UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



 

Form 10-K



 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
For the fiscal year ended:   Commission file number:
December 31, 2011   001-34903


 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Delaware   27-3679414
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer
Identification Number)

 
17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400 E
Livonia, Michigan
  48152
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (248) 675-6000



 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None



 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15d of the Act. Yes o 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o       Accelerated filer x       Non-accelerated filer o       Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes o No x

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the average high and low trading prices of the common stock as of the closing of trading on June 30, 2011, was approximately $177,881,000.

There were 19,683,032 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at March 5, 2012.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions, as expressly described in this report, of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. — FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  10-K Pages
PART I
 

Item 1.

Business

    1  

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

    14  

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

    27  

Item 2.

Properties

    27  

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

    28  

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

    28  
PART II
 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

    29  

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

    30  

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    33  

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

    55  

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    57  

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    107  

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

    107  

Item 9B.

Other Information

    107  
PART III
 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

    108  

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

    108  

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    108  

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    109  

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

    109  
PART IV
 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

    110  
Signatures     117  
Exhibit Index     118  
Exhibits
        
EX-21
        
EX-23
        
EX-31.1
        
EX-31.2
        
EX-32.1
        
EX-32.2
        
EX-101.INS
        
EX-101.SCH
        
EX-101.CAL
        
EX-101.LAB
        
EX-101.PRE
        

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Our Company

We are a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving automotive original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. We offer our automotive customers a broad product portfolio, supplying body-structure stampings, frame and other chassis structures, as well as complex welded assemblies, for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups and sport utility vehicles, or SUVs.

Our products are manufactured at 34 production facilities strategically located near our customers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. We support our manufacturing operations through nine engineering and sales locations throughout the world. We are a disciplined, process-driven company with an experienced management team that has a history of implementing sustainable operational improvements. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated revenues of $2.4 billion and net income attributable to Tower International, Inc. of $8.1 million. In addition, we had Adjusted EBITDA of $227.6 million and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011. (Item 7 of this Annual Report and note 16 to our consolidated financial statements include a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP measure).

We believe that our product capabilities, our geographic, customer and product diversification, and our competitive cost position us to benefit from the long-term recovery in North American and European automotive industry production and we have made recent investments in Brazil and China to expand our footprint in these rapidly growing markets. We also intend to leverage our program management and engineering expertise to pursue additional growth opportunities outside of our existing automotive markets.

Our History and Corporate Structure

Our Corporate History

Tower Automotive, Inc., our predecessor (the “Predecessor Company”), was formed in 1993 to acquire R. J. Tower Corporation. On February 2, 2005, Tower Automotive, Inc. along with 25 of its United States subsidiaries each filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York. On July 11, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Chapter 11 Reorganization Plan of the debtors and approved the sale of substantially all of the debtors’ assets to Tower Automotive, LLC, an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“CCM”) and funds and accounts affiliated with CCM (collectively, “Cerberus”). The plan became effective on July 31, 2007, and in connection therewith, the debtors completed the sale of substantially all of their assets to Tower Automotive, LLC. As part of the sale, Tower Automotive, LLC also acquired the capital stock of substantially all of the foreign subsidiaries of Tower Automotive, Inc.

Our Corporate Conversion and Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)

On October 14, 2010, (i) all of our equity owners transferred their equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC to a newly created limited liability company, Tower International Holdings, LLC, a newly formed entity controlled by Cerberus, (ii) Tower Automotive, LLC converted into a Delaware corporation, which was named Tower International, Inc., and (iii) all of the equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC were converted into common stock of Tower International, Inc. We refer to this transaction as our “Corporate Conversion.”

On October 15, 2010, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange following our IPO, through which we raised $80.2 million of proceeds in connection with the sale of 6,633,722 shares of common stock.

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Our Industry

We believe OEMs produce a majority of their structural metal components and assemblies internally. While OEM policies differ and may be especially impacted by their own capacity utilization, the capital expenditures associated with internal production can be substantial. We believe that longer term, OEMs may outsource a greater proportion of their stamping requirements because of this capital and fixed-cost intensity and we may benefit from this shift in our customer preferences. In addition, we believe OEMs will increasingly favor global vehicle platforms supported by larger, more capable and financially strong suppliers. Given our global manufacturing footprint, cost structure and integrated design, engineering and program management capabilities, we are well-positioned to take advantage of these potential opportunities.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to strengthen our leadership position as a supplier to the global automotive industry and to expand opportunistically into non-automotive markets, seeking to capitalize on opportunities beyond the expected automotive industry recovery. We believe that our core strengths described below position us to continue to provide a high-quality, compelling value proposition to our customers, enabling profitable growth. We also believe it is important to maintain a sound balance sheet and that the reduction of our debt over the long-term will enhance stockholder values. Specific strategic objectives include:

Revenue Growth

Our strategy for revenue growth has three main pillars: organic automotive growth, expansion into markets adjacent to the automotive industry, and opportunistic acquisitions and joint ventures.

Organic Automotive Growth :  Although near-term uncertainties exist in some parts of the world, we believe that vehicle growth will be above-average over the next three-to-five years. Having significantly improved our cost structure over the last several years, we believe that we are poised to benefit from the long-term cyclical recovery in the European and North American markets and to grow in developing markets like Brazil and China, which we believe have above-average secular growth prospects. Capacity expansions in China and Brazil are expected to lead to more significant growth in subsequent years while maintaining good geographic, customer and platform diversification. For example, we launched an additional facility in Contagem, Brazil during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Expansion into Other Non-Automotive Markets :  We intend to continue to leverage our integrated engineering, manufacturing and program management expertise to pursue growth opportunities in non-automotive markets. Although this is expected to be a minor percentage of our business for several years, we believe there is a significant longer term opportunity for expansion and diversification of our revenue.

Opportunistic Acquisitions and Joint Ventures :  We intend to analyze and pursue acquisition opportunities where we believe we can add value and realize synergies by improving operating results through the application of our processes. We anticipate that the automotive structural metals and assemblies sector will experience increased consolidation and believe that we are well-positioned to participate successfully in that evolution. We also intend to seek suitable partners to set up additional joint ventures in developing automotive markets such as China, which we believe have above-average secular growth prospects. Further, to support our expansion into non-automotive markets, we may pursue acquisitions that align with our non-automotive initiatives such as the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries, which operates in the defense and aerospace industry, during the second quarter of 2011.

We are expanding capacity at our existing joint ventures in China through additional facilities located in Chengdu, Changchun, and Dalian. In addition, we reached an agreement with Xiangtan Ditong Automotive Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (DIT) in July 2011 to form a joint venture in which we exercise control that was approved by the Chinese government in September 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the joint venture partner contributed its facility located in Xiangtan, China. In February 2012, one of our foreign subsidiaries reached an agreement with Ningbo Beilun Ditong Auto Parts Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Ditong Automotive Products Co., Ltd) and Zhejiang Jirun Automobile Co.Ltd. (a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Co,.Ltd), subject to the approval of the Chinese government, to form a majority-owned joint venture located in Ningbo, China. As a result of these actions, we have increased our manufacturing presence in China from two plants to seven plants which will better position us to participate in the expected growth.

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Maintain a Sound Balance Sheet

We consider it critical to maintain a sound balance sheet and intend to de-lever the balance sheet over time. During 2010, we refinanced a substantial portion of our long-term debt extending maturities through 2017. Additionally, during 2011 we amended and extended our revolving credit facility which will now mature in 2016. Although near-term cash requirements to fund expansion are expected to limit our cash flow generation, we believe lowering our debt will enhance stockholder value and we intend to reduce our debt when it is practical to do so.

Intense Focus on Cash Flow

We have a common focus and an alignment of management incentives throughout our company on the importance of operating cash flow. For example, we track cash on a daily basis and our global bonus program is partly tied to cash flow metrics. This common focus and aligned incentive with respect to cash flow among all our employees helps us in seeking to create value for our stockholders.

Our Competitive Strengths

Geographic Diversification

We are well-diversified geographically, which positions us to participate in growth opportunities as they occur over time around the world and mitigates the impact of regional production fluctuations on our business. These potential opportunities range from near-term cyclical volume recovery in North America to continued growth in emerging markets such as Brazil and China. Proximity to end customers is especially important in our business because size and weight make our products difficult and expensive to transport. Our geographic mix as a percent of revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is shown below:

Geographic Mix (% of Revenues)

     
  Year Ended December 31,
Region   2011   2010   2009
Europe     35 %       36 %       40 %  
North America     35 %       32 %       29 %  
South Korea     15 %       14 %       12 %  
South America     9 %       10 %       10 %  
China     6 %       8 %       9 %  
Total     100 %       100 %       100 %  

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Customer Diversification

We have a well-diversified customer mix as eight different OEMs individually accounted for 5% or more of our revenues in 2011. European OEMs, including Volvo and Opel, were our biggest customer group in 2011, followed by Asian OEMs, including Hyundai/Kia and Chery, and North American OEMs, such as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler (which we refer to as the “Detroit 3”). With this customer diversification, we believe we are well-positioned to participate in the anticipated automotive industry recovery, while also mitigating our exposure to any individual customer. The below charts summarize our customer mix as a percent of revenues in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Customer Mix (% of Revenues)

     
  Year Ended December 31,
Customer   2011   2010   2009
Ford     17 %       13 %       13 %  
VW     17 %       16 %       17 %  
Hyundai/Kia     14 %       13 %       10 %  
Fiat     9 %       11 %       13 %  
Chrysler     7 %       7 %       5 %  
Volvo     7 %       8 %       10 %  
Nissan     6 %       7 %       6 %  
Daimler     5 %       5 %       5 %  
BMW     4 %       4 %       5 %  
Toyota     3 %       5 %       5 %  
PSA     2 %       1 %       1 %  
Chery     1 %       2 %       3 %  
Honda     1 %       2 %       2 %  
Other     7 %       6 %       5 %  
Total     100 %       100 %       100 %  

Customer Mix by Region (% of Revenues)

     
  Year Ended December 31,
OEM   2011   2010   2009
European OEMs     47 %       49 %       54 %  
Asian OEMs     27 %       30 %       28 %  
Detroit 3 OEMs     25 %       21 %       18 %  
Other     1 %              
Total     100 %       100 %       100 %  

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Platform Diversification

Our products are offered on a diverse mix of vehicle platforms, reflecting the balanced portfolio approach of our business model and the breadth of our product capabilities. We believe that our platform diversification provides us an opportunity to participate in an industry recovery without being overly exposed to a single vehicle model or OEM. We supply products to approximately 176 vehicle models globally to 13 of the 15 largest OEMs based on 2011 production volumes.

Vehicle Platform Mix (% of Revenues)

     
  Year Ended December 31,
Vehicle Platform   2011   2010   2009
Small Cars     37 %       43 %       49 %  
Large Cars     26 %       24 %       21 %  
Other – Light Trucks     19 %       13 %       12 %  
North American Framed Vehicles     18 %       20 %       18 %  
Total     100 %       100 %       100 %  

The term “small cars” refers to passenger cars that are classified by IHS Automotive®, or IHS, in the smallest three of IHS’s four categories of passenger cars, the term “large cars” refers to the largest category of passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles and cross-over vehicles that are based on a unibody structure, the term “other – light trucks” refers to SUVs that are based on a unibody structure, minivans, and light trucks in the international regions, and the term “North American framed vehicles” refers to vehicles such as pick-up trucks and SUVs that are built on a full-frame structure.

The reports prepared by IHS referred to in this Annual Report are subscription-based. All references in this report to historical industry production volumes, projections, estimates or other data attributable to IHS are based on data available from the IHS February 2012 forecast.

Competitive Cost Structure

Based on the cost improvement actions taken and the results we have achieved, we believe we have a competitive cost structure. For example, we believe our labor rate for hourly production workers is at a competitive level for our sector. Our pension plan is frozen and does not accrue additional benefits and our post-retirement life insurance plan is capped. In addition, our current leadership team actively focuses on constantly improving our productivity and manufacturing throughput, which we refer to as efficiencies, to further improve our cost structure.

We measure our operating efficiencies in manufacturing and purchasing cost reductions as a percentage of our material and manufacturing costs. We believe the typical percentage for our industry is approximately 2% to 3%. Our ability to control our costs is directly linked to our ability to offset price reductions and other cost increases with reductions in operating costs through the implementation of various manufacturing, purchasing, administrative and other efficiencies. We seek to drive costs out of our operations through several ongoing initiatives, including the use of Lean Six Sigma principles and labor best practices standardization.

Our Products

We produce a broad range of structural components and assemblies, many of which are critical to the structural integrity of a vehicle.

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Product Offerings

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Body structures and assemblies

Body structures and assemblies form the basic upper body structure of the vehicle and include structural metal components such as body pillars, roof rails and side sills. This category also includes Class A surfaces and assemblies, which are the “exterior skin” of the vehicle — body sides, hoods, doors, fenders and pickup truck boxes. These components form the appearance of the vehicle, calling for flawless surface finishes.

Chassis, lower vehicle structures and suspension components

Lower vehicle frames and structures include chassis structures that make up the “skeleton” of a vehicle and which are critical to overall performance, particularly in the areas of noise, vibration and harshness, handling and crash management. These products include pickup truck and SUV full frames, automotive engine and rear suspension cradles, floor pan components, and cross members that form the basic lower body structure of the vehicle. These heavy gauge metal stampings carry the load of the vehicle, provide crash integrity, and are critical to the strength and safety of vehicles. We manufacture a wide variety of stamped, formed and welded suspension components including control arms, suspension links, track bars, spring and shock towers, shackles, twist axles, radius arms, stabilizer bars, trailing axles and brackets.

Complex body-in-white assemblies

Complex body-in-white assemblies are comprised of multiple components and sub-assemblies welded to form major portions of the vehicle’s body structure. We refer to body-in-whites as the manufacturing stage in which the vehicle body sheet metal has been assembled or designed but before the components and trim have been added. Examples of complex assemblies include front and rear floor pan assemblies and door/pillar assemblies.

Other

We also manufacture a variety of other automotive products and defense and aerospace products.

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Product Mix

We have a well-diversified product group mix. Our product group mix as a percent of revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is shown below:

Product Group Mix (% of Revenues)

     
  Year Ended December 31,
Product Group   2011   2010   2009
Body structures and assemblies     52 %       53 %       56 %  
Complex body-in-white assemblies     24 %       20 %       17 %  
Chassis, lower vehicle structures and suspension components     22 %       26 %       25 %  
Other     2 %       1 %       2 %  
Total     100 %       100 %       100 %  

Overview of Major Vehicle Models

The following table presents an overview of the major vehicle models for which we supply products:

   
OEM   Models   Product Type
Europe
         
Volvo   S40 / V50 / C30 / C70   Complex Assembly
VW   Cayenne / Touareg / Q7   Body Structures & Complex Assembly
     Octavia   Body Structures
     Caddy Van   Body Structures
     up!   Body Structures
     Citigo   Body Structures
     Mii   Body Structures
BMW   1 / 3 Series   Body Structures
Daimler   Sprinter / Crafter   Body Structures & Complex Assembly
Fiat   500   Body Structures
     Bravo   Body Structures
     Ducato   Body Structures
     MiTo   Body Structures
     Punto   Body Structures
     Giuletta   Body Structures
Opel   Astra   Body Structures
North America
         
Ford   Econoline   Frame Assembly
     Explorer   Complex Assembly
     Expedition / Navigator   Body Structures
     F-Series   Body Structures
     Focus   Body Structures
     Taurus / MKS   Complex Assembly
Chrysler   Grand Caravan / Town & Country   Body Structures
     Wrangler   Frame Assembly
     Grand Cherokee   Body Structures
Nissan   Frontier / Xterra / Pathfinder   Body Structures & Frame Assembly
     Titan / Armada   Frame Assembly
     NV Series   Frame Assembly
Toyota   Camry   Body Structures

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OEM   Models   Product Type
Asia
         
Hyundai   Bongo Truck   Body Structures & Frame Assembly
     Carens   Body Structures
     Carnival   Frame Assembly
     Forte   Body Structures
     Mohave   Frame Assembly
     Morning   Body Structures
     Sorento   Body Structures & Frame Assembly
     Sportage   Body Structures
     Tucson ix   Body Structures
     K5   Body Structures
     Starex   Body Structures
     Pride   Body Structures
FAW-VW   Bora / Golf A4   Chassis
     Jetta   Chassis
Chery   Cowin 3   Chassis
     Tiggo   Chassis
     Fulwin 2   Chassis
     A3   Chassis
SAIC   Roewe 550   Chassis
Fiat   343c   Body Structures
Geely   SV5   Body Structures
South America
         
VW   Gol   Body Structures
     Saveiro   Body Structures
     Fox   Body Structures
Fiat   Palio / Doblo   Body Structures
     Punto   Body Structures
     Strada   Body Structures
Honda   Civic   Body Structures
     Fit   Body Structures

International Operations

We have significant manufacturing operations outside the United States, and in 2011, approximately 65% of our revenues originated outside the United States. For information regarding potential risks associated with our international operations, see “Risk Factors — We are subject to risks related to our international operations.” See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our international operations.

Manufacturing and Operations

Our manufacturing operations consist primarily of stamping and welding operations, system and modular assembly operations, coating, and other ancillary operations. Stamping involves passing metal through dies in a stamping press to form the metal into three-dimensional parts. We produce stamped parts using precision single-stage, progressive and transfer presses, ranging in size from 150 to 4,500 tons, which perform multiple functions to convert raw material into finished products. We invest in our press technology to increase flexibility, improve safety and minimize die changeover time.

We feed stampings into assembly operations that produce complex assemblies through the combination of multiple parts that are welded or fastened together. Our assembly operations are performed on either dedicated, high-volume welding/fastening machines or on flexible cell-oriented robotic lines. The assembly machines attach additional parts, fixtures or stampings to the original metal stampings. In addition to standard

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production capabilities, our assembly machines also are able to perform various statistical control functions and identify improper welds and attachments. From time to time we work with manufacturers of fixed/robotic welding systems to develop faster, more flexible machinery.

We require significant quantities of steel in the manufacture of our products. Our products use various grades and thicknesses of steel and aluminum, including high-strength, hot- and cold-rolled, galvanized, organically coated, stainless, and aluminized steel. Although changing steel prices affect our results, we seek to be neutral with respect to steel pricing over time, with the intention of neither making nor losing money as steel prices fluctuate. The pricing of our products includes a component for steel which increases as steel prices increase and decreases as steel prices decrease. For our North American customers and several of our other customers, we purchase steel through our customers’ resale programs, where our customers actually negotiate the cost of steel for us. In other cases, we procure steel directly from the mills, negotiating our own price and seeking to pass through steel price increases and decreases to our customers.

We focus on achieving superior product quality at the lowest operating costs possible and concentrate on improving our manufacturing processes to drive out inefficiencies. We seek to continually improve our processes in efforts to improve our cost competitiveness and to achieve higher quality. We continue to adapt our capacity to customer demand, both by expanding capabilities in growth areas and by reallocating capacity away from demand segments in decline.

We are committed to sustaining Lean Six Sigma principles throughout our manufacturing processes. We utilize Lean Six Sigma principles to increase the efficiency of our operations and to reduce operating costs, thereby improving our cost competitiveness. We have accomplished efficiency improvements while at the same time improving our quality, with customer-reported defects averaging about 30 per million parts delivered in 2011, which we believe is world-class performance.

Supply Base — Manufactured Components and Raw Materials

We purchase various manufactured components and raw materials for use in our manufacturing processes. All of these components and raw materials are available from numerous sources. We employ just-in-time manufacturing and sourcing systems enabling us to meet customer requirements for faster deliveries while minimizing our need to carry significant inventory levels. The primary raw material used to produce the majority of our products is steel. We purchase hot- and cold-rolled, galvanized, organically coated, stainless and aluminized steel from a variety of suppliers. We purchase a portion of our steel from certain of our customers through various OEM resale programs. The purchases through customer resale programs have buffered the impact of price swings associated with the procurement of steel. The remainder of our steel purchasing requirements are met through contracts with steel producers and market purchases. In addition, we procure small- and medium-sized stampings, fasteners, tubing, and rubber products.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

Our sales and marketing efforts are designed to create awareness of our engineering, program management, manufacturing and assembly expertise, and to translate our leadership position into contract wins. We have developed a sales team that consists of an integrated group of professionals, including skilled engineers and program managers, which we believe provides the appropriate mix of operational and technical expertise needed to interface successfully with OEMs. We sell directly to OEMs through our sales and engineering teams at our technical and customer service centers strategically located around the world. Bidding on automotive OEM platforms typically encompasses many months of engineering and business development activity. We integrate our sales force directly into our operating team and work closely with our customers throughout the process of developing and manufacturing a product. Our proximity to our customer base enables us to enjoy close relationships with our customers and positions us well to seek future business awards.

Customers

We have developed long-standing business relationships with our automotive customers around the world. We work together with our customers in various stages of production, including development, component sourcing, quality assurance, manufacturing and delivery. With a diverse mix of products and facilities in major

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markets worldwide, we believe we are well-positioned to meet customer needs. We believe we have a strong, established reputation with customers for providing high-quality products at competitive prices, as well as for timely delivery and customer service. Given that the automotive OEM business involves long-term production contracts awarded on a platform-by-platform basis, we believe we can leverage our strong customer relationships to obtain new platform awards.

Customer Support

We have nine engineering and sales locations throughout the world, including a 24-hour engineering support center in India. We believe that we provide effective customer solutions, products and service to our customers globally. Our customer service group is organized into customer-dedicated teams within regions to provide more focused service to our clients.

Seasonality

Our business is seasonal. Our customers in Europe typically shut down vehicle production during portions of July or August and during one week in our fourth quarter. Our North American customers typically shut down vehicle production for approximately two weeks during July and for one week during December. Our quarterly results of operations, cash flows and liquidity may be impacted by these seasonal practices. For example, our working capital is directly impacted which typically results in a use of cash during the first half of the year and cash generation in the second half of the year. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further discussion on working capital.

Competition

We principally compete for new business both at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models. New-model development generally begins two to five years before the marketing of such models to the public. Once a supplier has been designated to supply parts for a new program, an OEM usually will continue to purchase those parts from the designated producer for the life of the program, although not necessarily for a redesign. OEMs typically rigorously evaluate suppliers based on many criteria such as quality, price/cost competitiveness, system and product performance, reliability and timeliness of delivery, new product and technology development capability, excellence and flexibility in operations, degree of global and local presence, effectiveness of customer service and overall management capability.

We believe that we compete effectively with other leading suppliers in our market. The strength and breadth of our program management and engineering capabilities, as well as our geographic, customer and platform diversification, provide the necessary scale to attempt to optimize our cost structure. We follow manufacturing practices designed to improve efficiency and quality, including manpower standardization and global inventory reduction initiatives, all of which enable us to manage inventory so that we can deliver quality components and systems to our customers in the quantities and at the times ordered.

Our major competitors include: Magna International, Inc. (Cosma division), Gestamp Automocion, Martinrea International, Gruppo Magnetto, Benteler Automotive, Sungwoo, and Hwashin. We compete with other competitors with respect to certain of our products and in particular geographic markets. The number of our competitors has decreased in recent years and we believe will continue to decline due to continued supplier consolidation and the recent economic downturn. We expect that OEMs will continue to be increasingly focused on the financial strength and viability of their supply base. We believe that such scrutiny of suppliers will result in additional contraction in the supply base and may force combinations of some suppliers.

In addition, a number of our major OEM customers manufacture products that compete with our products. Our OEM customers tend to outsource less when they have idle capacity. Although these OEM customers have indicated that they will continue to rely on outside suppliers, they could elect to increase the extent to which they manufacture products to meet their own requirements or to compete with us.

Joint Ventures

Joint ventures represent an important strategic part of our business. We have used our joint ventures to enter into new geographic markets, such as China, to gain new customers and/or strengthen our position with existing customers, and to develop new technologies.

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When we enter new geographic markets where we have not previously established substantial local experience and infrastructure, teaming with a local partner can reduce capital investment by leveraging pre-existing infrastructure. In addition, local partners in these markets can provide knowledge and insight into local customs and practices and access to local suppliers of raw materials and components. All of these advantages can reduce the risk, thereby enhancing the prospect for success of entry into a new geographic market.

Joint ventures can also be an effective means to acquire new customers and strengthen relationships with existing customers. Through joint venture arrangements, partners can access technology that they would otherwise be required to develop independently, thereby reducing the time and cost of development. Moreover, they can provide the opportunity to create synergies and applications of the technology that would not otherwise be possible.

As of December 31, 2011, we had three consolidated joint ventures in China: TWA WuHu, which we refer to as WuHu, Changchun Tower Golden Ring Automotive Products Co., Ltd., which we refer to as TGR, and Xiangtan Ditong Automotive Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (DIT), which we refer to as Xiangtan. In February 2012, one of our foreign subsidiaries reached an agreement with Ningbo Beilun Ditong Auto Parts Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Ditong Automotive Products Co., Ltd) and Zhejiang Jirun Automobile Co.Ltd. (a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Co,.Ltd), subject to the approval of the Chinese government, to form a majority-owned joint venture located in Ningbo, China.

Our WuHu joint venture consists of an 80% equity interest in WuHu, a joint venture limited liability company located in WuHu City, Anhui Province, China. This joint venture primarily serves to supply Chery with front and rear lower vehicle structure modules and their respective replacement platforms.

Our TGR joint venture consists of a 60% equity interest in TGR, a joint venture limited liability company located in the City of Changchun, Jilin Province, China. Our TGR joint venture primarily supplies FAW-VW Automotive Company Limited and FAW Automotive Company Limited with structure based components, including sub-frames, cross members with motor carriers, rear axles, frame front-ends, and control arms and the structural components for other vehicles.

Our Xiangtan joint venture consists of a 50% equity interest in Xiangtan, a joint venture limited liability company located in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China. Presently, this joint venture primarily supplies Geely with underbody stampings, but is constructing a new facility to service the Fiat/Guangzhou Automotive joint venture in Changsha, China with chassis, body, and roll formed assemblies.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 8,600 employees worldwide, of whom approximately 5,500 were covered under collective bargaining agreements that expire at various times.

We are not aware of any work stoppages since the inception of the Predecessor Company in 1993. A strike or slow-down by one of our unions could have a material adverse effect on our business. We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various domestic and foreign federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and health and safety, including those regulating soil, surface water and groundwater contamination; the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of materials, including greenhouse gases, or GHGs, into the environment; and the health and safety of our employees. We are also required to obtain environmental permits from governmental authorities for certain operations. We have taken steps to comply with these numerous and sometimes complex laws, regulations and permits. We have also achieved ISO-14001 registration for substantially all of our facilities. While compliance with environmental requirements has not had a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, we have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures pursuant to such requirements and, if we violate or fail to comply with these requirements, could be subject to fines, penalties or litigation.

Environmental laws, regulations and permits, and the enforcement thereof, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. In particular, more rigorous GHG emission requirements are in various

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stages of development. For example, the United States Congress has considered legislation that would establish a nationwide limit on GHGs, and the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has issued regulations limiting GHG emissions from mobile and stationary sources pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act. Any regulation of GHG emissions, including through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could subject us to significant costs, including those relating to emission credits, pollution control equipment, monitoring and reporting, as well as increased energy and raw material prices. In addition, our OEM customers may seek price reductions from us to account for their increased costs resulting from GHG regulations. Further, growing pressure to reduce GHG emissions from mobile sources could reduce automobile sales, thereby reducing demand for our products and ultimately our revenues. Although there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the scope, timing and effect of future GHG regulation, any such regulation could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation, product demand and liquidity.

We also could be responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our, or a predecessor entity’s, current or former owned or operated properties or third party waste disposal sites, even if we were not at fault. Some of these locations have been impacted by environmental releases, and soil or groundwater contamination is being addressed at certain of these sites. In addition to potentially significant investigation and remediation costs, contamination can give rise to third party claims for fines or penalties, natural resource damages, personal injury or property damage. Our costs and liabilities associated with environmental contamination could be substantial and may be material to our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment Overview

See note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for information on our operating and reportable segments.

Public Information

We maintain a website at http://www.towerinternational.com . We will make available on our website, free of charge, the proxy statements and reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q that we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally, we have adopted and posted on our website a Code of Business Conduct that applies to, among other people, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. We intend to disclose any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct on our website. We will provide, free of charge, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct to any person who requests such a copy. All such requests should be directed to our Executive Director, Investor & External Relations, c/o Tower International, Inc., 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400 E, Livonia, Michigan 48152.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements can be identified by the words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and are based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The following important factors, and those important factors described elsewhere in this Annual Report, including the matters set forth under the captions entitled “Risk Factors” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements:

automobile production volumes;
the financial condition of our customers and suppliers;
our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on our indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness;
our ability to refinance our indebtedness;

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our ability to generate non-automotive revenues;
our ability to operate non-automotive businesses;
risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including foreign exchange risks and economic uncertainty in some regions;
any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and postretirement benefits;
our customers’ ability to obtain equity and debt financing for their businesses;
our dependence on our largest customers;
pricing pressure from our customers;
work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers;
our ability to integrate acquired businesses; and
costs or liabilities relating to environmental and safety regulations.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

This Annual Report also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. We have not independently verified the statistical and other industry data generated by independent parties that is contained in this Annual Report and, accordingly, we cannot assure you of its accuracy or completeness. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industries in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our business is subject to a number of risks. In addition to the various risks described elsewhere in this Annual Report, the following risk factors should be considered. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that we currently believe to be less significant may also adversely affect us .

Risk Factors Relating to Our Industry and Our Business

The weakness in the global economy, the global credit markets and the financial services industry over the past several years has severely and negatively affected demand for automobiles and automobile parts and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Demand for and pricing of our products are subject to economic conditions and other factors present in the various domestic and international markets where our products are sold. The level of demand for our products depends primarily upon the level of consumer demand for new vehicles that are manufactured with our products. The level of new vehicle purchases is cyclical, affected by such factors as general economic conditions, interest rates, consumer confidence, consumer preferences, patterns of consumer spending, fuel costs and the automobile replacement cycle.

The global economic crisis that prevailed throughout 2008 and 2009 resulted in delayed and reduced purchases of durable consumer goods, such as automobiles. Although the global economic climate improved during 2010 and 2011, the global economy has not recovered to levels previously experienced and remains fragile. If the global economy were to take another significant downturn, depending upon its length, duration and severity, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow would again be materially adversely affected.

In addition, there has been significant economic instability in several countries in the European Union where we conduct business. Europe accounted for approximately 35% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011. The economic instability caused by the sovereign debt crisis in countries in which we operate in Europe could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as negatively impact our access to, and cost of, capital.

We have invested substantial resources in markets where we expect growth and we may be unable to timely alter our strategies should such expectations not be realized.

Our future growth is dependent on our making the right investments at the right time to support product development and manufacturing capacity in areas where we can support our customer base. We have identified China and Brazil as key markets likely to experience substantial growth, and accordingly have made and expect to continue to make substantial investments, both directly and through participation in various partnerships and joint ventures to support anticipated growth in those regions. If we are unable to deepen existing and develop additional customer relationships in these regions, we may not only fail to realize expected rates of return on our existing investments, but we may incur losses on such investments and be unable to timely redeploy the invested capital to take advantage of other markets, potentially resulting in lost market share to our competitors. Our results will also suffer if these regions do not grow as quickly as we anticipate.

Our business in China is subject to aggressive competition and is sensitive to economic and market conditions.

Maintaining a strong position in the Chinese market is a key component of our global growth strategy. The automotive supply market in China is highly competitive, with competition from many of the largest global manufacturers and numerous smaller domestic manufacturers. As the size of the Chinese market continues to increase, we anticipate that additional competitors, both international and domestic, will seek to enter the Chinese market and that existing market participants will act aggressively to increase their market share. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced margins and our inability to gain or hold market share. In addition, our business in China is sensitive to economic and market conditions that drive sales volume in China. If we are unable to maintain our position in the Chinese market or if vehicle sales in China decrease or do not continue to increase, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.

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We are subject to risks related to our international operations.

Our international operations include manufacturing facilities in Europe, China, South Korea, and Brazil, and we sell our products in each of these areas. For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of our revenues were derived from operations outside the United States. International operations are subject to various risks that could have a material adverse effect on those operations and our business as a whole, including:

exposure to local economic conditions;
exposure to local political conditions, including the risk of seizure of assets by a foreign government;
exposure to local social unrest, including any resultant acts of war, terrorism or similar events;
exposure to local public health issues and the resultant impact on economic and political conditions;
exposure to local tax requirements and obligations;
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
hyperinflation in certain foreign countries;
the risk of government-sponsored competition;
controls on the repatriation of cash, including the imposition or increase of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by foreign subsidiaries; and
export and import restrictions.

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations could cause a decline in our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We generate a significant portion of our revenues and incur a significant portion of our expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We are subject to risk if the foreign currency in which our costs are paid appreciates against the currency in which we generate revenues because the appreciation effectively increases our cost in that country. The financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of some of our operating entities are reported in foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable foreign exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies generally will have a negative impact on our reported sales and profits while depreciation of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies will generally have a positive effect on reported revenues and profits.

A significant amount of our revenues are denominated in Euros. Economic instability in the European Union and the related decline in the value of the Euro could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we have increased exposure to fluctuations in the Euro due to the exchange of U.S. dollar for Euro denominated debt as a result of our retirement of our outstanding first lien term loan (see note 6 to our consolidated financial statements) and the issuance of our senior secured notes in August 2010. As of December 31, 2011, we estimated that a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in the Euro to the U.S. dollar exchange rate would have impacted our stockholders’ equity by approximately $2.9 million.

We may use a combination of natural hedging techniques and financial derivatives to protect against certain foreign currency exchange rate risks. Such hedging activities may be ineffective or may not offset more than a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting from foreign currency variations. Gains or losses associated with hedging activities also may negatively impact operating results.

Deterioration in the United States and world economies could exacerbate the difficulties experienced by our customers and suppliers in obtaining financing, which, in turn, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Lending institutions have suffered and may continue to suffer losses due to their lending and other financial relationships, especially because of the general weakening of the global economy and the increased financial

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instability of many borrowers. Longer-term disruptions in the credit markets could further adversely affect our customers by making it increasingly difficult for them to obtain financing for their businesses and for their customers to obtain financing for automobile purchases. Our OEM customers typically require significant financing for their respective businesses. In addition, our OEM customers typically have related finance companies that provide financing to their dealers and customers. These finance companies have historically been active participants in the securitization markets, which have experienced severe disruptions during the global economic crisis. Our suppliers, as well as the other suppliers to our customers, may face similar difficulties in obtaining financing for their businesses. If capital is not available to our customers and suppliers, or if its cost is prohibitively high, their businesses would be negatively impacted, which could result in their restructuring or even reorganization/liquidation under applicable bankruptcy laws. Any such negative impact, in turn, could materially and negatively affect our company either through the loss of revenues to any of our customers so affected, or due to our inability to meet our commitments without excess expense resulting from disruptions in supply caused by the suppliers so affected.

Financial difficulties experienced by any major customer could have a material adverse impact on us if such customer were unable to pay for the products we provide or we experienced a loss of, or material reduction in, business from such customer. As a result of such difficulties, we could experience lost revenues, significant write-offs of accounts receivable, significant impairment charges or additional restructurings beyond the steps we have taken to date.

We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan that is underfunded and will require substantial cash payments. Additionally, if the performance of the assets in our pension plan does not meet our expectations, or if other actuarial assumptions are modified, our required contributions may be higher than we expect.

We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan that is underfunded. Although the Predecessor Company ceased benefit accruals under the plan, we anticipate that the plan may require substantial cash payments in order to meet our funding obligations. These cash contributions may be significant in future periods and could adversely impact our cash flow.

Additionally, our earnings may be impacted by the amount of income or expense recorded for our pension plan. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States require that income or expense for pension plans be calculated at the annual measurement date using actuarial assumptions and calculations. These calculations reflect certain assumptions, the most significant of which relate to the capital markets, interest rates and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic indicators can change these assumptions. These assumptions, along with the actual value of assets at the measurement date, will impact the calculation of pension expense for the year. Although GAAP expense and pension contributions are not directly related, the key economic indicators that affect GAAP expense also affect the amount of cash that we would contribute to our pension plan. As a result of current economic instability, the investment portfolio of the pension plan has experienced volatility. Because the values of these pension plan assets have fluctuated and will fluctuate in response to changing market conditions, the amount of gains or losses that will be recognized in subsequent periods, the impact on the funded status of the pension plan and the future minimum required contributions, if any, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, but such impact cannot be determined at this time.

The automobile industry is highly cyclical and cyclical downturns in our domestic or international business segments negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The volume of automotive production in North America, Europe and the rest of the world has fluctuated, sometimes significantly from year-to-year, and such fluctuations give rise to changes in demand for our products. Because we have significant fixed production costs, relatively modest declines in our customers’ production levels can have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations.

The highly cyclical nature of the automotive industry presents a risk that is outside our control and that cannot be accurately predicted. Moreover, a number of factors that we cannot predict can and have impacted cyclicality in the past. Decreases in demand for automobiles generally, or in the demand for our products in particular, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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Product liability claims could cause us to incur losses and damage our reputation.

Many of our products are critical to the structural integrity of a vehicle. As such, we face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event of the failure of our products to perform to specifications, or if our products are alleged to result in property damage, bodily injury or death. In addition, if any of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may be required to participate in a recall involving those products. We are generally required under our customer contracts to indemnify our customers for product liability claims in respect of our products. In addition, we do not have insurance covering product recalls. Accordingly, we may be materially and adversely impacted by product liability claims.

The decreasing number of automotive parts customers could make it more difficult for us to compete favorably.

Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected because the OEM customer base is consolidating. As a result, we are competing for business from fewer customers. Due to the cost focus of these major customers, we have been, and expect to continue to be, requested to reduce prices as part of our initial business quotations and over the life of contracts we have been awarded. We cannot be certain that we will be able to generate cost savings and operational improvements in the future that are sufficient to offset price reductions requested by customers and to make us profitable and position us to win additional business.

The decreasing number of automotive parts suppliers could make it more difficult for us to compete favorably.

Consolidation and bankruptcies among automotive parts suppliers are resulting in fewer and larger competitors who benefit from purchasing and distribution economies of scale. If we cannot compete favorably in the future with these larger suppliers, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected due to a reduction of, or inability to increase, revenues.

We may have difficulty competing favorably in the highly competitive automotive parts industry.

The automotive parts industry is highly competitive. Although the overall number of competitors has decreased due to ongoing industry consolidation, we face significant competition within each of our major product areas, including from new competitors entering the markets that we serve, and OEMs may seek to integrate vertically. The principal competitive factors include price, quality, global presence, service, product performance, design and engineering capabilities, new product innovation and timely delivery. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to compete favorably in these competitive markets or that increased competition will not have a material adverse effect on our business by reducing our ability to increase or maintain sales and profit margins. A number of our major OEM customers manufacture products which compete with our products. Our OEM customers tend to outsource less when they have idle capacity.

We principally compete for new business at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models by major OEM customers. New model development generally begins three to five years prior to the marketing of such models to the public. Redesign of existing models begins during the life cycle of a platform, usually at least two to three years before the end of the platform’s life cycle. The failure to obtain new business on new models or to retain or increase business on redesigned existing models, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, as a result of the relatively long lead times required for many of our structural components, it may be difficult in the short-term for us to obtain new revenues to replace any unexpected decline in the sale of existing products.

The inability for us, our customers and/or our suppliers to obtain and maintain sufficient capital financing, including working capital lines, and credit insurance may adversely affect our, our customers’ and our suppliers’ liquidity and financial condition.

Our working capital requirements can vary significantly, depending in part on the level, variability and timing of our customers’ worldwide vehicle production and the payment terms with our customers and suppliers. Our liquidity could also be adversely impacted if our suppliers were to suspend normal trade credit terms and require payment in advance or payment on delivery. If our available cash flows from operations are not

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sufficient to fund our ongoing cash needs, we would be required to look to our cash balances and availability for borrowings under our credit facilities to satisfy those needs, as well as potential sources of additional capital, which may not be available on satisfactory terms and in adequate amounts, if at all.

There can be no assurance that we, our customers and our suppliers will continue to have such ability. This may increase the risk that we cannot produce our products or will have to pay higher prices for our inputs. These higher prices may not be recovered in our selling prices.

Our suppliers often seek to obtain credit insurance based on the strength of the financial condition of our subsidiary with the payment obligation, which may be less robust than our consolidated financial condition. If we were to experience liquidity issues, our suppliers may not be able to obtain credit insurance and in turn would likely not be able to offer us payment terms that we have historically received. Our failure to receive such terms from our suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

We operate with negative working capital which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We typically operate with a negative working capital balance; therefore, a significant reduction in sales and the related reduction in accounts receivable could significantly impact our financial condition and ability to obtain additional borrowings. The borrowings available under our revolving credit facility are subject to the calculation of a borrowing base, which is based upon the value of certain of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment.

We may incur material costs related to legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings, claims or investigations that are incidental to the conduct of our business. Some of these proceedings allege damages against us relating to environmental liabilities, personal injury claims, taxes, employment matters or commercial or contractual disputes.

We cannot assure you that the costs, charges and liabilities associated with these matters will not be material, or that those costs, charges and liabilities will not exceed any amounts reserved for them in our consolidated financial statements. In future periods, we could be subject to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters are resolved unfavorably to us.

We are dependent on large customers for current and future revenues. The loss of any of these customers or the loss of market share by these customers could have a material adverse impact on us.

We depend on major vehicle manufacturers for our revenues. For example, during 2011, Ford, Volkswagen, and Hyundai/Kia accounted for 17%, 17%, and 14% of our revenues, respectively. The loss of all or a substantial portion of our sales to any of our large-volume customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows by reducing cash flows and by limiting our ability to spread our fixed costs over a larger revenue base. We may make fewer sales to these customers for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:

loss of awarded business;
reduced or delayed customer requirements;
OEMs’ insourcing business they have traditionally outsourced to us;
strikes or other work stoppages affecting production by our customers; or
reduced demand for our customers’ products.

See “— Deterioration in the United States and world economies could exacerbate the difficulties experienced by our customers and suppliers in obtaining financing, which, in turn, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.”

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We may be unable to realize revenues represented by our awarded business, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The realization of future revenues from awarded business is inherently subject to a number of important risks and uncertainties, including the number of vehicles that our customers will actually produce, the timing of that production and the mix of options that our customers may choose.

In addition to not having a commitment from our customers regarding the minimum number of products they must purchase from us if we obtain awarded business, typically the terms and conditions of the agreements with our customers provide that they have the contractual right to unilaterally terminate our contracts with them with no notice or limited notice. If such contracts are terminated by our customers, our ability to obtain compensation from our customers for such termination is generally limited to the direct out-of-pocket costs that we incurred for raw materials and work-in-progress and in certain instances undepreciated capital expenditures.

We base a substantial part of our planning on the anticipated lifetime revenues of particular products. We calculate the lifetime revenues of a product by multiplying our expected price for a product by forecasted production volume during the length of time we expect the related vehicle to be in production. We use a third-party forecasting service, IHS, to provide long-term forecasts which allows us to determine how long a vehicle is expected to be in production. Lifetime revenues associated with a particular platform are not guaranteed and are not equivalent to backlog. If we over-estimate the production units or if a customer reduces its level of anticipated purchases of a particular platform as a result of reduced demand, our actual revenues for that platform may be substantially less than the lifetime revenues we had anticipated for that platform.

Typically, it takes two to five years from the time a manufacturer awards a program until the program is launched and production begins. In many cases, we must commit substantial resources in preparation for production under awarded customer business well in advance of the customer’s production start date. We cannot assure you that our results of operations will not be materially adversely impacted in the future if we are unable to recover these types of pre-production costs related to our customers’ cancellation of awarded business.

Our joint venture partners may have interests that are not consistent with those of the joint venture, thereby resulting in our joint venture failing to achieve the results we desire.

We have three joint ventures in China. At two of the joint ventures, our joint venture partner is also affiliated with the largest customer of the joint venture. As such, these partners may negotiate on behalf of customers of the joint venture for sales terms that are not in the best interest of the joint venture. More specifically, when acting on behalf of a customer, our joint venture partners effectively receive 100% of the benefits of revenues terms, but when acting as a joint venture partner we must share with them any benefits received by the joint venture. This may create a misalignment of incentives between us and our joint venture partners that could have a material adverse impact on our business.

Our ability to recognize revenues from non-automotive business is subject to several risks, any one of which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows

As we seek to expand into markets beyond vehicle structural components and assemblies, we expect to diversify our product revenues by leveraging our development, engineering and manufacturing capabilities in order to source necessary parts and components for other industries. Such diversification requires investments and resources that may not be available as needed. Even if we sign contracts in new non-automotive markets, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in leveraging our capabilities into these new markets and thus in meeting the needs of these new customers and competing favorably in these new markets. If these customers experience reduced demand for their products or financial difficulties, our future prospects will be negatively affected as well.

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Disruptions in the automotive supply chain could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The automotive supply chain is subject to disruptions because we, along with our customers and suppliers, attempt to maintain low inventory levels. In addition, our plants are typically located in proximity to our customers.

Disruptions could be caused by a multitude of potential problems, such as closures of one of our or our suppliers’ plants or critical manufacturing lines due to strikes, mechanical breakdowns, electrical outages, fires, explosions or political upheaval, as well as logistical complications due to weather, earthquakes, or other natural or nuclear disasters, mechanical failures, delayed customs processing and more.

Additionally, if we are the cause for a customer being forced to halt production, the customer may seek to recoup all of its losses and expenses from us. Any disruptions affecting us or caused by us could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The volatility of steel prices may adversely affect our results of operations.

We utilize steel and various purchased steel products in virtually all of our products. We refer to the “net steel impact” as the combination of the change in steel prices that are reflected in customer pricing, the change in the cost to procure steel from the mills, and the change in our recovery of scrap steel, which we refer to as offal. While we strive to achieve a neutral net steel impact over time, we are not always successful in achieving that goal. Changes in steel prices may affect our liquidity because of the time difference between our payment for our steel and our collection of cash from our customers. We tend to pay for replacement materials, which are more expensive when steel prices are rising, over a much shorter period. As a result, rising steel prices may cause us to draw greater than anticipated amounts from our credit lines to cover the cash flow cycle from our steel purchases to cash collection for related accounts receivable. This cash requirement for working capital is higher in periods when we are increasing our inventory quantities.

