Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
 
x

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

or

o

 

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period from                    to                    .
Commission file number 001-37427
HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
47-3574483
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(248) 593-8820
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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  o     No  x .
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x     No  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 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  o
 
Non-accelerated filer  x
 
Smaller reporting company  o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o     No  x
As of November 9, 2015 , the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was 18,131,928 shares.


Table of Contents

Horizon Global Corporation
Index
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1

Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements
This report may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as "may," "could," "should," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "target," "plan" or other comparable words, or by discussions of strategy that may involve risks and uncertainties.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to: the Company's leverage; liabilities imposed by the Company's debt instruments; market demand; competitive factors; supply constraints; material and energy costs; technology factors; litigation; government and regulatory actions; the Company's accounting policies; future trends; general economic and currency conditions; various conditions specific to the Company's business and industry; and other risks that are discussed in Part II, Item 1A " Risk Factors " and in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-203138), (the "Registration Statement"). The risks described in our Registration Statement and elsewhere in this report are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations or cash flows.
The cautionary statements set forth above should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. We caution readers not to place undo reliance on the statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
We disclose important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations implied by our forward-looking statements under Part I, Item 2, " Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, " and elsewhere in this report. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributed to us or persons acting on our behalf. When we indicate that an event, condition or circumstance could or would have an adverse effect on us, we mean to include effects upon our business, financial and other conditions, results of operations, prospects and ability to service our debt.


2

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 .  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Horizon Global Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)


 
September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 

 

Current assets:
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
28,130


$
5,720

Receivables, net of reserves of approximately $3.1 million and $3.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
 
73,440


63,840

Inventories
 
113,880


123,530

Deferred income taxes
 
4,840


4,840

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
6,610


5,690

Total current assets
 
226,900

 
203,620

Property and equipment, net
 
46,310


55,180

Goodwill
 
4,420


6,580

Other intangibles, net
 
57,820


66,510

Other assets
 
11,370


11,940

Total assets
 
$
346,820

 
$
343,830

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 

 

Current liabilities:
 

 

Current maturities, long-term debt
 
$
14,460


$
460

Accounts payable
 
74,670


81,980

Accrued liabilities
 
38,130


37,940

Total current liabilities
 
127,260

 
120,380

Long-term debt
 
189,280


300

Deferred income taxes
 
7,290


8,970

Other long-term liabilities
 
19,540


25,990

Total liabilities
 
343,370

 
155,640

Preferred stock, $0.01 par: Authorized 100,000,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding: None
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par: Authorized 400,000,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding: 18,128,481 shares at September 30, 2015 and no shares at December 31, 2014
 
180

 

Paid-in capital
 
480

 

Parent company investment
 

 
180,800

Accumulated deficit
 
(180
)
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
2,970

 
7,390

Total shareholders' equity
 
3,450

 
188,190

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
346,820

 
$
343,830



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

Horizon Global Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited—dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
 
$
153,340

 
$
157,860

 
$
454,240

 
$
484,210

Cost of sales
 
(115,580
)
 
(119,690
)
 
(343,430
)
 
(363,720
)
Gross profit
 
37,760

 
38,170

 
110,810

 
120,490

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
(29,090
)
 
(30,310
)
 
(91,280
)
 
(93,330
)
Net gain (loss) on dispositions of property and equipment
 
(60
)
 
10

 
(1,850
)
 
(60
)
Operating profit
 
8,610

 
7,870

 
17,680

 
27,100

Other expense, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(4,350
)
 
(150
)
 
(4,590
)
 
(510
)
Other expense, net
 
(1,060
)
 
(810
)
 
(3,030
)
 
(2,290
)
Other expense, net
 
(5,410
)
 
(960
)
 
(7,620
)
 
(2,800
)
Income before income tax expense
 
3,200

 
6,910

 
10,060

 
24,300

Income tax credit (expense)
 
3,150

 
(1,700
)
 
(30
)
 
(5,890
)
Net income
 
$
6,350

 
$
5,210

 
$
10,030

 
$
18,410

Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 

 

Basic
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.02

Diluted
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.02

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
18,098,404

 
18,062,027

 
18,073,836

 
18,062,027

Diluted
 
18,215,209

 
18,114,032

 
18,160,858

 
18,113,399



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

Horizon Global Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited—dollars in thousands)

 
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
 
$
6,350

 
$
5,210

 
$
10,030

 
$
18,410

Other comprehensive income (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
 
(5,350
)
 
(5,700
)
 
(9,440
)
 
(2,750
)
Derivative instruments (Note 8)
 
(30
)
 
(180
)
 
(210
)
 
90

Total other comprehensive loss
 
(5,380
)
 
(5,880
)
 
(9,650
)
 
(2,660
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
970

 
$
(670
)
 
$
380

 
$
15,750



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

Table of Contents

Horizon Global Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited—dollars in thousands)
 
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
10,030

 
$
18,410

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 

Loss on dispositions of property and equipment
 
1,850

 
60

Depreciation
 
7,580

 
8,830

Amortization of intangible assets
 
5,540

 
5,730

Amortization of original issuance discount and debt issuance costs
 
330

 

Deferred and other income taxes
 
(4,620
)
 
(1,100
)
Non-cash compensation expense
 
1,750

 
2,410

Increase in receivables
 
(16,120
)
 
(20,040
)
Decrease in inventories
 
5,330

 
10,370

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(1,910
)
 
380

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
2,860

 
(17,570
)
Other, net
 
170

 
(700
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
12,790

 
6,780

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 

 

Capital expenditures
 
(6,400
)
 
(9,450
)
Net proceeds from disposition of property and equipment
 
1,770

 
260

Net cash used for investing activities
 
(4,630
)
 
(9,190
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 

 

Proceeds from borrowings on credit facilities
 
100,420

 
134,080

Repayments of borrowings on credit facilities
 
(95,420
)
 
(133,130
)
Proceeds from Term B Loan, net of issuance costs
 
192,920

 

Repayments of borrowings on Term B Loan
 
(2,500
)
 

Proceeds from ABL Revolving Debt, net of issuance costs
 
37,900

 

Repayments of borrowings on ABL Revolving Debt
 
(30,980
)
 

Net transfers from former parent
 
27,630

 
4,700

Cash dividend paid to former parent
 
(214,500
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
15,470

 
5,650

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(1,220
)
 
(480
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 

 

Increase for the period
 
22,410

 
2,760

At beginning of period
 
5,720

 
7,880

At end of period
 
$
28,130

 
$
10,640

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 

 

Cash paid for interest
 
$
3,760

 
$
460



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

Horizon Global Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(Unaudited—dollars in thousands)

 
 
Common
Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Parent Company Investment
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Total
Balances, December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$

 
$
180,800

 
$

 
$
7,390

 
$
188,190

Net income
 

 

 
3,680

 
6,350

 

 
10,030

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 

 

 

 
(9,650
)
 
(9,650
)
Issuance of common stock
 
180

 

 
(180
)
 

 

 

Net transfers from former parent
 

 

 
23,670

 

 
5,230

 
28,900

Cash dividend paid to former parent
 

 

 
(214,500
)
 

 

 
(214,500
)
Non-cash compensation expense
 
 
 
480

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
480

Reclassification of net parent investment to accumulated deficit
 

 

 
6,530

 
(6,530
)
 

 

Balances, September 30, 2015
 
$
180

 
$
480

 
$

 
$
(180
)
 
