Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Cooper-Standard (CPS):

• A more specialized Magna International for the automotive industry, focusing on essential components like seals, anti-vibration systems, and fluid lines.
• Similar to an Illinois Tool Works (ITW) for the automotive sector, providing critical, often unseen components that ensure vehicles function effectively and comfortably.
• Like a specialized 3M focused on high-performance rubber and plastic solutions for car manufacturers, from weatherstripping to fuel lines.

• Sealing Systems: Components like weatherstrips and seals that provide protection from water, dust, and noise in automotive applications.
• Fuel and Brake Lines: Rigid and flexible lines for delivering fuel, transmitting brake fluid, and other critical powertrain functions.
• Fluid Transfer Systems: Hoses and tubing assemblies used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and powertrain cooling systems.
• Anti-Vibration Systems: Engine mounts, transmission mounts, and other products engineered to isolate vibrations and reduce noise within vehicles.

Cooper-Standard (symbol: CPS) primarily sells to other companies, specifically automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Its major customers include:

• General Motors Company (GM)
• Stellantis N.V. (STLA)
• Volkswagen AG (VWAGY)
• Ford Motor Company (F)
• Toyota Motor Corporation (TM)

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Jeffrey Edwards, Chairman and CEO

Jeffrey Edwards has served as Chairman and CEO of Cooper Standard since May 2013, joining the company as CEO and a board member in October 2012. With over 39 years of experience in the automotive industry, he has focused on driving value through culture, innovation, and results. Before joining Cooper Standard, Mr. Edwards held various positions of increasing responsibility at Johnson Controls, Inc. from 1984 to 2012, most recently leading the Automotive Experience Asia Group as corporate vice president and group vice president and general manager. He also serves on the board of directors of Standex International Corp. Mr. Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Clarion University and completed an executive training program at INSEAD.

Jonathan P. Banas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan Banas serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Cooper Standard, a position he has held since June 2017. He possesses 30 years of diverse, global experience in corporate finance and public accounting. In his role, Mr. Banas is responsible for leading the company's global accounting and finance activities, including reporting, financial planning and analysis, tax, treasury, internal audit, investor relations, and global finance business services. He also oversees corporate strategy, M&A, and real estate initiatives. Prior to his appointment as CFO, Banas served as Cooper Standard's vice president, corporate controller, and chief accounting officer. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.

Patrick Clark, President, Sealing Systems and Chief Manufacturing Officer

Patrick Clark serves as president, sealing systems and chief manufacturing officer for Cooper Standard, a position he has held since January 2024. He leads the company's sealing business and manufacturing operations and has global responsibility for customer satisfaction, business development, procurement, operations, and automotive profit and loss. With over 28 years of automotive industry experience, Mr. Clark joined Standard Products (later acquired by Cooper Standard) as an intern in June 1994. Throughout his tenure at Cooper Standard, he has held leadership positions in engineering, operations, program management, finance, strategy, and sales, and has supported divestiture and acquisition targets. Clark earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Michigan.

MaryAnn Peterson Kanary, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

MaryAnn Peterson Kanary serves as senior vice president, chief legal officer and secretary for Cooper Standard. She brings over 24 years of experience working in publicly traded, international, and privately held manufacturing, automotive, and construction organizations, leading the legal and compliance functions for the company. Most recently, Kanary served as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Barton Malow Holdings LLC, and corporate secretary for Barton Malow Enterprises, Inc.

Christopher Couch, President, Fluid Handling Systems and Chief Technology Officer

With more than 21 years of global automotive manufacturing experience, Christopher Couch serves as president, fluid handling systems and chief technology officer for Cooper Standard. He leads the company's global technology function in designing and developing customer-focused solutions and developing product strategy for the company's automotive product lines. He also chairs the Global Technology Council.

1. High Indebtedness and Financial Leverage

Cooper-Standard carries a substantial debt burden, totaling approximately $1,100.3 million as of December 31, 2024, and around $1.19 billion in total debt as of the most recent reporting period in 2025. This significant indebtedness limits the company's financial flexibility, particularly in an environment of rising interest rates, and contributes to the stock's high volatility. The company's debt-to-equity ratio is concerning, with negative shareholder equity in recent periods, indicating that total liabilities exceed total assets.

2. Cyclical Automotive Industry and Customer Concentration

Cooper-Standard is highly dependent on the cyclical automotive industry, which is subject to fluctuations in general economic conditions, consumer spending, and vehicle production volumes. Approximately 82% of its sales in 2021 were to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The potential loss of major customers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, which collectively accounted for 56% of sales, poses a significant risk due to this customer concentration. Any prolonged contraction in automotive sales and production could adversely affect the company's business and financial results.

3. Raw Material Cost Volatility and Supply Chain Disruptions

Increases in the costs or reduced availability of essential raw materials and manufactured components can significantly impact Cooper-Standard's profitability. Raw material costs, which represented approximately 47% of total cost of products sold in 2021, can be volatile. The company relies on materials such as synthetic and natural rubber, carbon black, process oils, plastic resins, carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Additionally, operational risks include broader supply chain disruptions and work stoppages.

The accelerating global transition of the automotive industry from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) presents a clear emerging threat to Cooper-Standard's core business.

As a leading supplier of fluid handling systems, anti-vibration systems, and sealing systems, a significant portion of Cooper-Standard's existing product portfolio and revenue generation is tied to traditional ICE vehicle architecture. While some product categories, such as sealing for doors and windows, remain relevant, the shift to EVs substantially reduces or eliminates the need for complex fuel delivery systems, certain engine-specific fluid lines, and a range of anti-vibration components tailored for combustion engines.