A by-product of our production process is the generation of offal. We typically sell offal in secondary markets, which are similar to the steel markets. We generally share our recoveries from sales of offal with our customers either through scrap sharing agreements, in cases where we are on resale programs, or in the product pricing that is negotiated regarding increases and decreases in the steel price in cases where we purchase steel directly from the mills. In either situation, we may be impacted by the fluctuation in scrap steel prices, either positive or negative, in relation to our various customer agreements. Since scrap steel prices generally increase and decrease as steel prices increase and decrease, our sale of offal may mitigate the severity of steel price increases and limit the benefits we achieve through steel price declines. Any dislocation in offal and steel prices could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The seasonality we experience in our business may negatively impact our quarterly results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

Our business is seasonal. Our customers in Europe typically shut down vehicle production during portions of July or August and during one week in our fourth quarter. Our North American customers typically shut down vehicle production for approximately two weeks during July and for one week during December. Such seasonality may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity during the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year.

We may incur material costs related to plant closings, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If we must close additional manufacturing locations because of loss of business or consolidation of manufacturing facilities, the employee severance, asset retirement and other costs, including reimbursement costs relating to public subsidies, to close these facilities may be significant. In certain locations that are subject to leases, we may continue to incur material costs consistent with the initial lease terms. We continually attempt to align production capacity with demand; therefore, we cannot assure you that additional plants will not have to be closed. Historically, we have incurred significant costs related to the closure of our facilities and can provide no assurance that such costs will not be material in the future.

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The hourly workforce in the automotive industry is highly unionized and our business could be adversely affected by labor disruptions.

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 8,600 employees, of whom approximately 5,500 were covered under collective bargaining agreements that expire at various times. In addition, we have specific exposure to labor strikes in our International operations related primarily to the economic instability in several countries in the European Union. If major work disruptions involving our employees were to occur, our business could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including a loss of revenues, increased costs and reduced profitability. We cannot assure you that we will not experience a material labor disruption at one or more of our facilities in the future in the course of renegotiation of our labor arrangements or otherwise.

We are subject to environmental requirements and risks as a result of which we may incur significant costs, liabilities and obligations.

We are subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws, regulations and permits that govern, among other things, soil, surface water and groundwater contamination; the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of materials, including greenhouse gases, or GHGs, into the environment; and health and safety. If we fail to comply with these laws, regulations or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators or become subject to litigation. Environmental and pollution control laws, regulations and permits, and the enforcement thereof, change frequently, have tended to become more stringent over time and may necessitate substantial capital expenditures or operating costs.

Under certain environmental requirements, we could be responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our, or a predecessor entity’s, current or former owned or operated properties or third-party waste-disposal sites, even if we were not at fault. Soil and groundwater contamination is being addressed at certain of these locations. In addition to potentially significant investigation and cleanup costs, contamination can give rise to third-party claims for fines or penalties, natural resource damages, personal injury or property damage.

We cannot assure you that our costs, liabilities and obligations relating to environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Any acquisitions or divestitures we make could disrupt our business and materially harm our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may, from time to time, consider certain acquisitions or divestitures. Acquisitions and divestitures involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the acquired businesses, the diversion of our management’s attention from other business concerns, the assumption of unknown liabilities, undisclosed risks impacting the target and potential adverse effects on existing business relationships with current customers and suppliers. In addition, any acquisitions or divestitures could impact our financial position or create dilution for our stockholders. We cannot assure you that any acquisitions or divestitures will perform as planned or prove to be beneficial to our operations and cash flow or that we will be able to successfully integrate any acquisitions that we undertake. Any such failure could seriously harm our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The value of our deferred tax assets could become impaired, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results.

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $16 million in net deferred income tax assets. These deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods and reduce income taxes payable in those future periods. We periodically determine the probability of the realization of deferred tax assets, using significant judgments and estimates with respect to, among other things, historical operating results, expectations of future earnings and tax planning strategies. If we determine in the future that there is not sufficient positive evidence to support the valuation of these assets, due to the factors described above or other factors, we may be required to further adjust the valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets. Such a reduction could result in material non-cash expenses in the period in which the valuation allowance is adjusted and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards may be limited and delayed. As of December 31, 2011, we had U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $190 million. Certain provisions of the United States tax code could limit our annual utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards. There can be no assurance that we will be able to utilize all of our net operating loss carryforwards and any subsequent net operating loss carryforwards in the future. There is a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax asset benefit of this carryforward.

In addition, adverse changes in the underlying profitability and financial outlook of our operations in several foreign jurisdictions could lead to changes in our valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and other tax accruals that could adversely affect our financial results.

Further, as a result of our IPO, we may have an “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code if, under certain circumstances, our existing stockholders were to sell within a specified period a sufficient amount of our common stock that they then possess to cause an ownership change. If we do experience an ownership change, we may be further limited, pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, in using our then-current net operating losses to offset taxable income for taxable periods (or portions thereof) beginning after such ownership change. Consequently, in the future we may be required to pay increased cash income taxes because of the Section 382 limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards.

We have a material amount of goodwill, which, if it becomes impaired, would result in a reduction in our net income and equity.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. GAAP requires that goodwill be periodically evaluated for impairment based on the fair value of the reporting unit. A significant percentage of our total assets represent goodwill primarily associated with the purchase of our assets from the Predecessor Company in 2007. Declines in our profitability or the value of comparable companies may impact the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in a write-down of goodwill and a reduction in net income.

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $64 million of goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet that could be subject to impairment. In addition, if we acquire new businesses in the future, we may recognize additional goodwill, which could be significant. We could also be required to recognize additional impairments in the future and such an impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations in the period of recognition.

We may face risks relating to climate change that could have an adverse impact on our business.

Greenhouse gas emissions have increasingly become the subject of substantial international, national, regional, state and local attention. GHG emission regulations have been promulgated in certain of the jurisdictions in which we operate, and additional GHG requirements are in various stages of development. For example, the United States Congress has considered legislation that would establish a nationwide limit on GHGs. In addition, the EPA has issued regulations limiting GHG emissions from mobile and stationary sources pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act. When effective, such measures could require us to modify existing or obtain new permits, implement additional pollution control technology, curtail operations or increase our operating costs. In addition, our OEM customers may seek price reductions from us to account for their increased costs resulting from GHG regulations. Further, growing pressure to reduce GHG emissions from mobile sources could reduce automobile sales, thereby reducing demand for our products and ultimately our revenues. Thus, any additional regulation of GHG emissions, including through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, reputation, product demand and liquidity.

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Risk Factors Relating to Our Indebtedness

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial health and our ability to fund our operations, to obtain financing in the future and to react to changes in our business, and which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

As of December 31, 2011, our total debt, including capital lease obligations, was $583.5 million. That indebtedness could limit our ability to satisfy our obligations, limit our ability to operate our businesses and impair our competitive position. For example, it could:

adversely affect our stock price;
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under our financing documents;
increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and general industry conditions, including interest rate fluctuations, because a portion of our borrowings are, and will continue to be, at variable rates of interest;
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, which would reduce the availability of our cash flow from operations to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes;
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry;
place us at a disadvantage compared to competitors that may have proportionately less debt;
limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing due to applicable financial and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements; and
increase our cost of borrowing.

The borrowings available under our revolving credit facility are subject to the calculation of a borrowing base, which is based upon the value of certain of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment. The administrative agent for this facility causes a third party to perform an appraisal of the assets included in the calculation of the borrowing base either on an annual basis or, if our availability under the facility is less than $22.5 million during any twelve month period, as frequently as on a semi-annual basis. In addition, if certain material defaults under the facility have occurred and are continuing, the administrative agent has the right to perform any such appraisal as often as it deems necessary in its sole discretion.

We may not be able to refinance any of our debt or we may not be able to refinance our debt on commercially reasonable terms.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance, extend the maturity or otherwise amend the terms of our existing indebtedness, or whether any refinancing, extension or amendment will be on commercially reasonable terms. The indebtedness issued in any refinancing of our existing indebtedness could have a significantly higher rate of interest and greater costs than our existing indebtedness. There can be no assurance that the financial terms or covenants of any new credit facility and/or other indebtedness issued to refinance our existing indebtedness will be the same or as favorable as those under our existing indebtedness.

Our ability to complete a refinancing of our existing indebtedness prior to their respective maturities is subject to a number of conditions beyond our control. For example, if a disruption in the financial markets were to occur at the time that we intended to refinance this indebtedness, we might be restricted in our ability to access the financial markets. If we were unable to make payments or refinance our debt or obtain new financing under these circumstances, we would have to consider other options, such as:

sales of assets;
sales of equity; or
negotiations with lenders and their respective agents to restructure the applicable debt.

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Our debt instruments may restrict, or market or business conditions may limit, our ability to employ some of our options.

In addition, under our credit agreements, a change in control may lead the lenders to exercise remedies such as acceleration of the loan, termination of their obligations to fund additional advances and collection against the collateral securing such loan; and, in the case of our senior secured notes, a change in control may lead to one or more noteholders exercising their change of control put right.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations, certain of which have short-term maturities, depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay or refinance our indebtedness, including our senior secured notes (the “notes”) and our revolving credit facility.

Our debt instruments restrict our current and future operations.

The financing documents governing our indebtedness impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, or issue certain equity;
declare or make distributions to our stockholders, repurchase equity or prepay certain debt;
make loans and certain investments;
make certain acquisitions of equity or assets;
enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
enter into mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations;
consolidate, transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets;
use the proceeds from sales of assets and stock;
enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
enter into restrictive agreements;
make capital expenditures;
change our fiscal year;
amend or modify organizational documents; and
engage in businesses other than the businesses we currently conduct.

In addition to the restrictions and covenants listed above, certain of our financing documents require us, under certain circumstances, to comply with specified financial maintenance covenants. Any of these restrictions or covenants could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet certain capital needs and could otherwise restrict our corporate activities.

Substantially all of our subsidiaries’ assets are pledged as collateral under secured financing arrangements.

As of December 31, 2011, we had $548.4 million (net of $8.7 original issue discount in respect of the issuance of the notes) of secured debt. Substantially all of our subsidiaries’ assets are pledged as collateral for our borrowings under our secured financing arrangements. Most of our domestic subsidiaries are either primary obligors or guarantors under a secured financing arrangement. Substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries’ assets are pledged as collateral for these guarantees. If we are unable to repay all secured borrowings when due, whether at maturity or if declared due and payable following a default, the agent or the

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lenders, as applicable, would have the right to proceed against the collateral pledged to secure the indebtedness and may sell the assets pledged as collateral in order to repay those borrowings, which could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risk Factors Relating to Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock may be volatile.

The price at which our common stock trades may be volatile due to a number of factors, including:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition or annual or quarterly results of operations;
changes in investors’ and financial analysts’ perception of the business risks and conditions of our business;
changes in, or our failure to meet, earnings estimates and other performance expectations of investors or financial analysts;
unfavorable commentary or downgrades of our stock by equity research analysts;
our success or failure in implementing our growth plans;
changes in the market valuations of companies viewed as similar to us;
changes or proposed changes in governmental regulations affecting our business;
changes in key personnel;
depth of the trading market in our common stock;
failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock;
future sales of our common stock; and
the granting or exercise of employee stock options or other equity awards;

In addition, equity markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices for the securities of newly public companies for a number of reasons, including reasons that may be unrelated to our business or operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may result in a material decline in the market price of our common stock and you may not be able to sell your shares at prices you deem acceptable. In the past, following periods of volatility in the equity markets, securities class action lawsuits have been instituted against public companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial cost and the diversion of management attention.

Our average trading volume is not substantial, which adds to the volatility of our stock price.

During the period from October 16, 2010 (the day after which our shares began trading in the public markets) through December 31, 2011, the average daily trading volume of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was approximately 63,000 shares, or roughly 1% of our outstanding common stock. When a relatively small number of shares are traded in a given day, the stock price can be influenced by the purchase or sale of a very small number of shares, leading to volatility in our stock price.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards and, as a result, rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to these requirements.

Cerberus, through our controlling stockholder, controls a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards. Under these standards, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:

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the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;
the requirement that we have a nominating/corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities;
the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating/corporate governance and compensation committees.

We are utilizing these exemptions. As a result, we do not have a majority of independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees do not consist entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, you do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements.

The interests of our controlling stockholder in its capacity as a stockholder may be adverse to the interests of our other stockholders.

Our controlling stockholder controls the election of our directors, determines our corporate and management policies and determines, without the consent of our other stockholders, the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our stockholders for approval, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. Our controlling stockholder also has sufficient voting power to amend our organizational documents.

We cannot assure you that the interests of our controlling stockholder will coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock. Additionally, Cerberus, which controls our controlling stockholder, is in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Our certificate of incorporation provides that neither Cerberus or its affiliates, nor members of our board of directors who are not our employees (including any directors who also serve as officers) or their affiliates, have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. Cerberus and our controlling stockholder may also pursue, for their own accounts, acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as our controlling stockholder continues to own a significant amount of our common stock, it will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions, including director and officer appointments, potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. These potential conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are directed by Cerberus, its affiliates or our directors to themselves or their other affiliates instead of to us.

Shares eligible for future sale may cause the market price of our common stock to decline, even if our business is doing well.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could adversely affect the price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 350,000,000 shares of common stock and as of March 5, 2012 we had 19,683,032 shares of common stock outstanding. Of these outstanding shares, 7,215,166 shares of common stock are freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market unless purchased by our affiliates. The remaining 12,467,866 shares of common stock are “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which are freely tradable subject to applicable holding period, volume and other limitations under Rule 144 or Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

The holders of the restricted securities have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering its shares or to include its shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other stockholders. Once we register these shares, they can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

We are headquartered in Livonia, Michigan in a 76,300 square foot facility that we lease. This facility is utilized for management offices as well as certain customer service, engineering, human resources, information technology, finance and treasury functions. We believe that this facility is suitable for the activities conducted there.

Our manufacturing is conducted in 34 manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Our manufacturing facilities are supported by nine engineering and sales locations throughout the world.

The following table sets forth selected information regarding each of our facilities:

       
       
Facility   Country   Description of Use   Square
Feet
  Ownership
Americas Locations
                                   
Aruja     Brazil       Manufacturing/Office/ Technical Center       272,200       Owned  
Betim     Brazil       Manufacturing       120,600       Owned  
Contagem     Brazil       Manufacturing       144,200       Leased  
Auburn, Indiana     United States       Manufacturing       162,800       Leased  
Bardstown, Kentucky     United States       Manufacturing       601,700       Owned/Leased (1)
 
Bellevue, Ohio (2 locations)     United States       Manufacturing       363,700       Owned  
Bluffton, Ohio     United States       Manufacturing       196,175       Leased  
Chicago, Illinois     United States       Manufacturing       423,700       Leased  
Clinton Township, Michigan     United States       Manufacturing       385,300       Leased  
Elkton, Michigan     United States       Manufacturing       1,100,000       Owned  
Grand Rapids, Michigan     United States       Office       5,900       Leased  
Goodyear, Arizona     United States       Manufacturing       458,800       Leased (2)
 
Livonia, Michigan     United States       Corporate Office/Technical Center       76,300       Leased  
Madison, Mississippi     United States       Manufacturing       270,500       Leased  
Meridian, Mississippi     United States       Manufacturing       412,000       Leased  
Milan, Tennessee     United States       Manufacturing       531,400       Leased (3)
 
Plymouth, Michigan     United States       Manufacturing       285,100       Leased  
Smyrna, Tennessee     United States       Manufacturing       271,000       Leased  
Upper Sandusky, Ohio     United States       Manufacturing       80,000       Leased (3)
 
Detroit, Michigan (2 locations)     United States       Manufacturing       992,000       Owned  

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Facility   Country   Description of Use   Square
Feet
  Ownership
International Locations
                                   
Gent     Belgium       Manufacturing       346,700       Leased  
Artern     Germany       Manufacturing       150,000       Owned  
Bergisch-Gladbach     Germany       Corporate Office/Technical Center       99,400       Owned (4)
 
Zwickau     Germany       Manufacturing       492,000       Owned/Leased (5)
 
Duisburg     Germany       Manufacturing       110,000       (6)  
Buchholz     Germany       Manufacturing       79,900       Owned  
Kaarst     Germany       Purchasing Office       3,300       Leased  
Caserta     Italy       Manufacturing       262,500       Owned  
Turin     Italy       Manufacturing/Office /Technical Center       180,300       Owned  
Melfi     Italy       Manufacturing       73,600       Owned  
Opole     Poland       Manufacturing       146,000       (5)  
Malacky     Slovakia       Manufacturing       518,200       Owned  
WuHu     China       Manufacturing/Office/Technical Center       308,500       (7)  
Dalian     China       Manufacturing       72,700       (2) / (7)  
Changchun     China       Manufacturing/Office/Technical Center       249,100       (7)  
Chengdu     China       Manufacturing       93,200       (7)  
Xiangtan     China       Manufacturing/Office       292,800       (2) / (7)  
Shanghai     China       Office       3,500       Leased  
Hyderabad     India       Engineering/Design/Technical Center       4,600       Leased  
Yokohama     Japan       Sales/Engineering/Technical Center       2,500       Leased  
Kwangju Metropolitan City, Pyeongdong     Korea       Manufacturing       237,000       Owned (8)
 
Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do     Korea       Manufacturing       221,900       Owned  
Shiheung-si, Gyeonggi-do     Korea       Manufacturing       183,000       Owned  
Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do     Korea       Manufacturing       60,700       Owned  
Yeongcheon-si     Korea       Manufacturing       49,400       Owned  
Ulsan Metropolitan City     Korea       Manufacturing       53,900       Owned  
Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do     Korea       Office / Technical Center       28,800       Owned  

(1) Facility consists of three buildings — two buildings are leased and one building is owned.
(2) Manufacturing has not yet commenced at this facility.
(3) Facility is closed, but we remain subject to obligations under the operating lease.
(4) The manufacturing facility has been closed, but the technical center and corporate office remain open.
(5) Facility consists of two buildings — one building is leased and one building is owned.
(6) We own a building right to this facility which is leased by one of our subsidiaries to another of our subsidiaries.
(7) Facility is utilized by our joint venture. The building is owned by the joint venture.
(8) Facility is owned, but the land is leased.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are from time to time involved in legal proceedings, claims or investigations that are incidental to the conduct of our business. We vigorously defend ourselves against these claims. In future periods, we could be subjected to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters is resolved on unfavorable terms. However, although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claims, we do not expect that our pending legal proceedings or claims will have a material impact on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information —  Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TOWR.” The stock began trading on October 15, 2010, in conjunction with our initial public offering. As of March 5, 2012, we had 19,683,032 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding, of which 7,215,166 shares were not owned by Tower International Holdings, LLC (an entity owned by Cerberus), and 3 holders of record of our common stock. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

The following table shows the high and low reported closing price per share of our common stock during 2011 and 2010:

       
  2011   2010
High and Low Closing Prices per Share   High Price   Low Price   High Price   Low Price
Fourth Quarter
(beginning October 15 th in 2010)
  $ 12.77     $ 9.51     $ 17.90     $ 12.72  
Third Quarter     18.00       9.86       n/a       n/a  
Second Quarter     18.06       13.91       n/a       n/a  
First Quarter     18.82       15.85       n/a       n/a  

Performance Graph —  The following graph shows the quarterly cumulative total stockholder return for our common stock during the period from October 15, 2010 to December 31, 2011. Five year historical data is not presented since our common stock commenced trading in connection with our initial public offering on October 15, 2010 and we did not have common stock outstanding prior to that date. The graph also shows the cumulative returns of the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on October 15, 2010 (the date our common stock began trading on the NYSE). Each of the indices shown assumes that all dividends paid were reinvested.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

           
  10/15/2010   12/31/2010   3/31/2011   6/30/2011   9/30/2011   12/31/2011
Tower International, Inc.   $ 100.00       130.55       124.94       130.55       72.77       79.26  
S&P 500   $ 100.00       106.81       112.60       112.16       96.09       106.81  
Automotive Index (Dow Jones)   $ 100.00       121.26       128.10       132.24       92.46       105.61  

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Dividends —  We did not declare or pay any common stock dividends during 2011 or 2010 and do not anticipate paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future.

Issuer’s Purchases of Equity Securities —  We did not repurchase any of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following tables set forth (i) selected consolidated financial data of Tower International, Inc. for periods after the Corporate Conversion, (ii) selected consolidated financial data of Tower Automotive, LLC, for periods prior to the Corporate Conversion but subsequent to July 31, 2007, the date on which we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain specific liabilities of Tower Automotive, Inc. and its United States subsidiaries in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings of Tower Automotive, Inc. and such subsidiaries and acquired the capital stock of substantially all of the foreign subsidiaries of Tower Automotive, Inc. and (iii) selected consolidated financial data of Tower Automotive, Inc. for periods on or before July 31, 2007. With respect to our financial data and throughout this Annual Report, we refer to Tower Automotive, Inc. through July 31, 2007 as the Predecessor Company and we refer to Tower Automotive, LLC after July 31, 2007 as the Successor. The selected consolidated balance sheet data of the Successor as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the selected consolidated statement of operations data of the Successor for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that we have included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated balance sheet data of the Successor as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the selected consolidated statement of operations data of the Successor for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the five months ended December 31, 2007 and the selected consolidated statement of operations data of the Predecessor for the seven months ended July 31, 2007 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not presented in this Annual Report.

The selected historical consolidated financial data as of any date and for any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved as of any future date or for any future period. As a result of the implementation of applicable accounting pronouncements relating to our acquisition of the Predecessor Company’s assets, the financial statements and financial data presented in this Annual Report for dates and for periods ending on or before July 31, 2007 are not comparable with the financial statements and financial data for periods after July 31, 2007.

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You should read the following selected historical consolidated financial data in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that we have presented elsewhere in this Annual Report.

           
  Successor   Predecessor
Company
    
  
Year Ended December 31,
  Five Months
Ended
December 31, 2007
  Seven Months
Ended
July 31,
2007
     2011   2010   2009   2008
     (in millions except share and per share data)     
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                     
Revenues   $ 2,406.1     $ 1,997.1     $ 1,634.4     $ 2,171.7     $ 1,086.1     $ 1,455.5  
Cost of Sales     2,150.0       1,786.5       1,536.8       1,991.3       970.5       1,325.9  
Gross profit     256.1       210.6       97.6       180.4       115.6       129.6  
Gross profit margin     10.6 %       10.5 %       6.0 %       8.3 %       10.6 %       8.9 %  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (1)   $ 158.4     $ 144.0     $ 118.3     $ 138.6     $ 57.0     $ 77.2  
Amortization expense     4.6       3.3       2.8       3.0       1.2        
Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net     2.7       14.3       13.4       4.8       1.8       22.4  
Operating income/(loss)     90.5       49.0       (36.9 )       34.0       55.5       30.0  
Operating income/(loss) margin     3.8 %       2.5 %       (2.3 )%       1.6 %       5.1 %       2.1 %  
Interest expense, net   $ 61.2     $ 65.9     $ 56.9     $ 60.2     $ 34.0     $ 65.5  
Chapter 11 and related reorganization items                                   62.2  
Income/(loss) from continuing operations     13.2       (28.5 )       (59.0 )       (45.7 )       18.2       (100.3 )  
Net income/(loss) (2)     13.2       (28.5 )       (59.0 )       (45.7 )       18.2       (100.6 )  
Net income attributable to the
non- controlling interests
    5.1       8.4       8.9       6.6       3.0       5.4  
Net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.     8.1       (36.9 )       (67.9 )       (52.3 )       15.2       (106.0 )  
Preferred unit dividends (3)           10.7       16.1       14.9       8.8        
Income/(loss) available to common stockholders     8.1       (47.6 )       (84.0 )       (67.3 )       6.4       (106.0 )  
Basic income/(loss) per share:
                                                     
Income/(loss) from continuing operations     0.42       (3.43 )       (6.74 )       (5.40 )       0.51       (1.79 )  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations                                   (0.01 )  
Income/(loss) per share     0.42       (3.43 )       (6.74 )       (5.40 )       0.51       (1.80 )  
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in thousands)     19,364       13,866       12,468       12,468       12,468       58,807  
Diluted income/(loss) per share:
                                                     
Income/(loss) from continuing operations     0.40       (3.43 )       (6.74 )       (5.40 )       0.51       (1.79 )  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations                                   (0.01 )  
Income/(loss) per share     0.40       (3.43 )       (6.74 )       (5.40 )       0.51       (1.80 )  
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in thousands)     20,070       13,866       12,468       12,468       12,468       58,807  
Cash dividends declared per share                                    

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  Successor
     December 31,
     2011   2010   2009   2008   2007
     (in millions)
Balance Sheet Data:
                                            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 135.0     $ 150.3     $ 149.8     $ 126.8     $ 96.8  
Total assets     1,397.4       1,340.2       1,334.4       1,269.8       1,582.9  
Total debt (4)     583.5       558.2       669.5       628.1       691.7  
Redeemable preferred units (3)                 170.9       155.2       145.9  
Total stockholders’ equity/(deficit)     97.5       111.6       (147.2 )       (88.5 )       32.6  

(1) In connection with the closing of the notes offering and the IPO, we incurred charges of $18.4 million and $11.1 million, respectively, related to one-time compensation plans for our executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(2) During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a gain of $33.7 million related to the reduction of our letter of credit facility and subsequent repurchase of our first lien term loan.
(3) Represents preferred equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC. See note 12 to our consolidated financial statements. On August 12, 2010, the preferred units, common units and management incentive plan units of Tower Automotive, LLC, which constituted all of the equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC, were converted into capital units of Tower Automotive, LLC. The preferred units received dividend payments in 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
(4) Consists of short-term and long-term debt, current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Company Overview

We are a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving automotive original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. We offer our automotive customers a broad product portfolio, supplying body-structure stampings, frame and other chassis structures, as well as complex welded assemblies, for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups and sport utility vehicles, or SUVs. Our products are manufactured at 34 production facilities strategically located near our customers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. We support our manufacturing operations through nine engineering and sales locations around the world. Our products are offered on a diverse mix of vehicle platforms, reflecting the balanced portfolio approach of our business model and the breadth of our product capabilities. We supply products to approximately 176 vehicle models globally to 13 of the 15 largest OEMs based on 2011 production volumes.

Factors Affecting Our Industry

Our business and our revenues are primarily driven by the strength of the global automotive industry, which tends to be cyclical and highly correlated to general global macroeconomic conditions. The strength of the automotive market dictates the volume of purchases of our products by our OEM customers to ultimately satisfy consumer demand. We manufacture products pursuant to written agreements with each of our OEM customers. However, those agreements do not dictate the volume requirements of our customers; instead, OEMs monitor their inventory and the inventory levels of their dealers and adjust the volume of their purchases from us based on consumer demand for their products.

During 2010 and 2011, the financial markets improved and vehicle production increased compared to the unprecedented downturn experienced in 2008 and 2009. The economies in our largest markets, however, have not recovered to levels previously experienced. It is expected that vehicle production will increase in 2012 compared to 2011 in our markets with the exception of Europe.

As measured by IHS, global industry production of cars and light trucks was 75 million vehicles in 2011 compared to 72 million vehicles in 2010. The increased production is a trend that we expect to continue as the global economy recovers from the unprecedented economic crisis experienced over the previous several years. Over the long term, IHS projects production will reach 93 million vehicles by 2015, reflecting a recovery in both the North American and European markets as well as continued growth in emerging markets such as China and Brazil. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from this long-term trend, but we are not insulated from short-term fluctuations in the global automotive industry.

Factors Affecting Our Revenues

While overall production volumes are largely driven by economic factors outside of our direct control, we believe that the following elements of our business also impact our revenues:

Life cycle of our agreements.   Our agreements with OEMs typically follow one of two patterns. Agreements for new models of vehicles normally cover the lifetime of the platform, often awarded two to five years before these models are marketed to the public. Agreements covering design improvements to existing automobiles have shorter expected life cycles, typically with shorter pre-production and development periods. Typically, once a supplier has been designated to supply components for a new platform, an OEM will continue to purchase those parts from the designated manufacturer for the life of the program. For any given agreement, our revenues depend in part upon the life cycle status of the applicable product platform. Overall, our revenues are enhanced to the extent that the products we are assembling and producing are in the peak production periods of their life cycles.
Product pricing.   Generally, our customers negotiate annual price reductions with us during the term of their contracts. When negotiated price reductions are expected to be retroactive, we accrue for such amounts as a reduction of revenues as products are shipped. The extent of our price reductions negatively impacts our revenues. In unusual circumstances, we have been able to negotiate year-over-year price increases as well.

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Steel pricing .  We require significant quantities of steel in the manufacture of our products. Although changing steel prices affect our results, we seek to be neutral with respect to steel pricing over time, with the intention of neither making nor losing money as steel prices fluctuate. The pricing of our products includes a component for steel which increases as steel prices increase and decreases as steel prices decrease. For our North American customers and several of our other customers, we purchase steel through our customers’ resale programs, where our customers actually negotiate the cost of steel for us. In other cases, we procure steel directly from the mills, negotiating our own price and seeking to pass through steel price increases and decreases to our customers.
Foreign exchange.   Our foreign exchange transaction risk is generally limited, primarily because we purchase and produce products in the same country where we sell to our final customer. However, the translation of foreign currencies back to the U.S. dollar may have a significant impact on our revenues, results of operations, cash flows, or stockholders’ equity. Foreign exchange has an unfavorable impact on revenues when the U.S. dollar is relatively strong as compared with foreign currencies and a favorable impact on revenues when the U.S. dollar is relatively weak as compared with foreign currencies. The functional currency of our foreign operations is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the applicable period-end rates of exchange. Results of operations are translated at applicable average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation gains or losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Equity/(Deficit), Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), and Redeemable Preferred Units. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions, the amounts of which were not material in any of the periods presented in this Annual Report, are included in net income/(loss).

Factors Affecting Our Expenses

Our expenses are driven by the following factors:

Cost of steel .  We utilize steel and various purchased steel products in virtually all of our products. We refer to the “net steel impact” as the combination of the change in steel prices that are reflected in the price of our products, the change in the cost to procure steel from the mill, and the change in our recovery of scrap steel (which we refer to as offal). Our strategy is to be economically indifferent to steel pricing by having these factors offset each other. While we strive to achieve a neutral net steel impact, we are not always successful in achieving that goal, in large part due to timing. Depending upon when a steel price change occurs, that change may have a disproportionate effect, within any particular fiscal period, on our product pricing, our steel costs and the results of our sales of scrap steel. Imbalances in any one particular fiscal period may be reversed in a subsequent fiscal period, although we cannot provide assurances as to if or when these reversals will occur.
Purchase of steel.   As noted above, we purchase a portion of our steel from our customers through our customers’ resale programs and a portion of our steel directly from the mills. Whether our customer negotiates the cost of steel for us in a customer resale program or we negotiate the cost of steel with the mills, the price we pay is charged directly to our cost of sales, just as the component of product pricing relating to steel is included within our revenues.
Sale of scrap steel.   We typically sell offal in secondary markets which are influenced by similar market forces. We generally share our recoveries from sales of offal with our customers either through scrap sharing agreements, in cases where we are on resale programs, or in the product pricing that is negotiated regarding increases and decreases in the steel price in cases where we purchase steel directly from the mills. In either situation, we may be impacted by the fluctuation in scrap steel prices, either positive or negative, in relation to our various customer agreements. Since scrap steel prices generally increase and decrease as steel prices increase and decrease, our sale of offal may mitigate the severity of steel price increases and limit the benefits we achieve through steel price declines. Recoveries related to sales of offal reduce cost of sales.

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Adjusted EBITDA

We use the term Adjusted EBITDA throughout this Annual Report. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items and other adjustments described in the reconciliations provided in this report. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance defined in accordance with U.S. GAAP (“GAAP”). We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to our GAAP results in evaluating our business.

Adjusted EBITDA is included in this report because it is one of the principal factors upon which our management assesses performance. Our Chief Executive Officer measures the performance of our segments on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods on a consistent basis because it excludes items that we do not believe reflect our core operating performance.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our performance because Adjusted EBITDA is a commonly used financial metric for measuring and comparing the operating performance of companies in our industry. We believe that the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA offers an additional financial metric that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliation to GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of our results of operations and the factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income/(loss) as an indicator of our performance, as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure prescribed by GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA may make an evaluation of our operating performance more consistent because it removes items that do not reflect our core operations, (i) other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do and, as a result, it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry; and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance.

We compensate for these limitations by providing disclosure of the differences between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our operating results. For a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income/(loss), see “Results of Operations” below.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Our management compensates for these limitations by analyzing both our GAAP results and Adjusted EBITDA.

Our Segments

Our management reviews our operating results and makes decisions based upon two reportable segments: the Americas and International, each of which has its own president and leadership team. For accounting purposes, we have identified four operating segments, which we have aggregated into two reportable segments. See note 16 to our consolidated financial statements. Through December 31, 2011, our businesses have had similar economic characteristics, including the nature of our products, our margins, our production processes and our customers.

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Results of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2010

Automobile production volumes increased during the year ended December 31, 2011 in all major markets compared to the year ended December 31, 2010, with the exception of Brazil which remained relatively flat. The following table presents production volumes in specified regions according to IHS for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 (in millions of units produced):

         
  Europe   Korea   China   North
America
  Brazil
2011 production volumes     20.2       4.6       16.0       13.1       3.1  
2010 production volumes     18.8       4.2       15.1       11.9       3.2  
Increase / (decrease)     1.4       0.4       0.9       1.2       (0.1 )  
Percentage change     8 %       8 %       11 %       10 %       (1 )%  

The following table presents selected financial information for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in millions).

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
     2011   2010   2011   2010   2011   2010
Revenues   $ 1,334.0     $ 1,147.6     $ 1,072.1     $ 849.5     $ 2,406.1     $ 1,997.1  
Cost of sales     1,199.4       1,012.6       950.6       773.9       2,150.0       1,786.5  
Gross profit     134.6       135.0       121.5       75.6       256.1       210.6  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses     64.8       63.1       93.6       80.9       158.4       144.0  
Amortization     2.7       2.4       1.9       0.9       4.6       3.3  
Restructuring and asset impairments     (0.2 )       3.3       2.8       11.0       2.6       14.3  
Operating income/(loss)   $ 67.3     $ 66.2     $ 23.2     $ (17.2 )       90.5       49.0  
Interest expense, net                                         61.2       65.9  
Other expense                                         1.3       1.3  
Provision for income taxes                                         14.8       10.3  
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                             5.1       8.4  
Net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.                           $ 8.1     $ (36.9 )  

Comparison of Periods — GAAP Analysis of Consolidated Results

Revenues

Total revenues increased during the year ended December 31, 2011 by $409 million or 20% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting primarily higher volume in both our Americas segment ($209.3 million) and our International segment ($86 million). Revenues were also positively impacted by the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar in our International segment, primarily the Euro ($41 million), Korean Won ($13.6 million), and Chinese RMB ($7.7 million), and in our Americas segment, primarily the Brazilian Real ($11.9 million). Revenues were also positively impacted by favorable pricing and economics ($39.5 million), related primarily to higher steel recoveries in our International segment.

Gross Profit

When we analyze our total gross profit, we separately categorize external factors — volume, product mix and foreign exchange — and all other factors which impact gross profit, which we refer to as “other factors”. When we refer to “mix,” we are referring to the relative composition of revenues and profitability of the products we sell in any given period. When we refer to “pricing and economics,” we are referring to (i) the impact of adjustments in the pricing of particular products, which we refer to as product pricing; (ii) the impact of steel price changes, taking into account the component of our product pricing attributable to steel, the cost of steel included in our cost of sales and the amounts recovered on the sale of offal, which in total

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we refer to as the net steel impact; and (iii) the impact of inflation and changes in operating costs such as labor, utilities and fuel, which we refer to as economics.

Total gross profit increased by $45.5 million or 22% from the year ended December 31, 2010 to the year ended December 31, 2011, and our gross profit margin increased from 10.5% during 2010 to 10.6% in 2011, as partially explained by higher volume ($62.8 million) and favorable foreign exchange ($10.2 million, excluding the impact on depreciation), offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($16 million). All other factors were net unfavorable by $11.5 million. Cost of sales was reduced by favorable efficiencies ($41.6 million) and the favorable settlement associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil ($2.7 million). These factors were more than offset by unfavorable pricing and economics ($47.1 million), higher launch costs ($7.4 million), and the non-recurrence of customer cost recoveries ($3.6 million).

Total gross profit was positively impacted by a reduction in the depreciation included in cost of sales from $107.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 to $105.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease reflected primarily a portion of our assets becoming fully depreciated in 2011 in our International segment, offset partially by the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar and the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

Total SG&A increased $14.4 million or 10% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting primarily the higher charges for compensation costs related to the initial public offering and senior secured notes offering ($7.3 million), higher expenses associated with being a public company ($2.7 million), wage inflation ($2.7 million), the costs related to the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries during the second quarter of 2011 ($1.1 million), and the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, offset partially by SG&A efficiencies ($1.6 million) and the costs related to the acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Artern, Germany during the first quarter of 2010 ($0.7 million).

Amortization Expense

Total amortization expense increased $1.3 million or 39% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting primarily the amortization of the intangible asset recorded at Tower Defense & Aerospace during the second quarter of 2011, the amortization of the intangible asset recorded in Artern at the end of the first quarter of 2010, and the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Our amortization expense consists of the charges we incur to amortize certain intangible assets.

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Expense

Total restructuring and asset impairment expense decreased $11.7 million or 82% from the year ended December 31, 2010. During 2011, we incurred charges of $2.7 million which consisted of the recurring costs for maintaining our North American closed plants and severance costs in Brazil related to improved manufacturing efficiencies, which were offset partially by the favorable adjustment of a liability pertaining to our North American closed facilities. During 2010, we incurred charges of $14.3 million reflecting primarily an impairment charge taken on our non-automotive business of $7.3 million, an impairment charge taken of $2.7 million on our press shop in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany as we put it up for sale, $2.3 million related to the sale of a closed facility, and the recurring costs for maintaining our North American closed plants. The charge taken on our non-automotive business relates to the equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize, less any salvage value.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net, decreased $4.7 million or 7% from the year ended December 31, 2010 reflecting primarily the acceleration of debt issue costs in August 2010 upon the retirement of the first lien term loan ($5.3 million) and a favorable settlement relating to the interest associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil ($4.3 million), offset partially by the higher interest expense associated with our senior secured notes ($2.5 million), the higher interest expense associated with our Amended ABL Revolver and new Letter of Credit Facility ($1.8 million), and the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. During the third quarter of 2010, we issued $430 million of senior secured notes with an original issue discount of $12.8 million and subsequently retired our first lien term loan. The weighted average annual interest rate of the first lien term loan was approximately 8% during 2010 when taking into account our interest rate swaps

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compared with the senior secured notes that bear an annual interest rate of 11.25% when taking into account the amortization of the original issue discount. On October 6, 2011 and September 30, 2011, we reduced our outstanding debt by purchasing $7.5 million and $17.5 million, respectively, of our senior secured notes in the open market and immediately retired them which resulted in the acceleration of the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. On March 30, 2011 and December 17, 2010, we redeemed $17 million and $26 million, respectively, of the senior secured notes which resulted in the acceleration of the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $4.5 million or 44% from the year ended December 31, 2010. In the third quarter of 2010, we recorded a net discrete tax benefit of $5.8 million for reversing a South Korean valuation allowance, the recognition of tax expense attributable to interest rate swaps, and the establishment of reserves for uncertain tax positions required under FASB ASC No. 740. Excluding these one-time events, income tax expense decreased $1.3 million from the year ended December 31, 2010. The comparative $1.3 million decrease was primarily attributable to reductions in uncertain tax positions for intercompany charges. Our income tax expense varies each period depending on the level and mix of income and losses generated in the various jurisdictions in which we do business. Our effective tax rate of 52.9% is significantly higher than the expected income tax expense based on the U.S. Federal statutory rate primarily because we have not recorded tax benefits on net operating losses incurred in certain jurisdictions. The jurisdictions that have had historical cumulative losses are primarily the U.S and the Netherlands. We did not record an income tax benefit on these losses due to the uncertainty of the future realization of the deferred tax assets generated by the cumulative losses.

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax

The adjustment to our earnings required to give effect to the elimination of noncontrolling interests decreased $3.3 million or 39% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting decreased earnings in our Chinese joint ventures during 2011 related primarily to unfavorable product pricing.

Comparison of Periods — Non-GAAP Analysis of Adjusted EBITDA

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc. for the periods presented is set forth below (in millions):

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
     2011   2010   2011   2010   2011   2010
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 118.3     $ 125.5     $ 109.3     $ 64.7     $ 227.6     $ 190.2  
Intercompany charges     9.1       7.0       (9.1 )       (7.0 )              
Restructuring and asset impairments     0.2       (3.3 )       (2.8 )       (11.0 )       (2.6 )       (14.3 )  
Depreciation and amortization     (58.2 )       (61.3 )       (56.4 )       (53.4 )       (114.6 )       (114.7 )  
Acquisition costs and other     (0.4 )       (1.0 )       (1.1 )       (0.1 )       (1.5 )       (1.1 )  
Incentive compensation related to funding events (a)     (1.7 )       (0.7 )       (16.7 )       (10.4 )       (18.4 )       (11.1 )  
Operating income/(loss)   $ 67.3     $ 66.2     $ 23.2     $ (17.2 )       90.5       49.0  
Interest expense, net                                         (61.2 )       (65.9 )  
Other expense (b)                                         (1.3 )       (1.3 )  
Provision for income taxes                                         (14.8 )       (10.3 )  
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                             (5.1 )       (8.4 )  
Net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.                           $ 8.1     $ (36.9 )  

(a) Represents the one-time compensation programs triggered by the closing of the senior secured notes offering and the closing of the initial public offering in 2010. The compensation charges are incurred during the applicable vesting periods of each program.
(b) Represents the premium paid in connection with the retirement of our senior secured notes.

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The following table presents revenues (a GAAP measure) and Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in millions) as well as an explanation of variances:

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (c)
  Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (c)
  Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (c)
2011 results   $ 1,334.0     $ 118.3     $ 1,072.1     $ 109.3     $ 2,406.1     $ 227.6  
2010 results   $ 1,147.6     $ 125.5     $ 849.5     $ 64.7     $ 1,997.1     $ 190.2  
Variance   $ 186.4     $ (7.2 )     $ 222.6     $ 44.6     $ 409.0     $ 37.4  
Variance attributable to:
                                                     
Volume and mix   $ 86.0     $ 14.4     $ 209.3     $ 32.4     $ 295.3     $ 46.8  
Foreign exchange     62.3       6.5       11.9       1.0       74.2       7.5  
Pricing and economics     38.1       (34.3 )       1.4       (15.5 )       39.5       (49.8 )  
Efficiencies           16.1             25.5             41.6  
Selling, general and administrative expenses and other items (d)           (9.9 )             1.2             (8.7 )  
Total   $ 186.4     $ (7.2 )     $ 222.6     $ 44.6     $ 409.0     $ 37.4  

(c) We have presented a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc. above.
(d) When we refer to “selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) and other items”, the “other items” refer to (i) savings which we generate after implementing restructuring actions, (ii) the costs associated with launching new products, and (iii) one-time items which may include reimbursement of costs.

Adjusted EBITDA

Consolidated Company:   Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA improved by $37.4 million or 20% from the year ended December 31, 2010, as explained by higher volume ($62.8 million) and favorable foreign exchange ($7.5 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($16 million). The unfavorable product mix relates primarily to products which required lower capital investments and have lower margins. All other factors were net unfavorable by $16.9 million; favorable efficiencies ($41.6 million) were more than offset by unfavorable pricing and economics ($49.8 million) and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($8.7 million).

International Segment:   In our International segment, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $7.2 million or 6% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting higher volumes ($14.6 million) and favorable foreign exchange ($6.5 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($0.2 million). All other factors were net unfavorable by $28.1 million. Unfavorable pricing and economics ($34.3 million), principally product pricing and labor costs, were offset partially by favorable efficiencies ($16.1 million). In addition, SG&A and other items contributed unfavorably during the year ended December 31, 2011 ($9.9 million) resulting from higher launch costs ($5.7 million) and the non-recurrence of customer cost recoveries ($3 million).

Americas Segment:   In our Americas segment, Adjusted EBITDA improved by $44.6 million or 69% from the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting primarily higher volumes ($48.2 million) and favorable foreign exchange ($1 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($15.8 million). All other factors were net favorable by $11.2 million. Favorable efficiencies ($25.5 million) and lower SG&A expenses and other items ($1.2 million) were offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($15.5 million), principally product pricing and labor costs. SG&A spending and other items reflect primarily the favorable settlement associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil ($2.7 million), favorable SG&A efficiencies ($2.4 million), offset partially by higher expenses associated with being a public company ($2.7 million) and higher launch costs ($1.7 million).

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Results of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Automobile production volumes increased during the year ended December 31, 2010 in all major markets compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. The following table presents production volumes in specified regions according to IHS for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the year ended December 31, 2009 (in millions of units produced):

         
  Europe   Korea   China   North
America
  Brazil
2010 production volumes     18.8       4.2       14.7       11.9       3.2  
2009 production volumes     16.3       3.4       10.8       8.6       2.9  
Increase     2.5       0.8       3.9       3.3       0.3  
Percentage change     15 %       22 %       36 %       40 %       8 %  

The following table presents selected financial information for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in millions).

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
     2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
Revenues   $ 1,147.6     $ 990.5     $ 849.5     $ 643.9     $ 1,997.1     $ 1,634.4  
Cost of sales     1,012.6       889.9       773.9       646.9       1,786.5       1,536.8  
Gross profit/(loss)     135.0       100.6       75.6       (3.0 )       210.6       97.6  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses     63.1       57.7       80.9       60.6       144.0       118.3  
Amortization     2.4       2.0       0.9       0.8       3.3       2.8  
Restructuring and asset impairments     3.3       12.6       11.0       0.8       14.3       13.4  
Operating income/(loss)   $ 66.2     $ 28.3     $ (17.2 )     $ (65.2 )       49.0       (36.9 )  
Interest expense, net                                         65.9       56.9  
Other (income)/expense                                         1.3       (33.7 )  
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes                                         10.3       (1.1 )  
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                             8.4       8.9  
Net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc.                           $ (36.9 )     $ (67.9 )  

Comparison of Periods — GAAP Analysis of Consolidated Results

Revenues

Total revenues increased during the year ended December 31, 2010 by $362.7 million or 22% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting primarily higher volume in both our International segment ($211.1 million) and our Americas segment ($194.5 million). Revenues were also positively impacted by the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar in our Americas segment, primarily the Brazilian Real ($21.2 million) and in our International segment, primarily the Korean Won ($21.2 million); however, that positive impact was more than offset by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro in our International segment ($42.8 million). Revenues were negatively impacted by unfavorable pricing and economics ($36.9 million), primarily related to product pricing and lower steel recoveries.