$
2,970

 
$
3,450



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


7

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


1. Basis of Presentation
On June 30, 2015, Horizon Global Corporation ("Horizon," "Horizon Global" or the "Company") became an independent company as a result of the distribution by TriMas Corporation ("TriMas" or "former parent") of 100 percent of the outstanding common shares of Horizon Global to TriMas shareholders (the "spin-off"). Each TriMas shareholder of record as of the close of business on June 25, 2015 ("Record Date") received two Horizon Global common shares for every five TriMas common shares held as of the Record Date. The spin-off was completed on June 30, 2015 and was structured to be tax-free to both TriMas and Horizon Global shareholders.
On July 1, 2015, Horizon Global common shares began regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HZN". Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement with TriMas, on June 30, 2015, the Company paid a cash dividend to TriMas of $214.5 million .
Horizon qualifies as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 ("JOBS Act"), and, therefore, will be subject to reduced reporting requirements. The JOBS Act also provides that an "emerging growth company" can utilize the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. However, the Company has chosen to "opt out" of such extended transition period, and, as a result, the Company will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for companies that are not "emerging growth companies." Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that the Company's decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
Horizon is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of high quality, custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management and other related accessories. These products are designed to support original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), original equipment suppliers, aftermarket and retail customers within the agricultural, automotive, construction, horse/livestock, industrial, marine, military, recreational, trailer and utility markets. The Company groups its operating segments into reportable segments by the region in which sales and manufacturing efforts are focused. The Company's reportable segments are Cequent Americas and Cequent APEA. See Note  9 , " Segment Information ," for further information on each of the Company's reportable segments.
The accompanying combined financial statements for periods prior to the separation are derived from TriMas' historical accounting records on a carve-out basis. For the quarter subsequent to the separation, the condensed consolidated financial statements are derived from the historical accounting records of Horizon on a stand-alone basis. As such, the interim condensed consolidated statement of income, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 consist of the consolidated results of Horizon on a stand-alone basis for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and the combined results of operations of Horizon's reportable segments as historically managed under TriMas, on a carve-out basis, for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The combined financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 consist entirely of the results of Horizon as historically managed under TriMas, on a carve-out basis.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted. You should read these statements in conjunction with our audited combined financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and related notes thereto included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration Statement"). It is management's opinion that these financial statements contain all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations. The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements may not be indicative of the Company's future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows would have been had it been operated as a stand alone company during the periods presented. Furthermore, results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
For periods prior to the separation, the combined financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by our former parent; however, the allocations may not reflect the expenses the Company would have incurred as an independent, publicly traded company for the periods presented. These expenses were allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenue or headcount. The Company believes these allocations

8

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

were made on a consistent basis and are reasonable. Going forward, these functions will be performed using internal resources or purchased services, some of which may be provided by our former parent as a part of a transition services agreement.
The condensed consolidated financial statements also include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the parent corporate level. These assets and liabilities were transferred to the Company as of the date of the spin-off through specific identification and allocation where necessary. Transactions historically treated as intercompany between the Company and our former parent have been included in these condensed consolidated financial statements and were considered effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction was recorded.
2 . New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-15, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements." This ASU adds paragraphs pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Staff Announcement at the June 18, 2015 Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") meeting about the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements. ASU 2015-15 states that given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit. The Company has historically recorded and will continue to record, debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred costs over the term of the line-of-credit, with there being no impact on previously issued financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11"). ASU 2015-11 provides that inventory not measured using the last-in, first out ("LIFO") or retail inventory methods should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory. For public business entities, the amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendment should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of ASC 2015-11 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 provides an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption allowed. This guidance is applied retrospectively to all prior periods. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs related to Term B Loan borrowings are to be presented as a direct reduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 in June 2015 and there was no effect to previously issued financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 was originally effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2016; however, in August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date through the issuance of ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date." The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
3 . Facility Closure
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas facilities
In July 2015, the Company announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico along with its distribution warehouse in El Paso, Texas. The Company plans to complete the move and vacate the Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas sites by March 31, 2016. The Company is party to lease agreements for these facilities for which it has non-cancellable future rental obligations of approximately $4.6 million , for which the Company will establish accruals upon exit of the facilities, net of estimated recoveries. The lease agreements expire in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Most of the manufacturing is being relocated to the Company's existing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico. The distribution operations are moving to a new warehouse facility, also in Reynosa, Mexico.

9

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

During the three months ended September 30, 2015 , upon completion of negotiations pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, the Company recorded charges, primarily for severance benefits for its approximately 214 hourly workers to be involuntarily terminated, of approximately $0.9 million , of which approximately $0.8 million is included in cost of sales and approximately $0.1 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Also, during the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded charges, primarily related to severance benefits for approximately 47 salaried employees to be involuntarily terminated as part of the closure of approximately $0.9 million , of which approximately $0.7 million is included in cost of sales and approximately $0.2 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Through September 30, 2015 , the Company paid approximately $0.1 million of the total hourly and salaried severance benefits, with the remainder expected to be paid by mid-2016.
In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company incurred less than $0.1 million of pre-tax non-cash charges related to accelerated depreciation expense as a result of shortening the expected lives on certain machinery, equipment and leasehold improvement assets that the Company will no longer utilize following the facility closure.
Goshen, Indiana facility
In November 2012, the Company announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Goshen, Indiana, moving production from Goshen to lower-cost manufacturing facilities during 2013. The Company completed the move and ceased operations in Goshen during the fourth quarter of 2013. During 2013, the Company recorded charges, primarily for severance benefits for its approximately 350 union hourly workers to be involuntarily terminated, of approximately $4.0 million . Additionally, during 2012, the Company recorded charges of approximately $1.2 million , primarily for severance benefits for salaried employees to be involuntarily terminated as part of the closure. Through September 30, 2014, the hourly and salary benefits had been fully paid, with approximately $1.1 million being paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .
4 . Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are summarized as follows:
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
Cequent
APEA
 
Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014
 
$
6,580

 
$

 
$
6,580

Foreign currency translation and other
 
(2,160
)
 

 
(2,160
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
 
$
4,420

 
$

 
$
4,420

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company's other intangibles as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized below. The Company amortizes these assets over periods ranging from 3 to 25  years.
 
 
As of September 30, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
Intangible Category by Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets:
 

 

 

 

   Customer relationships, 5 – 12 years
 
$
32,480

 
$
(26,520
)
 
$
34,170

 
$
(26,190
)
   Customer relationships, 15 – 25 years
 
105,380

 
(76,700
)
 
105,380

 
(72,250
)
Total customer relationships
 
137,860

 
(103,220
)
 
139,550

 
(98,440
)
   Technology and other, 3 – 15 years
 
14,520

 
(14,050
)
 
14,600

 
(13,910
)
Total finite-lived intangible assets
 
152,380

 
(117,270
)
 
154,150

 
(112,350
)
 Trademark/Trade names, indefinite-lived
 
22,710

 

 
24,710

 

Total other intangible assets
 
$
175,090

 
$
(117,270
)
 
$
178,860

 
$
(112,350
)

10

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

Amortization expense related to intangible assets as included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income is summarized as follows:
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Technology and other, included in cost of sales
 
$
40

 
$
60

 
$
160

 
$
190

Customer relationships, included in selling, general and administrative expenses
 
1,780

 
1,860

 
5,380

 
5,540

Total amortization expense
 
$
1,820

 
$
1,920

 
$
5,540

 
$
5,730

5 . Inventories
Inventories consist of the following components:
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Finished goods
 
$
80,980

 
$
89,550

Work in process
 
6,070

 
6,810

Raw materials
 
26,830

 
27,170

Total inventories
 
$
113,880

 
$
123,530

6 . Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment consists of the following components:
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Land and land improvements
 
$

 
$
290

Buildings
 
8,060

 
9,250

Machinery and equipment
 
96,570

 
118,460

 
 
104,630

 
128,000

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
58,320

 
72,820

Property and equipment, net
 
$
46,310

 
$
55,180

Depreciation expense as included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Depreciation expense, included in cost of sales
 
