroit	Metropolitan	
Airport,	2501	World	Gateway	Place,	Detroit,	Michigan		
48242,	on	Tuesday,	May	4,	2010	at	10:00	a.m.	Eastern	
Daylight	Time.	All	stockholders	are	cordially	invited	to	
attend. Proxy material is sent to stockholders together 
with this report. 

Transfer Agent & Registrar

Computershare Investor Services
250 Royall Street, Mail Stop 1A
Canton, MA 02021

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	certificates,	
dividend checks, dividend direct deposit and dividend 
reinvestment should contact our transfer agent by mail, 
by telephone or through its web site. 

Filing Certifications

The	Company	has	filed	the	certification	required	by	
Section	302	of	the	Sarbanes-Oxley	Act	of	2002	as	an	
exhibit	to	its	Form	10-K	for	the	fiscal	year	ending	
December	31,	2009,	filed	with	the	Securities	and	
Exchange	Commission.		On	May	6,	2009,	the	Company	
filed	with	the	New	York	Stock	Exchange	its	Annual	CEO	
Certification.

Direct Investment Plan

Computershare Investor Services serves as Administrator 
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.	

Thomas P. Capo 2
Chairman	of	the	Board,
Dollar	Thrifty	Automotive	Group,	Inc.

Steven M. Chapman1, 2
Group	VP,	Emerging	Markets	&	Businesses,	 
Cummins, Inc.

John J. Holland 1, 3
President,
Greentree Advisors LLC

John F. Meier 1, 3, 4
Chairman	of	the	Board	and	 
Chief	Executive	Officer,	 
Libbey Inc.

John H. Shuey 1, 2
Former	Chairman	of	the	Board,	 
President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer,	 
Amcast Industrial Corporation

Richard L. Wambold 3
Chairman	of	the	Board	and	 
Chief	Executive	Officer,	 
Pactiv Corporation

Robert D. Welding 3
Non-Executive	Chairman,	 
Public	Safety	Equipment	(Int’l)	Limitied

1   Member of the Nominating and Governance 

Committee

2    Member of the Audit Committee
3    Member of the Compensation Committee
4  	 Lead	Director