Gross Profit

Total gross profit increased by $113 million or 116% from the year ended December 31, 2009 to the year ended December 31, 2010, and our gross profit margin increased from 6% during 2009 to 10.5% in 2010, as partially explained by higher volume ($95.4 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($3.8 million) and unfavorable foreign exchange ($2.9 million, excluding the impact on depreciation). All other factors were net favorable by $24.3 million. Cost of sales was reduced by manufacturing, purchasing, and other efficiencies ($47.7 million), a one-time provision in 2009 associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil ($4.7 million),

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and savings from restructuring actions undertaken in 2008 and 2009 ($3.6 million). These factors were offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($42.2 million), which included the non-recurrence of a one-time adjustment to our workers’ compensation accrual in 2009 associated with our closed facilities in our Americas segment ($3 million). Gross profit was also adversely impacted by the non-recurrence of customer cost recoveries ($12.2 million), higher launch costs ($9 million), and the non-recurrence of recoveries of expenditures for customer-funded tooling ($3.1 million).

Total gross profit was positively impacted by a reduction in the depreciation included in cost of sales from $141.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 to $107.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. The reduction reflected primarily accelerated depreciation in 2009 related to certain restructuring actions taken in the Americas segment, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, and a portion of our fixed assets becoming fully depreciated in July 2009.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

Total SG&A increased $25.7 million or 22% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting higher bonus and higher salary costs relating in part to the hiring of additional engineering colleagues in support of new programs ($13.3 million) and acquisition costs related to the acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Artern, Germany during the first quarter of 2010 ($0.7 million). In addition, SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a charge for compensation costs related to our Special Incentive Program ($6.7 million), restricted stock units granted under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan ($2.9 million), and our Supplemental Value Creation Program ($1.5 million). These compensation expenses were incurred as a result of the consummation of the IPO and the notes offering (see notes 14 and 18 to our consolidated financial statements).

Amortization Expense

Total amortization expense increased $0.5 million or 18% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting primarily the amortization of the intangible asset recorded for the Artern facility at the end of the first quarter. Our amortization expense consists of the charges we incur to amortize certain intangible assets.

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Expense

Total restructuring and asset impairment expense increased $0.9 million or 7% from the year ended December 31, 2009. During 2010, we incurred charges of $14.3 million reflecting primarily an impairment charge taken on our non-automotive business of $7.3 million, an impairment charge taken of $2.7 million on our press shop in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany as we put it up for sale, and $2.3 million related to the sale of a closed facility. The charge taken on our non-automotive business relates to the equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize, less any salvage value. During 2009, we incurred a $13.4 million charge reflecting primarily the closure of our press shop in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany ($10.2 million) and $4 million related to the 2008 closure of our facility in Traverse City, Michigan. The 2009 charges were offset partially by $6.9 million of restructuring income related to the cancellation of an old customer program relating to our closed facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The remaining charges in 2010 and 2009 related to the ongoing maintenance of closed facilities and other small restructuring actions taken.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net, increased $9 million or 16% from the year ended December 31, 2009 reflecting primarily the acceleration of the amortization of our debt issue costs associated with the first lien term loan ($5.3 million) and the higher interest expense associated with our senior secured notes ($3.4 million). During the third quarter of 2010, we issued $430 million of senior secured notes with an original issue discount of $12.8 million and subsequently retired our first lien term loan. The weighted average annual interest rate of the first lien term loan was approximately 8% during 2009 and 2010 when taking into account our interest rate swaps compared with the senior secured notes that bear an annual interest rate of 11.25% when taking into account the amortization of the original issue discount. On December 17, 2010, we redeemed $26 million of the senior secured notes from a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering.

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Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $11.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2009. Income tax expense increased $12.3 million reflecting primarily increased foreign income taxes, relating to increased earnings in our international segment, offset partially by reduced withholding and state income taxes. During 2010, we also reversed $7.8 million (net of uncertain tax benefits) of our valuation allowance in South Korea which resulted in a tax benefit. This valuation allowance was reversed because the profitability of our South Korean operations has improved during the past two years and the expected production volumes in South Korea are remaining at or above levels experienced during 2008. In addition, income tax expense of $2 million was recognized in operations, relating to the reversal of interest rate swaps reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), compared to a benefit of $4.9 million for 2009.

The change in income tax expense varies during each period depending on the level and mix of income and losses generated in the various jurisdictions in which we do business. Our effective tax rate differs from our statutory rate primarily due to valuation allowances recorded against tax benefits on losses incurred in certain countries, including the U.S. where we have recorded the valuation allowances due to the uncertainty of the future realization of the tax benefits associated with the losses.

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax

The adjustment to our earnings required to give effect to the elimination of noncontrolling interests decreased $0.5 million or 6% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting decreased earnings in our Chinese joint ventures during 2010.

Comparison of Periods — Non-GAAP Analysis of Adjusted EBITDA

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc. for the periods presented is set forth below (in millions):

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
     2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 125.5     $ 108.7     $ 64.7     $ 16.3     $ 190.2     $ 125.0  
Intercompany charges     7.0       8.0       (7.0 )       (8.0 )              
Restructuring and asset impairments     (3.3 )       (12.6 )       (11.0 )       (0.8 )       (14.3 )       (13.4 )  
Depreciation and amortization     (61.3 )       (75.1 )       (53.4 )       (72.6 )       (114.7 )       (147.7 )  
Receivable factoring charges and other     (0.3 )       (0.7 )       (0.1 )       (0.1 )       (0.4 )       (0.8 )  
Acquisition costs     (0.7 )                         (0.7 )        
Incentive compensation related to funding events     (0.7 )             (10.4 )             (11.1 )        
Operating income/(loss)   $ 66.2     $ 28.3     $ (17.2 )     $ (65.2 )       49.0       (36.9 )  
Interest expense, net                                         (65.9 )       (56.9 )  
Other income/(expense) (a)                                         (1.3 )       33.7  
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes                                         (10.3 )       1.1  
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                             (8.4 )       (8.9 )  
Net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc.                           $ (36.9 )     $ (67.9 )  

(a) In 2010, represents the premium paid in connection with the redemption of $26 million of our senior secured notes. In 2009, represents the gains associated with a reduction in our synthetic letter of credit facility and then a repurchase and retirement of a portion of our first lien term loan.

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The following table presents revenues (a GAAP measure) and Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in millions) as well as an explanation of variances:

           
  International   Americas   Consolidated
     Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (b)
  Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (b)
  Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA (b)
2010 results   $ 1,147.6     $ 125.5     $ 849.5     $ 64.7     $ 1,997.1     $ 190.2  
2009 results     990.5       108.7       643.9       16.3       1,634.4       125.0  
Variance   $ 157.1     $ 16.8     $ 205.6     $ 48.4     $ 362.7     $ 65.2  
Variance attributable to:
                                                     
Volume and mix   $ 211.1     $ 35.9     $ 194.5     $ 55.7     $ 405.6     $ 91.6  
Foreign exchange     (21.6 )       (4.1 )       21.2       1.0       (0.4 )       (3.1 )  
Pricing and economics     (31.9 )       (34.0 )       (5.0 )       (20.8 )       (36.9 )       (54.8 )  
Manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies           24.6             31.2             55.8  
Selling, general and administrative expenses and other items     (0.5 )       (5.6 )       (5.1 )       (18.7 )       (5.6 )       (24.3 )  
Total   $ 157.1     $ 16.8     $ 205.6     $ 48.4     $ 362.7     $ 65.2  

(b) We have presented a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc. above.

Adjusted EBITDA

Consolidated Company:   Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA improved by $65.2 million or 52% from the year ended December 31, 2009, as explained by higher volume ($95.4 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($3.8 million) and unfavorable foreign exchange ($3.1 million). All other factors were net unfavorable by $23.3 million; manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies ($55.8 million) were more than offset by unfavorable pricing and economics ($54.8 million) and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($24.3 million).

International Segment:   In our International segment, Adjusted EBITDA improved by $16.8 million or 15% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting higher volumes ($47.3 million) offset partially by unfavorable product mix ($11.4 million) and unfavorable foreign exchange ($4.1 million). All other factors were net unfavorable by $15 million. Unfavorable pricing and economics ($34 million), principally product pricing and labor costs, were offset partially by manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies ($24.6 million). In addition, SG&A and other items contributed unfavorably during the year ended December 31, 2010 ($5.6 million) resulting from the non-recurrence of customer cost recoveries ($3.9 million), higher launch costs ($2.9 million), and increased personnel costs, primarily engineering ($2.5 million), offset partially by savings from restructuring actions undertaken in 2009 ($1.9 million).

Americas Segment:   In our Americas segment, Adjusted EBITDA improved by $48.4 million or 297% from the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting primarily higher volumes ($48.1 million), favorable product mix ($7.6 million), and favorable foreign exchange ($1 million). All other factors were net unfavorable by $8.3 million. Manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies ($31.2 million) were offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($20.8 million), principally product pricing and labor costs including higher bonus and salary costs and the non-recurrence of a one-time adjustment to our workers’ compensation accrual in 2009 associated with our closed facilities ($3 million), and higher SG&A expenses and other items ($18.7 million). The adverse impact from SG&A spending and other items resulted from the non-recurrence of customer cost recoveries ($8.3 million), higher launch costs ($6.1 million), increased personnel costs, primarily engineering ($3.4 million), the non-recurrence of recoveries of expenditures for customer-funded tooling ($3.1 million), and increased costs related to becoming a public company ($2 million), all of which were offset partially by the non-recurrence of a one-time provision in 2009 associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil ($4.7 million) and savings from restructuring actions undertaken in 2008 and 2009 ($1.7 million).

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Restructuring and Asset Impairments

The following table sets forth our net restructuring and asset impairment expense by type for the periods presented (in millions):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Employee termination costs   $ 1.4     $ 0.6     $ 12.9  
Other exit costs     1.3       3.7       5.6  
Asset impairments           10.0       1.8  
Restructuring income                 (6.9 )  
Total   $ 2.7     $ 14.3     $ 13.4  

We restructure our global operations in an effort to align our capacity with demand and to reduce our costs. Restructuring costs include employee termination benefits and other incremental costs resulting from restructuring activities. These incremental costs principally include equipment and personnel relocation costs. Restructuring costs are recognized in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC No. 420, “ Exit or Disposal Obligations, ” and appear in our Statement of Operations under a line item entitled “restructuring and related asset impairment charges, net.” We believe the restructuring actions discussed below will help our efficiency and results of operations on a going forward basis.

The charges incurred during 2011 related to the ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed in our Americas segment as a result of prior actions and severance costs in Brazil to improve manufacturing efficiencies.

In December 2010, we recorded an impairment charge of $7.3 million on our non-automotive business and recorded a charge of $2.3 million related to the sale of a closed facility. The charge taken on our non-automotive business related to the equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize, less any salvage value. In March 2010, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.7 million on our Bergisch Gladbach, Germany facility which was closed in 2009. This charge was recorded to align the book value to fair value less costs to sell when the facility was classified as held for sale.

In July 2009, we announced that we had ceased production at our press shop in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. This closure impacted 57 employees. Total costs of the closure of this facility were $10.2 million, which was comprised of $9.1 million of employee costs and $1.1 million of other exit costs. We recorded the entire charge of $10.2 million in 2009. In connection with our prior restructuring actions and current activities other than our Bergisch press shop and Traverse City closure, we recorded restructuring charges of approximately $6.1 million during 2009.

The additional charges incurred in 2011, 2010, and 2009 related to other severance costs and ongoing maintenance of facilities closed as a result of prior actions. We expect to continue to incur additional restructuring expense in 2012 primarily related to previously announced restructuring actions and may engage in new actions if business conditions warrant further actions. We do not anticipate that any additional expense will be significant with respect to previously announced actions. We had no restructuring income during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, but we had restructuring income of $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. The restructuring income was related to the cancellation of an old customer program relating to our closed facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This income was recorded in the Americas segment. As of December 31, 2009, all recoveries had been received.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

We generally expect to fund expenditures for operations, administrative expenses, capital expenditures and debt service obligations with internally generated funds from operations, and satisfy working capital needs from time-to-time with borrowings under our revolving credit facility or use of cash on hand. As of December 31, 2011, we had available liquidity of $258.4 million, which we believe is adequate to fund our working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. We believe that we will be able to meet our

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debt service obligations and fund our short-term and long-term operating requirements for at least the next 12 months with cash flow from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Cash Flows and Working Capital

The following table shows the components of our cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Net cash provided by/(used in):
                          
Operating activities   $ 100.5     $ 120.4     $ 48.9  
Investing activities     (142.7 )       (117.2 )       (86.0 )  
Financing activities     26.3       (0.2 )       50.8  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated $100.5 million of cash flow from operations compared with $120.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. The primary reason for this decrease was the unfavorable fluctuation in working capital items which was offset partially by higher production volumes during 2011 that increased our revenues and profitability. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we utilized $28.8 million of cash through working capital items, reflecting primarily the timing of the net effect of payments and receipts of customer funded tooling, which was $19.9 million unfavorable during 2011 and increased inventory of $10.2 million due to higher sales.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we generated $120.4 million of cash flow from operations compared with $48.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. The primary reason for this increase resulted from higher volumes during 2010 which increased our revenues and profitability. During 2010, we generated $40.6 million of cash through working capital items, reflecting primarily favorable timing of customer funded tooling payments and receipts of $21.1 million.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash utilized in investing activities was $142.7 million during 2011 compared to net cash utilized of $117.2 million during 2010. The $25.5 million change in cash used reflects the increase in capital expenditures related primarily to the timing of program launches and capacity expansions in China and Brazil and the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries in the second quarter of 2011, offset partially by the acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Artern, Germany in the first quarter of 2010.

Net cash utilized in investing activities was $117.2 million during 2010 compared to net cash utilized of $86 million during 2009. The $31.2 million increase in cash used reflects primarily our acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Artern, Germany and spending of $13 million related to our non-automotive business.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $26.3 million during 2011 compared to net cash utilized of $0.2 million during 2010. The $26.5 million change was attributable primarily to increased borrowings to assist in the funding of operations offset partially by the retirement of $42 million of our senior secured notes in 2011 compared with $26 million in 2010 and the $5.1 million purchase of treasury stock to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes for the RSUs that vested on July 20, 2011. See note 14 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Net cash utilized by financing activities was $0.2 million during 2010 compared to net cash provided of $50.8 million during 2009. The $51 million change was primarily attributable to increased borrowings in 2009 due to the downturn in the global economy to help fund our operations, as compared with the repayment of borrowings in 2010 funded primarily from the increased generation of cash from operations, the issuance of the senior secured notes in August 2010, and the net proceeds received from our IPO. These factors were offset partially by the retirement of the first lien term loan in August 2010 and the financing costs incurred to complete the transactions.

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Working Capital

We manage our working capital by monitoring key metrics principally associated with inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable. We have implemented various inventory control processes which have allowed us to maintain low levels of inventory days on hand; however, our inventory levels increased from $73.2 million at December 31, 2010 to $85.1 million at December 31, 2011. The increase reflects primarily the increased volume experienced during 2011. We have continued efforts to match terms on which we pay our suppliers with the payment terms we receive from our customers in an effort to remain cash flow neutral with respect to our trade payables and receivables.

On December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had working capital balances of $(9.9) million and $(10.3) million. The negative working capital balances result because we negotiate our payment terms to our vendors to either match or exceed the payment terms that we receive from our customers on our accounts receivable and our pre-paid tooling. In addition, we actively manage our inventory balances to minimize the inventory on hand which is facilitated by our customers’ just-in-time manufacturing process. We also have a substantial portion of our short-term debt that is subject to annual renewal. Historically, we have been successful in renewing this debt as it becomes due.

Our working capital usage is seasonal in nature. During the first half of the year, production and sales typically increase substantially, which causes our working capital to increase because our accounts receivable and inventory increase. In the second half of the year, production and sales typically decline as a result of scheduled customer shutdowns, which results in lower sales. The lower production and sales generally results in a reduction of accounts receivables and inventory which decreases our working capital.

Our accounts receivable balance increased from $297.1 million as of December 31, 2010 to $328 million as of December 31, 2011. The increase reflects increased revenues during the last quarter of 2011 as compared with the last quarter of 2010. Our revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $614.7 million, which represented an increase of $73.1 million over our revenues during the fourth quarter of 2010. A substantial portion of this increase occurred during the last two months of the quarter. Our November and December 2011 revenues were $404.9 million as compared with $356.5 million during November and December 2010. The percentage increase in sales approximated the percentage increase in accounts receivable.

Our accounts payable balance increased from $366.8 million as of December 31, 2010 to $395.3 million as of December 31, 2011. The change approximates the increase in our accounts receivable reflecting primarily the matching of terms with our customers and vendors as described above.

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

Our available liquidity at December 31, 2011 was $258.4 million, and consisted of $135 million of cash on hand and unutilized borrowing availability of $83.6 million and $39.8 million, respectively, under our U.S. and foreign credit facilities. A significant portion of our cash balance is located at foreign subsidiaries and our ability to efficiently access cash in certain subsidiaries and foreign jurisdictions is subject to the business needs of the operations. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had available liquidity in the amount of $285.4 million and $238.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2011, we had short-term debt of $106.5 million, of which $52.1 million related to debt in South Korea, $22.9 million related to debt in Brazil, $19.7 million related to receivable factoring in Europe, $11.5 million related to a line of credit in Europe, and $0.3 million related to indebtedness owed to the Detroit Investment Fund. The majority of our South Korean and Brazilian debt is subject to annual renewal. Historically, we have been successful in renewing this debt on an annual basis, but we cannot assure you that this debt will continue to be renewed or, if renewed, that this debt will continue to be renewed under the same terms. The receivable factoring in Europe consists of uncommitted, demand facilities which are subject to termination at the discretion of the banks, although we have not experienced any terminations by the banks at any time since the 2007 acquisition. The secured line of credit in Europe will be repaid upon receipt of certain tooling reimbursements. We believe that we will be able to continue to renew the majority of our South Korean and Brazilian debt and to continue the borrowings in Europe.

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During the fourth quarter of 2011:

in South Korea, we renewed $7.1 million (KRW 8.2 billion) of maturing secured indebtedness and $4.3 million (KRW 5 billion) of a maturing unsecured bond for an additional year. The terms of the new loans are substantially the same as the other portfolio loans.
in Brazil, two of the local banks provided us with $11.5 million (R$21.5 million) in new term loans. One of the loans is a one-year term loan and the other loan has an extended maturity date through April 2013. The terms of the new loans are substantially the same as the other portfolio loans.
in Europe, we obtained an $11.5 million (€8.9 million) secured line of credit, which matures in August 2012, and bears an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus 4%. The installment loan is secured by mortgages on the land, certain buildings and other assets and is subject to negotiated prepayments upon the receipt of funds from completed tooling projects.

Debt

As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding indebtedness, excluding capital lease obligations, of approximately $568.4 million, which consisted of the following:

$54 million indebtedness outstanding under our asset-based lending revolving credit facility;
$353.3 million (net of a $8.7 million discount) of indebtedness outstanding on our senior secured notes;
$160.3 million of foreign subsidiary indebtedness; and
$0.8 million of indebtedness owed to the Detroit Investment Fund.

The debt balance as of December 31, 2011 is consistent with the average month end indebtedness levels experienced during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Our asset-based revolving credit facility, which we refer to as our Amended ABL Revolver, provides for a revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of $150 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. Our Amended ABL Revolver provides for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million, provided that the total amount of credit (inclusive of revolving loans and letters of credit) extended under our Amended ABL Revolver is subject to an overall cap, on any date, equal to the lesser of $150 million or the amount of the borrowing base on such date. The borrowing base is based upon the value of certain of our assets, including certain of our accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant, and equipment, and thus changes from time to time depending on the value of the assets included within the borrowing base. The administrative agent for this facility causes to be performed an appraisal of the assets (other than the accounts receivable) included in the calculation of the borrowing base either on an annual basis or, if our availability under the facility is less than the greater of (i) 15% of the total commitment (which is currently $150 million) or (ii) $22.5 million during any twelve month period, as frequently as on a semi-annual basis. In addition, if certain material defaults under the facility have occurred and are continuing, the administrative agent has the right to perform any such appraisal as often as it deems necessary in its sole discretion. Our administrative agent may make adjustments to our borrowing base pursuant to these appraisals. These adjustments may negatively impact our ability to obtain revolving loans or support our letters of credit needs under our Amended ABL Revolver. Based on the value of our assets at December 31, 2011, we were entitled to borrow $137.6 million under our Amended ABL Revolver at December 31, 2011. On that date, we had $54 million of borrowings under the Amended ABL Revolver and no letters of credit outstanding. Thus, we could have borrowed an additional $83.6 million under the Amended ABL Revolver as of December 31, 2011, calculated as follows (in millions):

 
Revolver borrowing base   $ 137.6  
Borrowings on revolver     54.0  
Letters of credit outstanding on revolver      
Availability   $ 83.6  

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Our Amended ABL Revolver bears interest at a base rate plus a margin or at LIBOR plus a margin. The applicable margin is determined by reference to the average availability under the Amended ABL Revolver over the preceding three months. The applicable margins as of December 31, 2011 were 2.25% and 3.25% for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively. Borrowings outstanding under our Amended ABL Revolver may vary significantly from time to time depending on our cash needs at any given time. Our Amended ABL Revolver matures in June 2016.

Our Amended ABL Revolver contains customary covenants applicable to certain of our subsidiaries, including a financial maintenance covenant ratio (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) based on the ratio of consolidated adjusted EBITDA to consolidated fixed charges, each as defined in the agreement. If less than 12.5 percent of the total commitment is available under the facility for more than two consecutive days, we are required to maintain a consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis. If we are required at any time to maintain the consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, such requirement will end if more than 12.5 percent of the total commitment is available (provided that such number cannot be less than $12.5 million) for twenty consecutive days. Our Letter of Credit Facility contains the same Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as set forth in the Amended ABL Revolver (as such covenant is only applicable under the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to the same extent, and at the same times, that it is applicable under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement). During the fourth quarter of 2011, we were not required to maintain the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; thus, were in compliance with our covenants. Our financial condition and liquidity would be adversely impacted by the violation of any of our covenants.

On August 24, 2010, we consummated the sale of $430 million aggregate principal amount of our 10.625% senior secured notes (the “notes”) due 2017. The indenture governing the notes contains a provision that gives each holder of notes the right, upon a change of control, to require the Issuers to purchase all or any part of such holder’s notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may also redeem some or all of the notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the indenture. On December 16, 2010, we redeemed $26 million of the senior secured notes from a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering which resulted in a premium paid of $1.3 million. On March 30, 2011, we redeemed an additional $17 million of the senior secured notes which resulted in a premium paid of $0.9 million. On October 6, 2011 and September 30, 2011, we reduced our outstanding debt by purchasing $7.5 million and $17.5 million, respectively, of our senior secured notes in the open market and immediately retired them which resulted in a premium paid of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

The indenture governing the notes contains customary covenants applicable to our subsidiaries and places some restrictions on Tower Automotive, LLC which became restrictions on Tower International, Inc. after the Corporate Conversion. The indenture governing the notes contains certain restrictions on, among other things, our subsidiaries’ ability to: incur debt; incur liens; declare or make distributions to us or our equity holders; repay debt; enter into mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations; engage in asset and equity sales; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; enter into restrictive agreements; and enter into transactions with affiliates. The indenture governing the notes includes customary events of default, including, but not limited to, in respect of payment defaults; breaches of covenants; bankruptcy; material judgments; failure to have perfected liens on substantially all or all the collateral securing the notes; and cross-acceleration to material indebtedness.

Our other foreign subsidiary indebtedness consists primarily of borrowings in South Korea, borrowings in Brazil, and factoring and a credit line in Europe, which are described above.

Our first lien term loan was borrowed in two tranches, a $250 million U.S. dollar denominated tranche and a €190.8 million Euro denominated tranche ($260 million at the time of the initial borrowing). Our first lien term loan carried an initial rate of interest equal to 4.00% per annum plus the applicable U.S. Dollar LIBOR or EURIBOR rate. Subsequently, the applicable margin has increased to 4.25% per annum. Our first lien term loan, scheduled to mature in July 2013, was repaid on August 24, 2010, funded principally by our offering of $430 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes. Under our first lien term loan agreement, we also had a $27.5 million letter of credit facility which was owned by funds and accounts managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (an affiliate of our principal stockholder). On June 13, 2011, the first lien

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term loan agreement was terminated. In connection with the termination, a $27.5 million deposit was returned to Cerberus in their capacity as a deposit lender.

Capital and Operating Leases

We maintain capital leases mainly for a manufacturing facility and certain manufacturing equipment. We have several operating leases, including leases for office and manufacturing facilities and certain equipment, with lease terms expiring between the years 2011 and 2021. As of December 31, 2011, our total future operating lease payments amounted to $130.9 million and the present value of minimum lease payments under our capital leases amounted to $15.1 million. As of December 31, 2011, we were committed to making lease payments of not less than $21.2 million on our operating leases and not less than $3.8 million on our capital leases during 2012.

Capital Expenditures

In general, we are awarded new automotive business two to five years prior to the launch of a particular program. During the pre-launch period, we typically invest significant resources in the form of capital expenditures for the purchase and installation of the machinery and equipment necessary to manufacture the awarded products. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $120.4 million and $100.5 million, respectively, the increase reflecting primarily our expansion in China in 2011 and the timing of program launches. Our capital spending for 2012 is expected to be approximately $150 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Obligations

Our only off-balance sheet obligations consist of obligations under our Letter of Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2011, letters of credit outstanding were $26.1 million under such facility.

Our Letter of Credit Facility initially provided for the issuance of up to $38 million of letters of credit with a sublimit for Euro denominated letters of credit (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). On August 5, 2011, we amended our Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to reduce it from $38 million to $30 million. Upon a third party drawing on letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Facility, we will become obligated to pay to the lenders the amounts so drawn. The expiration date of the Letter of Credit Facility is June 13, 2014. Applicable fees are 8.5% on the total amount of the facility.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2011 are summarized below (in millions):

         
  Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligatons   Total   Less than
1 Year
  2 – 3 Years   4 – 5 Years   After
5 Years
Long-term debt (including current portion):
                                            
Asset based revolving credit facility   $ 54.0     $     $     $ 54.0     $  
Senior secured notes     353.3                         353.3  
Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness     161.1       106.5       50.2       1.3       3.1  
Cash interest payments     249.1       53.0       88.7       80.8       26.6  
Pension contributions (a)     95.0       20.4       40.7       26.1       7.8  
Expected tax payments (b)     16.8             14.2       1.7       0.9  
Capital and tooling purchase obligations (c)     111.1       111.1                    
Capital lease obligations     18.3       3.8       4.0       3.2       7.3  
Operating leases     127.2       21.1       33.4       30.1       42.6  
Total contractual obligations at December 31, 2011   $ 1,185.9     $ 315.9     $ 231.2     $ 197.2     $ 441.6  

(a) Represents expected future contributions required to fund our pension plan based on current actuarially determined assumptions.

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(b) Represents payments expected to be made to various governmental agencies relating to certain tax positions taken by our company pursuant to FASB ASC No. 450, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions .
(c) Represents obligations under executory purchase orders related to capital and tooling expenditures.

Our purchase orders for inventory are based on demand and do not require us to purchase minimum quantities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Considerable judgment is often involved in making these determinations. Critical estimates are those that require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and the accompanying notes. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on a regular basis. We believe our assumptions and estimates are reasonable and appropriate. However, the use of different assumptions could result in significantly different results and actual results could differ from those estimates. The following discussion of accounting estimates is intended to supplement the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies presented as note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Policies that are excluded from the discussion below are deemed to be either immaterial or not critical for the periods presented in this Annual Report.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue once the criteria in FASB ASC No. 605, Revenue Recognition , have been met. These criteria are that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

We recognize revenue as our products are shipped to our customers, at which time title and risk of loss passes to the customer. We participate in certain customers’ steel resale programs. Under these programs, we purchase steel directly from a customer’s designated steel supplier for use in manufacturing products for that customer. We take delivery and title to such steel and we bear the risk of loss and obsolescence. We invoice our customers based upon annually negotiated selling prices, which inherently includes a component for steel under these resale programs. Under guidance provided in FASB ASC No. 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations , we have substantial risks and rewards of ownership and are acting as a principal. Therefore, for sales where we participate in a customer’s steel resale program, revenue is recognized on a gross basis for the entire amount of the sales, including the component for purchases under that customer’s steel resale program.

We are generally asked to provide annual price reductions by our customers. When negotiations are underway and negotiated prices are expected to be retroactive, we accrue for such amounts as a reduction of revenue as products are shipped. We record adjustments to those accruals in the period in which the pricing is finalized with the customer or if it becomes probable and estimable that pricing negotiated with customers will vary from previous assumptions.

We enter into agreements to produce products for our customers at the beginning of a given vehicle program life. Once we enter into these agreements, fulfillment of the customers’ purchasing requirements is our obligation for the entire production period of the vehicle programs, which range from three to ten years, and generally we have no provisions to terminate these contracts. Additionally, we monitor the aging of uncollected billings and adjust the accounts receivable allowance on a quarterly basis as necessary, based on our evaluation of the probability of collection. The adjustments we have made due to the write-off of uncollectible amounts have been negligible.

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Restructuring Reserves

We have recognized accruals in relation to restructuring reserves, which require the use of estimates and judgment regarding risk, loss exposure and ultimate liability. Reserves for restructuring activities are estimated primarily for activities associated with the discontinuation and consolidation of certain operations of our company. Changes to these assumptions and estimates could materially affect the recorded liabilities and related loss.

Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC No. 820 clarifies the definition of fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The exit price is based on the amount that the holder of the asset or liability would receive or need to pay in an actual transaction, or in a hypothetical transaction if an actual transaction does not exist, at the measurement date. In some circumstances, the entry and exit price may be the same; however, they are conceptually different.

Fair value is generally determined based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices are not available, we use valuation techniques that place greater reliance on observable inputs and less reliance on unobservable inputs. In measuring fair value, we may make adjustments for risks and uncertainties, if a market participant would include such an adjustment in its pricing.

FASB ASC No. 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data, referred to as observable inputs, and our assumptions, referred to as unobservable inputs. Determining where an asset or liability falls within that hierarchy depends on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole. An adjustment to the pricing method used within either Level 1 or Level 2 inputs could generate a fair value measurement that effectively falls in a lower level in the hierarchy. The hierarchy consists of three broad levels as follows:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs developed using our estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that market participants would use.

At December 31, 2011, the carrying value and estimated fair value of our total debt was $568.4 million and $582.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2010, the carrying value and estimated fair value of our total debt was $539.6 million and $578.5 million, respectively. The majority of our debt at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is traded in the market and is classified as a Level 2 measurement based on the pricing methodology and the limited trading of the security. The fair value was determined based on the quoted market values. The remainder of our debt, primarily consisting of foreign subsidiaries’ debt, is asset-backed and is classified as Level 3. As this debt carries variable rates and minimal credit risk, the book value approximates the fair value for this debt.

We have foreign exchange hedges that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The fair value of the hedges was immaterial for all periods presented. These derivative financial instruments are recorded in prepaid tooling and other, and are all classified as Level 2 measurements determined using significant other observable inputs. We engage in foreign exchange hedges to limit exposure on foreign currency related to certain intercompany payments. These foreign exchange hedges have an immaterial impact on the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.

We did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2011.

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The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment. We evaluate our hierarchy disclosures each quarter based on various factors, and it is possible that an asset or liability may be classified differently from quarter to quarter. However, we expect that changes in classifications between different levels will be rare.

Most derivative contracts are not listed on an exchange and require the use of valuation models. Consistent with FASB ASC No. 820, we attempt to maximize the use of observable market inputs in our models. When observable inputs are not available, we default to unobservable inputs.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other , goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires the identification of the reporting units, and comparison of the fair value of each of these reporting units to the respective carrying value. We define our reporting units as Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated at the following reporting units for which goodwill exists: Europe and South America. These reporting units exist at a lower level than our reportable segments. If the carrying value is less than the fair value, no impairment exists and the second step is not performed. In the second step, the impairment is computed by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. FASB ASC No. 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment annually at the same time every year, and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is reasonably possible that impairment may exist. The annual impairment test is performed at year end.

We utilize an income approach to estimate the fair value of each of our reporting units. The income approach is based on projected debt free cash flow which is discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. We believe that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting units’ expected long-term operating cash flow performance. This approach also mitigates the impact of cyclical trends that occur in the industry. Fair value is estimated using recent automotive industry and specific platform production volume projections, which are based on internally-developed forecasts, as well as commercial, wage and benefit, inflation and discount rate assumptions. Other significant assumptions include terminal value growth rates, terminal value margin rates, future capital expenditures, known restructuring actions, and changes in future working capital requirements. While there are inherent uncertainties related to the assumptions used and to management’s application of these assumptions to this analysis, we believe that the income approach provides a reasonable estimate of the fair value of our reporting units. However, our assumptions and estimates may differ significantly from actual results. We also use a second approach, which is the market multiple approach, to test the reasonableness of the income approach.

Our 2011 and 2010 annual goodwill impairment analysis, completed as of each year end, indicated that the carrying value of the Europe and South America reporting units was less than the respective fair values; thus, no impairment existed at either date. We also performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis during 2010 as we deemed our IPO to be a triggering event. The fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of the carrying value for each analysis performed.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe that these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. Valuation allowances have been recorded where it has been determined that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the net deferred tax assets. Previously established valuation allowances

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are reversed into income when there is compelling evidence, typically three or more consecutive years of profit or other positive evidence, that the future tax profitability will be sufficient to utilize the deferred tax asset. Due to the significant judgment involved in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized, the ultimate resolution of these items may be materially different from the previously estimated outcome.

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations.

FASB ASC No. 740, Income Taxes , provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. FASB ASC No. 740 also provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

We recognize tax liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC No. 740 and adjust these liabilities when its judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined.

Pre-production Tooling

Tooling costs represent costs incurred by us in the development of new tooling used in the manufacture of our products. All pre-production tooling costs, incurred for tools that we will not own and that will be used in producing products supplied under long-term supply agreements, are expensed as incurred unless the supply agreement provides us with the non-cancelable right to use the tools or the reimbursement of such costs is contractually guaranteed by the customer. Generally, when the customer awards a contract to us, the customer agrees to reimburse us for certain of our tooling costs. If estimated costs are expected to be in excess of reimbursement, a loss is recorded in the period when the loss is estimated. If estimated costs are expected to be less than reimbursement, a gain is recognized over the life of the associated program.

Impairment and Depreciation of Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of a long-lived asset group exceeds its undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset group. The impairment is calculated as the excess of carrying value over the fair value of the asset group. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment cover, among other things, the following:

program product volumes and remaining production life for parts produced on the assets being reviewed;
product pricing over the remaining life of the parts, including an estimate of future customer price reductions which may be negotiated;
product cost information, including an assessment of the success of our cost reduction activities; and
assessments of future alternative applications of specific long-lived assets based on awarded programs.

In December 2010, we recorded an impairment charge of $7.3 million related to our non-automotive business. The charge taken related to the equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize, less any salvage value.

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In addition, we follow our established accounting policy for estimating useful lives of long-lived assets. This policy is based upon significant judgments and estimates as well as historical experience. Actual future experience with those assets may indicate different useful lives resulting in a significant impact on depreciation expense.

Asset Retirement Obligations

FASB ASC No. 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations , requires the recognition of a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation to perform certain activities in connection with retirement, disposal or abandonment of assets. The fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred, generally upon acquisition, construction or development and through the normal operation of the asset. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement should be factored into the measurement of the liability. The liability is measured at discounted fair value and is adjusted to its present value in subsequent periods. Our asset retirement obligations are primarily associated with renovating, upgrading, and returning leased property to the lessor in accordance with the requirements of the lease.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The determination of the obligation and expense for pension and other postretirement benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions are described in note 10 to our consolidated financial statements and include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality rates, and expected increases in compensation and healthcare costs. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from these assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in such future periods. While we believe that our current assumptions are appropriate based on available information, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension and other postretirement obligations and the future expense.

Pension and other postretirement costs are calculated based on a number of actuarial assumptions, most notably the discount rates used in the calculation of our pension benefit obligation for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, of 4.5%, 5.25% and 5.75% and the discount rates used in the calculation of our postretirement benefit obligations of 4.5%, 5.25%, and 5.75%, as of each of our December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 measurement dates, respectively. The discount rates that we use are developed based on a yield curve analysis from a third-party, which calculates the yield to maturity that mirrors the timing and amounts of future anticipated benefit payments.

The expected rate of return on pension plan assets under FASB ASC No. 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits , of 7.4% as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, represents our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The rate of return assumptions selected by us reflect our estimate of the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested in order to provide for future participant benefits to be paid out over time. As part of this estimate, we review the existing allocation of invested assets against expectations about future performance of similar asset allocations. Future expectations were obtained from readily available public sources. Expected future returns were adjusted for expectations regarding future investment and other expenses.

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Based on our assumptions as of December 31, 2011 (the measurement date), a change in the discount rate or the expected rate of long-term return on pension plan assets assumptions, holding all other assumptions constant, would have the following effect on our pension costs and obligations on an annual basis:

   
  Impact on Net
Periodic Benefit Cost
     Increase   Decrease
.25% change in discount rate   $ (18,650 )     $ 14,120  
.25% change in expected long-term rate of return     (420,078 )       420,078  

   
  Impact on Obligation
     Increase   Decrease
.25% change in discount rate   $ (7,228,492 )     $ 7,575,369  

FASB ASC No. 715 and the policies we have used, most notably the use of a calculated value of plan assets for pensions as described above, generally reduce the volatility of pension expense that would otherwise result from changes in the value of the pension plan assets and pension liability discount rates. Our pension benefits relate to our plan in the United States.

Our 2012 pension expense is estimated to be approximately $3.5 million and we expect to contribute approximately $20.4 million to our pension plans in 2012.

Our 2012 other post-employment benefit expense is estimated to be approximately $0.7 million and benefit payments are expected to be $0.8 million in 2012. As of July 31, 2007, future benefit payments on our other postretirement benefit plans were capped at specified amounts and as of December 31, 2011 all such payments have been made. See note 10 to our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations due to our purchases of steel, our sales of scrap steel, our ongoing investing and financing activities and our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. We have established policies and procedures to govern our management of market risks.

Commodity Pricing Risk

Steel is the primary raw material that we use. We purchase a portion of our steel from certain of our customers through various OEM resale programs. The purchases through customer resale programs have buffered the impact of price swings associated with the procurement of steel. The remainder of our steel purchasing requirements are met through contracts with steel mills. At times, we may be unable to either avoid increases in steel prices or pass through any price increases to our customers. We refer to the “net steel impact” as the combination of the change in steel prices that are reflected in product pricing, the change in the cost to procure steel from the mill, and the change in our recovery of scrap steel, which we refer to as offal. Our strategy is to be economically indifferent to steel pricing by having these factors offset each other. While we strive to achieve a neutral net steel impact, we are not always successful in achieving that goal, in large part due to timing differences. Depending upon when a steel price change or offal price change occurs, that change may have a disproportionate effect, within any particular fiscal period, on our product pricing, our steel costs and the results of our sales of scrap steel. Net imbalances in any one particular fiscal period may be reversed in a subsequent fiscal period, although we cannot assure you that, or when, these reversals will occur.

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Interest Rate Risk

At December 31, 2011, we had total debt of $568.4 million (net of a $8.7 million discount), consisting of fixed rate debt of $414 million (73%) and floating rate debt of $154.4 million (27%). Our floating rate debt is primarily held by our international subsidiaries. Assuming no changes in the monthly average variable-rate debt levels of $161.2 million and $118.3 million, excluding the retired first lien term loan, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, we estimate that a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in the LIBOR and alternate base rate interest rates would have impacted interest expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 by $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates would not materially impact the fair value of our fixed rate debt.

Foreign Exchange Risk

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from manufacturing operations in Europe, Asia and South America. The results of operations and financial condition of our non-United States businesses are principally measured in their respective local currency and translated into U.S. dollars. The effects on us of foreign currency fluctuations in Europe, Asia and South America are mitigated by the fact that expenses are generally incurred in the same currency in which revenues are generated, since we strive to manufacture our products in close proximity to our customers. Nevertheless, the reported income of our foreign subsidiaries will be higher or lower depending on a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currencies.

Assets located in our foreign facilities are translated into U.S. dollars at foreign currency exchange rates in effect as of the end of each reporting period. The effect of such translations is reflected as a separate component of consolidated stockholders’ equity. As a result, our consolidated stockholders’ equity will fluctuate depending upon the weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currencies.

Our strategy for managing currency risk relies primarily upon conducting business in a foreign country in that country’s currency. We may, from time to time, also participate in hedging programs intended to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations. We believe that the effect of a 100 basis point movement in foreign currency rates against the U.S. dollar would not have materially affected our results of operations or cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. However, we believe that the effect of a 100 basis point movement in the Euro to the U.S. dollar has the potential to materially affect our stockholders’ equity whereas we do not believe a 100 basis point movement in other foreign currencies would have a material impact. As of December 31, 2011, we estimated that a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in the Euro to the U.S. dollar exchange rate would have impacted stockholders’ equity by approximately $2.9 million.