Although Cooper-Standard is actively developing and supplying solutions for EVs, including battery cooling lines, lightweighting technologies, and specialized sealing for EV battery enclosures, the rapid pace of electrification creates a significant challenge. It necessitates substantial investment in new product development and retooling, and it poses a risk to their established revenue streams by potentially reducing the overall content per vehicle or shifting demand significantly away from their highly profitable legacy products.

Cooper-Standard (CPS) is a leading global supplier of systems and components primarily for the automotive industry, focusing on three main product categories: Sealing Systems, Fluid Handling Systems (including Fuel and Brake Delivery Systems and Fluid Transfer Systems), and Anti-Vibration Systems.

Addressable Market Sizes for Cooper-Standard's Main Products:

• Sealing Systems:
  • The global automotive seals and gaskets market was valued at approximately USD 26.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% between 2025 and 2034. Another estimate places the global market at USD 31.5 billion in 2025, forecast to reach USD 49.8 billion by 2035 with a CAGR of 4.7%.
  • Specifically, the global automotive window and exterior sealing system market size was estimated at USD 24.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 39.57 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2030.
  • The global automotive body sealing system market was valued at USD 10.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.7 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4% from 2024 to 2033. Another report indicates the global automotive body sealing system market size was $10,357.3 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $12,822.1 million by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of 5.482% from 2025 to 2033.
  • The global automotive rubber seals market is estimated to grow from USD 8.40 billion in 2025 to USD 10.74 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 3.6%.
• Fluid Handling Systems (Fuel and Brake Delivery Systems & Fluid Transfer Systems):
  • The global automotive fluid transfer system market is projected to reach approximately USD 15.5 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of around 7.5% through 2033.
  • The broader global fluid transfer system market was valued at USD 21.05 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 22.39 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 6.3%. It is expected to reach USD 30.06 billion in 2029 at a CAGR of 7.7%.
  • Another source states the global fluid transfer system market size was valued at USD 25.52 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 40.74 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.16%. Additionally, the global fluid transfer system market was worth around USD 19.25 billion in 2023 and is predicted to grow to around USD 31.16 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of roughly 5.50% between 2024 and 2032. Another estimate for the global fluid transfer system market size in 2024 was USD 29.46 billion, projected to reach nearly USD 45.55 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025.
• Anti-Vibration Systems:
  • The global automotive anti-vibration mounting market was estimated at USD 4.67 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow from USD 4.87 billion in 2025 to USD 7.01 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of approximately 4.13% during the forecast period (2025-2034).
  • Another report indicates the global automotive anti-vibration mounting market size was valued at USD 10.5 billion in 2024 and is calculated to reach USD 14 billion by the end of 2032, with an anticipated CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2032.
  • The global anti-vibration mounts market size was valued at around USD 7.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 9.20 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of roughly 2.4% between 2025 and 2034.
  • The global vibration control systems industry stood at approximately US$ 5.9 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to reach US$ 10.8 billion by 2035, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% between 2025 and 2035.

Cooper-Standard (CPS) is anticipated to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategies and market trends:

1. New Business Awards and Program Launches: The company has secured significant net new business awards, which are expected to translate into future revenue as these programs launch. For instance, in the third quarter of 2025, Cooper-Standard received $96 million in net new business awards, bringing the year-to-date total to nearly $229 million. These awards underpin the projected average annual revenue growth targets of approximately 6% for the Sealing business and 8% for the Fluid business over the next five years.
2. Increased Content Per Vehicle (CPV) in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: The shift towards electric (BEV) and hybrid (PHEV) vehicle platforms is a significant driver. A large portion of new business awards (83%) is tied to these programs, which typically offer an 80% and 20% content per vehicle (CPV) lift, respectively. Hybrid vehicles, in particular, are projected to see substantial growth, with management estimating an up to 80% surge in CPV opportunities for Cooper-Standard due to the higher demand for thermal and fluid systems in these vehicles.
3. Expansion with Chinese OEMs and Global Markets: Cooper-Standard is strategically expanding its relationships with fast-growing Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who are increasing their global presence. This expansion is expected to broaden Cooper-Standard's customer base and geographical reach, tapping into regions where significant automotive growth is anticipated over the next several years. Some projections suggest that by 2027, up to 80% of the company's sales could be generated by Chinese automakers.
4. Global Light Vehicle Production Recovery: While short-term market fluctuations can occur, the underlying demand for new light vehicle production remains solid. Cooper-Standard anticipates strong revenue growth driven by increasing light vehicle production globally, which will allow the company to leverage its improved fixed-cost structure and drive further profitability.
5. Value-Add Innovations and New Product Development: The company's focus on providing value-add innovations for both traditional and electric vehicle platforms is leading to strong new business awards and an expanded total addressable market. These innovations and new product launches, particularly in electric and hybrid vehicle markets, are expected to contribute to revenue growth and margin expansion.

Capital Allocation Decisions (2020-2025)

Share Repurchases

• A common stock repurchase program approved in June 2018 authorized up to $150.0 million in repurchases.
• As of September 30, 2025, approximately $98.7 million of this authorization remained.
• The company did not execute any share repurchases in 2020 or 2021.

Capital Expenditures

• For Q3 2025, capital expenditures totaled $11.2 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $36.5 million.
• Management narrowed its full-year 2025 capital expenditure target to $45–$50 million, representing approximately 1.8% of sales.
• Future capital expenditures are expected to remain around 2-3% of sales, focusing on CapEx-efficient design, spare capacity in manufacturing, and new business tied to battery electric and hybrid vehicle programs.