$
2,100

 
$
2,420

 
$
6,360

 
$
7,320

Depreciation expense, included in selling, general and administrative expense
 
400

 
480

 
1,220

 
1,510

Total depreciation expense
 
$
2,500

 
$
2,900

 
$
7,580

 
$
8,830


11

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

7 . Long-term Debt
The Company's long-term debt consists of the following:
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
ABL Facility
 
$
8,500

 
$

Term B Loan
 
190,670

 

Bank facilities
 
4,280

 
140

Capital leases and other long-term debt
 
290

 
620

 
 
203,740

 
760

Less: Current maturities, long-term debt
 
14,460

 
460

Long-term debt
 
$
189,280

 
$
300

ABL Facility
On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into an asset-based revolving credit facility ("ABL Facility"), which permits the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to make revolving borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $85.0 million , subject to availability under a borrowing base, including a $20.0 million letter of credit sub-facility, which matures on June 30, 2020. The Company may increase commitments under the ABL Facility, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $25.0 million in aggregate. Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest, at the Company's election, at either (a) the Base Rate (as defined per the credit agreement, the "Base Rate") plus the Applicable Margin (as defined per the credit agreement "Applicable Margin"), or (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus the Applicable Margin.
All of the indebtedness under the ABL Facility is and will be guaranteed by the Company's existing and future material domestic subsidiaries and is and will be secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and such guarantors. The credit agreement contains customary negative covenants, and does not include any financial maintenance covenants other than a springing minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 on a trailing twelve-month basis, which will be tested only upon the occurrence of an event of default or certain other conditions as specified in the agreement. At September 30, 2015 , the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants contained in the ABL Facility.
Debt issuance costs of approximately $1.9 million were incurred in connection with the entry into the ABL Facility. These debt issuance costs will be amortized into interest expense over the contractual term of the loan. The Company recognized $0.1 million related to the amortization of debt issuance costs during the three months ended September 30, 2015, which is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2015 , there were $1.8 million of unamortized debt issuance costs included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
As of September 30, 2015 , $8.5 million was outstanding under the ABL facility at a weighted average interest rate of 2.68% . Total letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2015 were $6.4 million . Subject to borrowing base availability, the Company had $70.1 million in available funds from the ABL facility as of September 30, 2015 .
Term Loan
On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into a term loan agreement ("Term B Loan") under which the Company borrowed an aggregate of $200.0 million , which matures on June 30, 2021. The Term B Loan permits the Company to request incremental term loan facilities, subject to certain conditions, in an aggregate principal amount, together with the aggregate principal amount of incremental equivalent debt incurred by the Company, of up to $25.0 million , plus an additional amount such that the Company's pro forma first lien net leverage ratio (as defined in the term loan agreement) would not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 as a result of the incurrence thereof.
Borrowings under the agreement bear interest, at the Company's election, at either (a) the Base Rate plus 5% per annum, or (b) LIBOR plus 6% per annum. Principal payments required under the credit agreement for the Term B Loan Facility are $2.5 million due each calendar quarter beginning September 2015. Commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the Company will also be required to make prepayments of outstanding amounts under the Term B Loan in

12

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

an amount equal to 50.0% of the Company's excess cash flow for such fiscal year, as defined in the credit agreement, subject to adjustments based on the Company's leverage ratio and optional prepayments of term loans and certain other indebtedness.
All of the indebtedness under the Term B Loan is and will be guaranteed by the Company's existing and future material domestic subsidiaries and is and will be secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and such guarantors. The Term B Loan agreement contains customary negative covenants, and also contains a financial maintenance covenant which requires the Company to maintain a net leverage ratio not exceeding, through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, 5.25 to 1.00 ; through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, 5.00 to 1.00 ; through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2018, 4.75 to 1.00; and thereafter, 4.50 to 1.00 . At September 30, 2015 , the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants contained in the Term B Loan.
Debt issuance costs of approximately $3.0 million were incurred in connection with the Term B Loan, along with the original issue discount of $4.0 million . Both the debt issuance costs and the original issue discount will be amortized into interest expense over the term of the Term B Loan Facility. The Company recognized $0.2 million related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, which is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had aggregate principal outstanding of $197.5 million bearing interest at 7.00% , and had $6.8 million of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount, all of which are recorded as a reduction of the debt balance on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's Term B Loan traded at approximately 99.0% of par value. The valuations of the Credit Agreement were determined based on Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy, as defined.
Bank facilities
In Australia, the Company's subsidiary is party to an approximate $14.0 million revolving debt facility, which matures on November 30, 2015 , is subject to interest at a bank-specified rate plus 1.90% and is secured by substantially all the assets of the subsidiary. As of September 30, 2015 , $4.3 million was outstanding under this agreement, bearing interest at 4.0% . No amounts were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 .
In May 2014, the Company's Dutch subsidiary entered into a credit agreement consisting of a $12.5 million uncommitted working capital facility which matured on May 29, 2015 . This facility was subject to interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum and was guaranteed by TriMas. In addition, this Dutch subsidiary was subject to an overdraft facility in conjunction with the uncommitted working capital facility up to $1.0 million , subject to interest at U.S. dollar prime rate plus 0.75% . This facility matured in May 2015 and accordingly no balances were outstanding at September 30, 2015 . As of December 31, 2014 , $0.1 million was outstanding on this facility.

13

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

8 . Derivative Instruments
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
As of September 30, 2015 , the Company was party to forward contracts to hedge changes in foreign currency exchange rates with notional amounts of approximately $9.8 million . The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with fluctuations in currency rates impacting cash flows related to certain payments for contract manufacturing in its lower-cost manufacturing facilities. The foreign currency forward contracts hedge currency exposure between the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar, the Thai baht and the Australian dollar and the U.S. dollar and the Australian dollar and mature at specified monthly settlement dates through March 2016. At inception, the Company designated the foreign currency forward contracts as cash flow hedges. Upon purchase of certain inventories the Company de-designates the foreign currency forward contract.
Financial Statement Presentation
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the fair value carrying amount of the Company's derivative instruments are recorded as follows:
 
 
 
 
Asset / (Liability) Derivatives
 
 
Balance Sheet Caption
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other assets
 
$
100

 
$

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Accrued liabilities
 
(370
)
 
(150
)
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
(270
)
 
(150
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other assets
 
80

 

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Accrued liabilities
 
(130
)
 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
(50
)
 

Total derivatives
 
 
 
$
(320
)
 
$
(150
)
The following tables summarize the income (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), the amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings and the amounts recognized directly into earnings as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 :
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in
AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion, net of tax)
 
 
 
Amount of Income (Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI into Earnings
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
As of September 30, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Location of Income (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Derivatives instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
$
(280
)
 
$
(70
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(610
)
 
$
150

 
$
(1,060
)
 
$
370

Over the next 12 months , the Company expects to reclassify approximately $0.2 million of pre-tax deferred losses from AOCI to cost of sales as the inventory purchases are settled.

14

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of the Company's derivatives are estimated using an income approach based on valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single, discounted amount. Estimates of the fair value of the Company's foreign currency forward contracts use observable inputs such as forward currency exchange rates. Fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy level for the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown below.  
 