Inflation

Despite recent declines, we have experienced a continued rise in inflationary pressures impacting certain commodities, such as petroleum-based products, resins, yarns, ferrous metals, base metals and certain chemicals. Additionally, because we purchase various types of equipment, raw materials and component parts from our suppliers, we may be adversely affected by their inability to adequately mitigate inflationary, industry, or economic pressures. These pressures have proven to be insurmountable to some of our suppliers and we have seen the number of bankruptcies and insolvencies in our industry increase. The overall condition of our supply base may possibly lead to delivery delays, production issues or delivery of non-conforming products by our suppliers in the future. As such, we continue to monitor our vendor base for the best sources of supply and work with those vendors and customers to attempt to mitigate the impact of the pressures mentioned above.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
  Form 10-K
Page
Audited Financial Statements for the Three Years Ended December 31, 2011:
        
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     58  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010     60  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009     61  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009     62  
Consolidated Statements of Equity/(Deficit), Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), and Redeemable Preferred Units for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009     64  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     65  
Supplementary Data
        
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) — See note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     106  

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Tower International, Inc.
Livonia, MI

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tower International, Inc. (previously Tower Automotive, LLC) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity/(deficit), other comprehensive income/(loss), and redeemable preferred units, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement 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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tower International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 8, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche

Detroit, MI
March 8, 2012

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Tower International, Inc.
Livonia, MI

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Tower International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the 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, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control  —  Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of the Company and our report dated March 8, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche

Detroit, MI
March 8, 2012

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
ASSETS
                 
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 134,984     $ 150,345  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,612 and $1,674     327,992       297,086  
Inventories (Note 3)     85,100       73,189  
Deferred tax assets – current     12,966       12,406  
Assets held for sale (Note 5)     4,027       8,178  
Prepaid tooling and other     56,189       57,754  
Total current assets     621,258       598,958  
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)     667,686       627,497  
Goodwill (Note 3)     63,983       66,309  
Deferred tax assets – non-current     14,450       17,377  
Other assets, net     30,001       30,035  
Total assets   $ 1,397,378     $ 1,340,176  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations (Note 6)   $ 109,447     $ 109,848  
Accounts payable     395,287       366,761  
Accrued liabilities     126,416       132,614  
Total current liabilities     631,150       609,223  
Long-term debt, net of current maturities (Note 6)     461,838       432,726  
Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities (Note 6)     12,213       15,604  
Deferred tax liabilities – non-current     11,229       12,710  
Pension liability (Note 10)     96,223       76,403  
Other non-current liabilities     87,265       81,884  
Total non-current liabilities     668,768       619,327  
Total liabilities     1,299,918       1,228,550  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
                 
Tower International, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
                 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 350,000,000 authorized, 19,983,403 issued and 19,683,032 outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 19,101,588 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 (Note 13)     200       191  
Additional paid in capital     311,427       296,262  
Treasury stock, at cost, 300,371 shares as of December 31, 2011     (5,130 )        
Accumulated deficit     (184,492 )       (192,556 )  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 3)     (82,002 )       (36,530 )  
Total Tower International, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity     40,003       67,367  
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries     57,457       44,259  
Total stockholders’ equity     97,460       111,626  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,397,378     $ 1,340,176  

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

     
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
Revenues   $ 2,406,089     $ 1,997,058     $ 1,634,405  
Cost of sales     2,149,977       1,786,476       1,536,752  
Gross profit     256,112       210,582       97,653  
Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 8)     158,392       143,975       118,331  
Amortization expense     4,589       3,265       2,784  
Restructuring and related asset impairment charges, net (Note 4)     2,660       14,288       13,436  
Operating income/(loss)     90,471       49,054       (36,898 )  
Interest expense, net     62,133       66,872       57,881  
Interest income     978       962       982  
Other expense/(income), net (Note 6)     1,331       1,300       (33,661 )  
Income/(loss) before provision for income taxes     27,985       (18,156 )       (60,136 )  
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes (Note 9)     14,812       10,297       (1,104 )  
Net income / (loss)     13,173       (28,453 )       (59,032 )  
Less: Net income attributable to the
noncontrolling interests
    5,109       8,441       8,904  
Net income/(loss) attributable to Tower
International, Inc.
  $ 8,064     $ (36,894 )     $ (67,936 )  
Less: Preferred unit dividends   $     $ (10,707 )     $ (16,087 )  
Income/(loss) available to common shareholders   $ 8,064     $ (47,601 )     $ (84,023 )  
Weighted average common shares outstanding  
Basic     19,364,433       13,865,509       12,467,866  
Diluted     20,069,532       13,865,509       12,467,866  
Net income/(loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc. (Note 13):
                          
Basic   $ 0.42     $ (3.43 )     $ (6.74 )  
Diluted     0.40       (3.43 )       (6.74 )  

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

     
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                          
Net income/(loss)   $ 13,173     $ (28,453 )     $ (59,032 )  
Adjustments required to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                          
Non-cash restructuring and asset impairment charges           9,999       1,787  
Deferred income tax provision     (725 )       (13,851 )       (13,053 )  
Depreciation and amortization     114,578       114,668       147,705  
Gain from debt repurchase/letter of credit reduction                 (33,661 )  
Non-cash share-based compensation     15,174       3,047        
Pension expense, net of contributions     (12,992 )       (5,619 )       (2,102 )  
Change in working capital and other operating items     (28,750 )       40,568       7,231  
Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 100,458     $ 120,359     $ 48,875  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                          
Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant and equipment, net   $ (120,409 )     $ (100,495 )     $ (85,995 )  
Net assets acquired, net of cash acquired     (22,300 )       (16,687 )        
Net cash used in investing activities   $ (142,709 )     $ (117,182 )     $ (85,995 )  
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                          
Proceeds from letter of credit reduction   $     $     $ 13,250  
Repayments of term debt           (3,484 )       (16,381 )  
Repayment of first lien term loan           (414,172 )        
Issuance of senior secured notes           417,203        
Retirement of senior secured notes     (42,008 )       (26,000 )        
Noncontrolling interest dividends           (5,257 )       (4,866 )  
Preferred units dividends           (95 )       (388 )  
Proceeds from borrowings     682,204       418,237       436,172  
Repayments of borrowings     (608,767 )       (452,286 )       (375,501 )  
Purchase of treasury stock     (5,130 )              
Financing costs           (8,356 )       (1,488 )  
Net proceeds from initial public offering           74,021        
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities   $ 26,299     $ (189 )     $ 50,798  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   $ 591     $ (2,445 )     $ 9,304  
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  $ (15,361 )     $ 543     $ 22,982  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
                          
Beginning of period   $ 150,345     $ 149,802     $ 126,820  
End of period   $ 134,984     $ 150,345     $ 149,802  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
                          
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized   $ 64,868     $ 43,437     $ 52,429  
Income taxes paid     15,278       14,384       14,950  
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
                          
Capital expenditures in liabilities for purchases of property, plant and equipment   $ 36,415     $ 26,709     $ 24,396  
Contribution of Joint Venture     5,946              
Cumulative preferred stock units accrued           10,612       15,699  
Contribution of indebtedness           25,000        
Conversion of preferred units to common shares           181,527        

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/(DEFICIT),*
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS), AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                     
  Common
Stock Units/
Shares
  Amount   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
  Total Stockholders’
Equity/(Deficit)*
Attributable
to Tower
International, Inc.
  Noncontrolling
Interest
Amount
  Total
Equity
(Deficit)*
 
  
Redeemable
Preferred Units
     Units   Amount
Balance at January 1, 2009     8,500     $ 12,289     $     $     $ (60,932 )     $ (75,427 )     $ (124,070 )     $ 35,545     $ (88,525 )       10,000     $ 155,216  
Net loss                             (67,936 )             (67,936 )       8,904       (59,032 )              
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
                                                                                                  
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)                                   12,470       12,470       (19 )       12,451              
Defined benefit plans, net
(net of tax of $2.9 million)
                                  4,565       4,565             4,565              
Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge
(net of tax of $2 million)
                                  4,029       4,029             4,029              
Total comprehensive income/ (loss)                                         (46,872 )       8,885       (37,987 )              
Preferred unit dividends paid                             (388 )             (388 )             (388 )              
Cumulative preferred stock units accrued                             (15,699 )             (15,699 )             (15,699 )             15,699  
Noncontrolling interest dividends                                               (4,866 )       (4,866 )              
Unit-based compensation expense           306                               306             306              
Balance at December 31, 2009     8,500     $ 12,595     $   —     $   —     $ (144,955 )     $ (54,363 )     $ (186,723 )     $ 39,564     $ (147,159 )       10,000     $ 170,915  
Net loss                             (36,894 )             (36,894 )       8,441       (28,453 )              
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
                                                                                                  
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)                                   8,597       8,597       1,511       10,108              
Defined benefit plans, net
(net of tax of $0 million)
                                  (3,060 )       (3,060 )             (3,060 )              
Settlement of interest rate swap
(net of tax of $2 million)
                                                 12,551       12,551             12,551                    
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge
(net of tax of $0.1 million)
                                  (255 )       (255 )             (255 )              
Total comprehensive income/ (loss)                                         (19,061 )       9,952       (9,109 )              
Preferred unit dividends paid                             (95 )             (95 )             (95 )              
Cumulative preferred stock units accrued                             (10,612 )             (10,612 )             (10,612 )             10,612  

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/(DEFICIT),*
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS), AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS – (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                     
  Common
Stock Units/
Shares
  Amount   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
  Total Stockholders’
Equity/(Deficit)*
Attributable
to Tower
International, Inc.
  Noncontrolling
Interest
Amount
  Total
Equity
(Deficit)*
 
  
Redeemable
Preferred Units
     Units   Amount
Unit conversion – transfer of common and preferred units to capital units     (8,500 )       (12,858 )       12,858                                                  
Unit conversion – transfer of common and preferred units to capital units     10,000             181,527                         181,527             181,527       (10,000 )       (181,527 )  
Contribution of indebtedness                 25,000                         25,000             25,000              
Corporate conversion – capital units to common shares     (10,000 )                                                              
Corporate conversion – capital units to common shares     12,467,866       125       (125 )                                                  
Initial public offering     6,633,722       66       73,955                         74,021             74,021              
Share-based compensation expense                 3,047                         3,047             3,047              
Noncontrolling interest dividends                                               (5,257 )       (5,257 )              
Unit-based compensation expense           263                               263             263              
Balance at December 31, 2010     19,101,588     $ 191     $ 296,262     $     $ (192,556 )     $ (36,530 )     $ 67,367     $ 44,259     $ 111,626           —     $     —  
Net income/(loss)                             8,064             8,064       5,109       13,173              
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
                                                                                                  
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)                                   (12,095 )       (12,095 )       2,143       (9,952 )              
Defined benefit plans, net
(net of tax of $0 million)
                                  (33,644 )       (33,644 )             (33,644 )              
Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge (net of tax of $0 million)                                   267       267             267              
Total comprehensive
income/(loss)
                                        (37,408 )       7,252       (30,156 )              
Vesting of RSUs     881,815       9       (9 )                                                  
Treasury stock     (300,371 )                   (5,130 )                   (5,130 )             (5,130 )              
Share-based compensation expense                 15,174                         15,174             15,174              
Formation of Xiangtan                                               5,946       5,946              
Balance at December 31, 2011     19,683,032     $ 200     $ 311,427     $ (5,130 )     $ (184,492 )     $ (82,002 )     $ 40,003     $ 57,457     $ 97,460           $  

* Prior to October 14, 2010 refers to members’ equity as the Company was not a public company

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Nature of Business

Tower International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Tower International”) is a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving automotive original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, including Ford, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai/Kia, Fiat, Chrysler, Volvo, Nissan, Daimler, BMW, Toyota, PSA, Chery, and Honda. Products include body-structure stampings, frame and other chassis structures, as well as complex welded assemblies, for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups sport utility vehicles, or SUVs. Including both wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned subsidiaries, the Company has strategically located production facilities in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Brazil, South Korea, and China, supported by engineering and sales locations in the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, China, and India.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Organizational History

On October 14, 2010, in connection with its initial public offering (the “IPO”), Tower Automotive, LLC was converted to a Delaware corporation named Tower International, Inc. (the “Corporate Conversion”). Upon the Corporate Conversion, all of the equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC were converted into common stock of Tower International, Inc. (see note 11 for further discussion). The Company is a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards because Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“Cerberus”), through the Company’s controlling stockholder, controls a majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

On October 15, 2010, the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to the Company’s IPO. On October 20, 2010, the Company received $75.6 million of proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the sale of 6,250,000 shares of common stock in the IPO. On November 8, 2010, the Company sold an additional 383,722 shares of common stock resulting in additional proceeds of $4.6 million, after underwriting discounts and commissions, pursuant to a partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

All references to the Company in this Annual Report for periods prior to the effective time of our Corporate Conversion are to Tower Automotive, LLC and its subsidiaries. All references to our company in this Annual Report for periods subsequent to the effective time of our Corporate Conversion are to Tower International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Goodwill Impairment

On September 15, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, which amends the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other , on testing goodwill for impairment. The ASU permits entities testing goodwill for impairment to have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e., step 1 of the goodwill impairment test). If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. The ASU does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to test goodwill annually for impairment. In addition, the ASU does not amend the requirement to test goodwill for impairment between annual tests if events or circumstances warrant; however, it does revise the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU on September 30, 2011, but did not perform a qualitative assessment before performing step 1; therefore, the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Organizational History  – (continued)

FASB ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements”

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06 which amended ASC No. 820-10, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures-Overall . ASU 2010-06 requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of assets and liabilities measured at fair value classified within the valuation hierarchy as either Level 1 or Level 2 and information about sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis for assets and liabilities classified as Level 3. ASU 2010-06 clarifies existing disclosures on the level of disaggregation required and inputs and valuation techniques. The provisions of ASU 2010-06 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010, except for disclosure of information about sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis for assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2011. The provisions of ASU 2010-06 impact disclosures only and the Company has disclosed information in accordance with the revised provisions of ASU 2010-06 within this report.

Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies

Financial Statement Presentation

a. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. The Company’s share of earnings or losses of nonconsolidated affiliates are included in the consolidated operating results using the equity method of accounting when the Company is able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial decisions of the affiliates. The Company did not have any nonconsolidated affiliates during the periods presented in this report. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

b. Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Substantially all of the Company’s cash is concentrated in a few financial institutions.

c. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful receivables for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its trade customers to make required payments. The Company provides an allowance for specific customer accounts where collection is doubtful and also provides an allowance for customer deductions based on historical collection and write-off experience. Additional allowances could be required if the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorated. Bad debt expense is not material for any period presented.

d. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. In addition, the Company uses a valuation account for inventory obsolescence, which has not been material for any period presented. Maintenance, repair and non-productive inventory, which are considered consumables, are expensed when acquired in cost of sales. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Raw materials   $ 37,401     $ 29,762  
Work in process     23,372       19,335  
Finished goods     24,327       24,092  
Total inventory   $ 85,100     $ 73,189  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

e. Tooling

Tooling represents costs incurred by the Company in the development of new tooling used in the manufacture of the Company’s products. All pre-production tooling costs, incurred for tools that the Company will not own and that will be used in producing products supplied under long-term supply agreements, are expensed as incurred unless the supply agreement provides the Company with the non-cancelable right to use the tools or the reimbursement of such costs is contractually guaranteed by the customer. Generally, the customer agrees to reimburse the Company for certain of its tooling costs at the time the customer awards a contract to the Company.

When the part for which tooling has been developed reaches a production-ready status, the Company is reimbursed by its customer for the cost of the tooling at which time the tooling becomes the property of the customer. The Company has certain other tooling costs, which are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related product program, related to tools which the Company has the contractual right to use during the life of the supply arrangement. Customer-owned tooling is included in prepaid tooling and other and company-owned tooling is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The components of capitalized tooling costs are as follows (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Customer-owned tooling, net   $ 20,212     $ 38,683  
Company-owned tooling     1,595       3,828  
Total tooling, net   $ 21,807     $ 42,511  

Any gain recognized, which is defined as the excess of reimbursement over cost, is amortized over the life of the program. If estimated costs are expected to be in excess of reimbursement, a loss is recorded in the period when the loss is estimated.

f. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense was $110 million, $111.4 million, and $144.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of assets as follows:

 
Buildings and improvements     32 to 40 years  
Machinery and equipment      3 to 20 years  

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of 10 years or the remaining lease term at the date of acquisition of the leasehold improvement.

Interest is capitalized during the preparation of facilities for product programs and is amortized over the estimated lives of the programs. Interest of $1.6 million, $1.9 million and $0.9 million was capitalized in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred in cost of sales. Spare parts are considered capital in nature when purchased during the initial investment of a fixed asset. Amounts relating to significant improvements, which extend the useful life or utility of the related asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the asset. Upon disposal or retirement of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Cost:
                 
Land   $ 62,579     $ 61,885  
Buildings and improvements     221,174       209,696  
Machinery and equipment     826,752       765,670  
Construction in progress     122,426       91,705  
Property, plant, and equipment, gross     1,232,931       1,128,956  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (565,245 )       (501,459 )  
Property, plant, and equipment, net   $ 667,686     $ 627,497  

g. Asset Retirement Obligations

FASB ASC No. 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations , requires the recognition of a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation to perform certain activities in connection with retirement, disposal or abandonment of assets. The fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred, generally upon acquisition, construction or development and through the normal operation of the asset. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement should be factored into the measurement of the liability. The liability is measured at discounted fair value and is adjusted to its present value in subsequent periods. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are primarily associated with renovating, upgrading, and returning leased property to the lessor in accordance with the requirements of the lease.

Asset retirement obligations are included in other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table reconciles our asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Asset retirement obligation as of January 1   $ 11,865     $ 12,906  
Accretion expense     1,018       1,104  
Liabilities settled     (126 )       (2,145 )  
Change in estimate     (489 )        
Asset retirement obligation as of December 31   $ 12,268     $ 11,865  

h. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company monitors its long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment . If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required analysis and records impairment charges. In conducting its analysis, the Company compares the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the net book value, the long-lived assets are considered not to be impaired. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is estimated based upon discounted cash flow analyses. Cash flows are estimated using internal budgets based on recent sales data and independent automotive production volume estimates and customer commitments. Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of long-lived assets. Refer to note 4 for discussion of impairment charges for the periods presented.

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Long-lived assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell.

i. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other , goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires the identification of the reporting units, and comparison of the fair value of each of these reporting units to the respective carrying value. The Company defines its reporting units as Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated at the following reporting units for which goodwill exists: Europe and South America. These reporting units exist at a lower level than our reportable segments. If the carrying value is less than the fair value, no impairment exists and the second step is not performed. In the second step, the impairment is computed by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. FASB ASC No. 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment annually at the same time every year, and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is reasonably possible that impairment may exist. The annual impairment test is performed at year end.

The Company utilizes an income approach to estimate the fair value of each of its reporting units. The income approach is based on projected debt free cash flow which is discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. The Company believes that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting units’ expected long-term operating cash flow performance. This approach also mitigates the impact of cyclical trends that occur in the industry. Fair value is estimated using recent automotive industry and specific platform production volume projections, which are based on internally-developed forecasts, as well as commercial, wage and benefit, inflation and discount rate assumptions. Other significant assumptions include terminal value growth rates, terminal value margin rates, future capital expenditures, known restructuring actions, and changes in future working capital requirements. While there are inherent uncertainties related to the assumptions used and to management’s application of these assumptions to this analysis, the Company believes that the income approach provides a reasonable estimate of the fair value of its reporting units. However, the Company’s assumptions and estimates may differ significantly from actual results. The Company also uses a second approach, which is the market multiple approach, to test the reasonableness of the income approach.

The Company’s 2011 and 2010 annual goodwill impairment analysis, completed as of each year end, indicated that the carrying value of the Europe and South America reporting units was less than the respective fair values; thus, no impairment existed at either date. The Company also performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis during 2010 as the Company deemed its IPO to be a triggering event.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is set forth below on a segment and consolidated basis (in thousands):

     
  International   Americas   Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2009   $ 67,079     $ 3,486     $ 70,565  
Currency translation adjustment     (4,433 )       177       (4,256 )  
Balance at December 31, 2010     62,646       3,663       66,309  
Currency translation adjustment     (1,921 )       (405 )       (2,326 )  
Balance at December 31, 2011   $ 60,725     $ 3,258     $ 63,983  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

The Company has certain intangible assets that are related to customer relationships in Europe and Brazil. During the second quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a new intangible asset in North America for a covenant not to compete agreement related to the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries (see note 17). These intangible assets have definite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the recognition of related revenue, over the estimated lives of the related assets. The intangible assets are recorded in other assets. The Company anticipates amortization expense of $4.7 million, $2.8 million, and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively, at which time no further amortization expense will be incurred. The Company has incurred amortization expense of $4.6 million, $3.3 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The following table presents information about the intangible assets of the Company at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively (in thousands):

         
    As of December 31, 2011   As of December 31, 2010
     Weighted
Average Life
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
Amortized intangible:
                                            
Europe     6 years     $ 15,939     $ 10,236     $ 16,011     $ 7,504  
Brazil     7 years       5,677       3,634       5,935       2,749  
North America     2 years       2,271       973              
Total         $ 23,887     $ 14,843     $ 21,946     $ 10,253  

j. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is generally determined based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses valuation techniques that place greater reliance on observable inputs and less reliance on unobservable inputs. In measuring fair value, the Company may make adjustments for risks and uncertainties, if a market participant would include such an adjustment in its pricing.

FASB ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements , establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data, referred to as observable inputs, and the Company’s assumptions, referred to as unobservable inputs. Determining where an asset or liability falls within that hierarchy depends on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole. An adjustment to the pricing method used within either Level 1 or Level 2 inputs could generate a fair value measurement that effectively falls in a lower level in the hierarchy. The hierarchy consists of three broad levels as follows:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs developed using our estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that market participants would use.

At December 31, 2011, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt was $568.4 million and $582.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2010, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt was $539.6 million and $578.5 million, respectively. The majority of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is traded in the market and is classified as a Level 2 measurement based on the pricing methodology and the limited trading of the securities. The fair value was determined based on the quoted market values. The remainder of the Company’s debt, primarily consisting of foreign subsidiaries’ debt, is asset-backed and is classified as Level 3. As this debt carries variable rates and minimal credit risk, the book value approximates the fair value for this debt.

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

The Company is party to certain derivative financial instruments, which are all classified as Level 2 measurements determined using significant other observable inputs. The Company also has certain assets that have been classified as held for sale. The fair value of the long-lived assets held for sale was determined using third-party appraisals. The third-party appraisals use current market conditions adjusted for asset specific characteristics to determine the fair market value; therefore, are classified as Level 3.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accruals approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2011.

The following table provides each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2010 (in millions):

       
  Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
  Significant other
observable inputs
  Significant
unobservable
inputs
  Total
Gains/
(losses)
     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
Long-lived assets held for sale     Not applicable       Not applicable     $ 4.0     $ (2.7 )  
Asset impairments     Not applicable       Not applicable     $ 0.7     $ (7.3 )  

In accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, & Equipment , long-lived assets held for sale with a carrying amount of $6.7 million were written down to their fair value of $4.3 million, less cost to sell of $0.3 million (or $4 million), resulting in a loss of $2.7 million, which was included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize with a carrying amount of $8 million was written down to the fair value of $0.7 million, resulting in a loss of $7.3 million, which was included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

k. Derivative Financial Instruments

Periodically, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage the risk that changes in interest rates will have on the amount of future interest payments. Interest rate swap contracts are used to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to variable and fixed interest rates. The Company is not a party to leveraged derivatives and does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Under FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging , all derivatives are recorded at fair value and the changes in fair value are immediately included in earnings if the derivatives do not qualify as effective cash flow hedges. If a derivative is a fair value hedge, then changes in the fair value of the derivative are offset against the changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item. If a derivative is a cash flow hedge, then changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings.

The Company formally documents hedge relationships, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. Effective hedges are recorded at fair value in other long-term liabilities or other long-term assets with a corresponding offset to accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This process includes linking derivatives that are designated as hedges of specific assets, liabilities, firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether a derivative used in a hedging transaction is highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company will discontinue hedge accounting when it is determined that a derivative ceases to be an effective hedge. As of December 31, 2009, an accumulated loss of $12.6 million was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income relating to the

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Company’s two cash flow hedges which were considered effective. The hedges were terminated in August 2010 in connection with the retirement of the first lien term loan. By termination, the amounts that had been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive were expensed through interest expense and income tax expense as appropriate. Refer to note 7 for further discussion.

l. Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue once the criteria in FASB ASC No. 605, Revenue Recognition , have been met. These criteria are that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company recognizes revenue as its products are shipped to its customers at which time title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The Company participates in certain customers’ steel repurchase programs. Under these programs, the Company purchases steel directly from a customer’s designated steel supplier for use in manufacturing products. The Company takes delivery and title to such steel and bears the risk of loss and obsolescence. The Company invoices its customers based upon annually negotiated selling prices, which inherently include a component for steel under such repurchase programs. Under guidance provided in FASB ASC No. 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations , the Company has substantial risks and rewards of ownership and is acting as a principal. Therefore, for sales where the Company participates in a customer’s steel resale program, revenue is recognized on a gross basis for the entire amount of the sales, including the component for purchases under that customer’s steel resale program.

The Company enters into agreements to produce products for its customers at the beginning of a given vehicle program life. Once such agreements are entered into by the Company, fulfillment of the customers’ purchasing requirements is the obligation of the Company for the entire production period of the vehicle programs, which range from three to ten years, and generally the Company has no provisions to terminate such contracts. Additionally, the Company tracks the aging of uncollected billings and adjusts its accounts receivable allowance on a quarterly basis as necessary based on its evaluation of the probability of collection. The adjustments the Company has made due to the write-off of uncollectible amounts have been negligible.

m. Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes that these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. Valuation allowances have been recorded where it has been determined that it is more likely than not the Company will not be able to realize the net deferred tax assets. Previously established valuation allowances are reversed into income when there is compelling evidence, typically three or more consecutive years of cumulative profit or other positive evidence, that the future tax profitability will be sufficient to utilize the deferred tax asset. Due to the significant judgment involved in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized, the ultimate resolution of these items may be materially different from the previously estimated outcome.

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company’s global operations.

FASB ASC No. 740, provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. FASB ASC No. 740 also provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

The Company recognizes tax liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC No. 740 and adjusts these liabilities when its judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the Company’s current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined.

n. Segment Reporting

The Company determines its reportable segments based on the guidance in FASB ASC No. 280, Segment Reporting . The Company defines its operating segments as components of its business where separate financial information is available and is routinely evaluated by management. Management reviews financial information based on four operating segments: Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. The Company aggregates the four operating segments into two reportable segments consistent with the aggregation criteria in FASB ASC No. 280 as the Company’s operations have similar economic characteristics, and share fundamental characteristics including the nature of the products, production processes, customers, margins, and distribution channels. The Company’s two reportable segments are the Americas, consisting of North and South America, and International, consisting of Europe and Asia. See note 16 for further discussion.

o. Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency in which they operate. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the applicable period end rates of exchange. Results of operations are translated at applicable average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation gains or losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Equity/(Deficit), Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), and Redeemable Preferred Units. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions, the amounts of which are not material in all periods presented, are included in net income/(loss).

p. Exit or Disposal Activities

Costs to idle, consolidate, or close facilities and provide postemployment benefits to employees on an other than temporary basis are accrued based on management’s best estimate of the wage and benefit costs that will be incurred. Costs related to idlings of employees that are expected to be temporary are expensed as incurred. Costs to terminate a contract without economic benefit to the Company are expensed at the time the contract is terminated. One-time termination benefits that are not subject to contractual arrangements provided to employees who are involuntarily terminated are recorded when management commits to a detailed plan of termination, that plan is communicated to employees, and actions required to complete the plan indicate that significant changes are not likely. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to earn termination benefits, the benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period.

q. Share-based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost arising from the grant of share-based awards to employees at fair value. The Company recognizes such costs in income over the period during which the requisite service is provided, usually the vesting period. See note 14 for further discussion.

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

r. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (AOCI)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity is as follows (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Foreign currency translation   $ 17,713     $ 29,808  
Defined benefit plans, net     (99,727 )       (66,083 )  
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge, net     12       (255 )  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   $ (82,002 )     $ (36,530 )  

During the year ended December 31, 2011, $1.9 million was transferred out of accumulated other comprehensive (AOCI) through net periodic benefit cost related to the amortization of the loss on the Company’s defined benefit plan. During the year ended December 31, 2010, $1.5 million was transferred out of AOCI through net periodic benefit cost related to the amortization of the loss on the Company’s defined benefit plan and $10.6 million and $2 million that had been recorded in AOCI related to the Company’s cash flow hedges were transferred out of AOCI through interest expense and income tax expense, respectively.

s. Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Generally, matters subject to estimation and judgment include amounts related to accounts receivable realization, inventory obsolescence, fair value measurements, pension and other postretirement benefit plan assumptions, restructuring reserves, self-insurance accruals, asset valuation reserves and accruals related to environmental remediation costs, asset retirement obligations and income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions, and changes in such estimates and assumptions may affect amounts reported in future periods.

t. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Fair Value

On May 12, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 which amended ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures . The ASU is the result of joint efforts by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to develop a single, converged fair value framework that provides guidance on how to measure fair value and on what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The ASU expands ASC No. 820’s existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and makes other amendments. Many of these amendments eliminate unnecessary wording differences between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 for public entities. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effects, if any, that this ASU may have on its financial condition and results of operations.

Other Comprehensive Income

On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which improves the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05,” which defers certain aspects of ASU 2011-05 related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The

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Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

adoption of the revised guidance on January 1, 2012 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The new presentation will be included in the Company’s Quarterly Reporting on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Note 4. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges

The Company has executed various restructuring plans and may execute additional plans in the future to realign manufacturing capacity to prevailing global automotive production and to improve the utilization of remaining facilities. Estimates of restructuring charges are based on information available at the time such charges are recorded. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in estimating restructuring expenses, actual amounts paid for such activities may differ from amounts initially recorded. Accordingly, the Company may record revisions of previous estimates by adjusting previously established reserves.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges and asset impairments for each of our segments include the following (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
International   $ (179 )     $ 3,302     $ 12,619  
Americas     2,839       10,986       817  
Consolidated   $ 2,660     $ 14,288     $ 13,436  

The following table sets forth net restructuring expense by type for the periods presented (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Employee termination costs   $ 1,414     $ 573     $ 12,860  
Other exit costs     1,246       3,716       5,699  
Asset impairments           9,999       1,787  
Restructuring income                 (6,910 )  
Total restructuring expense   $ 2,660     $ 14,288     $ 13,436  

The Company incurred restructuring expense of $2.7 million and $14.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company incurred restructuring expense of $20.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 which was offset by $6.9 million of restructuring income.

The restructuring income was related to the cancellation of an old customer program relating to the Company’s closed facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This income was recorded in the Americas segment. As of December 31, 2009, all recoveries had been received.

The charges incurred during 2011, 2010, and 2009 primarily related to the following actions:

2011 Actions

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions, in addition to severance costs in Brazil to improve manufacturing efficiencies. These charges were offset partially by a favorable liability adjustment pertaining to closed facilities.

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2010 Actions

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.3 million related to its non-automotive business. The charge taken relates to the equipment specifically purchased for a contract with a solar customer that failed to materialize, less any anticipated salvage value. The Company also recorded an expense of $2.3 million related to the sale of a closed facility in Granite City, Illinois. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company classified its Bergisch Gladbach facility as held for sale (see note 5), which resulted in an impairment charge of $2.7 million to align the book value with the estimated fair value, less costs to sell. The additional charges incurred in 2010 in both the International and Americas segments related to other severance costs and ongoing maintenance of facilities closed as a result of prior actions.

2009 Actions

In July 2009 in the International segment, the Company announced the closure of its press shop in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. This closure impacted 57 employees, who ceased employment with the Company in October 2009. Total estimated costs of the closure of this facility are $10.2 million which is comprised of $9.1 million of severance costs and $1.1 million of other exit costs. The Company recorded the entire charge of $10.2 million during 2009 related to the closure of the Bergisch press shop. The additional charges incurred in 2009 in both the International and Americas segments relate to other severance costs, ongoing maintenance of facilities closed as a result of prior actions, and an additional impairment charge on an asset held for sale.

Restructuring Reserve

The table below summarizes the activity in the accrual by segment, reflected in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, for the above-mentioned actions through December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

     
  International   Americas   Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2009   $ 8,187     $ 1,561     $ 9,748  
Payments     (7,713 )       (3,419 )       (11,132 )  
Increase in liability     580       3,731       4,311  
Adjustment to liability     (233 )       (986 )       (1,219 )  
Balance at December 31, 2010     821       887       1,708  
Payments     (501 )       (1,496 )       (1,997 )  
Increase in liability           937       937  
Adjustment to liability     (179 )       (62 )       (241 )  
Balance at December 31, 2011   $ 141     $ 266     $ 407  

Except as disclosed in the table above, the Company does not anticipate incurring additional material cash charges associated with the actions described above. The change in the liability above does not agree with the restructuring charges in the table above as certain items are expensed as incurred related to the actions described. The liability primarily relates to severance.

The liability decreased during the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily due to payments made relating to prior accruals. The majority of the $0.4 million restructuring reserve accrued as of December 31, 2011 is expected to be paid in 2012.

The liability decreased during 2010 primarily due to severance payments made relating to the closure of the Company’s facility in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. In the Americas segment, the liability increased during the year primarily related to the sale of a closed facility; however, the majority of the payments relating to the sale were made as of December 31, 2010.

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Note 4. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges  – (continued)

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company incurred payments related to prior accruals in Europe of $0.5 million and in North America of $1.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company incurred payments related to prior accruals in Europe of $7.7 million and in North America of $3.4 million.

Note 5. Assets Held for Sale

The Company had three locations that were considered held for sale in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment . The three locations were Gunpo, South Korea; Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Gunpo facility was classified as held for sale in 2009 and the Bergisch and Milwaukee facilities were classified as held for sale in the first quarter of 2010. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company’s management has determined that it does not expect to sell the Bergisch or Milwaukee locations within one year. Accordingly, the Company has classified these locations as held and used. The following table summarizes assets held for sale by category (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Land   $ 2,335     $ 6,426  
Building     1,692       1,752  
Total   $ 4,027     $ 8,178  

Note 6. Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Senior secured notes, due September 1, 2017 (net of discount of $8,685 and $11,410)   $ 353,307     $ 392,590  
Revolving credit facility     54,000        
Detroit investment fund indebtedness     798        
Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness     160,266       147,034  
Total long-term debt     568,371       539,624  
Less current maturities     (106,533 )       (106,898 )  
Long-term debt, net of current portion   $ 461,838     $ 432,726  

The current maturities do not include capital lease obligations of $2.9 million and $3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Future maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 
2012   $ 106,533  
2013     40,707  
2014     9,474  
2015     652  
2016     54,652  
Thereafter     356,353  
Total   $ 568,371  

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Note 6. Debt  – (continued)

Senior Secured Notes

On August 24, 2010, the Company’s subsidiaries, Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC and TA Holdings Finance, Inc. (collectively, the “Issuers”), issued $430 million in senior secured notes (the “notes offering”). The senior secured notes (the “notes”) were issued at an original issue discount of $12.8 million and bear an annual interest rate of 10.625%. The original issue discount is being amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method, through interest expense over the term of the notes which increases the effective annual interest rate to 11.25%. The notes mature on September 1, 2017. The notes are jointly and severally and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company on a senior unsecured basis and by the existing domestic subsidiaries of the Company, other than the Issuers, that are guarantors under Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC’s existing revolving credit facility (the “Amended ABL revolver”) and existing letter of credit facility (the “Letter of Credit Facility”) (such domestic subsidiaries, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) on a senior secured basis. The notes are senior secured obligations of the Issuers that, subject to certain permitted liens and exceptions, and subject to certain limitations with respect to enforcement, rank equally in right of payment to any existing and future senior indebtedness of the Issuers and are effectively junior to the extent of the collateral securing the Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations on a first priority basis under the Amended ABL revolver. The notes and the subsidiary guarantees are effectively junior to any existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries that are not guaranteeing the notes. The notes also restrict the Company from paying cash dividends on its common stock.

The notes are secured, on a pari passu basis with the obligations under the Letter of Credit Facility, by (i) a first priority security interest in the assets of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors which have been pledged on a first priority basis to the agent for the benefit of the lenders under the Letter of Credit Facility and (ii) on a second priority basis to all other assets of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors which have been pledged on a first priority basis to the agent for the benefit of the lenders under the Amended ABL revolver.

Upon the occurrence of certain specified changes of control, the holders of the notes will have the right to require the Issuers to purchase all or a part of their notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

At any time prior to September 1, 2014, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, prior to September 1, 2014, during any 12-month period, the Issuers may redeem up to 10% of the principal amount of the notes at a redemption price equal to 105% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Further, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after September 1, 2014 at a redemption price equal to 105.313% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed through September 1, 2015, at any time on or after September 1, 2015 at a redemption price equal to 102.656% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed through September 1, 2016, and at 100% of the principal amount thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes from the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price of 110.625% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company has concluded that bifurcation is not required for the embedded derivative related to the redemption provisions of the notes as it is clearly and closely related to the debt instrument or is not material.

On December 16, 2010, the Issuers redeemed $26 million of the notes at 105% which resulted in a premium paid of $1.3 million that was recognized as other expense. In connection with the redemption, the Issuers accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

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Note 6. Debt  – (continued)

On March 30, 2011, the Issuers redeemed $17 million of the notes at 105% which resulted in a premium paid of $0.9 million that was recognized as other expense. In connection with the redemption, the Issuers accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2011.

On September 30, 2011, the Company reduced its outstanding debt by purchasing $17.5 million of the notes in the open market at 102%, which resulted in a premium paid of $0.4 million that was recognized as other expense. The notes purchased were immediately retired by the Company. In connection with the retirement, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2011.

On October 6, 2011, the Company reduced its outstanding debt by purchasing $7.5 million of the notes in the open market at 101.75%, which resulted in a premium paid of $0.1 million that was recognized as other expense. The notes purchased were immediately retired by the Company. In connection with the retirement, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs by $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2011.

As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding principal balance on the notes was $353.3 million (net of a remaining $8.7 million original issue discount).

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

On June 13, 2011, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “Borrower”), the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC (“Holdco”), Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC and each of the other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Issuing Lender, as Swing Line Lender and as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”) for the Lenders.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among the Borrower, its domestic affiliate and domestic subsidiary guarantors named therein and the lenders party thereto and the Agent. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provides for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Amended ABL Revolver”) in the aggregate amount of up to $150 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. The maturity date for the Amended ABL Revolver is June 13, 2016.

The Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 31, 2007 provided for a revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of $150 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. Advances under the ABL revolver bore interest at a base rate or LIBOR, plus a margin, which were 0.75% for base rate borrowings and 1.75% for LIBOR-based borrowings prior to the amendment. The applicable margins were determined by the average availability under the ABL revolver during the preceding three months. The ABL revolver was scheduled to mature on July 31, 2012 prior to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement.

Advances under the Amended ABL Revolver will bear interest at an alternate base rate (which is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus ½% and the Adjusted LIBOR (as each such term is defined in the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1%) plus a base rate margin or LIBOR plus a Eurodollar margin. The applicable margins are determined by the average availability under the Amended ABL Revolver over the preceding three consecutive full calendar months and as of the date of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement were 2.25% per annum and 3.25% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively.

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Note 6. Debt  – (continued)

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company, on an unsecured basis, and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, on a secured basis (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is secured by the same assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors that secured the obligations under the ABL revolver.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement includes customary events of default and amounts due thereunder may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.

As of December 31, 2011, there was $137.6 million of borrowing availability under the Amended ABL Revolver, of which $54 million of borrowings were outstanding. As of December 31, 2011, the applicable margins were 2.25% per annum and 3.25% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively, resulting in a weighted average interest rate of 4.06% per annum.

Detroit Investment Fund

The Company assumed an unsecured debt instrument of $1 million owed to the Detroit Investment Fund, L.P. (“DIF”) upon the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries (see note 17). The debt instrument requires monthly principal and interest payments with an annual interest rate of 8.5%. The instrument is scheduled to mature in April 2014. As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding principal balance was $0.8 million.

Letter of Credit Facility

On June 13, 2011, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 13, 2011 (the “Letter of Credit Facility Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “L/C Borrower”), the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as participant in respect of letters of credit issued thereunder, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender.

The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement provides for a letter of credit facility (the “Letter of Credit Facility”) for the issuance of up to $38 million of letters of credit with a sublimit for Euro dominated letters of credit (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). Upon a third party drawing on letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Facility, the L/C Borrower will become obligated to pay to the lenders the amounts so drawn. The expiration date of the Letter of Credit Facility is June 13, 2014.

On August 5, 2011, the Company amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to reduce the Letter of Credit Facility from $38 million to $30 million (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). The remaining terms of the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement remained the same.

As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding letters of credit under the Letter of Credit Facility were $26.1 million. As of December 31, 2011, an 8.5% per annum fee is due on the total amount of the facility. This fee is subject to change in the future based upon then current market conditions.

The Letter of Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries on an unsecured basis pursuant to a Guaranty entered into and made as of June 13, 2011.

The Letter of Credit Facility is unsecured. The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement contains customary covenants applicable to certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement includes customary events of default and amounts due thereunder may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.

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First Lien Term Loan

The first lien term loan was borrowed in two tranches, with $250 million advanced to a U.S. borrower (the “U.S. Borrower”) and the Euro currency equivalent of $260 million (€190.8 million) advanced to a European borrower (the “European Borrower”). The first lien term loan required principal payments of 1%, paid quarterly at the end of each January, April, July and October. Immediately prior to the repayment described below, funds and accounts managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (collectively with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., “Cerberus” or “Members”) owned approximately 90% of the first lien term loan. The first lien term loan was scheduled to mature on July 31, 2013.

On August 13, 2010, in connection with the offering of the senior secured notes described above, Cerberus agreed to convert $25 million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under the first lien term loan and, in exchange, received equity in the Company; however, no new units were issued.

On August 24, 2010, the outstanding principal balance on the U.S. Dollar and Euro tranches was repaid in full in connection with the issuance of the senior secured notes described above.

On June 13, 2011, the Company terminated its first lien term loan agreement with the repayment of the $27.5 million Letter of Credit Facility.

$27.5 million Letter of Credit Facility

The $27.5 million letter of credit facility (the “$27.5 million Letter of Credit Facility”) was fully cash collateralized by third party deposit lenders for purposes of replacing or backstopping letters of credit outstanding. The $27.5 million Letter of Credit Facility was part of the First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement (the “First Lien Agreement”), dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the guarantors named therein, the lenders, named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, but remained outstanding as it was not terminated when the first lien term loan was paid off in August 2010. The cash collateral was deposited by such third party deposit lenders in a deposit account, and the Company had no right, title or interest in the deposit account.

On June 13, 2011, the Company terminated the First Lien Agreement. At termination, Cerberus owned all of the $27.5 million Letter of Credit Facility. In connection with the termination of the First Lien Agreement, a $27.5 million deposit was returned to Cerberus in its capacity as a deposit lender.

Debt Issue Costs

The Company incurred interest expense related to the amortization of debt issue costs of $2.3 million, $7.8 million, and $3.5 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.

Other Foreign Subsidiary Indebtedness

As of December 31, 2011, other foreign subsidiary indebtedness of $160.3 million consists primarily of borrowings in South Korea of $98.6 million, borrowings in Brazil of $30.5 million, receivables factoring in Europe of $19.7 million, and a line of credit in Europe of $11.5 million.

Generally, borrowings of foreign subsidiaries are made under credit agreements with commercial lenders and are used to fund working capital and other operating requirements.

South Korea

As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s South Korean subsidiary had borrowings of $98.6 million (KRW 114.4 billion), consisting of secured indebtedness of $42.8 million (KRW 49.6 billion), secured bonds of $21.5 million (KRW 25 billion), unsecured corporate bonds of $17.2 million (KRW 20 billion) issued in connection with a government sponsored collateralized bond program, unsecured indebtedness of $12.8 million (KRW 14.8 billion), and unsecured bonds of $4.3 million (KRW 5 billion) which have annual

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interest rates ranging from 5.34% to 9.96% and maturity dates ranging from February 2012 to August 2014. As of December 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate on the borrowings in South Korea was 7.05% per annum. The majority of these borrowings are subject to annual renewal. Substantially all of the assets of the Company’s South Korean subsidiary serve as collateral for the secured indebtedness and secured bonds.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company renewed $7.1 million (KRW 8.2 billion) of maturing secured indebtedness and $4.3 million (KRW 5 billion) of a maturing unsecured bond for an additional year. The terms of the new loans are substantially the same as the other portfolio loans.

Brazil

As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary had borrowings of $30.5 million (R$56.8 million) which have annual interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 15.39% and maturity dates ranging from February 2012 to September 2021. As of December 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate on the borrowings in Brazil was 13.16% per annum. This credit is provided through bilateral agreements with four local banks. Periodic interest and principal payments are required. The loans are secured by certain fixed and current assets.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, two of the local banks provided the Company with $11.5 million (R$21.5 million) in new term loans. One of the loans is a one-year term loan and the other loan has an extended maturity date through April 2013. The terms of the new loans are substantially the same as the other portfolio loans.

Europe

As of December 31, 2011, the receivables factoring facilities available to the Company were $25.8 million (€19.9 million), of which $19.7 million (€15.2 million) was drawn. These are uncommitted, demand facilities which are subject to termination at the discretion of the banks, and bear interest rates based on the average three month EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.45% to 2.25%. The effective annual interest rates as of December 31, 2011 ranged from 2.88% to 3.68%, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.98% per annum. Any receivables factoring under these facilities is with recourse, and is secured by the accounts receivable factored. These receivables factoring transactions are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet in short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company obtained a secured line of credit of $11.5 million (€8.9 million). The facility bears an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus 4%. The effective annual interest rate as of December 31, 2011 was 5.1% per annum. The installment loan is secured by mortgages over the land, certain buildings and other assets and is subject to negotiated prepayments upon the receipt of funds from completed tooling projects.

Covenants

As of December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants that govern its credit agreements.

Capital Leases

The Company had capital lease obligations of $15.1 million and $18.6 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which expire between March 2013 and March 2018. Property under capital leases was $32.7 million and $33.5 million with $12 million and $7.8 million of accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

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Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company was required by its credit agreements to enter into two interest rate swap agreements during the third quarter of 2007. These derivative agreements effectively fixed interest rates on a portion of the Company’s European and U.S. first lien term loan tranches at 5.06% and 4.62%, respectively, and qualified for cash flow hedge accounting treatment under FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging . The swaps were designated as hedging instruments to offset the changes in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates on this variable rate debt through August 31, 2010. In August 2010, the first lien term loan was repaid in full and the interest rate swaps expired. Under FASB ASC No. 815, each swap was recorded as a cash flow hedge in which the fair value was recorded as an asset or liability and the changes in the fair value were recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. Periodic measurement of hedge effectiveness was performed quarterly. Any changes in the effective portion of these derivatives were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, while any ineffective portion was recorded in earnings and reflected in the consolidated Statement of Operations as part of interest expense. The following table presents the notional amount of interest rate swaps by class (in thousands):

       
Financial Instruments   Hedge Type   Notional Amount   Start Date   Maturity Date
Floating to fixed     Cash Flow     $ 182,500       8/31/2007       8/31/2010  
Floating to fixed     Cash Flow     100,000       8/31/2007       8/31/2010  

During 2009, a pre-tax gain of $6 million was recorded in other comprehensive income relating to the two cash flow hedges. As of December 31, 2009, no ineffective portion existed and the fair values of these derivatives were recorded as a liability of $10.6 million in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued liabilities. The fair value of our interest rate swaps was determined based on third-party valuation models. During the year ended December 31, 2010, $10.6 million and $2 million was expensed through interest expense and income tax expense, respectively, that had been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2009, $6 million was expensed through interest expense that had been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Note 8. Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

The Company’s selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include costs associated with the Company’s sales efforts; engineering; centralized finance, human resources, purchasing, and information technology services; and other administrative functions. The Company has implemented one-time compensation programs that will result in compensation charges against earnings in 2010 and subsequent periods. See notes 14 and 18 for further description of each program. SG&A expenses include the following (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
SG&A (excluding items below)   $ 138,941     $ 132,221     $ 118,331  
Special incentive program           6,700        
Supplemental value creation program     4,419       1,509        
Restricted stock units granted in connection with the IPO     13,932       2,866        
Acquisition costs     1,100       679        
Total   $ 158,392     $ 143,975     $ 118,331  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9. Income Taxes

Tax Summary

The summary of income/(loss) before provision for income taxes and noncontrolling interests consisted of the following (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Domestic   $ 2,721     $ (45,566 )     $ (38,811 )  
Foreign     25,264       27,410       (21,325 )  
Total   $ 27,985     $ (18,156 )     $ (60,136 )  

The provision/(benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Current:
                          
Domestic – Federal   $ 178     $     $  
Domestic – State     250       (114 )       192  
Foreign     15,109       22,284       16,658  
Total     15,537       22,170       16,850  
Tax/(benefit) expense with offset in OCI:
                          
Domestic – Federal           1,786       (4,398 )  
Domestic – State           192       (503 )  
Total           1,978       (4,901 )  
Deferred
                          
Domestic – Federal                  
Domestic – State     (370 )             238  
Foreign     (355 )       (13,851 )       (13,291 )  
Total     (725 )       (13,851 )       (13,053 )  
Total provision/(benefit) for income taxes   $ 14,812     $ 10,297     $ (1,104 )  

A reconciliation of income tax expense/(benefit) from continuing operations and the US federal statutory income tax expense/(benefit) were as follows (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Taxes at U.S. federal statutory rate   $ 9,795     $ (6,355 )     $ (21,057 )  
State tax expense/(benefit)     (120 )       372       1,626  
Valuation allowance     3,136       3,607       19,496  
Disallowed interest expense     1,103       1,171       1,506  
Regional production tax – Italy     776       838       720  
Foreign withholding taxes     688       2,476       (679 )  
Tax/(benefit) expense in OCI           1,978       (4,901 )  
Cancellation of debt income           4,529        
Foreign tax rate differential     (348 )       (2,017 )       (1,706 )  
Increase/(decrease) in uncertain tax positions     (689 )       1,869       2,824  
Inflation adjustment – Mexico     (748 )       (913 )       (1,277 )  
Other permanent differences     1,220       2,742       2,344  
Total income tax expense/(benefit)   $ 14,812     $ 10,297     $ (1,104 )  

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Note 9. Income Taxes  – (continued)

Deferred income taxes are primarily provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. The tax effects of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that give rise to a significant portion of deferred tax assets/(liabilities) are summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
Deferred tax assets are attributable to:
                 
Net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits   $ 140,908     $ 140,991  
Accrued compensation and postretirement benefit obligations     46,130       33,505  
Non-deductible reserves and other accruals     16,506       22,827  
Leases     11,531       8,739  
MRO inventory reserve     8,451       8,259  
Total gross deferred assets     223,526       214,321  
Less: valuation allowance     (188,336 )       (180,395 )  
Net deferred income tax assets     35,190       33,926  
Deferred tax liabilities are attributable to:
                 
Deferred cancellation of indebtedness income     (16,310 )       (16,310 )  
Long lived assets     (2,882 )       (810 )  
Total gross deferred liabilities     (19,192 )       (17,120 )  
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)   $ 15,998     $ 16,806  

As of December 31, 2011, the amount of valuation allowance that existed was $188.3 million. The valuation allowance increased $7.9 million during 2011 primarily as a result of not recognizing tax benefits from the increases in U.S. post retirement benefit obligations. The Company continually monitors all available evidence to determine if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, the Company continues to record a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in the U.S. and certain international jurisdictions, primarily Mexico and the Netherlands. The amount of valuation allowance is approximately 81% domestic and 19% international. As of December 31, 2011, there is not any amount of the valuation allowance for which subsequently recognized benefits will be allocated to reduce goodwill or other intangible assets.

As of December 31, 2010, the amount of valuation allowance that existed was $180.4 million. The valuation allowance increased $8 million during 2010 primarily as a result of not recognizing tax benefits from operating losses in the U.S. where the Company has incurred cumulative losses. The $8 million worldwide increase was partially mitigated by a $9.1 benefit for the reversal of valuation allowances previously recorded on certain South Korean deferred tax assets. In 2011 the Company was able to significantly reduce most of these Korean temporary differences that had valuation allowances recorded against them in 2010.

The Company has U.S. net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards of $194.2 million that expire during the years 2027 through 2031 and state NOL carryforwards of $46.3 million and state credit carryforwards of $22.5 million that expire during the years 2012 through 2031. The state NOL was reduced by $25.5 million from 2010 due to the enactment of a new Michigan Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in 2011. The new Michigan CIT law did not provide for the carryover of NOL’s generated under the old Michigan Business Tax. The Company has recorded deferred tax assets of $68 million and $25.6 million related to federal NOL carryforwards and state NOL and credit carryforwards, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9. Income Taxes  – (continued)

The Company’s international subsidiaries have NOL carryforwards of $172 million, other local income tax NOL carryforwards of $28.1 million and credit carryforwards of $2.7 million at December 31, 2011 of which some expire in 2014 and others are carried forward indefinitely. The Company has recorded deferred tax assets of $47.3 million related to the foreign NOL and credit carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has not provided for U.S. deferred income taxes and foreign withholding tax on the unremitted earnings of the Company’s international subsidiaries because such earnings are considered permanently reinvested and it is not practical to estimate the amount of income taxes that may be payable upon distribution. The Company has recorded a deferred income tax liability of $0.4 million for the expected future taxes relating to distributions within Europe and Asia.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Unrecognized tax benefit – January 1   $ 10,096     $ 8,227     $ 5,647  
Increase in prior year tax positions     11,107       972       882  
Decrease in prior year tax positions     (2,300 )       (262 )        
Increase in current year tax positions     2,634       1,827       1,718  
Audit settlements     (12 )       (152 )       (303 )  
Lapse in statute of limitations     (679 )       (100 )       (75 )  
Foreign currency translation     (343 )       (416 )       358  
Total   $ 20,503     $ 10,096     $ 8,227  

The increase in prior year tax positions for 2011 includes increases that did not affect income tax expense in 2011. These unrecognized tax benefits were recorded in other balance sheet accounts or offset by NOLs in prior years.

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 are $19.5 million, $9.1 million, and $7.4 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. These amounts are primarily associated with international tax issues such as the deductibility of interest expenses and the qualification of a China joint venture for a lower tax rate than the statutory tax rate. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are $1 million, $1 million, and $0.8 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company accrued for the payment of income tax related interest and penalties $3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The amount of interest and penalty expense was $0.2 million, $1.1 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

The Company is not currently under IRS or U.S. state income tax examination for any tax year. The Company is under examination in some international jurisdictions for the 2004 – 2010 tax years and has appealed a German audit assessment for tax year 2004. The Company believes appropriate provisions for all outstanding tax issues have been made for all jurisdictions and all open years.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors various pension and other postretirement benefit plans for its employees.

In accordance with FASB ASC No. 805, Business Combinations , on August 1, 2007, the Company recorded a liability for the total projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets for the pension plans and a liability for the total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of the fair value of plan assets for other postretirement benefit plans and for postretirement benefit settlement agreements, which were approved by the Bankruptcy Court and assumed by the Company.

Defined Benefit Retirement Plans

The Tower Automotive Consolidated Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”) provides benefits for certain current and former U.S. employees. Benefits under the Pension Plan are based on years of service, compensation, and other factors. Effective October 1, 2006, the plan was frozen and ceased accruing any additional benefits. Contributions by the Company are intended to fund benefits that accrued through October 1, 2006.

The Company’s funding policy is to annually contribute amounts to the Pension Plan’s related trust sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company expects minimum contribution requirements to the Pension Plan of $20.4 million during 2012. Benefit payments under the Pension Plan are estimated to be $19.7 million, $18.9 million, $19 million, $18.2 million, and $17.7 million for the years ending December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively, for a total of $93.5 million during that five-year period. Aggregate benefit payments under the Pension Plan for the years 2017 through 2021 are estimated to be $86.2 million.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations and fair value of assets for the Pension Plan (in thousands):

   
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
                 
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the period   $ 172,186     $ 165,858  
Actual return on plan assets     5,918       20,210  
Employer contributions     16,289       9,741  
Plan expenses paid     (1,438 )       (1,180 )  
Benefits paid     (19,716 )       (22,443 )  
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the period   $ 173,239     $ 172,186  
Change in Benefit Obligations:
                 
Benefit obligations at the beginning of the period   $ 248,589     $ 244,588  
Service cost     30       29  
Interest cost     12,601       13,211  
Actuarial loss     27,958       13,204  
Benefits paid     (19,716 )       (22,443 )  
Benefit obligations at the end of the period   $ 269,462     $ 248,589  
Funded status of the pension plan   $ (96,223 )     $ (76,403 )  

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the funded status is recorded as pension liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

At the December 31, 2011 measurement date, the accumulated benefit obligation of the Pension Plan was approximately $269 million. At December 31, 2010, the accumulated benefit obligation of the Pension Plan was approximately $248.4 million.

The following table provides the components of net periodic pension benefit cost for the Pension Plan (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Service cost   $ 30     $ 29     $ 28  
Interest cost     12,601       13,211       14,305  
Expected return on plan assets     (11,259 )       (10,611 )       (10,063 )  
Amortization of net losses     1,895       1,495       1,835  
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 3,267     $ 4,124     $ 6,105  

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss), pre-tax, at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

   
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010
Net actuarial loss   $ 34,737     $ 4,786  
Amortization of net losses     (1,895 )       (1,495 )  
Amount recognized   $ 32,842     $ 3,291  

The net periodic benefit cost for the year ending December 31, 2012 will contain an estimated $3.1 million to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income.

The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company’s benefit obligation, based upon a December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 measurement date, are as follows:

   
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010
Discount rate     4.50 %       5.25 %  
Rate of compensation increase     4.50 %       4.50 %  

The assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit cost are shown below:

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Discount rate     5.25 %       5.75 %       6.25 %  
Expected return on plan assets     7.40 %       7.25 %       7.25 %  
Rate of compensation increase     4.50 %       4.50 %       4.50 %  

The present value of the Company’s pension benefit obligation is calculated through the use of a discount rate. The discount rate used is established annually at the measurement date and reflects the construction of a yield curve analysis from a third party, which calculates the yield to maturity that mirrors the timing and amounts of future benefit payments.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

The Company invests the assets of the Pension Plan in a diversified portfolio consisting of an array of asset classes that attempts to maximize returns while minimizing volatility. The Company’s allocations of Pension Plan assets on the December 31, 2011 and 2010 measurement dates, as well as the 2011 target allocation, are as follows:

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2011 Target
Fixed income investments      43%
       40%
       45%
 
Equity securities      32%
       35%
       30%
 
Non-equity investments      25%
       25%
       25%
 
Real estate                  
Cash equivalents        —          —          —  
Total     100%
      100%
      100%
 

The expected long-term rates of return on the plans’ assets assumptions are based on modeling studies completed with the assistance of the Company’s actuaries and investment consultants. The models take into account inflation, asset class returns, and bond yields for both domestic and foreign markets. These studies, along with the history of returns for the plans, indicate that expected future returns, weighted by asset allocation, supported an expected long-term asset return assumption of 7.4% for 2011 and 2010.

The Company’s investment goals are to achieve returns in excess of the plans’ actuarial assumptions, commensurate with the plans’ risk tolerance; to invest in a prudent manner in accordance with fiduciary requirements of ERISA; and to ensure that plan assets will meet the obligations of the plans as they come due.

Investment management of the plans is delegated to a professional investment management firm that must adhere to policy guidelines and objectives. An independent investment consultant is used to measure and report on investment performance; perform asset/liability modeling studies and recommend changes to objectives, guidelines, managers, or asset class structure; and keep the Company informed of current investment trends and issues.

The investment policy, as established by the Company’s Benefit Plans Committee (the “Committee”), allows for effective supervision, monitoring, and evaluating of the investment of the Company’s retirement plan assets. This includes setting forth an investment structure for managing assets and providing guidelines for each portfolio to control the level of overall risk and liquidity. The cash inflows and outflows will be deployed in a manner consistent with the above target allocations. If the Committee determines cash flows to be insufficient within the strategic allocation target ranges, the Committee shall decide whether to effect transactions to bring the strategic allocation within the threshold ranges. Plan assets do not include equity securities of the Company.

Based on consideration of the plans’ projected benefit obligation, the plans’ ability to tolerate risk is in the moderate range. Asset allocation is consistent with this level of risk, with assets being a mix of equities and fixed income. Equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks. Minimum and maximum ranges are established for each asset class to control risk and maximize the effectiveness of the plans’ asset allocation strategy. Asset allocation is reviewed quarterly and rebalanced if necessary. Specific investment guidelines, restrictions, and investment return objectives exist for each asset class and corresponding investment manager.

Pension Plan assets are recorded at fair value. Fixed income and equity securities may each be combined into commingled fund investments. Commingled funds are valued to reflect the Company’s interest in the fund based on the reported year-end net asset value. The estimated fair values of debt securities held are based on

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

quoted market prices and/or market data for the same or comparable instruments. Due to the nature of pricing fixed income securities and the use of commingled fixed income funds, some of these instruments are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 investments within the fair value hierarchy described in this note. Fair value estimates for publicly-traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices and/or other market data for the same or comparable instruments. Collective trusts that hold securities directly are stated at fair value of the underlying securities, as determined by the administrator, based on readily determinable market values and as such are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 investments within the fair value hierarchy described in this note. Non-equity investments, which represent approximately 25% of Pension Plan assets, include investments in hedge funds, and are valued based on year-end reported net asset value. The balance sheet includes the funded status of the benefit plans, which represents the difference between the benefit obligations and fair value of Pension Plan assets.

The following table summarizes the Company’s Pension Plan assets measured at fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in millions). See note 3 for definitions of Levels 1, 2, and 3 fair value hierarchy and the methods and assumptions to estimate fair value of marketable securities.

       
  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011
Asset Classes   Total   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash   $   2     $   2     $   —     $   —  
Equity securities     14       14              
Mutual funds (a)     71       60       11        
U.S. Treasuries     5             5        
Corporate bonds     34             34        
Equity long/short hedge funds (b)     47                   47  
Total   $ 173     $ 76     $ 50     $ 47  

       
  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010
Asset Classes   Total   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash   $   2     $   2     $   —     $   —  
Equity securities     21       21              
Mutual funds (a)     51       39       12        
U.S. Treasuries     14             14        
Corporate bonds     36             36        
Equity long/short hedge funds (b)     48                   48  
Total   $ 172     $ 62     $ 62     $ 48  

(a) This category consists of mutual fund investments that are focused on fixed income and international equity securities.
(b) This category includes hedge funds that invest both long and short in a variety of U.S. equities, and international equities and currencies. Management of the hedge funds has the ability to shift investments from value to growth strategies, from small to large capitalization stocks, and from a net long position to a net short position.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

For Pension Plan assets with a fair value measurement using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances are as follows (in millions):

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 
  Equity Long/Short
Hedge Funds
Beginning balance at December 31, 2009   $ 20  
Actual return on plan assets:
        
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date     2  
Purchases     26  
Balance at December 31, 2010     48  
Actual return on plan assets:
        
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date     (1 )  
Purchases      
Ending balance at December 31, 2011   $   47  

Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors various qualified defined contribution retirement plans. Each plan serves a defined group of employees and has varying levels of Company contributions. The Company’s contributions may be required by collective bargaining agreements for certain plans. During 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company contributed $3.8 million, $3.3 million and $3 million, respectively.

Retirement Plans of Non-U.S. Operations

The Company has no defined benefit pension plans associated with its non-U.S. operations. The Company primarily provides severance benefits to employees that have terminated their employment due to retirement or otherwise. The amount associated with such benefits depends upon the length of service of the employee and also upon whether the termination was voluntary or at the request of the Company. During 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company recorded expenses associated with these non-U.S. plans of $3.4 million, $3.2 million, and $3.1 million, respectively.

Other Postretirement Plans

Defined-Dollar Capped Medical Plans

For the retirees of the Company’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility, a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (“VEBA”) Trust was established and began administering medical insurance benefits for retirees and their dependents beginning July 1, 2006. A separate VEBA Trust was established and began administering benefits for retirees from the Company’s Greenville facilities and their dependents beginning September 1, 2006.

As of July 31, 2007, the Company assumed the liabilities associated with the VEBA Trusts described above and future benefit payments were capped at specified amounts to be paid through 2011. As a result, the Company determined that these arrangements represent defined benefit postretirement plans and defined-dollar capped plans in accordance with FASB ASC No. 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits . The Company has accreted the interest cost through cost of sales until settlement in accordance with FASB ASC No. 715. Benefit payments during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were $0.6 million, $1.2 million, and $2 million, respectively. Interest accretion during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was less than $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and $0.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2011 no further payments remain.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

Life Insurance Plans

As of July 31, 2007, the Company assumed life insurance benefits for certain U.S. retirees and the benefit plans pursuant to which such life insurance benefits are provided. Expected future life insurance benefit payments amount to $0.8 million for 2012 and $0.9 million for each year 2013 through 2016 for a total of $4.4 million during the five-year period. Aggregate expected benefit payments for the years 2017 through 2021 are $4.4 million.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations and funded status of the Company’s other post employment benefit plans (in thousands):

   
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011 (1)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010 (1)
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
                 
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the period   $     $  
Employer contributions     420       431  
Benefits paid     (420 )       (431 )  
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the period   $     $  
Change in Benefit Obligations:
                 
Benefit obligations at the beginning of the period   $ 13,922     $ 13,831  
Service cost            
Interest cost     716       753  
Actuarial loss (gain)     802       (231 )  
Benefits paid     (420 )       (431 )  
Benefit obligations at the end of the period   $ 15,020     $ 13,922  
                    
Funded status of life insurance plan   $ (15,020 )     $ (13,922 )  

(1) Excludes defined-dollar capped plans as described above.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the funded status is recorded as accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011 (1)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010 (1)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009 (1)
Service cost   $     $     $  
Interest cost     716       753       778  
Expected return on plan assets                  
Amortization of net losses                  
Net periodic benefit cost   $  716     $  753     $  778  

(1) Excludes defined-dollar capped plans as described above.

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Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans  – (continued)

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2011 and 2010, pre-tax, consist of the following (in thousands):

   
  2011   2010
Net actuarial (gain) or loss   $ 802     $ (231 )  
Net prior service cost            
Amount recognized   $  802     $  (231 )  

The discount rate used to measure the Company’s post employment benefit obligation was 4.5% in 2011 and 5.25% in 2010. The discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit costs was 5.25% in 2011, 5.75% in 2010, and 6.25% in 2009. The rate used reflects the construction of a yield curve analysis from a third party, which calculates the yield to maturity that mirrors the timing of future benefits. The measurement dates for the Company’s post retirement benefit plans were December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity and Share Based Compensation

Equity

Effective October 14, 2010, prior to the IPO, (i) all of the Company’s equity owners transferred their equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC to a newly created limited liability company, Tower International Holdings, LLC, (ii) Tower Automotive, LLC converted into a Delaware corporation named Tower International, Inc., and (iii) all of the equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC were converted into common stock of Tower International, Inc (“Corporate Conversion”). Thus, immediately prior to the IPO and the commencement of trading of the Company’s common stock, all of the Company’s outstanding common stock was owned by Tower International Holdings, LLC. Upon the Corporate Conversion, all of the equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC were converted into common stock of Tower International, Inc. On October 20, 2010, the Company received $75.6 million of proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the sale of 6,250,000 shares of its common stock at the closing of the IPO. On November 3, 2010, the Company sold an additional 383,722 shares of its common stock resulting in additional proceeds of $4.6 million, after underwriting discounts and commissions, pursuant to a partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had 19,683,032 and 19,101,588 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

Members’ Equity

Prior to August 12, 2010, the membership interests in Tower Automotive, LLC (“Membership Interests”) were represented by issued and outstanding “Units” divided into three series consisting of “Redeemable Preferred Units,” “Common Units” and “MIP Units.” Effective August 12, 2010, the three series of units of the Company were converted into one series of “Capital Units.”

Capital Units

On August 12, 2010, the Company’s operating agreement was amended and restated (the “Unit Conversion”) to provide for the conversion of the Company’s Redeemable Preferred Units, Common Units, and MIP Units into a single class of membership interests, referred to as Capital Units. Prior to the Corporate Conversion, a total of 8,500 Capital Units of Tower Automotive, LLC were owned by Cerberus (Cerberus is sometimes referred to herein as the “Vested Members”) and a total of 1,500 Capital Units of Tower Automotive, LLC were owned by Tower Management, LLC (“Management LLC Capital Units”).

The Management LLC Capital Units held by the former owner of MIP Units will not be entitled to distributions until the holders of the other Capital Units have received distributions, in addition to tax distributions, equal to $180.9 million (the “Reference Amount”) plus a return on the unpaid portion of such amount accruing from July 31, 2010 (“Reference Date”) on a quarterly cumulative basis at a rate of 10% per annum. As a result of the contribution of indebtedness (see note 6), the Reference Amount was increased by $25 million, together with a return on the unpaid portion of such amount accruing from August 24, 2010.

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Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity and Share Based Compensation  – (continued)

The Management LLC Capital Units shall not vest until the first time subsequent to the Reference Date when the aggregate distributions made by the Company with respect to all Vested Members since the Reference Date equals the Reference Amount plus accruals (“Vesting Time”).

Common Units

Prior to the Unit Conversion, the Company had authorized, issued, and outstanding 8,500 units of Membership Interest (designated as “Common Units”). Cerberus made initial capital contributions for all of the Common Units, for total cash proceeds of $11.3 million. The Common Units were entitled to all of the rights of ownership, including voting rights. Due to the Unit Conversion, no Common Units were outstanding as of December 31, 2010.

MIP Units/Share Based Compensation

Prior to the Unit Conversion, the Company authorized 1,500 units of Membership Interest (designated as “MIP Units”) to be eligible for grants in connection with the Company’s Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”). The MIP was designed to promote the long-term success of the Company through share-based compensation by aligning the interests of participants with those of its members. The Company’s management determined vesting at the date of grant and assigned the original MIP Units with both service and performance conditions. Effective February 19, 2010, the Board of Managers (“Board”) removed the performance conditions from the MIP Units, which resulted in only a service condition remaining to each unit. The modification resulted in no incremental compensation cost as the fair value of the awards did not change based on the modified terms.

Under the fair value recognition provisions, share-based compensation cost was measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and was recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the award. The fair value of each MIP Unit was based on the fair value of the Common Units on the date of grant. The compensation cost for the MIP Plan was insignificant for the periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, with no income tax benefit due to the valuation allowance in the United States recognized during 2010 and 2009.

MIP Units were entitled to all of the rights of ownership but were not entitled to vote, unless required by the Limited Liability Act of the State of Delaware. In addition, MIP Units were entitled to share in the residual value of the Company based on the liquidation preferences described below.

There was no established trading market for the Company’s former Common Units, Redeemable Preferred Units, or MIP Units.

Membership Interest Distributions

Prior to the Corporate Conversion, each fiscal year, the Company was able to make certain distributions to its Members, absent a Liquidation Event (as defined below), and after all amounts were paid by the Company for such fiscal year for ordinary and necessary business expenses, employee salaries and benefits, and payments of principal and interest on any Company indebtedness, in accordance with the following order of priority. First, to the Members, a tax distribution amount which is intended to enable the Members to use such distributions to satisfy their estimated and final income tax liabilities for that fiscal year. Second, until the Vesting Time, to the holders of all Capital Units other than holders of Management LLC Capital Units, an amount that is pro rata in proportion to their respective number of Capital Units. Thereafter, following the Vesting Time, to the holders of all Capital Units (including holders of Management LLC Capital Units), an amount that is pro rata in proportion to their respective number of Capital Units. If distributions are not made with respect to any fiscal year, the distributions to the holders of all Capital Units other than holders of Management LLC Capital Units were cumulative.

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Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity and Share Based Compensation  – (continued)

Prior to the Corporate Conversion, in the event of (i) a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated third party; (iii) a merger, acquisition, or sale of Membership Interests, in which Members immediately prior to such event received consideration for no less than half of the value of their Membership Interests; or (iv) a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, or other similar transaction in which the Company receives proceeds from a financing for the purpose of distributing such proceeds to the Members and the consummation of which the Board determines is a liquidation event (each, a “Liquidation Event”), the Board was required to make distributions in the following order of priority. First, payment of all debts and liabilities owing to creditors including, if applicable, Members in their capacity as creditors and the expenses of dissolution or liquidation; second, establishment of such reserves as are deemed necessary by the Board for any contingent or unforeseen liabilities of the Company; third, until the Vesting Time, to the holders of all Capital Units other than holders of Management LLC Capital Units, an amount equal to the Reference Amount plus accruals to be distributed to such holders pro rata in proportion to their respective number of Capital Units; and (d) thereafter, following the Vesting Time, to the holders of all Capital Units (including holders of Management LLC Capital Units), pro rata in proportion to their respective number of Capital Units.

In connection with the Corporate Conversion and initial public offering of common stock, all Capital Units were converted into shares of common stock.

Note 12. Redeemable Preferred Units

Prior to the Unit Conversion (see note 11), the Company had outstanding 10,000 units of Membership Interest (designated as “Redeemable Preferred Units”). This was the total number of units authorized, issued, and outstanding. The Members made initial capital contributions for all of the Redeemable Preferred Units in the amount of $213.8 million in July 2007. Redeemable Preferred Units were entitled to all of the rights of ownership, including a profits interest and a distribution preference, but had no conversion rights. Redeemable Preferred Units were non-voting, unless required by the Limited Liability Act of the State of Delaware. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity , the Redeemable Preferred Units were recorded as mezzanine equity at their issuance price, as they were redeemable at the option of the holder, based on the Members control of the Board of the Company. The initial carrying amount of redeemable preferred stock was its fair value, which was equal to the redemption value at date of issue.

The redemption value of the Redeemable Preferred Units was an amount that was equal to the holder’s initial capital contribution less all distributions previously made to such Redeemable Preferred Unit holders (the “Unpaid Preference Amount”) plus an amount accruing at the rate of 10% per quarter on the holder’s Unpaid Preference Amount (the “Preferred Return Amount”). Therefore, if distributions were not made with respect to any fiscal year, the Redeemable Preferred Unit holders’ distributions were cumulative. These units were recorded at redemption value at each balance sheet date and the Preferred Return Amount was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company paid distributions to the Redeemable Preferred Unit holders of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

On August 12, 2010, the Redeemable Preferred Units were converted to Capital Units in connection with the Unit Conversion at carrying value, which approximated fair value. Due to the Unit Conversion, no Redeemable Preferred Units were outstanding as of December 31, 2010.

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Note 13. Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

Immediately prior to the Corporate Conversion, the Company had outstanding Capital Units (see note 11). In connection with the Corporate Conversion and IPO (see note 11), existing holders of Capital Units contributed their Capital Units to Tower International Holdings, LLC and that entity received 12,467,866 shares of the Company’s common stock through conversion of the Capital Units into common stock. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2010, prior to the Corporate Conversion, the Company completed the Unit Conversion whereby the Company converted its Common Units, MIP Units, and Redeemable Preferred Units into Capital Units (see note 11). The units outstanding before and after the Unit Conversion were held by the same parties. In addition, the units outstanding before and the shares outstanding after the Corporate Conversion were held by those same parties.

The impact of the Corporate Conversion has been applied on a retrospective basis to determine earnings per share for the periods presented. The weighted average number of common shares reflected in the calculation prior to the IPO is the total number of shares issued to Tower International Holdings based upon their units held on the IPO date.

Basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc., less preferred unit dividends, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.

The share count for diluted earnings/(loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive common stock equivalents (“CSEs”) outstanding during the period. CSEs, which are securities that may entitle the holder to obtain common stock, include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units. When the average price of the common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of a stock option, the options are considered potentially dilutive CSEs. To the extent these CSEs are anti-dilutive they are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Also, when there is a loss from continuing operations, potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The Company excluded 0.4 million and 2.2 million, respectively, of potentially anti-dilutive shares for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. There were no potentially anti-dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2009.

A summary of information used to compute basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc. is shown below (in thousands — except share and per share amounts):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Net income/(loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.   $ 8,064     $ (36,894 )     $ (67,936 )  
Less: Preferred unit dividends           (10,707 )       (16,087 )  
Income/(loss) available to common shareholders   $ 8,064     $ (47,601 )     $ (84,023 )  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                          
Basic     19,364,433       13,865,509       12,467,866  
Diluted     20,069,532       13,865,509       12,467,866  
Net income/(loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.
                          
Basic   $ 0.42     $ (3.43 )     $ (6.74 )  
Diluted     0.40       (3.43 )       (6.74 )  

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Note 14. Share-based Compensation

2010 Equity Incentive Plan

The Company adopted a new equity incentive plan in connection with the IPO that allows for the grants of stock options, restricted stock awards, and other equity-based awards to be made pursuant to the plan. The eligibility requirements and terms governing the allocation of any common stock and the receipt of other consideration under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan are determined by the Board of Directors and/or its Compensation Committee. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued or delivered may not exceed in the aggregate 4.6 million shares. Cash settled awards do not count against the maximum aggregate number.

At December 31, 2011, there were 1,882,721 shares available for future grants of options and other types of awards under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. Forfeited shares may be re-issued under the plan up to the maximum amount to be issued as defined by the plan.

The following table summarizes the Company’s award activity during 2011 and 2010:

       
  Options   Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding at:   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Shares   Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
October 14, 2010         $           $  
Granted     457,098       13.00       1,763,625       13.00  
Vested                        
Forfeited                        
December 31, 2010     457,098       13.00       1,763,625       13.00  
Granted     22,805       15.63       600,894       11.30  
Vested                 (881,815 )       13.00  
Forfeited     (50,463 )       13.00       (76,680 )       13.42  
December 31, 2011     429,440     $ 13.14       1,406,024     $ 12.25  

Stock options  — The exercise price of each stock option equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value at the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. The Company’s stock options generally vest over three years with a maximum term of ten years.

The Company calculated the weighted-average fair value of each option at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The weighted-average key assumptions used in the model for options granted in 2010 and 2011 are an expected term of 6.5 years, expected volatility of 62%, and a risk free rate of return that approximates the T-bill rate. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero since there are no current plans to pay common stock dividends. The Company used the simplified method to calculate the expected term because the Company has insufficient historical exercise data due to the limited period of time the Company’s common stock has been publicly traded. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company recognized an expense of $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively, relating to the options. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has $2 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these stock options that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the next 26 months on a weighted average basis.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has an aggregate of 429,440 stock options that have been granted but have not yet vested. As of December 31, 2011, the remaining average contractual life for the options is approximately 8.75 years and the options have no intrinsic value because the market price of the Company’s common stock is not in excess of the exercise price of the options granted. No stock options were exercised and 50,463 stock options were forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2011.

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Note 14. Share-based Compensation  – (continued)

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”)  — The grant date fair value of each RSU equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value at the grant date, less an estimated forfeiture amount, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods.

During the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized an expense of $13.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively, relating to the RSUs granted in connection with the Company’s IPO (see note 18). The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has $4 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these RSUs that will be amortized on a straight-line basis through April 2012.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company granted additional RSUs to certain executives and recognized an expense of $0.5 million relating to these RSUs. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has $6.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these RSUs that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the next 34 months on a weighted average basis. The Company’s RSUs generally vest over a three year period.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has an aggregate of 1,406,024 RSUs that have been granted but have not yet vested. In addition, 76,680 RSUs were forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2011.

On July 20, 2011, one half of the RSUs granted at the time of the Company’s IPO vested resulting in the issuance of 881,815 shares at a fair value of $15.1 million. After offsets for withholding taxes, a total of 581,444 shares of common stock were issued in connection with this initial vesting. This total is net of shares repurchased to provide payment for the employee’s minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $5.1 million to acquire 300,371 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes. Compensation expense associated with the unvested RSUs will continue to be recognized through the vesting on April 20, 2012.

Note 15. Related Party Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2009, Cerberus purchased from third parties an additional portion of the first lien term loan which resulted in ownership of approximately 86% of the Company’s first lien term loan. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company paid $14.8 million and $14.6 million of interest to Cerberus relating to the first lien term loan and the related letter of credit facility. On August 24, 2010, the outstanding principal balance on the U.S. Dollar and Euro tranches of the Company’s first lien term loan were repaid in full in connection with the issuance of the Company’s senior secured notes. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company paid $374 million and $2.6 million of principal payments to Cerberus relating to the first lien term loan and letter of credit facility. On August 13, 2010, in connection with the offering of the Company’s senior secured notes, Cerberus agreed to convert $25 million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under the first lien term loan and, in exchange, received equity in the Company; however, no new units were issued.

The Company has made certain payments to Cerberus for certain operational consulting services post acquisition. The Company made minor payments to its parent totaling less than $0.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009. The Company also had certain service agreements with Board members whereby the Company paid them approximately $1.3 million and $2 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, no consulting or service agreements existed with Board members.

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Note 15. Related Party Transactions  – (continued)

On August 3, 2007, an affiliate of Cerberus acquired 80% of the Chrysler division from DaimlerChrysler Corporation. On April 30, 2009, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy and Cerberus divested its ownership in Chrysler. The Company sells certain products from its North American operations to Chrysler. The sale of these products was $17.7 million during the four months ended April 30, 2009.

The Company sells certain products from its Asian operations to our joint venture partners, FAW-VW and Chery. The sale of these products to FAW-VW was $110 million, $106.8 million, and $90.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The sale of these products to Chery was $31.7 million, $34.9 million, and $42.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s accounts receivable with FAW-VW at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $3.2 million and $11.7 million, respectively. The Company’s accounts receivable with Chery at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $9.4 million and $21 million, respectively.

Note 16. Segment Information

The Company defines its operating segments as components of its business where separate financial information is available and is routinely evaluated by management. The company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) is the Chief Executive Officer. The Company produces engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving the global automotive industry. The Company’s operations have similar economic characteristics, and share fundamental characteristics including the nature of the products, production processes, customers, and distribution channels. The Company’s products include body structures stampings, chassis structures (including frames), and complex welded assemblies for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups and SUVs. The Company is comprised of four operating segments: Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. These operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments. The International segment consists of Europe and Asia while the Americas segment consists of North and South America.

The Company measures segment operating performance based on Adjusted EBITDA. The Company uses segment Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of each of the Company’s reportable segments.

The following is a summary of selected data for each of our segments, excluding discontinued operations (in thousands):

     
  International   Americas   Total
2011:
                          
Revenues   $ 1,334,033     $ 1,072,056     $ 2,406,089  
Adjusted EBITDA     118,290       109,323       227,613  
Capital expenditures     78,316       51,799       130,115  
Total assets     905,482       491,896       1,397,378  
2010:
                          
Revenues   $ 1,147,614     $ 849,444     $ 1,997,058  
Adjusted EBITDA     125,545       64,690       190,235  
Capital expenditures     46,255       56,553       102,808  
Total assets     867,300       472,876       1,340,176  
2009:
                          
Revenues   $ 990,523     $ 643,882     $ 1,634,405  
Adjusted EBITDA     108,650       16,350       125,000  
Capital expenditures     49,753       29,185       78,938  
Total assets     886,936       447,485       1,334,421  

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Note 16. Segment Information  – (continued)

Inter-segment sales are not significant for any period presented. Capital expenditures do not equal cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment as presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, as capital expenditures above include amounts paid and accrued during the periods presented.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to income/(loss) before provision for income taxes (in thousands):

     
  Years Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 227,613     $ 190,235     $ 125,000  
Restructuring     (2,660 )       (14,288 )       (13,436 )  
Depreciation and amortization     (114,578 )       (114,668 )       (147,705 )  
Receivable factoring charges     (453 )       (471 )       (757 )  
Acquisition costs     (1,100 )       (679 )        
Incentive compensation related to funding events     (18,351 )       (11,075 )        
Interest expense, net of interest income     (61,155 )       (65,910 )       (56,899 )  
Other income/(expense), net     (1,331 )       (1,300 )       33,661  
Income/(loss) before provision for income taxes   $ 27,985     $ (18,156 )     $ (60,136 )  

The following is a summary of revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location (in thousands):

           
  Years Ended and End of Year December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
     Revenues   Long-Lived
Assets
  Revenues   Long-Lived
Assets
  Revenues   Long-Lived
Assets
Belgium   $ 154,503     $ 28,890     $ 157,709     $ 29,648     $ 161,821     $ 45,887  
Italy     142,812       37,581       140,255       45,628       158,483       56,722  
Germany     402,946       78,616       341,220       86,719       250,142       96,121  
Slovakia     155,286       75,308       99,990       63,498       75,980       59,698  
Other Europe     59,194       8,652       56,236       10,313       54,117       11,536  
South Korea     352,381       123,817       275,730       113,858       190,362       99,833  
China     155,005       44,942       166,892       26,496       147,403       20,926  
U.S.     852,446       220,028       640,076       210,825       472,622       216,337  
Brazil     219,753       51,447       209,515       44,340       171,273       38,580  
Intercompany eliminations     (88,237 )             (90,565 )             (47,798 )        
Total   $ 2,406,089     $ 669,281     $ 1,997,058     $ 631,325     $ 1,634,405     $ 645,640  

Revenues are attributed to geographic locations based on the location of specific production. Long-lived assets consist of net property, plant and equipment and company-owned tooling.

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Note 16. Segment Information  – (continued)

The following is a summary of the approximate composition by product category of the Company’s revenues (in thousands):

     
  Years Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Body structures and assemblies   $ 1,239,665     $ 1,052,675     $ 920,990  
Complex body-in-white assemblies     573,572       405,849       282,582  
Chassis, lower vehicle systems and suspension components     534,361       509,881       402,882  
Other     58,491       28,653       27,951  
Total   $ 2,406,089     $ 1,997,058     $ 1,634,405  

The Company sells its products directly to automotive manufacturers. Following is a summary of customers that accounted for 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues in any of the three years ended December 31, 2011:

     
  2011   2010   2009
Ford     17 %       13 %       13 %  
VW     17 %       16 %       17 %  
Hyundai/Kia     14 %       13 %       10 %  
Fiat     9 %       11 %       13 %  
Volvo     7 %       8 %       10 %  

All customers that accounted for 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues from the table above are customers in the automotive industry; therefore, the Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk.

Note 17. Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

Xiangtan Joint Venture

In July 2011, a foreign subsidiary of the Company reached an agreement with Xiangtan Ditong Automotive Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (DIT) to form a joint venture in which the Company exercises control that was approved by the Chinese government in September 2011. The joint venture partner contributed its facility located in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China in exchange for 50% ownership, which resulted in a $5.9 million noncontrolling interest. The joint venture is included in the consolidated financial statements because the Company exercises control.

W Industries

On April 11, 2011, Tower Defense and Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired substantially all of the assets of W Industries located in Detroit, Michigan. The Company exchanged its ownership in the W Industries secured debt acquired during the first quarter of 2011 (fair value of $11.3 million) and cash for substantially all of the assets of W Industries and agreed to assume certain liabilities. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase under the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC No. 805, Business Combinations . The total purchase price was approximately $22.3 million, which did not include direct acquisition costs of approximately $1.1 million. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. There was no goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition. Supplemental pro forma disclosures are not included as the amounts are deemed immaterial. Revenues and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations are immaterial for all periods presented.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 17. Acquisitions and Joint Ventures  – (continued)

In accordance with FASB ASC No. 805, the preliminary purchase price allocation is subject to additional adjustment within one year after the acquisition as additional information on asset and liability valuations becomes available. Through December 31, 2011, minor adjustments have been recorded related to accrued expenses and property, plant, and equipment. The Company does not expect significant changes to be made to the allocated amounts as of December 31, 2011.

As of December 31, 2011, the allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition was made to the following major opening balance sheet categories (in millions):

 
Assets Acquired
        
Current assets   $ 4.2  
Property, plant and equipment, net     25.9  
Intangibles     2.3  
Total assets acquired     32.4  
Total liabilities assumed     10.1  
Net assets acquired   $  22.3  

Facility in Artern, Germany

On March 14, 2010, a foreign subsidiary of the Company acquired the assets of the manufacturing plant of TWB Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH & Co, KG i.L. located in Artern, Germany from an insolvency administrator. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase under the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC No. 805, Business Combinations . The total purchase price was approximately $17.7 million, which does not include direct acquisition costs of approximately $0.7 million. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. There was no goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition. Supplemental pro forma disclosures are not included as the amounts are deemed immaterial. Revenues and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations are immaterial for all periods presented.

The final allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition was made to the following major opening balance sheet categories (in thousands):

 
Assets Acquired
        
Current assets   $ 1,925  
Property, plant and equipment, net     14,495  
Intangibles     2,055  
Total assets acquired     18,475  
Other non-current liabilities assumed     822  
Net assets acquired     17,653  
Less: Amount remaining to pay     966  
Cash paid during 2010   $ 16,687  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leases office and manufacturing space and certain equipment under non-cancelable lease agreements, which require the Company to pay maintenance, insurance, taxes and other expenses in addition to rental payments. The Company has entered into leasing commitments with lease terms expiring between the years 2011 and 2021. The Company has options to extend the terms of certain leases in future periods. The properties covered under these leases include manufacturing equipment and facilities and administrative offices and equipment. Rent expense for all operating leases totaled $21.4 million, $21.3 million, and $24.1 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Future minimum capital and operating lease payments at December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Year   Operating Leases   Capital Leases
2012   $ 21,159     $ 3,767  
2013     16,952       2,271  
2014     16,525       1,727  
2015     15,973       1,658  
2016     17,697       1,589  
Thereafter     42,561       7,510  
Total future lease payments   $ 130,867       18,522  
Less: amount representing interest           (3,396 )  
Present value of minimum lease payments         $ 15,126  

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2011, the Company was obligated under executory purchase orders for approximately $63.4 million of capital expenditures, $47.7 million of tooling, and $5.8 million of other expenditures.

Compensation Programs

The primary objectives of the Company’s compensation programs are to (i) attract, motivate and retain the best executive officers with the skills necessary to successfully manage the business, and (ii) align the interests of the executive officers with equityholders by rewarding them for strong Company performance.

Special Incentive Program

The Board established the Special Incentive Program on February 19, 2010. The Special Incentive Program provided for a $5.5 million cash bonus to be paid to eight executives if a Qualifying Event occurred. For this program, a “Qualifying Event” was defined as the consummation of an initial public offering or the repayment of the Company’s first lien term loan in full. The Company initially believed it would repay the first lien term loan on or before its July 31, 2013 expiration date; thus, the Company began recording an expense related to the Special Incentive Program on a straight line basis through July 31, 2013. On July 22, 2010, the Board modified the Special Incentive Program to provide that, in addition to the $5.5 million cash bonus payable upon consummation of an initial public offering or retirement of the Company’s first lien term loan, an additional cash bonus of $1.2 million would be payable to specified executive officers of the Company on the earlier of the one year anniversary of the consummation of a notes offering or the consummation of an initial public offering. As the Company retired its first lien term loan on August 24, 2010, the Company recognized the remaining expense related to the $5.5 million in August and began recording the additional $1.2 million over the one year vesting period. On October 20, 2010, the additional $1.2 million Special Incentive Program vested immediately upon the closing of the IPO. The full amount of the compensation paid pursuant to the Special Incentive Program that had not been previously expensed was charged as a compensation expense against earnings in the fourth quarter of 2010 when the compensation was paid. The Company recorded an expense of $6.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no liability remaining related to the Special Incentive Program.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies  – (continued)

Supplemental Value Creation Program

The Supplemental Value Creation Program was created in addition to the VC Plan discussed above on February 19, 2010. The Supplemental Value Creation Program provided for a $7.5 million cash bonus to be paid to approximately 70 executives, subject to vesting requirements of 9 and 18 months, if a Qualifying Liquidation Event were to occur. A Qualifying Liquidation Event was initially defined to have occurred if the Preferred Unit holders received a cash distribution in an amount equal to the full value of their preferred investment in the Company. On July 22, 2010, the Supplemental Value Creation Program was modified to include the retirement of the existing first lien term loan in full or consummation of an initial public offering as Qualifying Liquidation Events. As the Company retired its first lien term loan on August 24, 2010, the Company began recording a liability in August 2010 related to this Program. The Company recorded an expense of $4.4 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and had a liability recorded of $2.6 million and $1.5 million relating to this Program.

Long Term Incentive Program

The Board established the Long Term Incentive Program on February 19, 2010. Participants were entitled to receive special cash bonuses if a Qualifying Transaction occurred. For this program, a “Qualifying Transaction” was defined as a distribution to the Company’s Preferred Unit holders in excess of $50 million. In the event of an IPO, the special bonuses were expected to be paid in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), the number of which was to be determined on the basis of the amount of value attributable to the Preferred Unit holders. A Qualifying Transaction was not a prerequisite to such award of RSUs. In connection with the Company’s IPO, the special bonuses were paid in the form of RSUs under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (see note 14); therefore, no cash bonuses will be paid under this Program.

Environmental Matters

The Company owns properties which have been impacted by environmental releases. The Company is actively involved in investigation and/or remediation at several of these locations. Total costs and liabilities associated with environmental contamination could be substantial and may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The established liability for environmental matters is based upon management’s best estimates of expected investigation/remediation costs related to environmental contamination. It is possible that actual costs associated with these matters will exceed the environmental reserves established by the Company. Inherent uncertainties exist in the estimates, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability and evolving technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had accrued approximately $2.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for environmental matters.

Contingent Matters

The Company will establish reserves for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These types of matters may involve additional claims that, if granted, could require the Company to pay penalties or make other expenditures in amounts that will not be estimable at the time of discovery of the matter. In these cases, a liability will be recorded at the low end of the range if no amount within the range is a better estimate in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, Accounting for Contingencies .

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies  – (continued)

In connection with the bankruptcy of Tower Automotive, Inc., all of the assets not acquired by Tower Automotive, LLC were transferred to a Post-Consummation Trust (the “Post-Consummation Trust”). The Company agreed to pay up to $70 million to the Post-Consummation Trust to relinquish certain defined liabilities to date. The Company has made payments of $57.5 million and remains contingently liable to pay an additional $12.5 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has not recorded a liability for the $12.5 million since it does not believe it is probable that any additional payments to the Post-Consummation Trust will be required; therefore, these amounts were eliminated as part of the final purchase accounting adjustments. To the extent that future payments are required, the payments will be expensed.

The Company has been subject to various governmental audits in Brazil. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company received a favorable court ruling on one of these matters and was able to reduce its liability by $7 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has a remaining liability recorded of $2.1 million and may be required to pay up to $7 million. To the extent that future payments are required above the amount recorded as a liability, the payments will be expensed.

Litigation

The Company is subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to its business, including potential lawsuits with customers or suppliers. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not probable and estimable. After discussions with counsel litigating these matters, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of such matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 19. Change in Working Capital and Other Operating Items

The following table summarizes the sources/(uses) of cash provided by changes in working capital and other operating items (in thousands):

     
  Year Ended December 31,
     2011   2010   2009
Accounts receivable   $ (30,906 )     $ (6,988 )     $ (114,754 )  
Inventories     (11,911 )       (10,578 )       13,563  
Prepaid tooling and other current assets     5,716       215       6,875  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     22,139       44,495       92,999  
Other assets and liabilities     (13,788 )       13,424       8,548  
Change in working capital   $ (28,750 )     $ 40,568     $ 7,231  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 20. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes selected quarterly financial data (in thousands):

         
Quarter   Net Sales   Gross Profit   Net Income/
(Loss)
  Net Income/
(Loss) Attributable
to Tower
International, Inc.
  Diluted
Earnings/
(Loss)
per Share
2011
                                            
1st   $ 599,635     $ 69,570     $ 10,755 (c)     $ 9,022 (c)     $ 0.45  
2nd     602,718       58,699       (1,552 )       (2,774 )       (0.15 )  
3rd     588,991       59,656       (3,766 )       (4,848 )       (0.25 )  
4th     614,745       68,187       7,736       6,664       0.33  
Full Year   $ 2,406,089     $ 256,112     $ 13,173     $ 8,064     $ 0.40  
2010
                                            
1st   $ 479,129     $ 53,225     $ (2,348 )     $ (4,482 )     $ (0.70 )  
2nd     501,682       55,538       4,305       1,911       (0.20 )  
3rd     474,640       44,878       (10,986 ) (a)       (13,001 ) (a)       (1.21 )  
4th     541,607       56,941       (19,424 ) (b)       (21,322 ) (b)       (1.18 )  
Full Year   $ 1,997,058     $ 210,582     $ (28,453 )     $ (36,894 )     $ (3.43 )  

(a) During the third quarter of 2010, the Company recorded one-time compensation charges of $6.1 million related to the Special Incentive Program and Supplemental Value Creation Program in connection with the notes offering.
(b) During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.3 million related to solar spending, one-time compensation charges of $5 million related to the compensation programs in connection with the initial public offering, an expense of $2.5 million related to the partial redemption of the notes, and a restructuring charge of $2.3 million in connection with the sale of a closed facility.
(c) During the first quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a net favorable settlement of $5.7 million associated with a value added tax audit in Brazil.

Note 21. Subsequent Events

In February 2012, a foreign subsidiary of the Company reached an agreement with Ningbo Beilun Ditong Auto Parts Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Ditong Automotive Products Co., Ltd) and Zhejiang Jirun Automobile Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Co,. Ltd), subject to the approval of the Chinese government, to form a majority-owned joint venture located in Ningbo, China. The agreement is expected to be approved during the first half of 2012.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Mark Malcolm, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and James C. Gouin, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), have performed an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2011 and each has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our 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 in the U.S.

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 because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework “Internal Control —  Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

The information required by Item 10 regarding executive officers and directors is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Directors and Executive Officers” and “The Board of Directors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), or will be filed by amendment. The information required by Item 10 regarding the audit committee and audit committee financial expert disclosure is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “The Board of Directors — Committees of the Board of Directors” and “Audit Committee Matters” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

Disclosure of delinquent Section 16 filers required by Item 10, if any, pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Additional Information — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

Tower has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to, among other persons, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and other persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct is available on our website, www.towerinternational.com , by following links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance,” “Governance Documents” and “Code of Conduct” or upon written request to the Company. In the event that we make any amendments to, or grant any waiver including an implicit waiver from, a provision of the Code of Conduct that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer that requires disclosure under applicable SEC rules, we intend to disclose the amendment or waiver and the reasons therefore on our website within four business days of the date of the amendment or waiver.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” and “Compensation Tables” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by Item 12 relating to security ownership is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Security Ownership” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

Equity Compensation Plan Information  — The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2011.