 
Frequency
 
Asset / (Liability)
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Recurring
 
$
(320
)
 
$

 
$
(320
)
 
$

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Recurring
 
$
(150
)
 
$

 
$
(150
)
 
$

9 . Segment Information
Horizon groups its operating segments into reportable segments by the region in which sales and manufacturing efforts are focused. Each operating segment has discrete financial information evaluated regularly by the Company's chief operating decision maker in determining resource allocation and assessing performance. See below for further information regarding the types of products and services provided within each reportable segment.
Cequent Americas - A market leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of a wide variety of high-quality, custom engineered towing, trailering and cargo management products and related accessories. These products are designed to support OEMs, original equipment suppliers, aftermarket and retail customers in the agricultural, automotive, construction, industrial, marine, military, recreational vehicle, trailer and utility end markets. Products include brake controllers, cargo management, heavy-duty towing products, jacks and couplers, protection/securing systems, trailer structural and electrical components, tow bars, vehicle roof racks, vehicle trailer hitches and additional accessories.
Cequent APEA - With a product offering similar to Cequent Americas, Cequent APEA focuses its sales and manufacturing efforts in the Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa regions of the world.
Segment activity is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
116,540

 
$
113,580

 
$
342,030

 
$
356,660

Cequent APEA
 
36,800

 
44,280

 
112,210

 
127,550

Total
 
$
153,340

 
$
157,860

 
$
454,240

 
$
484,210

Operating Profit (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
10,700

 
$
8,550

 
$
24,400

 
$
31,100

Cequent APEA
 
1,730

 
3,140

 
5,650

 
7,770

Corporate expenses
 
(3,820
)
 
(3,820
)
 
(12,370
)
 
(11,770
)
Total
 
$
8,610

 
$
7,870

 
$
17,680

 
$
27,100


15

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

10 . Equity Awards
Description of the Plan
Prior to the spin-off, certain employees of Horizon participated in the following TriMas equity incentive plans: the 2011 TriMas Corporation Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, the TriMas Corporation 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan and the TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the "TriMas Plans") and were eligible to receive TriMas stock-based awards including stock options, restricted share awards and performance-based restricted share units. Effective June 30, 2015, Horizon employees and non-employee directors began participating in the Horizon Global Corporation 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan ("Horizon 2015 Plan").
The Horizon 2015 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Horizon Board of Directors to grant qualified or non-qualified incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards (including restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards), cash incentive awards and performance awards to Horizon employees and non-employee directors. No more than 2.0 million Horizon common shares may be delivered under the Horizon 2015 Plan, with no more than 0.5 million "replacement awards" to former holders of TriMas equity awards under the TriMas Plans.
In connection with the spin-off, certain stock compensation awards granted under the TriMas Plans were modified to substitute awards under the Horizon 2015 Plan and adjusted as follows:
with respect to each adjusted stock option award covering Horizon common stock, the per-share exercise price for such award was established so that the award would retain immediately after the spin-off, in the aggregate, the same intrinsic value that the original TriMas stock option award had immediately prior to the spin-off (subject to rounding);
with respect to each adjusted stock option, restricted share, and restricted stock unit award covering Horizon common stock, the number of underlying shares of common stock subject to such award was equitably adjusted so that the award would retain immediately after the spin-off, in the aggregate, the same intrinsic value that the award had immediately prior to the spin-off (subject to rounding);
with respect to any continuous employment requirement associated with any equity incentive awards, such requirement will be satisfied after the spin-off by a Horizon employee based on his or her continuous employment with Horizon;
to the extent any original TriMas equity incentive award is subject to accelerated vesting or exercisability in the event of a "change of control," the corresponding post-spin-off Horizon equity incentive awards will generally accelerate in the same manner in the event of a change of control of Horizon; and
Horizon employees who hold TriMas restricted shares prior to the spin-off will receive no Horizon common stock with respect to such restricted shares (other than the Horizon restricted shares described above) in connection with the distribution of Horizon common stock to TriMas stockholders generally.
The modification of the stock compensation awards occurred in conjunction with the distribution of Horizon common shares to TriMas shareholders on the June 30, 2015 after-market distribution. As a result, no grant, exercise or cancellation activity occurred and no additional compensation was recognized as a result of the substitution.
Stock Options

During the three month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 154,856 stock options to certain key employees, including named executive officers. These stock options have a term of ten years and vest ratably on (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) March 1, 2017 and (iii) March 1, 2018.


16

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

The following table provides the significant assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair market value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing method:

 
 
August 14, 2015 Grant
Weighted-average fair value per option
 
$
4.41

Exercise price
 
$
11.02

Risk-free interest rate
 
1.79
%
Dividend yield
 
0
%
Expected stock volatility
 
39.54
%
Expected life (years)
 
5.85


The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The expected term was determined using the simplified method as described in Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14: "Share-Based Payment", because the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term . In the absence of adequate stock price history of Horizon common stock, the expected volatility related to stock option awards granted subsequent to the spin-off is based on the historical volatility of a selected group of peer companies' stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The following table summarizes Horizon stock option activity from the first grant date of June 30, 2015 to September 30, 2015:

 
 
Number of
Stock Options
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Average  Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at June 30, 2015
 
9,299

 
$
3.69

 

 
 
  Granted
 
154,856

 
11.02

 

 
 
  Exercised
 
6,569

 
0.53

 
 
 
 
  Canceled, forfeited
 

 

 
 
 
 
  Expired
 

 

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015
 
157,586

 
$
11.02

 
9.8
 
$
54,457


As of September 30, 2015 , there were $0.6 million in unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. There were no unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The Company recognized approximately $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Company recognized no compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

17

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

Restricted Shares

In August 2015, the Company granted 205,922 restricted shares to certain key employees and non-employee directors. The total grant consisted of 32,180 restricted shares that vest on May 1, 2016, 20,884 restricted shares that vest on March 5, 2017 and 152,858 restricted shares that vest on July 1, 2018 . The grant date fair value of r estricted shares is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Restricted share fair values are based on the closing trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Changes in the number of restricted shares outstanding for the period ended September 30, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
Number of Restricted Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at June 30, 2015
 
229,046

 
$
16.05

  Granted
 
205,922

 
11.02

  Vested
 
(2,520
)
 
7.49

  Canceled, forfeited
 
(63,042
)
 
16.67

Outstanding at September 30, 2015
 
369,406

 
$
13.20

As of September 30, 2015 , there were $3.1 million in unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted shares that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
The Company recognized approximately $0.4 million and $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense related to restricted shares during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $1.7 million and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
11 . Earnings per Share
On June 30, 2015, approximately 18.1 million common shares of Horizon Global were distributed to TriMas shareholders in conjunction with the spin-off. For comparative purposes, and to provide a more meaningful calculation for weighted average shares, this amount was assumed to be outstanding as of the beginning of each period presented in the calculation of basic weighted average shares. Diluted earnings per share are calculated to give effect to stock options and restricted shares outstanding during each period.
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and the denominator of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 :
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Numerator:
 

 

 

 

Net income for basic and diluted earnings per share
 
$
6,350

 
$
5,210

 
$
10,030

 
$
18,410

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic
 
18,098,404

 
18,062,027

 
18,073,836

 
18,062,027

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
 
116,805

 
52,005

 
87,022

 
51,372

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted
 
18,215,209

 
18,114,032

 
18,160,858

 
18,113,399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.02

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.02


18

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

12 . Employee Benefit Plans
The Company's domestic salaried and hourly employees participate in a defined contribution profit sharing plan sponsored by TriMas and reimbursed by Horizon. The plan contains both contributory and noncontributory profit sharing arrangements, as defined. Aggregate charges included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income under this plan were approximately $0.4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $1.2 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 .
13 . Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in AOCI by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 Derivative Instruments
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014
 
$
(70
)
 
$
7,460

 
$
7,390

Net transfer from former parent
 

 
5,230

 
5,230

Net unrealized losses arising during the period (a)
 
(1,570
)
 
(9,440
)
 
(11,010
)
Less: Net realized losses reclassified to net income (b)
 
(1,360
)
 

 
(1,360
)
Net current-period change
 
(210
)
 
(4,210
)
 
(4,420
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
 
$
(280
)
 
$
3,250

 
$
2,970

__________________________
(a) Derivative instruments, net of income tax benefit of $0.3 million . See Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments ," for further details.
(b) Derivative instruments, net of income tax benefit of $0.3 million . See Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments ," for further details.
Changes in AOCI by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 Derivative Instruments
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
$

 
$
14,700

 
$
14,700

Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period (a)
 
440

 
(2,750
)
 
(2,310
)
Less: Net realized gains reclassified to net income (b)
 
350

 

 
350

Net current-period change
 
90

 
(2,750
)
 
(2,660
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
 
$
90

 
$
11,950

 
$
12,040

__________________________
(a) Derivative instruments, net of income tax expense of $60 thousand . See Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments ," for further details.
(b) Derivative instruments, net of income tax expense of $20 thousand . See Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments, " for further details.