     
Plan Category   Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Number of Securities Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders     1,835,464     $ 12.46       1,882,721  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders     N/A       N/A       N/A  
Total     1,835,464     $ 12.46       1,882,721  

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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by Item 13 regarding transactions with related persons is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Part Transactions” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

The information required by Item 13 regarding director independence is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “The Board of Directors —” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “The Board of Directors — Audit Committee Matters” in the Proxy Statement, or will be filed by amendment.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)  List of documents filed as part of this Annual Report or incorporated herein by reference:

(1)  Financial Statements:  The following financial statements of the Registrant as set forth under Part II, Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K on the pages indicated:

(2)  Financial Statement Schedule:

SCHEDULE II

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009
(in thousands)

         
Column A   Column B   Column C   Column D   Column E
       Additions  
Description   Balance at
Beginning
of Year
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Charged to
Other
Accounts
  Deductions   Balance at
End of Year
Year Ended December 31, 2011
                                            
Allowance for doubtful accounts   $ 1,674     $ 3,182     $     $ (1,244 ) (a)     $ 3,612  
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance     180,395       3,136       4,805             188,336  
Year Ended December 31, 2010
                                            
Allowance for doubtful accounts   $ 2,439     $ (199 )     $     $ (566 ) (a)     $ 1,674  
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance     172,358       3,607       4,430             180,395  
Year Ended December 31, 2009
                                            
Allowance for doubtful accounts   $ 3,974     $ 930     $     $ (2,465 ) (a)     $ 2,439  
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance     170,093       19,496       (17,231 )             172,358  

(a) Write off of uncollectible accounts

All other schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable or not required or the information is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

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(3)  Exhibits

 
 2.1      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive, Inc., a debtor-in-possession and certain of its subsidiaries, and Tower Automotive, LLC f/k/a TA Acquisition Company, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 2.2      Form of Contribution Agreement providing for the contribution of equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC to Tower International Holdings, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 3.1      Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 3.2      Form of By-Laws of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.1      See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Registrant defining the rights of holders of common stock of the Registrant.
 4.2      Specimen stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.3      Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant. and Tower International Holdings, LLC (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.4      Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC and TA Holdings Finance, Inc., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee and collateral agent (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1      Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2      Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated May 5, 2008, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No.333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3      Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4      First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders, named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.5      Amendment No 1 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6      Amendment No 2 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2008, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7      Waiver and Amendment No 3 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, April 1, 2009, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8      Amendment No. 4 to the First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings Europe B.V., the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9      Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as representative with respect to certain agreements identified therein, Wilmington Trust FSB, as representative with respect to the notes agreement identified therein, each additional representative from time to time party thereto, Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the other loan parties party thereto and Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10     Term Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as synthetic letter of credit facility agent, Wilmington Trust FSB, as notes collateral agent, each additional term agent from time to time party thereto, each grantor from time to time party thereto and Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11     Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12     Amended and Restated First Lien Term Loan Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13     Notes Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, TA Holdings Finance, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as collateral agent (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with James Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and James Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.52 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.16†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.51 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with William Cook (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.21†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Gyula Meleghy (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23†    Registrant’s Compensation Agreement with Paul Radkoski (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24     Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.25     Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26     Amendment to Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC, dated September 29, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.55 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27     Service Agreement with Larry Schwentor and MGT4VALUE LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.28†    Second Amended and Restated Value Creation Plan of Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.29†    Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.30†    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.31†    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.32†    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.30.1 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.33†    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.34†    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.31.1 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.35†    Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.36†    Tower Management, LLC 2007 Management Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.37†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC Supplemental Value Creation Program Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.38†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Long-Term Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.39†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.40††   Lease Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2002, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.41     Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2002, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.42††   Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.43††   Lease Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2002, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.44     Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2002, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.45††   Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.42 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.46     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.43 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.47     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Jim Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.48     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.50     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Gyula Meleghy (filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.51     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Rande Somma and Associates LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.52     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of MGT4VALUE LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.53†    Form of Amendment to Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Long-Term Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.53 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.54†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.54 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.55     Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, Tower International, Inc., Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, and the other guarantors party hereto, as guarantors, the lenders party hereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.56*    Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, Tower International, Inc., as holdings, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as L/C participant, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing lender.
10.57*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and James Gouin.
10.58*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and Mark Malcolm.
10.59*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and Michael Rajkovic.
10.60*†††   Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2011, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive USA Operations I, LLC and Tower Automotive USA Operations II, LLC (successors in interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC).
10.61*†††   Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2011, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive USA Operations I, LLC and Tower Automotive USA Operations II, LLC (successors in interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC).
10.62*    Amendment to Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC, dated November 29, 2011.
11.1      A statement regarding the computation of earnings per share is omitted because such computation can be clearly determined from the material contained in this Report.

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21.1*     Subsidiaries of Tower International, Inc.
23.1*     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1*     Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*     Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document ***
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Scheme Document ***
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document ***
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document ***
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document ***

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
*** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
†† Confidential treatment has been granted for certain provisions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
††† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to the Company’s request to the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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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.

 
Date: March 8, 2012   /s/ James C. Gouin
James C. Gouin
Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8 th day of March, 2012.

 
Signature   Title
/s/ Mark Malcolm
Mark Malcolm
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ James C. Gouin
James C. Gouin
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Jeffrey L. Kersten
Jeffrey L. Kersten
  Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ James Chapman
James Chapman
  Director
/s/ Dennis Donovan
Dennis Donovan
  Director
/s/ Frank E. English, Jr.
Frank E. English, Jr.
  Director
/s/ Chan Galbato
Chan Galbato
  Director
/s/ Jonathan Gallen
Jonathan Gallen
  Director
/s/ Dev Kapadia
Dev Kapadia
  Director
/s/ Larry Schwentor
Larry Schwentor
  Director
/s/ Scott Wille
Scott Wille
  Director

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EXHIBIT LIST

 
 2.1      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive, Inc., a debtor-in-possession and certain of its subsidiaries, and Tower Automotive, LLC f/k/a TA Acquisition Company, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 2.2      Form of Contribution Agreement providing for the contribution of equity interests in Tower Automotive, LLC to Tower International Holdings, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 3.1      Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 3.2      Form of By-Laws of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.1      See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Registrant defining the rights of holders of common stock of the Registrant.
 4.2      Specimen stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.3      Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant. and Tower International Holdings, LLC (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.4      Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC and TA Holdings Finance, Inc., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee and collateral agent (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1      Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2      Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated May 5, 2008, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No.333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3      Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4      First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders, named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.5      Amendment No 1 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2007, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6      Amendment No 2 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2008, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7      Waiver and Amendment No 3 to First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, April 1, 2009, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holding Europe B.V., the Guarantors named therein, the Lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8      Amendment No. 4 to the First Lien Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings Europe B.V., the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9      Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as representative with respect to certain agreements identified therein, Wilmington Trust FSB, as representative with respect to the notes agreement identified therein, each additional representative from time to time party thereto, Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the other loan parties party thereto and Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10     Term Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as synthetic letter of credit facility agent, Wilmington Trust FSB, as notes collateral agent, each additional term agent from time to time party thereto, each grantor from time to time party thereto and Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11     Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12     Amended and Restated First Lien Term Loan Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13     Notes Security Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2010, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, TA Holdings Finance, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as collateral agent (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with James Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and James Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.52 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.16†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19†    Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.51 to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with William Cook (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.21†    Registrant’s Employment Agreement with Gyula Meleghy (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23†    Registrant’s Compensation Agreement with Paul Radkoski (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24     Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.25     Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26     Amendment to Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC, dated September 29, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.55 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27     Service Agreement with Larry Schwentor and MGT4VALUE LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as originally filed on March 4, 2010 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.28†    Second Amended and Restated Value Creation Plan of Tower Automotive, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.29†    Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.30†    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.31†    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.32†    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.30.1 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.33†    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.34†    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.31.1 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.35†    Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.36†    Tower Management, LLC 2007 Management Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.37†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC Supplemental Value Creation Program Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.38†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Long-Term Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.39†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.40††   Lease Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2002, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.41     Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2002, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.42††   Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Module (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.43††   Lease Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2002, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.44     Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2002, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.45††   Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.42 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.46     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Mark Malcolm (filed as Exhibit 10.43 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.47     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Jim Gouin (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.48     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Michael Rajkovic (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.50     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Gyula Meleghy (filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.51     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of Rande Somma and Associates LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.52     Unit Sale and Purchase Agreement of MGT4VALUE LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.53†    Form of Amendment to Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Long-Term Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.53 to Amendment No. 9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.54†    Form of Award Letter, Tower Automotive, LLC 2010 Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.54 to Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-165200) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.55     Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, Tower International, Inc., Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, and the other guarantors party hereto, as guarantors, the lenders party hereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.56*    Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, Tower International, Inc., as holdings, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as L/C participant, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing lender.
10.57*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and James Gouin.
10.58*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and Mark Malcolm.
10.59*†   Letter Agreement Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2011, between the Registrant and Michael Rajkovic.
10.60*†††   Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2011, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive USA Operations I, LLC and Tower Automotive USA Operations II, LLC (successors in interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC).
10.61*†††   Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2011, by and among Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, Tower Automotive USA Operations I, LLC and Tower Automotive USA Operations II, LLC (successors in interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool LLC).
10.62*    Amendment to Service Agreement with Rande Somma & Associates LLC, dated November 29, 2011.
11.1      A statement regarding the computation of earnings per share is omitted because such computation can be clearly determined from the material contained in this Report.

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21.1*     Subsidiaries of Tower International, Inc.
23.1*     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1*     Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*     Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document ***
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Scheme Document ***
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document ***
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document ***
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document ***

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
*** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
†† Confidential treatment has been granted for certain provisions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
††† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to the Company’s request to the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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Exhibit 10.56

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

among

 

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS USA, LLC,

 

as Borrower,

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

 

as Holdings,

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as L/C Participant,

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender

 

Dated as of June 13, 2011

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS 1
     
1.1 Defined Terms 1
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions 21
     
SECTION 2. LETTERS OF CREDIT 22
     
2.1 Letters of Credit 22
2.2 Procedure for Issuance, Increase or Extension of Each Letter of Credit 23
2.3 L/C Participations 24
2.4 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower 24
2.5 Obligations Absolute; Liability of Indemnitees 25
2.6 Letter of Credit Payments 26
2.7 Assertion of Rights; Electronic Transmission 27
2.8 Interest and Fees 27
2.9 Interest on Overdue Amounts 27
2.10 Computation of Fees and Interest 27
2.11 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments 28
2.12 Increased Costs 28
2.13 Taxes 29
2.14 Change of Office 32
2.15 Change of Control 32
2.16 Pricing Agreement 32
2.17 Replacement of L/C Participants 32
2.18 Cash Collateralization 33
     
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 33
     
3.1 Organization; Powers 33
3.2 Authorization; Enforceability 33
3.3 Disclosure 33
3.4 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change 33
3.5 Capitalization and Subsidiaries 34
3.6 Government Approvals; No Conflicts 34
3.7 Compliance with Law; No Default 34
3.8 Litigation and Environmental Matters 34
3.9 Insurance 35
3.10 Taxes 35
3.11 Use of Proceeds 35
3.12 Labor Relations 35
3.13 ERISA 36
3.14 Investment Company Status 36
3.15 Properties 36
3.16 Solvency 36

 

i
 

  

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 36
     
4.1 Closing Conditions 36
4.2 Conditions Precedent to Ongoing Availability 37
     
SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 37
     
5.1 Financial Statements and Other Information 37
5.2 Notice of Material Events 38
5.3 Existence; Conduct of Business 39
5.4 Insurance 40
5.5 Payment of Obligations 40
5.6 Compliance With Laws 40
5.7 Maintenance of Properties 40
5.8 Books and Records; Inspection Rights 40
5.9 [Reserved] 40
5.10 [Reserved] 41
5.11 Additional Guarantors 41
     
SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS 41
     
6.1 Liens 41
6.2 Fundamental Changes 42
6.3 Indebtedness 42
6.4 Sale and Lease-back Transactions 44
6.5 Investment, Loans and Advances 44
6.6 Disposition of Assets 46
6.7 Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements 47
6.8 Transactions with Affiliates 48
6.9 Limitations On Hedging Agreements 48
6.10 Other Indebtedness 49
6.11 [Reserved] 49
6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio 49
     
SECTION 7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT 49
     
7.1 Events of Default 49
7.2 Remedies 52
     
SECTION 8. THE AGENT 52
     
8.1 Appointment; Authorization 52
8.2 Delegation of Duties 52
8.3 Exculpatory Provisions 52
8.4 Reliance 53
8.5 Notice of Default 53
8.6 Non-Reliance 53
8.7 Indemnification 54
8.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity 54
8.9 Successor Administrative Agent 54

 

ii
 

  

SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS 55
     
9.1 Amendments and Waivers 55
9.2 Notices 56
9.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 57
9.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties 57
9.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes, Indemnities 58
9.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments 58
9.7 Adjustments; Set-off 61
9.8 Counterparts 61
9.9 Severability 61
9.10 Integration; Headings 62
9.11 Governing Law 62
9.12 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers 62
9.13 Acknowledgements 62
9.14 Confidentiality 63
9.15 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL 64
9.16 USA PATRIOT Act 64
9.17 Judgment Currency 64
9.18 Unsecured Obligation 64

 

iii
 

 

SCHEDULES :
 
1.1(a) Non-Material Subsidiaries 
1.1(b) Guarantors
2.1 Existing Letters of Credit
3.5 Subsidiaries
3.6 Government Approvals
3.8 Litigation and Environmental Matters
3.12(a) Collective Bargaining/Labor Agreements
3.12(b) Labor Matters
3.15(a) Properties
6.1 Liens
6.3 Closing Date Intercompany Indebtedness
6.5 Investments
6.6(j) Permitted Dispositions
6.8 Agreements with Affiliates
   
EXHIBITS :
 
A Form of Letter of Credit
B Form of Assignment and Assumption
C Form of Issuing Lender Application
D Form of Guaranty
E Form of Compliance Certificate

 

iv
 

 

LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT, dated as of June 13, 2011 (this “ Agreement ”), among TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Holdings ”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as participant in respect of letters of credit issued hereunder (together with its successors and all assigns pursuant to Section 9.6, the “ L/C Participants ”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender.

 

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.           DEFINITIONS

 

1.1            Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.

 

ABL Closing Date ”: July 31, 2007 (the date of the closing of the Existing Credit Agreement).

 

ABL Collateral ”: the “Collateral” as defined in the ABL Facility.

 

ABL Facility ”: the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, by and among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as such agreement may be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented, replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended or otherwise modified from time to time. For avoidance of doubt, the term “ABL Facility” includes each credit facility that Refinances all or a portion of the ABL Facility (and any successive Refinancings thereof).

 

ABL Loans ”: Loans made under the ABL Facility.

 

Administrative Agent ”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent for the L/C Participants under this Agreement, together with any of its successors.

 

Affiliate ”: as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, a Person (a “Controlled Person”) shall be deemed to be “controlled by” another Person (a “Controlling Person”) if the Controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Controlled Person whether by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that for purposes of determining Eligible Accounts Receivable, the term “Affiliate” with respect to any Group Member shall not include any portfolio company owned directly or indirectly in whole or part by the Sponsor Group, otherwise than through Holdco.

 

Agent Indemnitee ”: as defined in Section 8.7.

 

Aggregate Exposure ”: with respect to any L/C Participant at any time, an amount equal to (a) until the issuance of the first Letter of Credit hereunder, the aggregate amount of such L/C Participant’s Commitment at such time and (b) thereafter, an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the L/C Exposure at such time. The Aggregate Exposure with respect to all L/C Participants at any time shall be an amount equal to the sum of each L/C Participant’s Aggregate Exposure at such time.

 

Agreement ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

 
 

 

Application ”: a written application, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, from the Borrower requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.

 

Applicable Rate ”: as defined in the Pricing Agreement.

 

Approved Fund ”: any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in letter of credit participations and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) an L/C Participant, (b) an Affiliate of an L/C Participant or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages an L/C Participant.

 

Assignee ”: as defined in Section 9.6(b).

 

Assignment and Assumption ”: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

 

Benefited L/C Participant ”: as defined in Section 9.7(a).

 

Board ”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

Borrower ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Business ”: the business conducted by the Holdco Group as conducted prior to the Closing Date.

 

Business Day ”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to remain closed (and, for a Letter of Credit, other than a day on which the Issuing Lender issuing such Letter of Credit is closed).

 

Calculation Date ”: the last Business Day of each calendar week (or any other day selected by the Administrative Agent); provided that the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall also be a Calculation Date.

 

Capital Expenditures ”: for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether (i) paid in cash and not theretofore accrued or (ii) accrued as liabilities during such period, and including that portion of any Capitalized Lease which is capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of the Holdco Group) net of cash amounts received by the Holdco Group from other Persons during such period in reimbursement of Capital Expenditures made by the Holdco Group, excluding interest capitalized during construction, made by the Holdco Group during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are required to be included in or reflected by the property, plant, equipment or similar fixed asset accounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Holdco Group (including equipment which is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment owned by the Holdco Group to the extent of the gross amount of such purchase price less the “trade-in” value or credit granted by the purchaser of the equipment being traded in at such time), but excluding expenditures made (A) in connection with the replacement or restoration of assets to the extent reimbursed or financed from (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or the damage to the assets being replaced or restored or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by condemnation or eminent domain of such assets being replaced and (B) from the proceeds of an equity contribution made to a Group Member by a Person that is not a Group Member.

 

2
 

 

Capitalized Lease ”: as applied to any Person, any lease of property by such Person as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateral Account ”: as defined in Section 2.15.

 

Cash Collateral Amount ”: as defined in Section 2.15.

 

Casualty Event ”: as defined in the ABL Facility.

 

Change in Law ”: (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.12(b), by any lending office of such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender or by such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Change of Control ”: shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, the Sponsor Group shall fail to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, Equity Interests representing at least 51% of the aggregate ordinary voting power and aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings; (b) after a Qualified IPO, any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than the Sponsor Group shall own directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, Equity Interests representing (i) more than 30% of either the aggregate ordinary voting power or the aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings and (ii) a greater percentage of either the aggregate ordinary voting power or the aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings then held, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, by the Sponsor Group; (c) a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Holdings shall at any time be occupied by persons who are not Continuing Directors; (d) Holdings shall at any time fail to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, 100% of each class of issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdco free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created by the Loan Documents, the Secured Notes Documents or the documents governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(b) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(q)); or (e) Holdco shall at any time fail to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, 100% of each class of issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created by the Loan Documents, the Secured Notes Documents or the documents governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(b) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(q)).

 

Change of Control Offer ”: as defined in Section 2.15.

 

Closing Date ”: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.1 shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 9.1.

 

3
 

 

Code ”: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

Commitment ”: as to any L/C Participant at any time, the obligation of such L/C Participant to participate in Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount not to exceed an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the Total Commitments at such time.

 

Commitment Percentage ”: at any time, with respect to the initial L/C Participant, 100%, as such percentage may be reduced pursuant to Section 9.6 and, with respect to each other L/C Participant, the amount set forth in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such L/C Participant became a party hereto, as the same may be changed pursuant to the terms hereof or, if the Commitments have been terminated in full, the Commitment Percentage of each L/C Participant that existed immediately prior to such termination.

 

Consolidated EBITDA ”: for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, without duplication:

 

(a)           provision for taxes based on income or profits for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(b)           Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, to the extent that such Consolidated Interest Expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(c)           the amount of any expenses (or revenue offsets) attributable to accelerated payments on the accounts receivable of the Holdco Group, to the extent that such expenses (or revenue offsets) were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(d)           depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles), goodwill and other asset impairment charges and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period) for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(e)           the amount of any minority interest expense deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(f)           any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options, restricted stock units or other equity-based awards, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(g)           any expenses associated with the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 87 and 106 in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 in any consecutive twelve-month period; plus

 

(h)           any non-cash Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 income (or loss) related to hedging activities, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(i)           any non-cash Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52 income (or loss) related to the mark-to-market of Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

4
 

 

(j)           any non-cash expenses arising from the implementation of purchase accounting, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

 

(k)           non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than (i) the accrual of revenue consistent with past practice and (ii) the reversal in such period of an accrual of, or cash reserve for, cash expenses in a prior period, to the extent such accrual or reserve did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in a prior period;

 

in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Seojin, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, the Consolidated Interest Expense of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDA only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted, as of such determination date, to be dividended or distributed to a Loan Party by such Subsidiary (x) without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements and instruments applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than (i) the Loan Documents, (ii) the Transaction Documents, (iii) the Secured Notes Documents and (iv) the documents governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(b) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(q); provided that (x) any such restrictions imposed by the Secured Notes Documents and created after the Closing Date are customary for issuances of high yield securities and (y) any such restrictions imposed by the documents referred to in the preceding clause (iv) are prohibitions customarily contained in such type of Indebtedness at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y) as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of Holdco) and (y) without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to any or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges ”: for any period, without duplication, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, exclusive of non-cash interest expense, (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments (whether or not made) during such period in respect of long term Indebtedness (including Capitalized Leases, but excluding the ABL Loans) of the Holdco Group, (c) Capital Expenditures for such period (exclusive of Maintenance Capital Expenditures to the extent not exceeding $15,000,000 for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available) and (d) the aggregate amount of Taxes paid in cash by the Holdco Group during such period.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ”: for any period, the sum of (a) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capitalized Leases of the Holdco Group) for such period and all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed by the Holdco Group with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, net of interest income, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Holdco Group that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by Holdco or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate Hedging Agreements

 

Consolidated Net Income ”: the consolidated net income (loss) of the Holdco Group, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however:

 

(a)           the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries,  

 

5
 

 

(b)           the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which any Group Member has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by such Group Member in the form of dividends or similar distributions,

 

(c)           the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary other than Seojin, to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends and other distributions by such Subsidiary to a Loan Party is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than (i) the Loan Documents, (ii) the Transaction Documents, (iii) the Secured Notes Documents and (iv) the documents governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(b)or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(q); provided that (x) any such prohibitions imposed by the Secured Notes Documents and created after the Closing Date are customary for issuances of high yield securities and (y) any such prohibitions imposed by the documents referred to in the preceding clause (iv) are prohibitions customarily contained in such type of Indebtedness at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y) as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of Holdco) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary,

 

(d)           any gain or loss on sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business, and

 

(e)           any extraordinary or non-recurring gain, loss, expense or charge (including expenses in connection with the Transactions (as defined in the ABL Facility)), restructuring charges, severance charges and bankruptcy related and similar one-time expenses, but excluding any such charges and expenses related to the Transactions (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) that are incurred after the one-year anniversary of the ABL Closing Date), together with any related provision for taxes; provided that (i) payments of “Capped Payments” (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement)) subsequent to the ABL Closing Date in the aggregate amount not to exceed $35,000,000 shall not be subject to the one year limitation set forth above and (ii) non-recurring cash charges shall not exceed $25,000,000 in any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters.

 

Consultant ”: as defined in Section 6.8.

 

Continuing Directors ”: at any time, any member of the board of directors of Holdings who (a) was a member of such board of directors on the Closing Date or (b) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of (i) a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election or (ii) the Sponsor Group.

 

Credit Obligations ”: the unpaid Reimbursement Obligations and fees (including any amount owing pursuant to Section 2 of the Pricing Agreement) and other amounts payable hereunder and interest thereon (including fees and interest thereon accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition fees or post-filing or post-petition interest are allowed in such proceeding) and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or to any L/C Participant (including obligations to provide cash collateral), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, or any other Transaction Document, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any L/C Participant that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

 

Default ”: any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

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Designated Contact ”: the contact person designated by the Administrative Agent in Section 9.2 to receive MNPI, as such Designated Contact may be updated from time to time by written notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower.

 

Dollar Equivalent ”: with respect to an amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars, the equivalent in Dollars of such amount determined at the Exchange Rate on the most recent Calculation Date.

 

Dollars ” and “ $ ”: lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Drawing Document ”: any document presented for purposes of a requested drawing under the Letters of Credit.

 

Environmental Laws ”: all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating to the protection of the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or pollutants or to health and safety matters.

 

Environmental Liability ”: any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of Holdco or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests ” shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

 

ERISA ”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

ERISA Affiliate ”: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the any Loan Party, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

ERISA Event ”: (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

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Euro ” and “ ”:the single currency of participating member states of the European Union.

 

Euro Equivalent ”: with respect to an amount denominated in any currency other than Euros, the equivalent in Euros of such amount determined at the Exchange Rate on the most recent Calculation Date.

 

Euro Sublimit ”: Euro Equivalent of $10,500,000; provided that the Borrower may at any time request for the Euro Sublimit to be increased to an amount not to exceed the Euro Equivalent of $17,000,000, and terms and conditions of such increase shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower and reflect market conditions at the time of such increase.

 

Event of Default ”: as defined in Section 7.1.

 

Exchange Rate ”: with respect to any non-Dollar currency on any date, the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as set forth on such date on the relevant Reuters currency page at or about 11:00 A.M., London time, on such date. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters currency page, the “Exchange Rate” with respect to such non-Dollar currency shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower or, in the absence of such agreement, such “Exchange Rate” shall instead be the Administrative Agent’s spot rate of exchange in the interbank market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such non-Dollar currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 A.M., local time, on such date for the purchase of Dollars with such non-Dollar currency, for delivery two Business Days later; provided , that if at the time of any such determination, no such spot rate can reasonably be quoted, the Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method as it deems applicable to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Excluded Taxes ”: with respect to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Participant, the Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income, profits or gains (however denominated) by the United States of America, or by a jurisdiction as a result of such recipient being organized in, or having its principal office located in, or in the case of any L/C Participant having its applicable lending office located in or having any other present or former connection with, such jurisdiction, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in or with which such L/C Participant is organized, located or presently or formerly connected (other than as noted above), (c) any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to or beneficially owned by any (x) Non-U.S. L/C Participant or (y) partner, member, beneficiary or settlor of any L/C Participant (each person described in (x) or (y) a “ Withholding Tax Payer ”), in each case at the time such L/C Participant becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Withholding Tax Payer’s failure to comply with Section 2.13(e), except to the extent that such Withholding Tax Payer (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.13(a) and (d) any U.S. withholding tax that is imposed under FATCA.

 

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Existing Credit Agreement ”: the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among Holdings, Holdco, Foreign Holdco, the other lenders party thereto, and the agents and other parties from time to time party thereto, as amended from time to time prior to the Closing Date.

 

FATCA ”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable thereto), and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate ”: for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Financial Officer ”: with respect to any Person, the chief financial officer, controller, corporate controller, treasurer or corporate treasurer of such Person.

 

First Priority Debt ”: at any time, the sum of (a) the principal amount of all outstanding ABL Loans and, without duplication, all other Indebtedness of each Foreign Subsidiary that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Holdco Group prepared in accordance with GAAP at such time (other than any Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary of the type described in clause (vi) of the definition of “Indebtedness”) minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Holdco Group prepared in accordance with GAAP at such time.

 

First Priority Leverage Ratio ”: on any date, the ratio of (a) First Priority Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date, taken as one accounting period.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ”: on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date, taken as one accounting period, to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date, taken as one accounting period.

 

Foreign Holdco ”: collectively, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC and Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary that (i) is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code or (ii) is a subsidiary of a Person described in (i).

 

Funding Office ”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 9.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the L/C Participants.

 

GAAP ”: generally accepted accounting principles applied in accordance with Section 1.2(b)(i).

 

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Good Faith ”: honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned.

 

Governmental Authority ”: the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Group Member ”: Holdco or any Subsidiary of Holdco.

 

Guarantee ”: of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

Guarantors ”: Holdings, Holdco and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Guaranty ”: the Guaranty executed pursuant to Section 4.1(h) on the Closing Date or from time to time after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11 by Subsidiaries of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit D, in each case in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Participants.

 

Hazardous Materials ”: all radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Hedging Agreement ”: any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Holdco Group, shall be a Hedging Agreement.

 

Holdco ”: Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Holdco Group ”: Holdco and its Subsidiaries.

 

Holdings ”: Tower International, Inc. (formerly known as Tower Automotive, LLC).

 

The “ Incurrence Test ”: shall be met with respect to any incurrence of Indebtedness or other transaction if, and only if, on a Pro Forma Basis, the First Priority Leverage Ratio does not exceed 3.75 to 1.00 and the Interest Coverage Ratio is not less than 2.00 to 1.00.

 

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Indebtedness ”: at any time and with respect to any Person, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all indebtedness of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than accounts payable for property, including inventory and services purchased, and expense accruals and deferred compensation items arising in the ordinary course of business), (iii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments (other than performance, surety and appeal bonds arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases, (v) all reimbursement, payment or similar obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, under acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (vi) all obligations of such Person in respect of (x) currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements designed to hedge against fluctuations in foreign interest or exchange rates and (y) interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements and interest rate future or option contracts, in each case on a marked-to-market basis, (vii) all Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person, (viii) all Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; provided , however , such Indebtedness referred to in this clause (viii) shall be the lesser of the value of such property on which a Lien is attached or the amount of such Indebtedness and (ix) financings described in Section 6.6(e).

 

Indemnified Liabilities ”: as defined in Section 9.5.

 

Indemnified Taxes ”: Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Indemnitee ”: as defined in Section 9.5.

 

Insufficiency ”: with respect to any Plan, its “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA, if any.

 

Instructions ”: inquiries, communications and instructions (whether oral, telephonic, written, telegraphic, facsimile, electronic or other) regarding Letters of Credit; the Applications are referred to herein as “Instructions” (and the term “Application” is subsumed within the term “Instruction”).

 

Investment ”: shall have the meaning given such term in Section 6.5.

 

ISP ”: the International Standby Practices 1998 (International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590) and any subsequent revision thereof adhered to by the Issuing Lender.  

 

Issuing Lender ”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or one of its affiliates reasonably acceptable to the Borrower), in its capacity as issuer of each Letter of Credit.

 

KRW ”: shall mean Korean Won, the official currency of the Republic of Korea.

 

L/C Disbursement ”: a payment made by the Issuing Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

L/C Exposure ”: at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount available to be drawn under the Letters of Credit (including the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under the Letters of Credit denominated in Euros) at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all L/C Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time (including the Dollar Equivalent of the unreimbursed L/C Disbursements denominated in Euros). The L/C Exposure of any L/C Participant at any time shall be its Commitment Percentage of the L/C Exposure at such time.

 

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L/C Participants ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Legal Reservations ”:

 

(a)           the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganization and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

 

(b)           the time barring of claims under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction, and defenses of setoff or counterclaim; and

 

(c)           any other qualifications as to matters of law (but not fact) in the legal opinions required to be delivered pursuant to the Transaction Documents.

 

Letter Agreement ”: that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2011, between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Letters of Credit ”: any standby letter of credit issued by the Issuing Lender under this Agreement upon delivery of an Application to the Issuing Lender from the Borrower.

 

Lien ”: (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind whatsoever, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale, capital lease or other title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

Liquidating Subsidiary ”: means MT STAHL Handelsgesellschaft Verwaltung GmbH, a company domiciled in Germany.

 

Loan Documents ”: as defined in the ABL agreement.

 

Loan Parties ”: the Borrower and the Guarantors (including any Subsidiary that executes and delivers a Guaranty after the Closing Date); “Loan Party” means any of the Loan Parties.

 

Material Adverse Effect ”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Holdco Group taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Participants hereunder or thereunder.

 

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Reimbursement Obligations), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of the Holdco Group in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $35,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “obligations” of Holdco or any Subsidiary thereof in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdco or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

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Maturity Date ”: June 20, 2014 or such earlier date on which the Commitments shall terminate in full pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement.

 

MNPI ”: Material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal securities law) with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Moody’s ”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Multiemployer Plan ”: a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Net Cash Proceeds ”:

 

(a)           with respect to any disposition of assets, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Permitted Investments (including any such proceeds subsequently received (as and when received) in respect of noncash consideration initially received), net of (i) selling expenses (including reasonable and customary broker’s fees or commissions, legal and other professional fees, transfer and similar taxes incurred in connection therewith and the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions related to such assets and any tax sharing arrangements related to such assets), (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustment associated with such disposition (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and (iii) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the asset sold in such disposition and which is required to be repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset) and

 

(b)           with respect to any Casualty Event, insurance proceeds, condemnation awards and similar payments, in each case, net of the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest on and principal of any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the assets subject to such Casualty Event and which is required to be repaid with such insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or similar payments and all taxes and fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by any Group Member to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such Casualty Event.

 

Non-Material Subsidiary ”: each Subsidiary set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) (as such schedule may be modified from time to time by the Borrower in its discretion by notice to the Administrative Agent); provided that the aggregate revenue of all Non-Material Subsidiaries shall at no time exceed 10% of the consolidated revenue of the Holdco Group for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available at the time of such determination.

 

Non-U.S. L/C Participant ”: any L/C Participant that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

Other LC Rules ”: the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (1983 Revision) (International Chamber of Commerce Publication 400), the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision) (International Chamber of Commerce Publication 500) or any other set of rules (other than the ISP or the UCP) governing letters of credit.

 

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Other Taxes ”: any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Transaction Document.

 

Participant ”: as defined in Section 9.6(c).

 

Participant Register ”: as defined in Section 9.6(c).

 

Patriot Act ”: as defined in Section 9.16.

 

PBGC ”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor agency or entity performing substantially the same functions.

 

Permitted Acquisition ”: the acquisition by Holdco or any Subsidiary of all or substantially all the assets of a Person or line of business of such Person, or all of the Equity Interests of a person (referred to herein as the “ Acquired Entity ”); provided that (i) the Acquired Entity shall be in a similar, ancillary or complementary line of business as that of the Holdco Group as conducted during the current and most recently concluded calendar year, (ii) at the time of such transaction both before and after giving effect thereto, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) Holdco and the Subsidiaries shall not incur or assume any Indebtedness in connection with such acquisition, except as permitted by Section 6.3; and (iv) the Loan Parties shall comply, and shall cause the Acquired Entity to comply, with the applicable provisions of Section 5.8. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding sentence, an acquisition which does not otherwise meet the requirements set forth above in the definition of “Permitted Acquisition” shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition if, and to the extent, the Required L/C Participants agree in writing, prior to the consummation thereof, that such acquisition shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Investment ”:

 

(a)           direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within twelve months from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)           investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least ‘A’ from S&P or ‘A2’ from Moody’s;

 

(c)           investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits (including eurodollar time deposits) maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with (i) any domestic office of the Administrative Agent or (ii) any domestic office of any other commercial bank of recognized standing organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

(d)           investments in repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any office of a bank or trust company meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;

 

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(e)           investments in money market funds substantially all the assets of which are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above;

 

(f)           in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, investments similar to those described in clauses (a) through (e) in obligations of Persons located in (x) a jurisdiction in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized or has operations, (y) The Netherlands or (z) Germany; and

 

(g)           to the extent owned on the Closing Date, investments by any Loan Party in the capital stock of any direct or indirect Subsidiary and by any Foreign Subsidiary in any other Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Liens ”: means: (i) Liens imposed by law (other than Environmental Liens and any Lien imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or charges or levies of any Governmental Authority for claims not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; (ii) Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, suppliers, mechanics, materialmen and other Liens (other than Environmental Liens and any Lien imposed under ERISA) in existence on the Closing Date or thereafter imposed by law and created in the ordinary course of business; (iii) Liens (other than any Lien imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, surety bonds and appeal bonds) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, contracts (other than for the repayment of Indebtedness), statutory obligations and other similar obligations or arising as a result of progress payments under government contracts; (iv) easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement agreements and utility agreements), rights-of-way, covenants, consents, reservations, encroachments, variations and zoning and other restrictions, charges or encumbrances (whether or not recorded) and interest of ground lessors, which do not interfere materially with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Holdco Group and which do not materially detract from the value of the property to which they attach or materially impair the use thereof to the Holdco Group and any other Liens “insured over” by the applicable title insurance company; (v) letters of credit or deposits in the ordinary course to secure leases; (vi) extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien referred to in paragraphs (i) through (v) above, provided that the principal amount of the obligation secured thereby is not increased and that any such extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the property originally encumbered thereby; (vii) Liens consisting of deposits with derivatives traders as may be required pursuant to the terms of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.’s Master Agreement(s) executed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the Holdco Group’s commodity, foreign exchange and interest hedging programs in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $15,000,000; (viii) Liens on deposit accounts maintained with, or other property in the custody of, a depositary bank pursuant to its general business terms and in the ordinary course of business, and similar Liens on accounts of Foreign Subsidiaries organized under the laws of the Netherlands arising under clause 18 of the general terms and conditions of any member of the Dutch Bankers’ Association or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions; (ix) Liens in respect of judgments that would not result in an Event of Default under Section 7.1(l); (x) Liens consisting of leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Group Member and do not secure any Indebtedness; (xi) Liens consisting of pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to any Group Member; (xii) Liens consisting of customary transfer restrictions in joint venture agreements, stockholder agreements or other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures; (xiii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business; (xiv) Liens (A) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.5 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, and (B) consisting of an agreement to transfer any property in a disposition permitted under Section 6.6, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien; (xv) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of any Group Member or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (xvi) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by any Group Member or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or Liens arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the UCC in favor of a reclaiming seller of goods or buyer of goods; and (xvii) Liens deemed to exist in connection with investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 6.5, provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements.

 

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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ”: Indebtedness issued or incurred (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) to refinance, refund, extend, renew or replace (collectively, to “ Refinance ”) existing Indebtedness (“ Refinanced Indebtedness ”); provided that (a) such Indebtedness is not greater than the principal amount of such Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of any premiums or penalties and accrued and unpaid interest paid thereon and reasonable fees and expenses, in each case associated with such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement, (b) such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing or replacing Indebtedness has a final maturity that is no sooner than, and a weighted average life to maturity that is no shorter than, such Refinanced Indebtedness, (c) the obligors (or their successors in interest) in respect of such Refinanced Indebtedness immediately prior to such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing or replacing are the only obligors on such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing or replacement Indebtedness and (d) such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing or replacing Indebtedness contains covenants and events of default and is benefited by Guarantees, if any, which, taken as a whole, are determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of Holdco to be no less favorable to the Holdco Group and the L/C Participants in any material respect than the covenants and events of default or Guarantees, if any, in respect of such Refinanced Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Restrictions ”:

 

(a)           any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to (i) applicable law, rule, regulation or order, (ii) any Loan Document, any Transaction Document, any Secured Notes Document, or (iii) by the documents governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause ‎(ii) or clause ‎(iii) of ‎Section 6.3(b) or clause ‎(iii) of ‎Section 6.3(q); provided that (x) any such restrictions or conditions imposed by the Secured Notes Documents and created after the Closing Date are customary restrictions and conditions for issuances of high yield securities and (y) any such restrictions and conditions imposed by the documents governing any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not more restrictive than the restrictions and conditions contained in the applicable Refinanced Indebtedness, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y) as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of Holdco;

 

(b)           any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary of Holdco pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness incurred by such Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired by any Group Member (other than Indebtedness incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of Holdco or was otherwise acquired by any Group Member) and outstanding on such date;

 

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(c)           any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (b) above or this clause (c) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (b) above or this clause (c); provided , however , that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable in any material respect to the L/C Participants than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in such predecessor agreements;

 

(d)           any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement with respect to Indebtedness incurred in reliance on clause (g) of Section 6.3;

 

(e)           in the case of Section 6.7(b)(iv), any encumbrance or restriction that

 

               (i)          restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease, license or other contract; or

 

               (ii)         is contained in mortgages, pledges and other security agreements securing Indebtedness of a Group Member to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements;

 

(f)           with respect to a Subsidiary of Holdco, any restriction imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

 

(g)           purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and obligations under Capitalized Leases that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 6.7(b)(iv);

 

(h)           provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in or with respect to joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements;

 

(i)           restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers, lenders, suppliers or, in the ordinary course of business, other third parties;

 

(j)           with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness, or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued or any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof;

 

(k)           restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which any Group Member is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of such Group Member that are the subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of such Group Member or the assets or property of another Group Member; and

 

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(l)           any encumbrance or restriction of the type referred to in Section 6.7(b) imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in any of clauses (a) through (k) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of Holdco, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

Person ”: any natural person, corporation, division of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, estate, unincorporated organization or Governmental Authority or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Plan ”: any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Pricing Agreement ”: the Pricing Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Prime Rate ”: the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

Pro Forma Basis ”: with respect to any calculation of any financial test in connection with any acquisition, incurrence of Indebtedness or other transaction, such financial test calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the consummation of such transaction as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the financial statements are available.

 

Qualified IPO ”: an underwritten initial public offering of common stock of (and by) Holdings pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which initial public offering results in gross cash proceeds to Holdings of $50,000,000 or more.

 

Register ”: as defined in Section 9.6(b)(iv).

 

Regulation U ”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

 

Reimbursement Obligation ”: the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to the first sentence of Section 2.4 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.

 

Related Parties ”: as to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Required L/C Participants ”: at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the Aggregate Exposure of all L/C Participants.

 

Requirement of Law ”: as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

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Restricted Payment ”: any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in any Group Member, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in any Group Member or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in any Group Member.

 

S&P ”: Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC, and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Secured Notes ”: the notes issued under the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Secured Notes Documents ”: collectively, the Secured Notes Indenture and all documents granting or purporting to grant any security interests to secure the Secured Notes or to provide for any Guarantee thereof.

 

Secured Notes Indenture ”: the Indenture dated as of August 24, 2010 among the Borrower and TA Holdings Finance, Inc., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee and collateral agent relating to the 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2017.

 

Seojin ”: Seojin Industrial Co. Ltd., a company domiciled in the Republic of Korea.

 

Significant Event of Default ”: an Event of Default under Section 7.1(b), 7.1(c), 7.1(e) , 7.1(f), 7.1(g) or 7.1(l).

 

Single Employer Plan ”: a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (i) is maintained for employees of any Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate or (ii) was so maintained and in respect of which any Loan Party could reasonably be expected to have liability under Title IV of ERISA in the event such Plan has been or were to be terminated.

 

Solvent ”: with respect to any Person, at any date, that (a) the sum of such Person’s debt (including contingent liabilities) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of such Person’s present assets, (b) such Person’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on such date, (c) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or believe that it will incur, debts including current obligations beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise), and (d) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

Sponsor ”: Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

 

Sponsor Group ”: the Sponsor and funds and accounts Affiliated with the Sponsor.

 

Standard Letter of Credit Practice ”: any domestic or foreign law or letter of credit practices applicable in the city in which the Issuing Lender issued the Letter of Credit or for its branch or correspondent, such laws and practices applicable in the city in which it has advised, confirmed or negotiated the Letter of Credit, as the case may be. Such practices shall be (i) of banks that regularly issue letters of credit in the particular city and (ii) required or permitted under the ISP, UCP or Other LC Rules, as applicable.

 

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subsidiary ”: as to any Person (in this definition referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, association or other business entity (whether now existing or hereafter organized) of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership or membership interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors is, at the time as of which any determination is being made, owned or controlled by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

Subsidiary ”: means any subsidiary of Holdco.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ”: each direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of Holdco in existence on the Closing Date (other than the Borrower) and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11.

 

Taxes ”: any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

Termination Event ”: (a) a “reportable event”, as such term is described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (other than a “reportable event” as to which the 30-day notice is waived under subsection .22, .23, .25, .27 or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043) or an event described in Section 4068 of ERISA and excluding events which would not be reasonably likely (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) the withdrawal by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer,” as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, for which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurs liability under Section 4064 of ERISA, or any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate withdraws from a Multiemployer Plan for which such Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurs Withdrawal Liability, (c) providing notice of intent to terminate a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(c) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, if such amendment requires the provision of security, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA or (e) any other event or condition which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than for the payment of premiums to the PBGC in the ordinary course).

 

Total Commitments ”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Commitments then in effect. As of the Closing Date, the Total Commitments shall be $38,000,000 (which may be increased to reflect the increase in the Euro Sublimit).

 

Transaction Documents ”: collectively, this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Guaranty, the Applications, the Letters of Credit, the Letter Agreement and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing; provided , however, that the term “Transaction Documents” shall not include the Letters of Credit where such term is used in a context limiting the meaning thereof to those contracts to which the Borrower is a party.

 

Transactions ”: collectively, (a) entering into the Transaction Documents, (b) the issuance of the Letters of Credit, the consummation of any other transactions connected with the foregoing and (d) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Transferee ”: any Assignee or Participant.

 

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Trigger Period ”: each period that begins when a Significant Event of Default occurs, and ends when no Significant Event of Default is continuing.

 

UCP ”: the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision) (International Chamber of Commerce Publication 600) and any subsequent revision thereof adhered to by the Issuing Lender.

 

United States ”: the United States of America.

 

Withdrawal Liability ”: liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

Withholding Agent ”: as defined in Section 2.13(a) .

 

1.2            Other Definitional Provisions.  (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Transaction Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

 

(b)           As used herein and in the other Transaction Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required L/C Participants request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith, (ii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, (v) references to agreements, instruments or other documents herein unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements, instruments or other documents as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time and (vi) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

(c)           The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(d)           The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

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SECTION 2.           LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

2.1            Letters of Credit.  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the L/C Participants set forth in Section 2.3, agrees to issue Letters of Credit, in form and substance substantially as attached hereto as Exhibit A (or such other form as shall be acceptable to the Issuing Lender acting reasonably) for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to support obligations of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary or Affiliate, or to increase the amount of such Letters of Credit on any Business Day that is at least 10 Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided that (i) the Issuing Lender shall not issue, or increase the amount of, any such Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, the L/C Exposure would exceed the Total Commitments, (ii) the Issuing Lender shall not, without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants, issue, or increase the amount of, any such Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars if the L/C Exposure denominated in Dollars would exceed $27,500,000 and (iii) the Issuing Lender shall not, without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants, issue, or increase the amount of, any such Letter of Credit denominated in Euros if the L/C Exposure denominated in Euros would exceed the Euro Sublimit. The Letters of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars or Euros, (ii) have a minimum face amount of $10,000 or €10,000, as applicable and a maximum face amount from time to time not to exceed, unless otherwise consented to by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants, (x) with respect to any Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, $27,500,000 and (y) with respect to any Letters of Credit denominated in Euros, the Euro Sublimit, (iii) be subject to, at the applicable beneficiary’s election, the ISP, the UCP or, subject to the consent of the Issuing Lender, Other LC Rules ( provided that upon election of the UCP or Other LC Rules, the UCP or such Other LC Rules may not be modified to extend the period of time for presentation of such Letters of Credit, unless, in each case, the beneficiary shall otherwise require and the Issuing Lender shall so consent (acting reasonably)) and (iv) expire no later than the date which is one year after the date of issuance; provided that (x) each Letter of Credit may be issued with a one-year initial term and may provide for the renewal thereof for one or more additional periods of up to one year and (y) in no event may any Letter of Credit expire later than the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(b)           The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue Letters of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law.