19

Table of Contents

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)

14 . Income Taxes
At the end of each interim reporting period, the Company makes an estimate of the annual effective income tax rate. Tax items included in the annual effective income tax rate are pro-rated for the full year and tax items discrete to a specific quarter are included in the effective income tax rate for that quarter. The estimate used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis may change in subsequent interim periods.
The effective income tax rate was (98.4)% and 24.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and 0.3% and 24.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 is primarily driven by the Company recording approximately $3.3 million of a tax benefit due to the reversal of certain unrecognized tax contingencies, as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations. Additionally, the overall effective tax rate for the period was reduced by the recognition of benefits associated with losses in certain jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , cash paid for domestic taxes was approximately $2.0 million and $6.7 million , respectively, which was paid by our former parent company. The Company paid cash for foreign taxes of $1.8 million and $2.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

20

Table of Contents

Item 2 .    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition contains forward-looking statements regarding industry outlook and our expectations regarding the performance of our business. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements," at the beginning of this report. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. You should read the following discussion together with the Company's reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-203138).
Separation from TriMas
We became an independent company as a result of the distribution by TriMas of 100 percent of the outstanding common shares of Horizon to TriMas shareholders. Each TriMas shareholder of record as of the close of business on June 25, 2015 ("Record Date") received two Horizon common shares for every five TriMas common shares as of the Record date. The spin-off was completed June 30, 2015 and was structured to be tax-free to both TriMas and Horizon shareholders.
Overview
We are a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of high-quality, custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management and other related accessory products on a global basis, serving the automotive aftermarket, retail and original equipment, or OE, channels.
Our business is comprised of two reportable segments: Cequent Americas and Cequent APEA. Cequent Americas has historically operated primarily in North America, and we believe has been a leader in towing and trailering-related products sold through retail, aftermarket and OE channels. Beginning in 2012, we entered the Latin America market, which is in the early stages of its development for automotive accessories, and appears to be following the historical development pattern of the United States and Canadian markets. Cequent APEA focuses its sales and manufacturing efforts outside of the Americas, historically operating primarily in Australia, and we believe has been a leader in towing related products sold through the aftermarket and OE channels. We have expanded our footprint into other areas of New Zealand, Thailand, Europe, the United Kingdom and South Africa, primarily as a result of acquisitions. We are in the early stages of our development in these markets, initially focusing primarily on supporting OE customers.
Our products are used in two primary categories across the world: commercial applications, or Work, and recreational activities, or Play. Some of the markets in our Work category include agricultural, automotive, construction, fleet, industrial, marine, military, mining and municipalities. Some of the markets in our Play category include equestrian, power sports, recreational vehicle, specialty automotive, truck accessory and other specialty towing applications.
Key Factors and Risks Affecting Our Reported Results.   Our products are sold into a diverse set of end-markets; the primary applications relate to automotive accessories for light and recreational vehicles. Purchases of automotive accessory parts are discretionary and we believe demand is driven by macro-economic factors including, among others, (i) consumer confidence, (ii) employment trends and (iii) light truck builds. We believe all of these metrics impact both our Work and Play-related sales. In addition, we believe the Play-related sales are more sensitive to changes in these indices, given the Play-related sales tend to be more directly related to disposable income levels. In general, recent decreases in unemployment and fuel prices, coupled with increases in consumer confidence, are positive trends for our businesses.
Over the past two years, we have invested over $50 million in cash for restructuring or other initiatives and capital expenditures, primarily as follows:
Closed and moved production from our former Goshen, Indiana manufacturing facility to a new lower-cost facility in Reynosa, Mexico in 2013, relocating approximately 420 positions;

Relocated the supply chain from the Midwestern United States to localized supply near Reynosa;

As a result of the Goshen manufacturing move, relocated the main U.S. distribution facility from Huntington, Indiana to Dallas, Texas;

Closed and consolidated two former facilities in Australia into one newer facility;

Closed and consolidated two former facilities in Brazil into one facility; and

The Company announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico along with its distribution warehouse in El Paso, Texas. Manufacturing from these locations will be moved to existing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico.

21

Table of Contents

While these initiatives have impacted our past performance, we believe we have reduced the cost of our manufacturing footprint which has improved our flexibility to meet market demands.
Critical factors affecting our ability to succeed include: our ability to realize the expected economic benefits of structural realignment of manufacturing facilities and business units; our ability to quickly and cost-effectively introduce new products; our ability to acquire and integrate companies or products that supplement existing product lines, add new distribution channels and expand our geographic coverage; our ability to manage our cost structure more efficiently via supply base management, internal sourcing and/or purchasing of materials, selective outsourcing and/or purchasing of support functions, working capital management, and leverage of our administrative functions. If we are unable to do any of the foregoing successfully, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
We experience some seasonality in our business. Sales of towing and trailering products in the northern hemisphere, where we generate the majority of our sales, are generally stronger in the second and third calendar quarters, as trailer OEs, distributors and retailers acquire product for the spring and summer selling seasons. Our growing businesses in the southern hemisphere are stronger in the first and fourth calendar quarters. We do not consider order backlog to be a material factor in our businesses.
We are sensitive to price movements in our raw materials supply base. Our largest material purchases are for steel, copper, and aluminum. We also consume a significant amount of energy via utilities in our facilities. Historically, when we have experienced increasing costs of steel, we have successfully worked with our suppliers to manage cost pressures and disruptions in supply. Price increases used to offset inflation or a disruption of supply in core materials have generally been successful, although sometimes delayed. Increases in price for these purposes represent a risk in execution.
We report shipping and handling expenses associated with our Cequent Americas reportable segment's distribution network as an element of selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of income. As such, gross margins for the Cequent Americas reportable segment may not be comparable to those of our Cequent APEA segments, which primarily rely on third-party distributors, for which all costs are included in cost of sales.

22

Table of Contents

Segment Information and Supplemental Analysis
The following table summarizes financial information for our reportable segments for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 :
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
As a Percentage
of Net Sales
 
2014
 
As a Percentage
of Net Sales
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
116,540

 
76.0
%
 
$
113,580

 
71.9
%
Cequent APEA
 
36,800

 
24.0
%
 
44,280

 
28.1
%
Total
 
$
153,340

 
100.0
%
 
$
157,860

 
100.0
%
Gross Profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
31,190

 
26.8
%
 
$
29,370

 
25.9
%
Cequent APEA
 
6,570

 
17.9
%
 
8,800

 
19.9
%
Total
 
$
37,760

 
24.6
%
 
$
38,170

 
24.2
%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
20,430

 
17.5
%
 
$
20,820

 
18.3
%
Cequent APEA
 
4,840

 
13.2
%
 
5,670

 
12.8
%
Corporate expenses
 
3,820

 
N/A

 
3,820

 
N/A

Total
 
$
29,090

 
19.0
%
 
$
30,310

 
19.2
%
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property and Equipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
(70
)
 
0.1
%
 
$

 
%
Cequent APEA
 
10

 
%
 
10

 
%
Total
 
$
(60
)
 
%
 
$
10

 
%
Operating Profit (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
10,700

 
9.2
%
 
$
8,550

 
7.5
%
Cequent APEA
 
1,730

 
4.7
%
 
3,140

 
7.1
%
Corporate expenses
 
(3,820
)
 
N/A

 
(3,820
)
 
N/A

Total
 
$
8,610

 
5.6
%
 
$
7,870

 
5.0
%
Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
2,730

 
2.3
%
 
$
2,800

 
2.5
%
Cequent APEA
 
1,530

 
4.2
%
 
1,950

 
4.4
%
Corporate expenses
 
60

 
N/A

 
70

 
N/A

Total
 
$
4,320

 
2.8
%
 
$
4,820

 
3.1
%

23

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes financial information from our reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 :
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
As a Percentage
of Net Sales
 
2014
 
As a Percentage
of Net Sales
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
342,030

 
75.3
%
 
$
356,660

 
73.7
 %
Cequent APEA
 
112,210

 
24.7
%
 
127,550

 
26.3
 %
Total
 
$
454,240

 
100.0
%
 
$
484,210

 
100.0
 %
Gross Profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
90,570

 
26.5
%
 
$
95,520

 
26.8
 %
Cequent APEA
 
20,240

 
18.0
%
 
24,970

 
19.6
 %
Total
 
$
110,810

 
24.4
%
 
$
120,490

 
24.9
 %
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
64,370

 
18.8
%
 
$
64,360

 
18.0
 %
Cequent APEA
 
14,540

 
13.0
%
 
17,200

 
13.5
 %
Corporate expenses
 
12,370

 
N/A

 
11,770

 
N/A

Total
 
$
91,280

 
20.1
%
 
$
93,330

 
19.3
 %
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property and Equipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
(1,800
)
 
0.5
%
 
$
(70
)
 
 %
Cequent APEA
 
(50
)
 
%
 
10

 
 %
Total
 
$
(1,850
)
 
0.4
%
 
$
(60
)
 
 %
Operating Profit (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
24,400

 
7.1
%
 
$
31,100

 
8.7
 %
Cequent APEA
 
5,650

 
5.0
%
 
7,770

 
6.1
 %
Corporate expenses
 
(12,370
)
 
N/A

 
(11,770
)
 
N/A

Total
 
$
17,680

 
3.9
%
 
$
27,100

 
5.6
 %
Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cequent Americas
 
$
8,200

 
2.4
%
 
$
8,740

 
2.5
 %
Cequent APEA
 
4,840

 
4.3
%
 
5,750

 
4.5
 %
Corporate expenses
 
80

 
N/A

 
70

 
N/A

Total
 
$
13,120

 
2.9
%
 
$
14,560

 
3.0
 %

Results of Operations
The principal factors impacting us during the three months ended September 30, 2015 , compared with the three months ended September 30, 2014 , were:
our announcement of plans to close our manufacturing facility in Ciudad Juarez along with its distribution warehouse in El Paso, Texas;
the impact of foreign currency, as our reported results in U.S. dollars were negatively impacted as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies, particularly in our Cequent APEA reportable segment;
more stable demand from aftermarket distributors compared to previous quarters in 2015; and
development of our corporate cost structure as an independent public company.

24

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Overall, net sales decreased approximately $4.5 million , or 2.9% , to $153.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared with $157.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2014 . During the third quarter of 2015 , net sales increased approximately $3.0 million in our Cequent Americas reportable segment due to growth with existing customers within our retail channel with our home and hardware customers and growth within our aftermarket channel driven by increased demand from our automotive aftermarket, RV warehouse distributor and e-commerce customers. This growth was partially offset by declines in our automotive original equipment "OE" channel due to decreased demand. The increase in Cequent Americas was more than offset by a decrease in net sales in our Cequent APEA segment of $7.5 million primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange.
Gross profit margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) approximated 24.6% and 24.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Gross profit margin improved in our Cequent Americas reportable segment due to favorable operating performance and lower freight costs, which was partially offset by costs incurred in connection with the consolidation of our manufacturing facilities. Gross profit margin was also negatively impacted within our Cequent APEA reportable segment by higher material prices in our Australia business and an unfavorable customer and product mix in our Australia, Thailand and Germany businesses.
Operating profit margin (operating profit as a percentage of net sales) approximated 5.6% and 5.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Operating profit increased approximately $0.7 million , or 9.4% , to $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , from $7.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to higher sales, favorable operating performance and lower freight costs within our Cequent Americas reportable segment. Operating profit was negatively impacted by costs incurred in our Cequent Americas reportable segment related to the consolidation of our manufacturing facilities. Also affecting our operating profit margin was a less favorable product and customer mix and negative effects of foreign currency exchange in our Cequent APEA reportable segment.
Interest expense increased approximately $4.2 million , to $4.4 million , for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . As we became a public company, we incurred debt in the form of a Term B Loan credit facility and ABL revolving facility on June 30, 2015.
Other expense, net remained flat at $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 .
The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was (98.4)% and 24.6% , respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded approximately $3.3 million of a tax benefit due to the reversal of certain unrecognized tax contingencies, as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations. Additionally, the overall effective tax rate for the period was reduced by the recognition of tax benefits associated with losses in certain jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates.
Net income increased by approximately $1.2 million, to $6.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The increase was primarily the result of $4.9 million of lower income tax expense and a $0.7 million increase in operating profit, partially offset by a $4.2 million increase in interest expense.
See below for a discussion of operating results by segment.
Cequent Americas.     Net sales increased approximately $3.0 million , or 2.6% , to $116.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $113.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to year-over-year increases within our retail and aftermarket channels, partially offset by sales declines in our automotive OE and industrial channels. Net sales within our retail channel increased approximately $4.0 million, primarily driven by growth with existing home hardware customers, including a towing products roll-out of approximately $1.0 million. Net sales within our aftermarket channel increased by approximately $3.5 million primarily due to increased demand from our automotive aftermarket, recreational vehicle warehouse distributor and e-commerce customers. Partially offsetting these increases was a $1.3 million decrease within our industrial channel, primarily due to lower demand from our OE and warehouse distributor customers servicing energy and agricultural end markets, as well as a $1.9 million decrease in our automotive OE channel due to plant shutdowns, a delayed product launch and lower take rates on automotive accessories with certain existing customers. Net sales were negatively impacted by approximately $1.1 million of unfavorable currency exchange. The remaining change is attributable to our other market channels which remained relatively flat quarter-over-quarter.
Cequent Americas' gross profit increased approximately $1.8 million to $31.2 million , or 26.8% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , from approximately $29.4 million , or 25.9% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to higher sales levels. Gross profit margin increased primarily due to favorable operating performance driven by plant productivity and labor savings as the US dollar strengthened in relation to the Mexican peso. Also impacting gross profit margin