 

(c)           Upon any reduction of the Total Commitments pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Pricing Agreement such that, after giving effect to such reduction, the L/C Exposure exceeds the Total Commitments, the L/C Exposure denominated in Dollars exceeds $27,500,000 (unless any such excess was consented to by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants in accordance with Section 2.1(a)) or the L/C Exposure denominated in Euros exceeds the Euro Sublimit, the Borrower shall deposit an amount equal to 100% of such excess in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the L/C Participants and the Issuing Lender on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that such cash collateral shall be held as collateral security for the Credit Obligations on terms consistent with those provided in Section 2.15). Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposit, which investments shall be made in Permitted Investments (at the Borrower’s risk and expense), such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.

 

(d)           On and as of the Closing Date, all letters of credit set forth on Schedule 2.1 will constitute Letters of Credit under this Agreement and for purposes hereof and will be deemed to have been issued for the account of the Borrower on the Closing Date.

 

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(e)           The Borrower may elect at any time to transfer any Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement to the ABL Facility; provided that such transfer shall not cause a breach of any provision under this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement.

 

2.2            Procedure for Issuance, Increase or Extension of Each Letter of Credit .  (a)(i) The Borrower may request that the Issuing Lender issue Letters of Credit on or after the Closing Date by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein an Application therefor. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender will process such Application in accordance with its customary procedures and shall issue such Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue such Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor, except as otherwise agreed by the Issuing Lender) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower.

 

(ii)           The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the L/C Participants, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof).

 

(b)           The Borrower may request that the Issuing Lender extend the expiration date of a Letter of Credit or increase (or, with the consent of the beneficiary thereof, decrease) the face amount of an outstanding Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender a written request therefor at least three Business Days in advance of the requested date of extension, increase or decrease or such earlier time as may be agreed by the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion. Any such request for an extension or increase shall for all purposes hereof be treated as though the Borrower had requested issuance of a replacement Letter of Credit (except that the Issuing Lender may, if it elects, issue a notice of extension or increase in lieu of issuing a new Letter of Credit for the outstanding Letter of Credit).

 

(c)           If any Letter of Credit shall provide for the automatic extension of the expiration date thereof, unless the Issuing Lender gives notice to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit at least 30 days in advance of such extension that such expiration date shall not be extended, then the Issuing Lender shall allow such Letter of Credit to be extended unless (i) such extension would cause the expiration date of such Letter of Credit to be later than the fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, in which case such Letter of Credit shall be extended only until such fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date or (ii) it shall have received, at least ten Business Days prior to the date on which such notice of non-extension must be delivered under such Letter of Credit (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Issuing Lender) (x) notice from the Required L/C Participants (or the Administrative Agent on their behalf) or (y) notice from the Borrower to the Issuing Lender, in either case directing the Issuing Lender not to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit (and the Issuing Lender shall not permit any Letter of Credit to be automatically extended if it has received a timely notice of the type described in the foregoing clause (x) or (y)).

 

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2.3            L/C Participations .  (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth below, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage in the Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant agrees that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand at the Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein or specified by notice to all parties an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft in the applicable currency, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed. Each L/C Participant’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 4, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

(b)           If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) a rate equal to the greater of (x) (as to amounts in Dollars only) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Lender and (y) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 2.3(a) is not made available to the Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at a rate per annum determined by the Issuing Lender. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

 

(c)           Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 2.3(a), the Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided , however , that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

 

2.4            Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower .  If any draft is paid under a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Lender within five Business Days after the Issuing Lender provides notice of such payment, or, if earlier, the last Business Day on or prior to the Maturity Date, for the amount of the draft so paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Interest shall be payable on such amount (a) from the date on which the relevant draft is paid until the earlier of (i) payment in full, (ii) five Business Days after the Issuing Lender provides notice of such payment and (iii) the last Business Day on or prior to the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate and (b) thereafter, if not already paid, at a rate per annum equal to the rate provided in Section 2.9(a) until paid in full.

 

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2.5            Obligations Absolute; Liability of Indemnitees .  (a) The Borrower’s obligations under Section 2.4 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (and the Administrative Agent, the L/C Participant and the Issuing Lender and their Related Parties shall not be liable for, and the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Participants, the Issuing Lender and their Related Parties against the Borrower shall not be impaired by): (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) honor of a presentation under any Letter of Credit which on its face substantially complies with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (iii) honor of a presentation of any Drawing Documents which appear on their face to have been signed, presented or issued (X) by any purported successor or transferee of any beneficiary or other party required to sign, present or issue the Drawing Documents or (Y) under a new name of the beneficiary; (iv) acceptance as a draft of any written or electronic demand or request for payment under a Letter of Credit, even if nonnegotiable or not in the form of a draft, and any disregard by the Issuing Lender of a requirement that such draft, demand or request bear any or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit; (v) the identity or authority of any presenter or signer of any Drawing Document or the form, accuracy, genuineness, or legal effect of any presentation under any Letter of Credit or of any Drawing Documents or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (vi) disregard of any non-documentary conditions stated in any Letter of Credit; (vii) acting upon any Instruction which such Person, in Good Faith, believes to have been given by a Person or entity authorized to give such Instruction; (viii) any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any message, advice or document (regardless of how sent or transmitted) or for errors in interpretation of technical terms or in translation; (ix) any delay by the Issuing Lender or any other Person in giving or failing to give any notice; (x) any acts, omissions or fraud by, or the solvency of, any beneficiary, any nominated Person or any other Person; (xi) any breach of contract or dispute between the beneficiary and the Borrower, any of the parties to the underlying transaction or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred; (xii) assertion or waiver of any provision of the UCP, ISP or Other LC Rules which primarily benefits an issuer of a letter of credit, including, any requirement that any Drawing Document be presented to it at a particular hour or place; (xiii) payment to any paying or negotiating bank (designated or permitted by the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit) claiming that it rightfully honored or is entitled to reimbursement or indemnity under the Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to it; (xiv) dishonor of any presentation upon or during any Event of Default or for which the Borrower is unable or unwilling to reimburse or indemnify the Issuing Lender ( provided that the Borrower acknowledges that if the Issuing Lender shall later be required to honor the presentation, the Borrower shall be liable therefore in accordance with Section 2.4 hereof); (xv) the Issuing Lender acting or failing to act as required or permitted under Standard Letter of Credit Practice (or in the case of other independent undertakings or guarantees, the UN Convention) applicable to where it has issued, confirmed, advised or negotiated such Credit, as the case may be; and (xvi) any other event of circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.5, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

(b)           The Administrative Agent, the L/C Participants, the Indemnitees and their respective Related Parties (other than the Issuing Lender) shall not have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in Section 2.5(a)), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder) or any error in interpretation of technical terms.

 

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(c)           Subject to Section 2.5(b), the liability of the Issuing Lender (or any other Indemnitee) under, in connection with and/or arising out of the Transaction Documents (or any pre-advice), regardless of the form or legal grounds of the action or proceeding, shall be limited to any direct damages suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in (i) honoring a presentation that does not at least substantially comply with a Letter of Credit, (ii) failing to honor a presentation that strictly complies with a Letter of Credit or (iii) retaining Drawing Documents presented under a Letter of Credit. In no event shall the Issuing Lender be deemed to have failed to act with due diligence or reasonable care if the Issuing Lender’s conduct is in accordance with Standard Letter of Credit Practice or in accordance with this Agreement. The Borrower’s aggregate remedies against the Issuing Lender and any Indemnitee for wrongfully honoring a presentation under any Letter of Credit or wrongfully retaining honored Drawing Documents shall in no event exceed the aggregate amount paid by the Borrower to the Issuing Lender in respect of the honored presentation in respect of such Letter of Credit under Section 2.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Issuing Lender and the other Indemnitees shall not, under any circumstances whatsoever, be liable for any punitive, consequential, indirect or special damages or losses regardless of whether the Issuing Lender or any Indemnitee shall have been advised of the possibility thereof or of the form of action in which such damages or losses may be claimed. If a Letter of Credit is to be governed by a law other than that of the State of New York, the Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any claims, suits, judgments, costs, losses, fines, penalties, damages, liabilities, and expenses, including expert witness fees and legal fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel (collectively, “Costs”) resulting from any act or omission by the Issuing Lender in accord with the UCP, the ISP or Other LC Rules, as applicable, and the Borrower hereby indemnifies the Issuing Lender for all such Costs.

 

(d)           The Borrower shall notify the Issuing Lender of (i) any noncompliance with any Instruction, any other irregularity with respect to the text of any Letter of Credit or any amendment thereto or any claim of an unauthorized, fraudulent or otherwise improper Instruction, within three (3) Business Days of the Borrower’s receipt of a copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment and (ii) any objection the Borrower may have to the Issuing Lender’s honor or dishonor of any presentation under any Letter of Credit or any other action or inaction taken or proposed to be taken by the Issuing Lender under or in connection with this Agreement or any Letter of Credit, within three (3) Business Days after the Borrower receives notice of the objectionable action or inaction. The failure to so notify the Issuing Lender within said times shall discharge the Issuing Lender from any loss or liability that the Issuing Lender could have avoided or mitigated had it received such notice, to the extent that the Issuing Lender could be held liable for damages hereunder; provided , that, if the Borrower shall not provide such notice to the Issuing Lender within five (5) Business Days of the date of receipt in the case of clause (i) or ten (10) Business Days from the date of receipt in the case of clause (ii), the Issuing Lender shall have no liability whatsoever for such noncompliance, irregularity, action or inaction and the Borrower shall be precluded from raising such noncompliance, irregularity or objection as a defense or claim against the Issuing Lender. The Borrower’s acceptance or retention of a Drawing Document presented under or in connection with any Letter of Credit (whether or not the document is genuine) shall ratify the Issuing Lender’s honor of the presentation and preclude the Borrower from raising a defense, set-off or claim with respect to the Issuing Lender’s honor of such Letter of Credit. Bank shall not be required to seek any waiver of discrepancies from the Borrower or to grant any waiver of discrepancies which the Borrower approves or requests. The Issuing Lender’s records of the content of any Instruction shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

2.6            Letter of Credit Payments .  If any draft shall be presented for payment under a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the date and amount thereof; provided that if such draft is presented for payment after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, the Issuing Lender may notify the Borrower the next succeeding Business Day. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each L/C Participant thereof. The parties agree that, with respect to any documents presented in respect of a Letter of Credit that appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender may, in its reasonable discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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2.7            Assertion of Rights; Electronic Transmission .  (a) To the extent the Issuing Lender honors a presentation under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender remains unpaid beyond the applicable due date (giving effect to any applicable grace period), the Issuing Lender may assert rights of the Borrower and the Borrower shall cooperate with the Issuing Lender in its assertion of the Borrower’s rights, if any, against the beneficiary, the beneficiary’s rights against the Borrower and any other rights that the Issuing Lender may have by subordination, subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity or assignment.

 

(b)           The Issuing Lender is authorized to accept and process the Applications and any amendments, transfers, assignments of proceeds, Instructions, consents, waivers and all documents relating to any Letter of Credit or the Applications which are sent to the Issuing Lender by electronic transmission, including SWIFT, electronic mail, telex, telecopy, telefax, courier, mail or other computer generated telecommunications and such electronic communication shall have the same legal effect as if written and shall be binding upon and enforceable against the Borrower. The Issuing Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, require authentication of such electronic transmission or that the Issuing Lender receives original documents prior to acting on such electronic transmission. If it is a condition of any Letter of Credit that payment may be made upon receipt by the Issuing Lender of an electronic transmission advising negotiation, the Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender in accordance with the terms hereof for the amount indicated in such electronic transmission advice, and further agrees to hold the Issuing Lender harmless if the documents fail to arrive, or if upon the arrival of the documents, the Issuing Lender should determine that the documents do not comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. The Issuing Lender may transmit such Letter of Credit and any amendment thereto by SWIFT message and thereby bind the Borrower directly and as indemnitor to the SWIFT rules, including rules obligating the Borrower or the Issuing Lender to pay charges.

 

2.8            Interest and Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay interest and fees in accordance with the Pricing Agreement.

 

2.9            Interest on Overdue Amounts .  (a) If all or a portion of any fee or other amount payable hereunder or under the Pricing Agreement shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Applicable Rate and (B) 2.0% from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment).

 

(b)           Interest accruing pursuant to this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

 

2.10          Computation of Fees and Interest .  (a) Fees and interest (including on overdue amounts) payable pursuant hereto or the Pricing Agreement shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to amounts the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. Any change in the fee rate or interest rate shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.

 

(b)           Each determination of a fee rate or interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement shall be prima facie evidence that such amounts are correct.

 

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2.11         Pro Rata Treatment and Payments .  (a) Each payment by the Borrower on account of any facility fee shall be made pro rata according to the respective Commitment Percentages of the relevant L/C Participants.

 

(b)          All payments to be made by the Borrower hereunder or under the Pricing Agreement, whether on account of interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the L/C Participants, at the Funding Office, in Dollars (or in the case of any reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement denominated in Euros, Euros) and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to each relevant L/C Participant promptly upon receipt in like funds as received, net of any amounts owing by such L/C Participant pursuant to Section 8.7. If any payment hereunder or under the Pricing Agreement becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding sentence, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

 

(c)          Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrower hereunder or under the Pricing Agreement that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the L/C Participants their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each L/C Participant to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant against the Borrower.

 

2.12        Increased Costs .  (a) If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)           impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender;

 

(ii)          subject any L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or (B) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

(iii)         impose on any L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender any other condition affecting any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining such Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender hereunder in respect of such Letter of Credit or participation therein, then the Borrower will pay to such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b)           If any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of, in the case of any L/C Participant, the participations in any Letter of Credit held by such L/C Participant, or any Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)           A certificate of an L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)           Failure or delay on the part of any L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate an L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 90 days prior to the date that such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such L/C Participant’s or the Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided , further , that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 90-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

2.13          Taxes .  (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Transaction Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if any applicable Requirements of Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent (as defined below)) requires the deduction or withholding of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from any such payment (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such payment made by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, or made or received by any L/C Participant or a beneficial owner of any L/C Participant or partner, member, beneficiary or settler of any L/C Participant), then (i) the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all such deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable L/C Participant receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or the applicable L/C Participant (any such person, a “ Withholding Agent ”) shall make such deduction or withholding, and (iii) the Withholding Agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirement of Law.

 

(b)           In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

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(c)           The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each L/C Participant and the Issuing Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by an L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of an L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)           As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)           (i)          Each L/C Participant shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), on or before the date on which such L/C Participant becomes an L/C Participant under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(A)          duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN;

 

(B)          duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;

 

(C)          duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9;

 

(D)          duly completed forms certifying that such L/C Participant is eligible for a reduced rate of United States federal withholding tax under any tax treaty; or

 

(E)          any other form prescribed by applicable Requirement of Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Requirement of Law.

 

In addition, each L/C Participant agrees that it will deliver upon the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s request updated versions of the foregoing, as applicable, whenever the previous certification has become obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, together with such other forms as may be required by applicable Requirement of Law in order to confirm or establish the entitlement of such L/C Participant to a continuing exemption from United States federal withholding tax. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an L/C Participant shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.13(e) that such L/C Participant is not legally able to deliver.

 

Each Withholding Agent shall be entitled to rely on the forms (if any) provided by an L/C Participant pursuant to this Section in making a determination of whether any tax is an “Excluded Tax” and whether to withhold for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

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(ii)         If a payment made to an L/C Participant under this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement or the Letters of Credit would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such L/C Participant were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such L/C Participant shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such L/C Participant has or has not complied with such L/C Participant's obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

(f)           If the Administrative Agent or an L/C Participant determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.13, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 2.13 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such L/C Participant and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided , that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such L/C Participant, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such L/C Participant in the event the Administrative Agent or such L/C Participant is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

(g)           Each L/C Participant and Issuing Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such L/C Participant or Issuing Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such L/C Participant’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.6(c)(i) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such L/C Participant or Issuing Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement or any Letters of Credit, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any L/C Participant or Issuing Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each L/C Participant and Issuing Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such L/C Participant and Issuing Lender under this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement or any Letters of Credit or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the L/C Participant or Issuing Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (g).

 

(h)           The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and all amounts payable under this Agreement.

 

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2.14          Change of Office .  The Issuing Lender and each L/C Participant agree that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.12 or 2.13(a) with respect to the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant, as applicable, the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant, as applicable, will use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant, as applicable) to designate another office for the issuance of any Letters of Credit or the funding by L/C Participants of participations in accordance with Section 2.3(a) affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided , that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant, as applicable, cause the Issuing Lender or such L/C Participant, as applicable, and its applicable office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided , further , that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the rights of the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.13(a).

 

2.15          Change of Control .  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Borrower shall, within 30 days after such occurrence, offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to deposit in a cash collateral account (the “Cash Collateral Account”) with the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the L/C Participants an amount equal to 100% of the sum of the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of Letters of Credit plus any then accrued and unpaid fees (including amounts owed under Section 2 of the Pricing Agreement) (the “Cash Collateral Amount”), which offer shall be accepted (or rejected) within five Business Days of such offer by the Required L/C Participants and shall be deemed rejected if not accepted within such five Business Day period. Within five Business Days of acceptance of the Change of Control Offer, the Borrower shall deposit the Cash Collateral Amount in the Cash Collateral Account. The Cash Collateral Amount in the Cash Collateral Account shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower then due and payable hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents. Within five Business Days after such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in the Cash Collateral Account shall be returned to the Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the Cash Collateral Account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the Cash Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be as described in clauses (a) through (e) of Permitted Investments (at the Borrower’s risk and expense), such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the Cash Collateral Account.

 

2.16          Pricing Agreement .  The L/C Participants hereby acknowledge, and agree to, the terms of the Pricing Agreement.

 

2.17          Replacement of L/C Participants .  If any L/C Participant requests compensation under Section 2.12 or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any L/C Participant or any Governmental Authority for the account of any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 2.13, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such L/C Participant and the Administrative Agent, require such L/C Participant to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.6), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another L/C Participant, if a L/C Participant accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such L/C Participant shall have received payment of all amounts owing to it hereunder and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.13, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A L/C Participant shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such L/C Participant or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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2.18          Cash Collateralization .  If on any Calculation Date, the L/C Exposure exceeds the Total Commitments, the Borrower shall, on such date, reimburse any outstanding L/C Disbursements or cash collateralize the L/C Exposure in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 such that, after giving effect to such reimbursement and/or cash collateralization, the L/C Exposure does not exceed the Total Commitments.

 

SECTION 3.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Administrative Agent, the L/C Participants and the Issuing Lender to enter into this Agreement and to issue or participate in any Letter of Credit, each of Holdings and the Borrower, hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant that:

 

3.1            Organization; Powers .  Each Group Member is duly organized, validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

3.2            Authorization; Enforceability .  The Transactions are within the powers of each Group Member and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions. The Transaction Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to Legal Reservations.

 

3.3            Disclosure .  Each Group Member has disclosed to the L/C Participants all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contained when furnished any material misstatement of fact or omitted when furnished to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Closing Date, as of the Closing Date (it being understood that projections are inherently uncertain and that actual results may differ from the projections and such difference may be material).

 

3.4            Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

 

(a)            The Holdco Group has furnished the L/C Participants with copies of the (i) audited consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Business for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010 and (ii) the unaudited consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Business for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011. Such financial statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of the Business, on a consolidated basis as of such dates and for each such period; such financial statements disclose all liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Business, as of the date thereof required to be disclosed by GAAP; such financial statements were prepared in a manner consistent with GAAP; and such quarterly financial statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

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(b)           No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since December 31, 2010.

 

3.5            Capitalization and Subsidiaries .  Schedule 3.5 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to Holdco of each Group Member, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of authorized Equity Interests of each Group Member, of which all of such Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.5, and (c) the type of entity of each Group Member. All of such issued and outstanding Equity Interests have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Each of Holdco’s Domestic Subsidiaries is a Loan Party.

 

3.6            Government Approvals; No Conflicts .  The Transactions (a) do not require any material consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made or as disclosed on Schedule 3.6 and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any material Requirement of Law (including, without limitation, Regulations T, U or X of the Board) applicable to any Group Member, (c) except as set forth on Schedule 3.6, to the knowledge of each Group Member, will not violate or result in a material default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Group Member or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Group Member, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Group Member except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents or the Secured Notes Documents.

 

3.7            Compliance with Law; No Default .  (a) Except for matters which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Group Member is in compliance with all material Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property and (b) each Group Member is in compliance with all foreign and domestic laws, rules and regulations (including the Patriot Act) foreign exchange control regulations, foreign asset control regulations and other trade related regulations) now or hereafter applicable to each Letter of Credit, the transactions underlying such Letter of Credit or the Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

3.8            Litigation and Environmental Matters .

 

(a)           Other than set forth on Schedule 3.8, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Holdco Group or any of its properties, before any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which is reasonably likely to be determined adversely and, if so determined adversely would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Except for matters which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) the operations of the Loan Parties comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) to the knowledge of each of Holdings and the Borrower, none of the operations of the Loan Parties is the subject of any Federal or state investigation evaluating, or any third party claim regarding, the need for remedial action involving an expenditure by the Loan Parties to respond to a release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment; and (iii) to the knowledge of each of Holdings and the Borrower, the Loan Parties do not have any material Environmental Liability.

 

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3.9            Insurance .  All policies of insurance of any kind or nature owned by or issued to the Holdco Group, including, without limitation, policies of life, fire, theft, product liability, public liability, property damage, other casualty, employee fidelity, workers’ compensation, employee health and welfare, title, property and liability insurance, are or will be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date and at all times thereafter and are of a nature and provide such coverage as is sufficient for and customarily carried by companies of the size and character of the Business.

 

3.10          Taxes .  Each Group Member has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Group Member has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes.

 

3.11          Use of Proceeds .  The Letters of Credit shall be used for working capital and for other general corporate purposes of the Loan Parties.

 

3.12          Labor Relations .

 

(a)           Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.12(a), no Group Member is presently a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other similar contract.

 

(b)           Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.12(b) and for matters which, in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Holdco Group, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, there is not presently pending and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, there is not threatened any of the following:

 

(i)           any strike, slowdown, picketing, work stoppage or other labor dispute;

 

(ii)          any proceeding against or affecting the Holdco Group relating to the alleged violation of any applicable law pertaining to labor relations or before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any comparable governmental body, organizational activity, or other labor or employment dispute against or affecting the Holdco Group;

 

(iii)         any lockout of any employees by any Group Member;

 

(iv)         any application for the certification of collective bargaining representation; or

 

(v)           any failure by any Group Member to comply with all applicable law relating to employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational safety and health, and plant closing.

 

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3.13          ERISA .  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.14          Investment Company Status .  No Loan Party and no Subsidiary of a Loan Party is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

3.15          Properties .

 

(a)           As of the Closing Date, Schedule 3.15(a) sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned or leased by each Loan Party and, in the case of each leased real property, lists the applicable leases, subleases, and any amendments, supplements or modifications thereof, and all recorded copies, memoranda, short forms and all nondisturbance agreements relating thereto. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect, and no default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists, except, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Group Member has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.3, except where the failure to have such good and indefeasible title or such valid leasehold interests could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property necessary to its business as currently conducted. To the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, the use thereof by the Holdco Group does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person.

 

3.16          Solvency .  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, each Loan Party will be Solvent.

 

SECTION 4.           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

4.1            Closing Conditions .  The agreement of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction in accordance with Section 9.1 of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           Transaction Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, each L/C Participant and the Borrower and (ii) the Pricing Agreement executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

(b)           Financial Statements . The L/C Participants shall have received the financial statements referenced in Section 3.4.

 

(c)           Approvals . All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Transaction Documents shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the financing contemplated hereby.

 

(d)           Fees . The L/C Participants and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, if any (including all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2 of the Pricing Agreement), and all expenses then due and payable pursuant to Section 9.5 for which invoices have been presented at least two Business Days in advance (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date.

 

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(e)           Closing Certificate; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a customary closing certificate of each Loan Party, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with appropriate insertions and attachments, including the certificate of incorporation of each Loan Party that is a corporation certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, and (ii) a long-form good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization.

 

(f)           Legal Opinions . The Administrative Agent shall have received the legal opinion of Lowenstein Sandler PC, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

(g)           Reserved .

 

(h)           Guaranty . The Administrative Agent shall have received the Guaranty executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and each Guarantor as of the Closing Date.

 

(i)            Representations and Warranties . Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Transaction Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

 

(j)           No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit requested to occur on such date.

 

4.2           Conditions Precedent to Ongoing Availability .  The agreement of the Issuing Lender to issue, extend or increase Letters of Credit at any time after the Closing Date is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           Representations and Warranties . Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Transaction Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

 

(b)           No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit requested to occur on such date.

 

SECTION 5.           AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on the Credit Obligations and all fees payable under any Transaction Documents shall have been paid in full, each of Holdings and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the L/C Participants that:

 

5.1           Financial Statements and Other Information .  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each of the L/C Participants:

 

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(a)           as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdco, the audited consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheets of the Holdco Group and related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, such consolidated statements reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Holdco Group on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(b)           as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Holdco, the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Holdco Group and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of Holdco as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Holdco Group on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)           concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of Holdco in substantially the form of Exhibit E (i) certifying that no Default or Event of Default has occurred, or, if such a Default or Event of Default or event has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent demonstrating compliance with the provisions of Section 6.12, if applicable; provided that for any fiscal year and quarter in which the Borrower is not subject to the provisions of Section 6.12, the requirements under this paragraph (c) shall be satisfied by the delivery of a copy of the compliance certificate provided by the Borrower or Holdco under the ABL Facility;

 

(d)           promptly after the same become publicly available, except to the extent available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any governmental authority succeeding to any of or all the functions of said commission, or with any national securities exchange;

 

(e)           promptly after the request by any L/C Participant, all documentation and other information that such L/C Participant reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act; and

 

(f)           promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdco Group, or compliance with the terms of any material loan or financing agreements as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any L/C Participant, may reasonably request.

 

5.2           Notice of Material Events . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant prompt notice of the following:

 

(a)           the occurrence of any Default;

 

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(b)           receipt of any notice of any investigation by any Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened against any Group Member that (i) seeks damages in excess of $15,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Group Member, (v) contests any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge in excess of $10,000,000, or (vi) involves any product recall that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)           as soon as available and in any event (A)within 30 days after a Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates knows or has reason to know that any Termination Event described in clause (i) of the definition of Termination Event with respect to any Single Employer Plan of such Loan Party or such ERISA Affiliate has occurred and (B)within 10 days after a Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates knows or has reason to know that any other Termination Event with respect to any such Plan has occurred, a statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower describing the full details of such Termination Event;

 

(d)           the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Holdco Group in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000;

 

(e)           promptly and in any event within 10 days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC, copies of each notice received by the Borrower or any such ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC’s intention to terminate any Single Employer Plan of such Loan Party or such ERISA Affiliate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any such Plan;

 

(f)           if requested by the Administrative Agent, promptly and in any event within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Single Employer Plan of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates;

 

(g)           within 10 days after notice is given or required to be given to the PBGC under Section 302(f)(4)(A) of ERISA of the failure of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates to make timely payments to a Plan, a copy of any such notice filed;

 

(h)           promptly and in any event within 10 days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, a copy of each notice received by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate concerning (A) the imposition of Withdrawal Liability by a Multiemployer Plan, (B) the determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (C) the termination of a Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (D) the amount of liability incurred, or which may be incurred, by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate in connection with any event described in clause (A), (B) or (C) above; and

 

(i)           any other development that results in, or could reasonably expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.3           Existence; Conduct of Business .  Each Group Member will (i) do or cause to be done (A) all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and (B) all commercially reasonable things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, intellectual property rights, licenses and permits necessary and material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.2 and (ii) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted, except in each case where the failure to do so (x) is no longer necessary, in the reasonable judgment of Holdco and (y) could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.4            Insurance .  Each Group Member will maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers having a financial strength rating of at least A- by A.M. Best Company insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The Loan Parties will furnish to the L/C Participants, upon request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

 

5.5            Payment of Obligations .  Each Group Member will pay or discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Group Member has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.6            Compliance With Laws .  Each Group Member will comply with all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect .

 

5.7            Maintenance of Properties .  Each Group Member will keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

5.8            Books and Records; Inspection Rights .  Each Group Member will:

 

(a)            maintain or cause to be maintained at all times true and complete books and records in a manner consistent with GAAP of their operations; and provide the Administrative Agent and its representatives access to all such books and records during regular business hours, in order that the Administrative Agent may upon reasonable prior notice examine and make abstracts from such books, accounts, records and other papers for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the various reports, delivered by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Participants pursuant to this Agreement or for otherwise ascertaining compliance with this Agreement.

 

(b)            permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant (including employees of the Administrative Agent, any L/C Participant or any consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

 

(c)            grant access to and the right to inspect all final reports, final audits and other similar internal information of the Holdco Group relating to environmental matters upon reasonable notice, and obtain any third party verification of matters relating to compliance with Environmental Laws and regulations reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time; provided , however , that access to materials protected by attorney-client privilege need not be provided.

 

5.9            [Reserved] .

 

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5.10          [Reserved] .

 

5.11          Additional Guarantors .  Subject to applicable law, (i) Holdco shall cause each of its Domestic Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a Loan Party by executing an assumption agreement to the Guaranty in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) Holdings shall cause any Person that Guarantees the ABL Facility to become a Loan Party hereunder. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person shall automatically become a Subsidiary Guarantor and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties, and obligations in such capacity under the Transaction Documents.

 

SECTION 6.           NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on the Credit Obligations and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable under any Transaction Document have been paid in full, each of Holdings and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the L/C Participants that:

 

6.1            Liens .  No Group Member will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, other than:

 

(a)           Liens on any property or any assets of any Group Member existing on the ABL Closing Date as reflected on Schedule 6.1; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of such Group Member (other than after acquired property affixed thereto or incorporated therein and proceeds or products thereof) and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

(b)           Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents or the Secured Notes Documents;

 

(c)           Permitted Liens;

 

(d)           Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed, repaired or improved by any Group Member; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.3(d), (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (iii) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Group Member;

 

(e)           Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases;

 

(f)           Liens existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by any Group Member (including, without limitation, in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Group Member after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Group Member; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Group Member, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Group Member (other than after acquired property affixed thereto or incorporated therein and proceeds or products thereof) and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Group Member, as the case may be and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

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(g)           Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

 

(h)           Liens securing obligations owing to a Group Member;

 

(i)            Liens on property of any Foreign Subsidiary, which Liens secure Indebtedness of the applicable Foreign Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.3(g);

 

(j)            Liens on property (i) of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) that does not constitute ABL Collateral, which Liens secure Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.3 (other than Section 6.3(g));

 

(k)           Liens on cash collateral securing letters of credit permitted under Section 6.3(n);

 

(l)           other Liens so long as neither the value of the property subject to such Liens, nor the Indebtedness and other obligations secured thereby, exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate; and

 

(m)          Liens on the ABL Collateral securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of Section 6.3(b)or under Section 6.3(q).

 

6.2           Fundamental Changes .

 

(a)           No Group Member will merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Person may merge into Holdco in a transaction in which Holdco is the surviving corporation; (ii) any Group Member (other than Holdco) may merge into any other Group Member in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Group Member ( provided that if any party to any such transaction is (A) a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be a Loan Party, (B) a Domestic Subsidiary, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be a Domestic Subsidiary and (C) the Borrower, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be the Borrower); (iii) any Subsidiary (other than the Borrower) may liquidate or dissolve if Holdco determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Holdco Group and is not materially disadvantageous to the L/C Participants; and (iv) any Permitted Acquisition or disposition permitted by Section 6.6 may be effected by way of a merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary.

 

(b)           No Group Member will engage in any business other than the Business and businesses reasonably related thereto.

 

(c)           Holdco will not engage in any business or activity other than the ownership of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of Foreign Holdco and the Domestic Subsidiaries and activities incidental thereto. Foreign Holdco will not engage in any business or activity other than the ownership of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Foreign Subsidiaries and activities incidental thereto.

 

6.3           Indebtedness .  No Group Member will create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)           Indebtedness existing on the ABL Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.3 and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto and certain intercompany indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.3 under the title “Closing Date Intercompany Indebtedness” existing on the Closing Date and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

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(b)           (i) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and the Transaction Documents, (ii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (other than under the Secured Notes Documents) incurred to Refinance Indebtedness under the L/C Facility Documents and (iii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii) or this clause (iii);

 

(c)           Indebtedness of any Subsidiary to Holdco or any other Subsidiary, provided that Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to Holdco or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.5;

 

(d)           (i) Indebtedness incurred subsequent to the ABL Closing Date secured by purchase money Liens (including Capitalized Leases), (ii) Indebtedness of a Person that becomes a Group Member after the ABL Closing Date, provided that such Indebtedness is not created in contemplation thereof, and (iii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness described in (i) and (ii), in an aggregate amount for (i), (ii) and (iii) not to exceed $35,000,000;

 

(e)           Indebtedness owed to any bank in respect of any overdrafts and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing house transfers of funds;

 

(f)           Indebtedness incurred in connection with foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements designed to hedge against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements and interest rate future or option contracts designed to hedge against fluctuations in foreign interest rates, in each case to the extent that such agreement or contract is entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)           Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries not otherwise described herein, not exceeding the aggregate principal amount of €75,000,000 or the equivalent of such amount at any one time outstanding;

 

(h)           Indebtedness consisting of (i) Guarantees by any Loan Party of the Indebtedness of any other Loan Party, (ii) Guarantees by any Group Member that is not a Loan Party of the Indebtedness of any other Group Member that is not a Loan Party, or (iii) to the extent permitted by Section 6.5, Guarantees by any Loan Party of the Indebtedness of any other Group Member, in each case to the extent the Indebtedness so guaranteed is permitted under the Agreement;

 

(i)           in each case to the extent (if any) that such obligations constitute Indebtedness, (a) customary indemnification obligations, purchase price or other similar adjustments in connection with acquisitions and dispositions permitted under the Agreement, (b) reimbursement or indemnification obligations owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, (c) obligations in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations, or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, (d) obligations for deferred payment of insurance premiums, (e) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements; provided , in each case, that such obligation arises in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the obtaining of financing;

 

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(j)           Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $15,000,000 at any time consisting of promissory notes to current or former officers, directors and employees, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests;

 

(k)           Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $15,000,000 at any time consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions or any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder;

 

(l)            Indebtedness supported by a letter of credit issued under the ABL agreement, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such letter of credit;

 

(m)           Indebtedness of Seojin in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of KRW 75,000,000,000 at any time;

 

(n)           [Reserved];

 

(o)           other Indebtedness of the Holdco Group in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $25,000,000 at any time;

 

(p)           so long as at the time and after giving effect thereto, the Incurrence Test is met, other Indebtedness of any Loan Party; and

 

(q)           (i) Indebtedness incurred under the Secured Notes Indenture, (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to an issuance of high yield notes in aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000, which notes qualify as “Additional Notes” under the Secured Notes Indenture and (iii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or this clause (iii).

 

6.4            Sale and Lease-back Transactions .  No Group Member will enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal or mixed, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter required, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred unless (a) the sale of such property is permitted by Section 6.6 and (b) any Capitalized Leases or Liens arising in connection therewith are permitted by Section 6.1 and Section 6.3.

 

6.5            Investment, Loans and Advances .  No Group Member will purchase, hold or acquire any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances or capital contributions to, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person (all of the foregoing, “ Investments ”), except:

 

(a)           (i) Investments by Holdco and the Subsidiaries existing on the ABL Closing Date in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof ( provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.5) and (ii) additional Investments by Holdco and the Subsidiaries in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries; provided that (A) the aggregate amount of Investments by Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors shall not exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding less the amount of Investments made pursuant to clause (p) of this Section 6.5 and (B) if such Investment shall be in the form of a loan or advance to a Loan Party, such loan or advance shall be unsecured;

 

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(b)           Permitted Investments;

 

(c)           Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers, licensors, licensees and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)           loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to employees, officers and directors so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $2,000,000;

 

(e)           Permitted Acquisitions;

 

(f)           Investments existing on the ABL Closing Date and certain intercompany Investments existing on the Closing Date, in each case as set forth on Schedule 6.5 and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof ( provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.5);

 

(g)           extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from a sale, transfer or other disposition of any asset in compliance with Section 6.6;

 

(i)           intercompany loans and advances to Holdings to the extent that Holdco may pay dividends to Holdings pursuant to Section 6.7 (and in lieu of paying such dividends); provided that such intercompany loans and advances (i) shall be made for the purposes, and shall be subject to all the applicable limitations set forth in, Section 6.7 and (ii) shall be unsecured;

 

(j)           notes from employees of Holdco and its Subsidiaries in connection with such employees’ acquisition of shares of Holdings common Equity Interests so long as no cash is actually advanced by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any such acquisition;

 

(k)           additional Investments by Holdco and its Subsidiaries, so long as such Investments are made with the proceeds of any substantially contemporaneous issuance of Equity Interests by Holdco or any direct or indirect parent of Holdco to the extent such proceeds shall have actually been received by Holdco;

 

(l)            [Reserved];

 

(m)           Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Holdco or consolidates or merges with Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;

 

(n)           investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit;

 

(o)           in addition to Investments permitted by paragraphs (a) through (n) above, additional Investments by Holdco and the Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate amount invested, loans or advanced pursuant to this paragraph (o) (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) does not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate; and

 

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(p)           Investments in non-Subsidiary joint ventures up to an aggregate amount of (i) $100,000,000 less (ii) the amount of Investments made as described in part (B) of the proviso to clause (a) of this Section 6.5.

 

6.6            Disposition of Assets .  No Group Member will sell or otherwise dispose of any assets (including, without limitation, the capital stock of any Subsidiary), except for:

 

(a)           sales of inventory, fixtures and equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)           dispositions of surplus, obsolete, negligible or uneconomical assets including plants currently shut down or shut down in the future;

 

(c)           intercompany sales or other intercompany transfers of assets among Group Members all of which are Loan Parties, none of which are Loan Parties, from Group Members which are not Loan Parties to Group Members that are Loan Parties and other intercompany transfers in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 from Group Members that are Loan Parties to Group Members that are not Loan Parties;

 

(d)           each of Holdco and its Subsidiaries may sell, discount, or otherwise dispose of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise or collection thereof, and not as part of any transaction, the primary purpose of which is to provide financing for Holdco and its Subsidiaries;

 

(e)           each Foreign Subsidiary may sell, discount or otherwise dispose of accounts receivable in connection with any transaction, the primary purpose of which is to provide financing for such Foreign Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate amount of all such financings shall not exceed a principal amount of €50,000,000, or the equivalent of such amount, at any one time outstanding; provided , further , that the amount of any such financing shall be deemed to be Indebtedness hereunder and shall not exceed the total amount of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.3(g);

 

(f)           each of Holdco and its Subsidiaries may grant licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases in the ordinary course of business to other Persons not materially interfering with the conduct of the business of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(g)           sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) Investments (excluding Investments in the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary) permitted by clauses (b), (c), (k) and (o) of Section 6.5 and (ii) other Investments to the extent required by or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements made in the ordinary course of business between the parties to agreements related thereto; provided , in each case, that such sales, transfer or dispositions are made for fair value and for at least 80% cash consideration;

 

(h)           dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Group Member or its Subsidiaries;

 

(i)           sales, transfers and dispositions to the extent necessary to effect a transaction otherwise permitted under Section 6.2; provided that if in connection with such transaction the direct or indirect interest of Holdco in a Group Member is reduced, such transaction shall be treated as a disposition of such interest to the extent of such reduction for purposes of this Section 6.6 which is permitted if and only if permitted by a clause other than this clause (i);

 

(j)           Holdco and its Subsidiaries may sell the assets described on Schedule 6.6(j);

 

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(k)          sales in arm’s length transactions, at fair market value and for at least 80% cash consideration, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75,000,000;

 

(l)           other sales of assets having a fair market value not in excess of $20,000,000 in the aggregate; and

 

(m)          sales of assets not constituting ABL Collateral and otherwise permitted by the Secured Notes Indenture as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

6.7           Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements .

 

(a)           No Group Member will declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so; provided, however, that (i) any of Holdco’s Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions ratably to its equity holders, (ii) beginning on July 1, 2008 and except during a Trigger Period, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, Holdco may, or may make distributions to Holdings so that Holdings may, repurchase its Equity Interests owned by employees, officers, directors or consultants of Holdings, Holdco or the Subsidiaries or make payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants of Holdings, Holdco or the Subsidiaries in connection with the exercise of stock options (including for purposes of paying tax withholding applicable to stock option exercises), stock appreciation rights or similar equity incentives or equity based incentives pursuant to management incentive plans or in connection with the death, disability, retirement or termination of such employees in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 in aggregate (plus the amount of Net Cash Proceeds (x) received by Holdco subsequent to the ABL Closing Date from sales of Equity Interests of Holdco or, to the extent contributed to Holdco, any of Holdco direct or indirect parents, to directors, consultants, officers or employees of Holdco, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdco in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements and (y) of any key-man life insurance policies received by Holdco or its Subsidiaries), (iii) Holdco may make Restricted Payments to Holdings (x) in an amount not to exceed, when taken together with the aggregate amount of all loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.5(i) for such purposes, $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to the extent necessary to pay general corporate and overhead expenses incurred by Holdings in the ordinary course of business and (y) in an amount necessary to pay Holdings Tax liabilities (in an assumed amount equal to the hypothetical tax liability of the holders of Equity Interests in Holdings, calculated at the maximum combined net Federal, State and local income tax rate applicable to any holder of an Equity Interest in Holdings, in respect of the net taxable income of the Holdco Group); provided that all Restricted Payments made to Holdings pursuant to clause (iii) shall be used by Holdings for the purpose specified herein within 25 days of the receipt thereof, (iv) Holdco may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests; provided that such additional Equity Interests shall not have any mandatory redemption or similar provisions, (v) Holdings and its Subsidiaries may make non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants and (vi) any Group Member may make any Restricted Payment if both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the First Priority Leverage Ratio does not exceed 2.25 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

(b)           The Borrower will not, and Holdco will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any contractual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of Holdco to: (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests to any Group Member, (ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to any Group Member, (iii) make any loans or advances to any Group Member; or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to any Group Member, in each case, except for Permitted Restrictions.

 

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6.8            Transactions with Affiliates .  Except for transactions by or among Loan Parties, no Group Member will sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except that (a) any Group Member may engage in any of the foregoing transactions with an Affiliate in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to either such Group Member than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) Restricted Payments may be made to the extent provided in Section 6.7, (c) fees, customary indemnities and reimbursements for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates may be paid to the Sponsor or any such Affiliates (directly or through Holdings) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any fiscal year (including, without limitation, amounts paid by Sponsor or any such Affiliates to employees, agents, professionals or consultants hired or retained by Sponsor or any such Affiliates (collectively, the “Consultants”), as payment for services rendered by such employees, agents, professionals and consultants for the benefit of a Group Member), in each case in connection with their performance of management, consulting, monitoring, financial advisory or other services with respect to Holdco and the Subsidiaries, provided that (i) no fees may be paid to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates if at the time a Default exists (though any such unpaid fees may be paid after such Default no longer exists) and (ii) reimbursement of the Sponsor or any such Affiliates for amounts paid to Consultants retained by the Sponsor for the benefit of Holdco shall not count against the $2,500,000 limitation above, (d) Group Members may pay (directly or through Holdings) reasonable fees and out-of-pocket costs to directors of Holdco (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), and compensation and employee benefits to (and indemnities provided for the benefit of) directors, officers or employees of Holdco (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), in each case in the ordinary course of business, (e) Holdco and its Subsidiaries may enter into, and may make payments (directly or through Holdings) under, employment agreements, employee benefits plans, stock option plans, management incentive plans, indemnification provisions, severance arrangements, and other similar compensatory arrangements with officers, employees and directors of Holdco (directly or through Holdings) and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (f) periodic allocations of overhead expenses among Holdco and its Subsidiaries may be made, (g) Group Members may make payments pursuant to tax sharing agreements among Holdco (and any direct or indirect parent thereof), and its Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdco and its Subsidiaries, (h) any issuances of securities or other payments (directly or through Holdings), awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options, management investment plans and stock ownership plans approved by Holdco (or its direct or indirect parent company’s) or Holdco’s board of directors shall be permitted, and (i) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence on the ABL Closing Date and listed on Schedule 6.8, or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the L/C Participants in any material respect, shall be permitted.

 

6.9            Limitations On Hedging Agreements .  No Group Member will enter into any Hedging Agreement other than (a) any such agreement or arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practice to hedge or mitigate risks to which a Group Member is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities or (b) any such agreement entered into to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practice; provided that in each case such agreements or arrangements shall not have been entered into for speculative purposes.

 

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6.10         Other Indebtedness .  No Group Member will permit any waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release of any indenture, instrument or agreement pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness of Holdco or any of the Subsidiaries is outstanding if the effect of such waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release would materially increase the obligations of the obligor or confer additional rights on the holder of such Indebtedness in a manner materially adverse to Holdco, any of the Subsidiaries or the L/C Participants.