25

Table of Contents

were lower freight costs during the three months ended September 30, 2015 as we benefited from efforts to localize supply chain near our manufacturing facility and higher costs in the third quarter of 2014 related to manufacturing footprint changes that did not recur. Partially offsetting these increases in gross profit margin was approximately $2.0 million of costs associated with the consolidation of our manufacturing facilities.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately $0.4 million to $20.4 million , or 17.5% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $20.8 million , or 18.3% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Selling, general and administrative costs were positively impacted by approximately $0.5 million of favorable currency exchange, as a result of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Mexican peso and Brazilian real. Selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of sales decreased due to lower compensation cost as a result of prior restructuring efforts and efforts to reduce indirect costs, partially offset by higher legal expenses for normal course claims. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2015 we incurred approximately $1.1 million of costs associated with combining our Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Product business units.
Cequent Americas' operating profit increased approximately $2.1 million to $10.7 million , or 9.2% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $8.6 million , or 7.5% of net sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to higher sales and a favorable channel and product sales mix, Operating profit margin increased primarily due to favorable operating performance, lower freight costs and approximately $0.6 million of favorable currency exchange, as a result of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Mexican peso and Brazilian real. These effects were partially offset by the impact of approximately $3.1 million of costs associated with combining our Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Products business units and consolidation of our manufacturing footprint.
Cequent APEA.     Net sales decreased approximately $7.5 million , or 16.9% , to $36.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $44.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Net sales were negatively impacted by approximately $7.5 million of unfavorable currency exchange. Net sales increased approximately $1.2 million in our Australia business due to increased demand from our OE customers, and increased approximately $0.8 million in our South Africa business primarily due to increased demand from an existing OE customer and new program awards. These increases were offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in sales in Thailand where new programs with existing OE customers were more than offset by lower sales on an existing program with an OE customer. The remaining decrease in sales is the result of supply constraints in our European businesses caused by lower production capacity due to unplanned machinery and equipment repairs.
Cequent APEA's gross profit decreased approximately $2.2 million to $6.6 million , or 17.9% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , from approximately $8.8 million , or 19.9% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Gross profit was negatively impacted by approximately $1.6 million of foreign currency exchange. Gross profit margin was further impacted by increased material prices in our Australian business as a result of the weakened Australian dollar and a less favorable customer and product mix in our Australian, Thailand and German businesses, as a higher percent of our sales were in our automotive OE channel with a decrease of sales in our higher margin aftermarket channel.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately $0.8 million to $4.8 million , or 13.2% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $5.7 million , or 12.8% of sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was positively impacted by approximately $0.8 million in favorable currency exchange. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $0.2 million in our Germany business due the release of a royalty provision in the third quarter of 2014 which did not recur in the third quarter of 2015. Offsetting the increase in Germany was a decrease of $0.2 million in Thailand primarily due to lower legal expenses as a result of labor negotiations occurring in the third quarter of 2014 that did not recur in 2015.
Cequent APEA's operating profit decreased approximately $1.4 million to $1.7 million , or 4.7% of net sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $3.1 million , or 7.1% of net sales, in the three months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to currency exchange. Operating profit margin was negatively impacted by a less favorable customer and product mix and higher material costs in our Australian business.
Corporate Expenses.    Corporate expenses stayed flat at approximately $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . For all periods prior to the spin-off, the condensed consolidated financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by our former parent; however, the allocations may not be comparable to the corporate expenses we incurred as a stand-alone company. Corporate expenses included in operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2014 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenue or headcount.

26

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Overall, net sales decreased approximately $30.0 million , or approximately 6.2% , to $454.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared with $484.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . During the first nine months of 2015 , net sales decreased approximately $10.4 million in our Cequent Americas reportable segment due to consolidation and closure of distribution centers within the aftermarket channel and the discontinued use of certain promotional incentives in the second quarter of 2015 that were available to our customers in 2014 . Net sales within our Cequent Americas reportable segment were also down approximately $5.0 million within our industrial channel, primarily due to lower demand as a result of lower energy and agricultural equipment purchases and the loss of recreational vehicle manufacturing line content. These decreases in net sales were partially offset by an increase of $4.9 million in our retail channel within our Cequent Americas reportable segment primarily due to growth with existing automotive retail, home hardware center and e-commerce customers. In our Cequent APEA reportable segment, net sales in our South Africa business increased by $4.4 million primarily due to increased demand from an existing OE customer and new program awards, which was offset by decreases in our Australia and Thailand businesses due to decreases in demand within the OE channel. In addition, sales declined by approximately $20.5 million due to net unfavorable currency exchange, primarily in our Cequent APEA reportable segment.
Gross profit margin (gross profit as a percentage of sales) approximated 24.4% and 24.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Gross profit margin decreased in our Cequent Americas reportable segment due to a less favorable channel and product sales mix as our lower margin channels comprised a large portion of net sales and sales of higher margin products declined in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014. Gross profit margin was also negatively impacted by costs associated with the closure of a facility within our Cequent APEA reportable segment and costs associated with combining two of our business units within our Cequent Americas reportable segment. In addition, gross profit decreased by approximately $3.9 million due to net unfavorable currency exchange.
Operating profit margin (operating profit as a percentage of sales) approximated 3.9% and 5.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Operating profit decreased approximately $9.4 million , or 34.8% , to $17.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to $27.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to lower sales levels and a less favorable channel and product sales mix within our Cequent Americas reportable segment. Also operating profit margin was negatively impacted by costs associated with the disposal of certain assets and combining two of our business units in our Cequent Americas reportable segment and the costs associated with a facility within our Cequent APEA reportable segment.
Interest expense increased approximately $4.1 million , to $4.6 million , for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . As we became a public company, we incurred debt in the form of a Term B Loan credit facility and ABL revolving facility on June 30, 2015.
Other expense, net increased approximately $0.7 million , to $3.0 million of other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to $2.3 million of other expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to higher losses on transactions denominated in foreign currencies within our Cequent APEA reportable segment.
The effective income tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were 0.3% and 24.2% , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the company recorded a $2.9 million tax charge related to certain spin related structuring steps; these charges were paid by our former parent company as part of the spin transaction and tax sharing agreement. Also, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , a tax benefit of approximately $3.3 million was recorded due to the reversal of certain unrecognized tax contingencies, as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations. Additionally, the overall effective tax rate for the period was reduced by the recognition of benefits associated with losses in certain jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates.
Net income decreased by approximately $8.4 million , to $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The decrease was primarily the result of a $9.4 million decrease in operating profit, a $4.1 million increase in interest expense and a $0.7 million increase in other expenses, partially offset by a $5.9 million decrease in income tax expense.
See below for a discussion of operating results by segment.
Cequent Americas.     Net sales decreased approximately $14.6 million , or 4.1% , to $342.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $356.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to year-over-year decreases within our aftermarket and industrial channels partially offset by increases in our retail channel. Net sales within our aftermarket channel decreased approximately $10.4 million primarily due to lower demand from our warehouse distributor customers as a result of consolidation of their distribution centers and the elimination of certain promotional incentives offered to our customers during the first nine months of 2014 that we did not make available to our customers during the second quarter of