 

6.11         [Reserved]

 

6.12         Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio .  At all times during each period that the Borrower shall be subject to a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under the ABL Facility, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will not be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

 

SECTION 7.           EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

7.1           Events of Default .  In the case of the happening of any of the following events and the continuance thereof beyond the applicable grace period, if any, specified below with respect thereto (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a)           any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party in any Transaction Document or in connection with the Transaction Documents or the credit extensions hereunder or any statement or representation made in any report, financial statement, certificate or other document furnished by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant under or in connection with the Transaction Documents, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when made or delivered; or

 

(b)           default shall be made in the payment of any (i) fees, interest or other amounts payable under the Transaction Documents when due (other than amounts set forth in clause (ii) hereof), and such default shall continue unremedied for more than three (3) Business Days or (ii) principal of any Reimbursement Obligations or cash collateralization in respect of Letters of Credit, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise; or

 

(c)           default shall be made by any Group Member in the due observance or performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.2(a) or Section 6 hereof; or

 

(d)           default shall be made by any Group Member in the due observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or agreement to be observed or performed pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents and such default shall continue unremedied for more than thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Administrative Agent provides notice thereof to such Group Member and (ii) the first date on which a Financial Officer of any Group Member has knowledge thereof; or

 

(e)           an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary), or of a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, Holdco or a Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary), under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, Holdco or a Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary) or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or

 

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(f)           Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (e) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, Holdco or any Subsidiary (other than a Liquidating Subsidiary or a Non-Material Subsidiary), (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

 

(g)           (i) any Group Member shall (i) fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, or (ii) any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; or

 

(h)           [Reserved];

 

(i)           [Reserved];

 

(j)           any material provision of any Transaction Document shall, for any reason, cease to be valid and binding on any Loan Party purportedly bound thereby, or any Loan Party shall so assert in writing; or

 

(k)           [Reserved];

 

(l)           any judgment or order in excess of $35,000,000 (exclusive of any judgment or order the amounts of which are fully covered by insurance (less any applicable deductible) and as to which the insurer has acknowledged its responsibility to cover such judgment or order) shall be rendered against any Group Member and shall remain unsatisfied and unstayed for 30 days; or

 

(m)           any non-monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against any Group Member which has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(n)           any Termination Event described in clauses (c) or (d) of the definition of such term shall have occurred and any Lien arising as a result of such Termination Event shall have been perfected or any Person shall have obtained relief from the automatic stay to enforce such Lien or any Insufficiency; or

 

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(o)           (i) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate thereof shall have been notified by the sponsor or trustee of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan, (ii) such Loan Party or such ERISA Affiliate does not have reasonable grounds, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to contest such Withdrawal Liability and is not in fact contesting such Withdrawal Liability in a timely and appropriate manner, and (iii) the amount of such Withdrawal Liability specified in such notice, when aggregated with all other amounts required to be paid by the Loan Parties and their ERISA Affiliates to Multiemployer Plans in connection with Withdrawal Liabilities (determined as of the date of such notification), could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(p)           any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate thereof shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if such reorganization or termination could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(q)           any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate shall have committed a failure described in Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA (other than the failure to make any contribution for which a funding waiver has been applied for and not denied), and such failure could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

then in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in paragraphs (e) or (f) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (including all amounts of Reimbursement Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required L/C Participants, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required L/C Participants, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required L/C Participants, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required L/C Participants, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare all amounts (with accrued interest thereon) owing under this Agreement to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. In the event that any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding and shall not yet have been presented for honor with a drawing amount equal to the aggregate amount then available to be drawn thereunder at the time any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either such Event of Default is of the type specified in paragraphs (e) or (f) above or the Administrative Agent has taken the action referred to in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent in the name of the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the L/C Participants and the Issuing Lender an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letter of Credit plus any then accrued and unpaid fees (including amounts owed under Section 2 of the Pricing Agreement). Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letter of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after such Letter of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower then due and payable hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents. After such Letter of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such cash collateral account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in such cash collateral account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be as described in clauses (a) through (e) of Permitted Investments (at the Borrower’s risk and expense), such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such cash collateral account. Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

 

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7.2            Remedies .  If at any time there shall occur and be continuing any action for a temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction, beneficiary wrongful dishonor action or the issuance or commencement of any similar order, action or event in connection with any Letter of Credit or this Agreement or any Drawing Document, which order, action or event may apply, directly or indirectly, to the Issuing Lender or which otherwise threatens to extend or increase the Issuing Lender’s contingent liability beyond the time, amount or other limit provided in such Letter of Credit or this Agreement then the Borrower shall, upon the Administrative Agent’s demand, deliver to the Administrative Agent, as additional security for the Credit Obligations, cash in an amount required by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 8.           THE AGENT

 

8.1            Appointment; Authorization .  Each L/C Participant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such L/C Participant under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and each such L/C Participant irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any L/C Participant, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

 

8.2            Delegation of Duties .  The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

 

8.3            Exculpatory Provisions .  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the L/C Participants for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to any L/C Participant to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower.

 

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8.4            Reliance .  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy or email message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required L/C Participants (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all L/C Participants) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the L/C Participants against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with a request of the Required L/C Participants (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all L/C Participants), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the L/C Participants.

 

8.5            Notice of Default .  Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from an L/C Participant or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the L/C Participants and may (but shall not be obligated to) publicly disclose the purported existence of such Default or Event of Default. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required L/C Participants (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all L/C Participants); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the L/C Participants.

 

8.6            Non-Reliance .  Each L/C Participant expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by either the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any affiliate of the Borrower, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender to any L/C Participant. Each L/C Participant represents to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any other L/C Participant, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its extensions of credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each L/C Participant also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any other L/C Participant, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the L/C Participants by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any L/C Participant with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 

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8.7            Indemnification .  The L/C Participants agree to indemnify each of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “Agent Indemnitee”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Commitment Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Reimbursement Obligations shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Commitment Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Reimbursement Obligations) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no L/C Participant shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of all amounts payable hereunder.

 

8.8            Agent in Its Individual Capacity .  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender and each of their respective affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such entity were not an administrative agent or issuing lender hereunder. With respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents as any L/C Participant and may exercise the same as though it were not an administrative agent or issuing lender hereunder, and the terms “L/C Participant” and “L/C Participants” shall include each of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in its individual capacity.

 

8.9            Successor Administrative Agent .  The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to the L/C Participants and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, then the Required L/C Participants shall, with, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the consent of the Borrower, appoint from among the L/C Participants a successor agent for the L/C Participants, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the L/C Participants shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required L/C Participants appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8 and of Section 9.5 shall continue to inure to its benefit.

 

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SECTION 9.           MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1           Amendments and Waivers .

 

(a)           Neither this Agreement, any other Transaction Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1. The Required L/C Participants and each Loan Party party to the relevant Transaction Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required L/C Participants, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Transaction Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Transaction Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or changing in any manner the rights and obligations of the L/C Participants or of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required L/C Participants or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided , however , that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount of any Reimbursement Obligation, reduce the stated rate of any fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any L/C Participant’s Commitment, in each case without the written consent of each L/C Participant directly and adversely affected thereby; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any L/C Participant under this Section 9.1 without the written consent of such L/C Participant; (iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required L/C Participants or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in each case without the written consent of all L/C Participants; (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 8 or any other provision of this Agreement that affects the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2 that directly and adversely affects the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; or (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2 or of Exhibit A, in each case that directly and adversely affects the Issuing Lender, without the written consent of the Issuing Lender. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the L/C Participants and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the L/C Participants, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the L/C Participants and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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(b)           Notwithstanding Section 9.1(a) or any other provision herein, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants agree that, so long as the ABL Facility is in effect, then if any term, covenant, condition or other provision contained in the ABL Facility is amended or modified, or the requisite “Lenders” under the ABL Facility grant any consent, waiver or approval with respect to any such term, covenant, condition or provision, and a corresponding term, covenant, condition or provision of such term, covenant, condition or provision is (x) contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (y) is the same as such term, covenant, condition or provision in the ABL Facility in all material respects, then such term, covenant, condition or provision contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall be deemed amended, modified or waived, as applicable, or the L/C Participants shall be deemed to have granted a similar consent or approval, to the same extent amended, modified, waived, consented to or approved of under the ABL Facility, effective hereunder or under the applicable Transaction Document from when such amendment, modification, waiver, consent or approval becomes effective thereunder, automatically and without any action necessary by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the L/C Participants; provided that the provisions of this sentence shall not apply to (i) any amendment, modification, waiver, consent, or approval that would affect the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants in their capacities as such materially different from the “Administrative Agent” or the “Issuing Lender” under the ABL Facility and (ii) any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or approval the effect of which is to (A) change the Commitment of any L/C Participant or subject any L/C Participant to any additional obligations, (B) reduce the amount of reimbursement obligations, the rate of interest or any fees payable under any of the Transaction Documents or (C) change the date fixed for payment of any reimbursement obligations, any interest or any fees hereunder . The Borrower agrees to provide the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant with a draft of any such amendment, modification, waiver consent or approval as soon as practicable but no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the execution thereof, and an executed copy of such amendment, modification, waiver, consent or approval within three (3) Business Days of execution thereof. The Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants agree to execute and deliver promptly, and in any event within 30 days of the Borrower’s request to the Administrative Agent, a document in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to reflect any such amendment, modification, waiver, consent or approval pursuant to this Section 9.1(b), provided, that the execution and delivery of such document shall not be a condition to the effectiveness of such amendment, modification, waiver, consent or approval. For purposes of this 9.1(b), “ABL Facility” shall mean the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, by and among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as such agreement or any replacement agreement as may be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented, replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended or otherwise modified from time to time to time, so long as the ABL Facility or the successor facility is an asset-based revolving facility with aggregate commitments in excess of $50,000,000.

 

9.2            Notices .  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) in the case of the L/C Participants, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto, provided that any material non-public information provided by the Borrower to the Administrative shall only be provided to the Designated Contact.

 

Borrower: Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC
  17672 N. Laurel Park Drive
  Suite 400E
  Livonia, Michigan 48152
  Attn: James Gouin
  Telecopy: (248) 675-6459

 

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with a copy to: Lowenstein Sandler PC
  1251 Avenue of the Americas
  18 th Floor
  New York, New York 10020
  Attn: Lowell A. Cintron, Esq.
  Telecopy: (973) 422-6809
   
Administrative Agent, Issuing
Lender and Designated Andrew C. Faherty
Contact: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
4 New York Plaza, Floor 16
  New York, New York 10004
  Telecopy: (212) 623-4170
  Telephone: (212) 623-1973
  Email: Andrew.Faherty@jpmorgan.com

 

provided further that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the L/C Participants shall not be effective until received.

 

Notices and other communications to the L/C Participants hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Participant. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

9.3            No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies .  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

9.4            Survival of Representations and Warranties .  All representations and warranties made and indemnity obligations undertaken hereunder, in the other Transaction Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of extensions of credit hereunder.

 

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9.5            Payment of Expenses and Taxes, Indemnities .  (a) Subject to Section 5.5 of the Pricing Agreement, the Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender for all its reasonable, out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, execution and delivery of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to pay or reimburse each L/C Participant, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable, out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and any such other documents, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel to each L/C Participant and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each L/C Participant, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other similar taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and any other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold each L/C Participant, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent and their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) harmless from and against any and all other losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses including the fees, charges and disbursement of any counsel for the Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Transaction Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Holdco Group, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Holdco Group, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. All amounts due pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.5 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall be submitted at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 9.2 or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements in this Section 9.5 shall survive repayment of all amounts payable hereunder.

 

(b)           Section 9.5(a) shall apply to the Issuing Lender and each related Indemnitee notwithstanding the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.5(a).

 

9.6            Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments .  (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each L/C Participant (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no L/C Participant may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.

 

(b)           (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(2) below, any L/C Participant may assign to one or more commercial banks having a total assets in excess of $2,000,000,000 (two billion dollars) (each, an “ Assignee ”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments) with the prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, of:

 

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(A)          the Administrative Agent; and

 

(B)          so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower (it being understood that the Borrower’s consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned or delayed).

 

(ii)          Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)          except in the case of an assignment to an L/C Participant, an affiliate of an L/C Participant or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning L/C Participant’s Commitments, the amount of the Commitments of the assigning L/C Participant subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent and (unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) the Borrower otherwise consent (it being understood that the Borrower’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), provided that such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each L/C Participant and its Affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

 

(B)          (1) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and (2) the assigning L/C Participant shall have paid in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(C)          the Assignee, if it shall not be an L/C Participant, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

(iii)         Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of an L/C Participant under this Agreement, and the assigning L/C Participant thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning L/C Participant’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 9.5). Any assignment or transfer by an L/C Participant of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such L/C Participant of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

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(iv)          The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the L/C Participants, and the Commitments of, principal amounts (and stated interest) and L/C Exposure of, each L/C Participant pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as an L/C Participant hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any L/C Participant at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)           Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning L/C Participant and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be an L/C Participant hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)           (i) Any L/C Participant may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such L/C Participant’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments owing to it); provided that (A)  such L/C Participant’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such L/C Participant shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other L/C Participants shall continue to deal solely and directly with such L/C Participant in connection with such L/C Participant’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which an L/C Participant sells such a participation shall provide that such L/C Participant shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such L/C Participant will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each L/C Participant directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 9.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of, and subject to the requirements of, Sections 2.12 and 2.13 to the same extent as if it were an L/C Participant and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.7(b) as though it were an L/C Participant, provided that such Participant shall be subject to Section 9.7(a) as though it were an L/C Participant. Each L/C Participant that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Commitments or other obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no L/C Participant shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations . The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such L/C Participant shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

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(ii)          A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12 or 2.13 than the applicable L/C Participant would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. For the avoidance of doubt, any Participant that is a Non-U.S. L/C Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.13 unless such Participant complies with Sections 2.13(e) and (f) as if it were an L/C Participant.

 

(d)           Any L/C Participant may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such L/C Participant, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release an L/C Participant from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such L/C Participant as a party hereto.

 

9.7            Adjustments; Set-off .  (a) Except to the extent that this Agreement or a court order expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular L/C Participant, if any L/C Participant (a “ Benefited L/C Participant ”) shall receive any payment of all or part of the Credit Obligations owing to it (other than in connection with an assignment made pursuant to Section 9.6), or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other L/C Participant, if any, in respect of the Credit Obligations owing to such other L/C Participant, such Benefited L/C Participant shall purchase for cash from the other L/C Participants a participating interest in such portion of the Credit Obligations owing to each such other L/C Participant, or shall provide such other L/C Participants with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited L/C Participant to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the L/C Participants; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited L/C Participant, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

 

(b)           In addition to any rights and remedies of the L/C Participants provided by law, each L/C Participant shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any Credit Obligations becoming due and payable by the Borrower (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to apply to the payment of such Credit Obligations, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such L/C Participant, or any of its respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower. Each L/C Participant agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such L/C Participant, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.

 

9.8            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

9.9            Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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9.10          Integration; Headings .  This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Participant relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Transaction Documents.

 

9.11         GOVERNING LAW .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

9.12         Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers .  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)           submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or any Letter of Credit, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)           consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c)           agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 9.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(d)           agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

 

(e)           waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; and

 

(f)           waives any claim for itself or its revenues or properties of any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from legal process (whether from service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) in respect of the Credit Obligations.

 

9.13         Acknowledgements .  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)           it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

 

(b)           neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Lender nor any L/C Participant has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, and the relationship between the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, on one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

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(c)           no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Transaction Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the L/C Participants or among the Borrower and the L/C Participants.

 

9.14          Confidentiality .  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants agrees to keep any information delivered or made available by any Loan Party to it confidential from anyone other than persons employed or retained by them who are or are expected to become engaged in evaluating, approving, structuring or administering this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any of the foregoing parties from disclosing such information (a) to any of their employees, partners, officers, directors, agents, legal counsel, independent auditors, advisors or Affiliates (or to any of such Affiliates’ employees, partners, officers, directors, agents, legal counsel, independent auditors or advisors) or to any other L/C Participant, provided such Person agrees to keep such information confidential to the same extent required hereunder, (b) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations hereunder, provided such Person agrees to keep such information confidential to the same extent required hereunder, (c) to any rating agency when required by it, provided such Person agrees to keep such information confidential to the same extent required hereunder, (d) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or authority, (f) which has been publicly disclosed other than as a result of a disclosure by any of the foregoing parties which is not permitted by this Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation to which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and L/C Participants, or their respective Affiliates may be a party to the extent reasonably required, (h) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder and, to any actual or proposed participant or assignee of all or part of its right hereunder or (i) as permitted under the Pricing Agreement . The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants shall use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower prior to making any disclosure under clauses (d) and (e) of this Section 9.14, unless prohibited by law, regulation or order of any court or administrative agency. In addition, the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant may disclose the existence of this Agreement and the information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar services providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Participants in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

Each L/C Participant acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each L/C Participant represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

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9.15          WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL .  THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER AND THE L/C PARTICIPANTS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TANSACTION DOCUMENTS AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

9.16          USA PATRIOT Act .  Each L/C Participant hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Patriot Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such L/C Participant to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

9.17          Judgment Currency .

 

(a)           The Loan Parties’ obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents to make payments in Dollars shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than Dollars, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent or the respective L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender of the full amount of Dollars expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent or such L/C Participant or the Issuing Lender under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Loan Party in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than Dollars (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “ Judgment Currency ”) an amount due in Dollars, the conversion shall be made at the Dollar Equivalent determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “ Judgment Currency Conversion Date ”).

 

(b)           If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Loan Parties shall pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.

 

(c)           For purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent or any other rate of exchange for this Section 9.17 such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of Dollars.

 

9.18          Unsecured Obligation .  For the avoidance of doubt, the Credit Obligations under this Agreement and each other Transaction Document shall be unsecured obligations of the Borrower. In no event shall the Credit Obligations be secured by any property in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates thereof has granted or may grant a security interest in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates pursuant to transactions not governed by this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participant under this Agreement, waives its right of payment by setoff solely with regards to identifiable proceeds from the disposition of collateral pursuant to the exercise of rights and remedies by the administrative agent under the ABL Facility.

 

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[Signature Pages Follow]

 

65
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

   

 

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS USA,

LLC

 

  By: /s/ Mark M. Malcolm
  Name: Mark M. Malcolm
  Title: President

 

  TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

  By:   /s/ Mark M. Malcolm
  Name: Mark M. Malcolm
  Title: President

 

Signature Page – L/C Facility Agreement
 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative

Agent and Issuing Lender

 

  By: /s/ Andrew C. Faherty
  Name: Andrew C. Faherty
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – L/C Facility Agreement
 

 

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as L/C Participant

 

  By:  /s/ Andrew C. Faherty
  Name: Andrew C. Faherty
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – L/C Facility Agreement

 

Exhibit 10.57

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL

17672 Laurel Park Drive N

Suite 400E

Livonia, MI 48152

 

December 19, 2011

 

Mr. James C. Gouin

CFO

Tower International, Inc.

 

Dear Jim:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Employment Agreement, as amended, between Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC (the “Company”) and you dated as of November 1, 2007, as extended by letter agreements dated as of September 2009 and June 7, 2010 (as so extended, the “Employment Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this letter agreement and not specifically defined in this letter agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement. The principal purpose of this letter agreement is to memorialize the extension of the employment relationship under the Employment Agreement (as contemplated by Section 2 of the Employment Agreement).

 

Subject to your acceptance of the terms set forth in this letter (by signing the enclosed copy of this letter and returning it to the undersigned within the time frame provided):

 

1.           Extension Notice. This letter shall serve as the Company’s written notice to you of its intention to extend the Term of the Employment Agreement and shall be deemed the Extension Notice contemplated under Section 2 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.           Term. Section 2 of your Employment Agreement is hereby amended to permit the Company to extend your Employment Agreement for periods of either one, two or three years (rather than just one-year or two-year extension periods). To effect this change, the second sentence of Section 2 is hereby amended and restated to read:

 

“Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term (as defined below), if any, this Agreement and the employment relationship hereunder may be extended for an additional period of one (1) or, if you agree, two (2) or up to three (3) years, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 5, (each, an “Additional Term”), in each such case commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, but only if, at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, the Company shall have given written notice to the Employee of its intention to extend the Term of this Agreement and the time period (one or, if you agree, two or three years) of the extension (the “Extension Notice”).”

 

The second Additional Term of your Employment Agreement, which commenced on November 1, 2010 and was heretofore scheduled to expire on October 31, 2012, shall be extended until December 31, 2014 (the “Extended Second Additional Term”).

 

3.           Base Salary. During the course of the Extended Second Additional Term, and pursuant to Section 4.1 of your Employment Agreement, on an annual basis the Compensation Committee shall consider whether to increase your base salary, and such increases, if any, shall take effect on January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

 

4.           Severance Amount. The modifications made in the calculation of the Severance Amount set forth in your letter agreement dated as of June 7, 2010 remain in full force and effect.

 

5.           Restricted Stock Units. Concurrent with your execution of this letter agreement, you shall be awarded restricted stock units covering shares of the common stock of Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) having a Fair Market Value (as defined in Tower’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan), as of the date of such award, of $1,000,000. The terms of such restricted stock units shall be governed by a restricted stock unit agreement executed contemporaneously with your execution of this letter agreement.

 

Except as specifically set forth in this letter, all terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.

 

 
 

 

Please acknowledge your understanding and agreement with the terms set forth in this letter agreement by signing the enclosed copy of this letter agreement and returning it to the undersigned on or before December 31, 2011. If you do not sign and return this letter agreement within the time frame provided, this letter agreement (including, without limitation, the Extension Notice) shall be void and of no force and effect and no such restricted stock units shall be granted.

 

We look forward to your continued service to the Company.

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.  
   
By: /s/ Bill Cook  
Name: William Cook  
Title: Senior Vice President  

 

Agreed and accepted this  
20th day of December, 2011  
   
/s/ James C. Gouin  
James C. Gouin  

 

 

Exhibit 10.58

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL

17672 Laurel Park Drive N

Suite 400E

Livonia, MI 48152

 

December 19, 2011

 

Mr. Mark M. Malcolm

President & CEO

Tower International, Inc

 

Dear Mark:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Employment Agreement, as amended, between Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC (the “Company”) and you dated as of August 1, 2007, as extended by letter agreements dated as of June 29, 2009 and June 1, 2010 (as so extended, the “Employment Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this letter agreement and not specifically defined in this letter agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement. The principal purpose of this letter agreement is to memorialize the extension of the employment relationship under the Employment Agreement (as contemplated by Section 2 of the Employment Agreement).

 

Subject to your acceptance of the terms set forth in this letter (by signing the enclosed copy of this letter and returning it to the undersigned within the time frame provided):

 

1.            Extension Notice. This letter shall serve as the Company’s written notice to you of its intention to extend the Term of the Employment Agreement and shall be deemed the Extension Notice contemplated under Section 2 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.            Term. Section 2 of your Employment Agreement is hereby amended to permit the Company to extend your Employment Agreement for periods of either one, two or three years (rather than just one-year or two-year extension periods). To effect this change, the second sentence of Section 2 is hereby amended and restated to read:

 

“Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term (as defined below), if any, this Agreement and the employment relationship hereunder may be extended for an additional period of one (1) or, if you agree, two (2) or up to three (3) years, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 5, (each, an “Additional Term”), in each such case commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, but only if, at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, the Company shall have given written notice to the Employee of its intention to extend the Term of this Agreement and the time period (one or, if you agree, two or three years) of the extension (the “Extension Notice”).”

 

The second Additional Term of your Employment Agreement, which commenced on August 1, 2010 and was heretofore scheduled to expire on July 31, 2012, shall be extended until December 31, 2014 (the “Extended Second Additional Term”).

 

3.            Base Salary. During the course of the Extended Second Additional Term, and pursuant to Section 4.1 of your Employment Agreement, on an annual basis the Compensation Committee shall consider whether to increase your base salary, and such increases, if any, shall take effect on January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

 

4.            Severance Amount. The modifications made in the calculation of the Severance Amount set forth in your letter agreement dated as of June 1, 2010 remain in full force and effect.

 

5.            Restricted Stock Units. Concurrent with your execution of this letter agreement, you shall be awarded restricted stock units covering shares of the common stock of Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) having a Fair Market Value (as defined in Tower’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan), as of the date of such award, of $3,000,000. The terms of such restricted stock units shall be governed by a restricted stock unit agreement executed contemporaneously with your execution of this letter agreement.

 

Except as specifically set forth in this letter, all terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.

 

 
 

 

Please acknowledge your understanding and agreement with the terms set forth in this letter agreement by signing the enclosed copy of this letter agreement and returning it to the undersigned on or before December 31, 2011. If you do not sign and return this letter agreement within the time frame provided, this letter agreement (including, without limitation, the Extension Notice) shall be void and of no force and effect and no such restricted stock units shall be granted.

 

We look forward to your continued service to the Company.

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

By: /s/ Bill Cook  
Name: William Cook
Title: Senior Vice President
 
Agreed and accepted this
20th day of December, 2011
 
/s/ Mark M. Malcom  
Mark M. Malcolm

   

 

Exhibit 10.59

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL

17672 Laurel Park Drive N

Suite 400E

Livonia, MI 48152

 

December 19, 2011

 

Mr. Miljko Rajkovic

COO

Tower International, Inc.

 

Dear Mike:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Employment Agreement, as amended, between Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC (the “Company”) and you dated as of August 16, 2007, as extended by letter agreements dated as of June 18, 2009 and June 4, 2010 (as so extended, the “Employment Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this letter agreement and not specifically defined in this letter agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement. The principal purpose of this letter agreement is to memorialize the extension of the employment relationship under the Employment Agreement (as contemplated by Section 2 of the Employment Agreement).

 

Subject to your acceptance of the terms set forth in this letter (by signing the enclosed copy of this letter and returning it to the undersigned within the time frame provided):

 

1.           Extension Notice. This letter shall serve as the Company’s written notice to you of its intention to extend the Term of the Employment Agreement and shall be deemed the Extension Notice contemplated under Section 2 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.           Term. Section 2 of your Employment Agreement is hereby amended to permit the Company to extend your Employment Agreement for periods of either one, two or three years (rather than just one-year or two-year extension periods). To effect this change, the second sentence of Section 2 is hereby amended and restated to read:

 

“Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term (as defined below), if any, this Agreement and the employment relationship hereunder may be extended for an additional period of one (1) or, if you agree, two (2) or up to three (3) years, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 5, (each, an “Additional Term”), in each such case commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, but only if, at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Additional Term, as the case may be, the Company shall have given written notice to the Employee of its intention to extend the Term of this Agreement and the time period (one or, if you agree, two or three years) of the extension (the “Extension Notice”).”

 

The second Additional Term of your Employment Agreement, which commenced on August 16, 2010 and was heretofore scheduled to expire on August 15, 2012, shall be extended until December 31, 2014 (the “Extended Second Additional Term”).

 

3.           Base Salary. During the course of the Extended Second Additional Term, and pursuant to Section 4.1 of your Employment Agreement, on an annual basis the Compensation Committee shall consider whether to increase your base salary, and such increases, if any, shall take effect on January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

 

4.           Severance Amount. The modifications made in the calculation of the Severance Amount set forth in your letter agreement dated as of June 4, 2010 remain in full force and effect.

 

5.           Restricted Stock Units. Concurrent with your execution of this letter agreement, you shall be awarded restricted stock units covering shares of the common stock of Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) having a Fair Market Value (as defined in Tower’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan), as of the date of such award, of $1,000,000. The terms of such restricted stock units shall be governed by a restricted stock unit agreement executed contemporaneously with your execution of this letter agreement.

 

Except as specifically set forth in this letter, all terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.

 

Please acknowledge your understanding and agreement with the terms set forth in this letter agreement by signing the enclosed copy of this letter agreement and returning it to the undersigned on or before December 31, 2011. If you do not sign and return this letter agreement within the time frame provided, this letter agreement (including, without limitation, the Extension Notice) shall be void and of no force and effect and no such restricted stock units shall be granted.

 

We look forward to your continued service to the Company.

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

By: /s/ Bill Cook  
Name: William Cook  
Title: Senior Vice President  

 

 
 

 

Agreed and accepted this

20th day of December, 2011

 

/s/ Miljko Rajkovic  
Miljko Rajkovic  

 

 

 

 Exhibit 10.60 

CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED AS TO CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT. EACH SUCH PORTION, WHICH HAS BEEN OMITTED HEREIN AND REPLACED WITH AN ASTERISK [*], HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

THIRD AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) dated January 24, 2011, effective as of December 3, 2010, by and between CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Landlord ”), with an address c/o W. P. Carey & Co. LLC, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10020, and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (successors in interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool, LLC) (collectively, “ Tenant ”), with its principal address at 17672 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 400E, Livonia, MI 48152.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Lease Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2002, (the “ Original Lease ”) pursuant to which Landlord leased to Tenant and Tenant leased from Landlord the Granite City Premises, the Kendallville Premises, the Clinton Premises and the Upper Sandusky Premises, as more specifically described in the Original Lease, which Original Lease was amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2002 (the “ First Amendment ”), and that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007 (the “ Second Amendment ”, collectively with the Original Lease and the First Amendment, the “ Lease ”);

 

WHEREAS, Totall Metal Recycling, Inc., an Illinois corporation (“ Purchaser ”) purchased the Granite City Premises from Landlord pursuant to that certain Agreement of Purchase and Sale, dated as of July 28, 2010, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement of Purchase and Sale, dated as of October 21, 2010 (collectively, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and between Landlord, as seller, Purchaser, as buyer and Tenant;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Change of Premises . Exhibit “A-1” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is hereby inserted in lieu thereof:

 

“Intentionally deleted.”

 

2. Percentage Allocation . Exhibit “F” of the Lease (“Premise Percentage Allocation of Basic Rent”) shall be replaced with Exhibit “F” attached hereto.

 

3. Basic Rent . Pursuant to Paragraph 1(a)(iii)(A) of Exhibit “D” of the Lease (as set forth in the Second Amendment), commencing as of the date of this Amendment which date is the First Purchase Option Closing Date, Basic Rent per annum shall be [*], subject to the adjustments set forth in Exhibit “D” of the Lease.

 

 
 

 

4. Security Deposit . Within ten (10) business days from the date of this Agreement, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a Letter of Credit or Cash Security Deposit in the amount of [*] which Landlord shall hold in accordance with the terms of the Lease. Within five (5) business days after the later to occur of (i) and (ii) above, Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Letter of Credit in the amount of [*] currently being held by Lender to be returned to Tenant. For the avoidance of doubt and pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Second Amendment, on the first anniversary of the First Purchase Option Closing Date, Landlord may draw on the full amount of the Letter of Credit or withdraw the full Cash Security Deposit being held which amount Landlord may use towards the reimbursement of defeasance Costs incurred in connection with the release of the Granite City Premises.

 

5. Purchase . The parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Lease, the sale of the Granite City Premises to Purchaser in accordance with the Purchase Agreement is affirmed, and the Granite City Premises shall no longer be subject to the Lease provided that Tenant shall continue to be liable for any Surviving Obligations with respect to the Granite City Premises. For purposes of clarity, and without limiting the foregoing, the parties agree that all costs and expenses associated with and incident to the sale of the Granite City Premises, including in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(c) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

6. Modification . Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing herein is intended to or shall be deemed to modify or amend any of the other terms or provisions of the Lease.

 

7. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties thereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

8. Entire Agreement . This Amendment and the Lease together contain the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof. Any promises, representations, warranties or guarantees not herein or therein contained and hereinafter made shall have no force and effect unless in writing, and executed by the party or parties making such representations, warranties or guarantees. Neither this Amendment nor the Lease nor any portion or provisions hereof or thereof may be changed, modified, amended, waived, supplemented, discharged, cancelled or terminated orally or by any course of dealing, or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing, signed by the party to be charged.

 

9. Binding Agreement . This Amendment shall not be binding upon Landlord and Tenant until executed and delivered by both Landlord and Tenant and Lender has executed the Lender’s Consent attached hereto.

 

10. Enforceability . If any provision of this Amendment or its application to any person or circumstances is invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Amendment, or the applicability of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and shall be deemed to be separate from such invalid or unenforceable provisions and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

11. Definitions . All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Lease.

 

- 2 -
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  LANDLORD:
   
  CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership
   
    By: TOWER (DE) QRS 14-89, INC., its general partner
   
  By: /s/ Donna M. Neiley  
  Name: Donna M. Neiley
  Title: Senior Vice President
   
  TENANT:
   
  Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ James C. Gouin  
  Name: James C. Gouin  
  Title: Vice President & CFO  
   
  Tower Automotive Operations USA II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ James C. Gouin  
  Name: James C. Gouin  
  Title: Vice President & CFO  

 

- 3 -
 

 

GUARANTOR’S CONSENT

 

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Guarantor ”), the Guarantor of TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA I, LLC’s, a Delaware limited liability company and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA II, LLC’s, a Delaware limited liability company (singly and collectively “ Tenant ”) obligations under that certain Lease Agreement by and between Tenant, as tenant, and CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Landlord ”), as landlord, dated as of April 10, 2002, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2002, and as amended by that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, pursuant to that certain Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, dated as of the July 31, 2007, made by the Guarantor in favor of Landlord, does hereby consent to the terms and conditions of the Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2011, by and between Landlord and Tenant.

 

Consent given and effective as of this 24 day of January, 2011.

 

  TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
   
    By: TOWER INTERNATIONAL INC., its sole member
   
  By: /s/ James C. Gouin  
  Name: James C. Gouin  
  Title: Executive Vice President & CFO  

 

- 4 -
 

 

LENDER’S CONSENT

 

The undersigned, the servicer of that certain loan made on April 10, 2002 in the original principal amount of $19,878,130 made by Morgan Stanley Bank to Chassis (DE) Limited Partnership, hereby consents to the execution and delivery of this Third Amendment to Lease Agreement.

 

Consent given and effective as of this 24 th day of January, 2011.

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, successor-by-merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc., Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2003-TOP10
   
  By: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Master Servicer pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
   
  By: /s/ Eric H. Johnson  
  Name: Eric H. Johnson
  Title: Assistant Vice President

 

- 5 -
 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

PREMISES PERCENTAGE ALLOCATION OF BASIC RENT

AND

ADDITIONAL BASIC RENT

 

Kendallville, IN     22.26 %
Clinton, MI     68.61 %
Upper Sandusky, OH     9.13 %
TOTAL:     100.00 %

 

If any Related Premises ceases to be subject to this Lease, the percentage shown on this Exhibit F for each of the Related Premises which remains subject to this Lease shall be adjusted proportionately so that the total of such percentages shall be 100%.

 

- 6 -

 

 

Exhibit 10.61

 

CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED AS TO CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT. EACH SUCH PORTION, WHICH HAS BEEN OMITTED HEREIN AND REPLACED WITH AN ASTERISK [*], HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. 

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is dated October 3, 2011, and is by and among CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Landlord ”), with an address at c/o W. P. Carey & Co. LLC, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, 2 nd Floor, New York, New York, 10020, and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (successors-in-interest to Tower Automotive Products Company, Inc. and Tower Automotive Tool, LLC; collectively, “ Tenant ”), with an address at 17672 North Laurel Park Drive, Suite 400E, Livonia, Michigan, 48152. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Lease (hereinafter defined).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated April 10, 2002 (the “ Original Lease ”), pursuant to which Landlord leased to Tenant and Tenant leased from Landlord the Granite City Premises, the Kendallville Premises, the Clinton Premises and the Upper Sandusky Premises, as more specifically described in the Original Lease, which Original Lease was amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated October 9, 2002 (the “ First Amendment ”), that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated July 31, 2007 (the “ Second Amendment ”), and that certain Third Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 24, 2011 (the “ Third Amendment ”; collectively with the Original Lease, the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, the “ Lease ”);

 

WHEREAS, Locus Realty, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (“ Purchaser ”), shall purchase on October 3, 2011, the Kendallville Premises from Landlord pursuant to that certain Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated June 29, 2011, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated August 8, 2011 (collectively, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and among Landlord, as seller, Purchaser, as buyer, and Tenant;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged and agreed to by the parties, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions . Paragraph 2 of the Lease (“Definitions”) hereby is amended by deleting the definition of “Lease” and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

 

““Lease” shall mean the Original Lease as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated October 9, 2002, that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated July 31, 2007, that certain Third Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 24, 2011, and that certain Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement dated October 3, 2011.”

 

2. Premises . Exhibits “A-2” and “A-3” of the Lease hereby are deleted in their entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

 

“Intentionally omitted.”

 

 
 

 

3. Permitted Encumbrances . Exhibits “C-l”, “C-2”, “C-3” and “C-4” of the Lease hereby are deleted in their entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

 

“Intentionally omitted.”

 

4. Basic Rent . Pursuant to Paragraph l(a)(iii)(A) of Exhibit “D” of the Lease (as set forth in the Second Amendment), commencing as of the date of this Amendment, Basic Rent per annum shall be [*], subject to the adjustments set forth in Exhibit “D” of the Lease.

 

5. Acquisition Cost . Exhibit “E” of the Lease (“Acquisition Cost”) hereby is deleted in its entirety and is replaced with Exhibit “E” attached hereto.

 

6. Percentage Allocation . Exhibit “F” of the Lease (“Premise Percentage Allocation of Basic Rent”) hereby is deleted in its entirety and is replaced with Exhibit “F” attached hereto.

 

7. Floor Net Sales Prices . Exhibit “H” of the Lease (“Floor Net Sales Prices”) hereby is deleted in its entirety and is replaced with Exhibit “H” attached hereto.

 

8. Purchase . The parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Lease, the sale of the Kendallville Premises to Purchaser in accordance with the Purchase Agreement is affirmed, and the Kendallville Premises no longer shall be subject to the Lease, provided that Tenant shall continue to be liable for any Surviving Obligations with respect to the Kendallville Premises. For avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the foregoing, the parties hereby agree that all costs and expenses associated with and incident to the sale of the Kendallville Premises, including in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(c) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

9. Modification . Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing herein is intended to or shall be deemed to amend or modify any of the other provisions or terms of the Lease.

 

10. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all counterparts shall constitute but one (1) and the same instrument.

 

11. Entire Agreement . This Amendment and the Lease together contain the entire understanding of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof. Any guarantees, promises, representations or warranties not herein or therein contained and hereinafter made shall have no force and effect unless in writing, and executed by the party or parties making such guarantees, promises, representations or warranties. Neither this Amendment nor the Lease nor any portion or provisions hereof or thereof may be amended, cancelled, changed, discharged, modified, supplemented, terminated or waived orally or by any course of dealing or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing, signed by the party to be charged.

 

12. Binding Agreement . This Amendment shall not be binding upon Landlord and Tenant until executed and delivered by both Landlord and Tenant and until Guarantor and Lender have executed their respective consents, which are attached hereto.

 

2  -
 

 

13. Enforceability . If any provision of this Amendment or its application to any circumstance or person is invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Amendment, or the applicability of such provision to other circumstances or persons, shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and shall be deemed to be separate from such invalid or unenforceable provisions and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

3  -
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  LANDLORD:
   
  CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a
  Delaware limited partnership

 

  By: TOWER (DE) QRS 14-89, INC., a
  Delaware corporation, its general partner

 

  By: /s/ Donna M. Neiley
  Name: Donna M. Neiley
  Title:  Senior Vice President

 

  TENANT:
   
  Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC, a
  Delaware limited liability company

 

  By: /s/ Nanette Dudek
  Name:  Nanette Dudek
  Title:  Secretary

 

  Tower Automotive Operations USA II, LLC, a
  Delaware limited liability company

  

  By: /s/ Nanette Dudek
  Name: Nanette Dudek 
  Title: Secretary 

 

4  -
 

 

GUARANTOR’S CONSENT

 

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( “Guarantor ”), Guarantor of the obligations of TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and TOWER AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS USA II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, “Tenant ”), under that certain Lease Agreement by and between Tenant, as tenant, and CHASSIS (DE) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Landlord ”), as landlord, dated April 10, 2002, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated October 9, 2002, that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated July 31, 2007, and that certain Third Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 24, 2011, pursuant to that certain Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement dated July 31, 2007, made by Guarantor in favor of Landlord, hereby consents to the terms and conditions of this Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement dated October 3 , 2011, by and between Landlord and Tenant.

 

Consent given and effective as of this 3 rd day of October, 2011.

 

  TOWER AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS I,
  LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

  By: TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., a
  Delaware corporation, its sole member

 

  By: /s/ Nanette Dudek
  Name: Nanette Dudek 
  Title: Secretary 

 

5  -
 

 

LENDER’S CONSENT

 

6  -
 

 

   

Commercial Mortgage

Servicing

 

MAC A0227-020

P.O. Box 31388, Oakland, CA 94604

1901 Harrison St., 2nd Floor

Oakland, CA 94612

 

Tel: 8009869711

 

October 11, 2011

 

CHASSIS (DE) LP, A DE LP via email: dneiley@wpcarey.com
Attn: Donna Neiley
C/O W.P. Carey & Co.
50 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, 2 ND FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 01002-00000

 

Re: Borrower: CHASSIS (DE) LP, A DE LP
  Loan No. 70-0200793
  Property: 44850 Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township, MI 48036
  Lender: BSCM03TOP10
  Inv. No. 610

 

Dear Ms. Neiley,

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”), as Master Servicer for the above-referenced lender (“Lender”), with respect to the above-referenced loan (“Loan”), has received your request for Lender’s consent to the 4th Amendment to Lease between Chassis (DE) LP, a LE LP (“Landlord”) and Tower Automotive Tool, LLC (“Tenant”). Wells Fargo has reviewed your request and hereby consents, on behalf of the Lender, subject to satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

1. Lender’s receipt of a fully executed copy of the4th Amendment to the Lease.

 

This approval is valid for 90 days from the date hereof. In the event that the transaction does not close within this timeframe or if there are any substantive changes from the approved case, including the above conditions, an amendment of the original case should be submitted to Lender. If all the foregoing conditions are not satisfied, this consent shall be deemed automatically rescinded. This consent is strictly limited to its terms and Wells Fargo has no obligation to consent to any similar requests in the future. This consent is solely for the benefit of the above-referenced Borrower and should not be relied upon by any other person or entity. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me via email at michael, mulligan@wellsfargo.com or at (510) 446-4894.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Michael Mulligan

Michael Mulligan

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,

as Master Servicer

 

Together we’ll go far

 

 

7  -
 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

ACQUISITION COST

 

Clinton, MI   $ 28,900,000.00  
Upper Sandusky, OH   $ 2,088,218.00  
TOTAL:   $ 30,988,218.00  

 

8  -
 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

PREMISES PERCENTAGE ALLOCATION OF BASIC RENT

AND

ADDITIONAL BASIC RENT

 

Clinton, MI     88.3 %
Upper Sandusky, OH     11.7 %
TOTAL:     100.00 %

 

If any Related Premises ceases to be subject to this Lease, the percentage shown on this Exhibit F for each of the Related Premises that remains subject to this Lease shall be adjusted proportionately so that the total of such percentages shall be 100%.

 

9  -
 

 

EXHIBIT H

 

FLOOR NET SALES PRICE

 

Upper Sandusky, OH   [*]  

 

10  -

 

 

Exhibit 10.62

 

 

 

  

17672 Laurel Park Drive N
   
November 29, 2011 Suite 400E
   
Mr. Rande Somma Livonia, MI 48152
794 Palms Rd.  
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304  

  

Dear Rande,

 

This is to confirm our offer of the position of Senior Adviser to the Board of Directors of Tower International, Inc. ("Tower" or the "Company"). As Senior Adviser, your intended role is to advise the Board. Subject to any applicable attorney-client privilege or privacy concerns, you will receive all materials submitted to the Board and will be invited to attend all meetings of the Board. The term of this agreement will be from January 3, 2012 through December 31, 2012 and any extension of the term must be mutually agreed by November 1, 2012. You, as well as the Company, would be free to terminate the relationship at any time.

 

As Senior Adviser to the Board, your Annual Retainer Fee will be $150,000, payable on a monthly basis. Of course, you will be reimbursed for all appropriate travel and business expenses that you incur in the course of performing your duties, in accordance with Tower policy. In accepting this offer, you agree that all disclosed matters remain confidential without the need for any additional formal written agreement.

 

To accept the position of Senior Adviser, please sign and return the attached.

 

Simultaneously, this letter serves as timely written notice to you that the Service Agreement between Tower Automotive, LLC and RANDE SOMMA & ASSOCIATES LLC, dated December 1, 2007 and subsequently amended, will expire without offer of renewal, effective January 2, 2012.

 

Do not hesitate to contact me or Bill Cook with any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Mark Malcolm

Mark Malcolm

President & CEO

Tower International, Inc.

 

 
 

 

 

Acceptance and Consent

 

To: Tower International, Inc. ("Tower")

 

I hereby accept the position of Senior Adviser to Tower's Board of Directors and agree to be named and listed as such in Company documents and public filings.

 

 

  Signature: /s/ Rande Somma
     
  Name: Rande Somma
    Rande Somma & Associates LLC
     
  Date: Dec/5/2011

 

 

 Exhibit 21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

Tower International, Inc. had the domestic and international subsidiaries shown below as of December 31, 2011. Certain U.S. subsidiaries and international subsidiaries are not named because they were not significant in the aggregate. The parent of Tower International, Inc. is Tower International Parent, LLC.

 

  Jurisdiction of       Percentage  
Name of Subsidiary   Organization     Owned  
U.S. Subsidiaries:                
Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings IV, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC     Delaware       100 %
TA Holdings Finance, Inc.     Delaware       100 %
Tower Defense & Aerospace Holdings, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower Acquisition Company II, LLC     Delaware       100 %
Tower International Real Estate Company, LLC     Delaware       100 %
International Subsidiaries:                
Tower Componentes Automotivos Ltda.     Brazil       100 %
Tower do Brasil, Ltda.     Brazil       100 %
Tower Automotive do Brasil, S.A.     Brazil       100 %
Tower Automotive Mexico, S.de R.L. de C.V.     Mexico       100 %
Tower Italia S.r.L.     Italy       100 %
Tower Automotive Umformtechnik, GmbH     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Holding GmbH     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Presswerk Zwickau GmbH     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Auslandsbeteiligungen GmbH     Germany       100 %
FELISSA Grundstucks Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Duisburg KG     Germany       94 %
FELISSA Grundstucks Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH     Germany       94 %
Tower Automotive Presswork Artern GmbH     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Hydroforming Verwaltung GmbH i.L.     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Duisburg GmbH     Germany       100 %
MT Stahl Handelsgesellschaft GmbH     Germany       100 %
MT Stahl Handelsgesellschaft Verwaltung GmbH i.L.     Germany       100 %
Tower Automotive Polska Sp.zo.o.     Poland       100 %
Tower Automotive Belgium B.V.B.A.     Belgium       100 %
Baarn Steel B.V.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings Asia, B.V.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings VI B.V.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive International Holdings B.V.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings III Cooperatie U.A.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings Europe, B.V.     The Netherlands       100 %
Tower Automotive Holdings V, GmbH     Switzerland       100 %
Tower Automotive A.S.     Slovakia       100 %
Tower Automotive s.r.o.     Slovakia       100 %
Seojin Industrial Co., Ltd.     Korea       100 %
TWA Wuhu     China       80 %

 

 
 

 

  Jurisdiction of     Percentage   
Name of Subsidiary   Organization     Owned  
Changchun Tower Golden Ring Automotive Products Company, Ltd.     China       60 %
Tower (Dalian) Automotive Ltd.     China       80 %
Tower International (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.     China       100 %
Tower (Xiangtan) DIT Automotive Products Co. Ltd.     China       50 %
Tower Automotive Japan Co., Ltd.     Japan       100 %
Tower Automotive India Private, Ltd.     India       100 %
Tower Automotive Far East Holdings Co. Ltd.     Hong Kong       100 %

  

 

 

Exhibit 23.1 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-169950 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 8, 2012, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Tower International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Tower International, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Detroit, MI

March 8, 2012

 

 

   

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Mark Malcolm, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Tower International, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 8, 2012

  

By:   /s/ Mark Malcolm  
    Mark Malcolm  
    Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, James C. Gouin, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Tower International, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 8, 2012

 

By: /s/ James C. Gouin  
  James C. Gouin  
  Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Tower International, Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Mark Malcolm, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

March 8, 2012  
   
/s/ Mark Malcolm  
Mark Malcolm  
Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Tower International, Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James C. Gouin, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

March 8, 2012  
   
/s/ James C. Gouin  
James C. Gouin  
Chief Financial Officer