27

Table of Contents

2015. Net sales within our industrial channel decreased approximately $5.0 million, primarily due to lower demand from our OE and warehouse distributor customers servicing energy and agricultural end markets and the loss of recreational vehicle OE content due to a lack of ability to supply this customer channel as a result of performance issues in our Reynosa plant and distribution network. Net sales within our retail channel increased approximately $4.9 million due to growth with existing automotive retail, home hardware center and e-commerce customers, and broom and brush and towing products roll-outs with home hardware customers, partially offset by approximately $2.3 million of significant customer product roll-outs in the first quarter of 2014 that did not recur in 2015. Net sales were also negatively impacted by approximately $2.5 million of unfavorable currency exchange. The remaining change is attributable to our other market channels which remained relatively flat year-over-year.
Cequent Americas' gross profit decreased approximately $4.9 million to $90.6 million , or 26.5% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $95.5 million , or 26.8% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to lower sales levels. Gross profit margin was negatively impacted by a less favorable channel and product sales mix as our retail channel comprised a larger portion of our net sales, while sales of our higher margin brake controllers and aftermarket hitches were lower year-over-year in part due to distributor consolidation and elimination of certain promotional incentives. Gross profit margin was also negatively impacted by approximately $3.1 million of costs recorded in the second and third quarters of 2015 associated with combining our Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Products business units. Offsetting the decreases in gross profit margin were improvements in operational performance and lower freight costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Selling, general and administrative expenses remained consistent at $64.4 million , or 18.8% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $64.4 million , or 18.0% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we incurred increases of approximately $1.4 million higher legal expenses associated with ordinary course claims. Also during 2015, we incurred approximately $2.5 million of costs associated with combining our Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Product business units. These increases were offset by reductions in compensation cost as a result of prior restructuring efforts and actions taken by the company to reduce indirect spending in response to lower sales levels.
Cequent Americas' operating profit decreased approximately $6.7 million to $24.4 million , or 7.1% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $31.1 million , or 8.7% of net sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to lower sales levels and a less favorable channel and product sales mix. Operating profit margin was also negatively impacted by approximately $1.7 million of higher disposals of property and equipment, resulting from the write-off of costs associated with the implementation of software determined to be inadequate for the business and $5.6 million of costs associated with combining our Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Products business units.
Cequent APEA.     Net sales decreased approximately $15.3 million , or 12.0% , to $112.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $127.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Net sales were negatively impacted by approximately $17.9 million of unfavorable currency exchange. Net sales increased approximately $4.4 million in our South Africa business primarily due to increased demand from an existing OE customer and new program awards. This increase was offset by a decrease of net sales in our Australia business of $1.0 million primarily due to the loss of an OE contract and the transfer of an OE program to our Thailand business to better serve our customer. The remaining change in net sales is primarily due to a decrease in our Thailand business as the increase in sales from the transfer from our Australia business was more than offset by lower sales on an existing program, along with decreases in our European businesses caused by lower production capacity due to unplanned machinery and equipment repairs.
Cequent APEA's gross profit decreased approximately $4.7 million to $20.2 million , or 18.0% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , from approximately $25.0 million , or 19.6% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Gross profit was negatively impacted by approximately $3.5 million of unfavorable foreign currency exchange. Gross profit margin was further adversely impacted with $1.3 million higher material costs in our Australia business and costs of approximately $0.8 million in the second quarter related to the closure of our facility in Finland. Productivity gains and cost reductions in our Thailand, South Africa, and United Kingdom businesses were partially offset by a decrease in gross profit in our Australia business primarily due to a less favorable customer and product mix.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately $2.7 million to $14.5 million , or 13.0% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $17.2 million , or 13.5% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Selling, general and administrative spending remained relatively flat in local currencies during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , with the decrease year-over-year due to approximately $2.5 million favorable impact of foreign currency exchange.
Cequent APEA's operating profit decreased approximately $2.1 million to approximately $5.7 million , or 5.0% of sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to $7.8 million , or 6.1% of net sales, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to the costs related to the facility closure in Finland and higher material costs in our Australian business.

28

Table of Contents

Corporate Expenses.   Corporate expenses increased approximately $0.6 million to $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , from $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . For all periods prior to the spin-off, the condensed consolidated financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by our former parent, however, the allocations may not be comparable to the corporate expenses we incurred as a stand-alone company. Corporate expenses included in operating profit in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include amounts that were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenue or headcount.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our capital and working capital requirements are funded through a combination of cash flows from operations, cash on hand and borrowings under our asset-based revolving credit facility ("ABL Facility"). We utilize intercompany loans and equity contributions to fund our worldwide operations. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , there was $9.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of cash held at foreign subsidiaries. There may be country specific regulations which may restrict or result in increased costs in the repatriation of these funds. See Note 7 . “ Long-term Debt ” included in Part I, Item 1, " Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, " within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and the condition in our markets and industry, we believe that our cash on hand, cash flow from operations and availability under our ABL Facility will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service and other funding requirements. However, our ability to fund our working capital needs, debt payments and other obligations, and to comply with financial covenants, including borrowing base limitations under our ABL Facility, depends on our future operating performance and cash flow and many factors outside of our control, including the costs of raw materials, the state of the automotive accessories market and financial and economic conditions and other factors. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.
Cash Flows
Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $12.8 million and $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Significant changes in cash flows provided by and used for operating activities and the reasons for such changes are as follows:
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we generated $22.6 million of cash, based on the reported net income of $10.0 million and after considering the effects of non-cash items related to losses on dispositions of property and equipment, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, changes in deferred income taxes, amortization of original issuance discount and debt issuance costs, and other, net. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we generated $33.6 million in cash flows based on the reported net income of $18.4 million and after considering the effects of similar non-cash items.
Increases in accounts receivable resulted in a use of cash of approximately $16.1 million and $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The increase in accounts receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is a result of higher sales activity in the third quarter compared to the fourth quarter due to seasonality. The decrease in cash used from accounts receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compare to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is due to improved collections. Days sales outstanding decreased to approximately 44 days at September 30, 2015 compared to 48 days at September 30, 2014 .
Decreases in inventory resulted in a cash source of approximately $5.3 million and $10.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Inventory levels decreased primarily due to the seasonality of our business. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , inventory levels in our Cequent Americas reportable segment declined as the safety stock levels built in preparation for the move from our Goshen, Indiana manufacturing facility to lower cost country facilities were consumed and replenished at lower levels.
Increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted in a cash source of approximately $2.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , primarily due to the reclassification of a tax liability and severance recorded during the third quarter related to our facilities closure. Decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted in a use of cash of approximately $17.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily as a result of the timing of payments made to supplier and mix of vendors and related terms. Our days accounts payable increased to approximately 59 days at September 30, 2015 compared to approximately 52 days at September 30, 2014 .

29

Table of Contents

Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $4.6 million and $9.2 million , respectively. During the first nine months of 2015 , we invested approximately $6.4 million in capital expenditures, as we have continued our investment in growth, capacity and productivity-related capital projects. Cash received from the disposition of property and equipment was approximately $1.8 million primarily due to the sale of assets in Finland. During the first nine months of 2014 , we incurred approximately $9.5 million in capital expenditures and received cash from the disposition of property and equipment of approximately $0.3 million .
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $15.5 million and $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. During the first nine months of 2015 , we entered into credit agreements in connection with the spin-off and received proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $192.9 million from our Term B Loan, and $6.9 million from our ABL Facility. We also had net transfers from our former parent of $27.6 million . These proceeds were primarily used to pay a distribution to our former parent company upon spin-off of $214.5 million . We also had net additional borrowings on our Australian revolving credit facility of $5.0 million . During the first nine months of 2014 , cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted from net transfers from our former parent.
Our Debt and Other Commitments
We and certain of our domestic subsidiaries are party to the ABL Facility, an asset-based revolving credit facility, that provides for $85.0 million of funding on a revolving basis, as well as a Term B Loan under which we borrowed an aggregate of $200.0 million . The ABL Facility matures in June 2020 and bears interest on outstanding balances at variable rates as outlined in the agreement, while the Term B Loan matures in June 2021 and bears interest at variable rates in accordance with the credit agreement. Refer to Note  7 , " Long-term Debt ," in Part I, Item 1, " Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ," included within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
At September 30, 2015 , approximately $8.5 million was outstanding on the ABL Facility bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 2.68% and $197.5 million was outstanding on the Term B Loan bearing interest at 7.00% . Subject to borrowing base availability, the Company had $70.1 million in available funds from the ABL facility as of September 30, 2015 .
The ABL Facility and Term B Loan agreements contain various negative and affirmative covenants and other requirements affecting us and our subsidiaries, including restrictions on incurrence of debt, liens, mergers, investments, loans, advances, guarantee obligations, acquisitions, asset dispositions, sale-leaseback transactions, hedging agreements, dividends and other restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, restrictive agreements and amendments to charters, bylaws, and other material documents. The ABL Facility does not include any financial maintenance covenants other than a springing minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 on a trailing twelve-month basis, which will be tested only upon the occurrence of an event of default or certain other conditions as specified in the agreement. The Term B Loan contains a financial maintenance covenant which requires us to maintain a net leverage ratio not exceeding, through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, 5.25 to 1.00; through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, 5.00 to 1.00; through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2018, 4.75 to 1.00; and thereafter, 4.50 to 1.00. At September 30, 2015 , we were in compliance with our financial covenants contained in the ABL Facility and the Term B Loan, respectively.
Our Australian subsidiary is party to a facility agreement consisting of an approximately $14.0 million revolving trade finance facility, which matures on November 30, 2015 , is subject to interest at Bank Bill Swap rate plus 1.90% and is secured by substantially all the assets of the subsidiary. $4.3 million was outstanding under this agreement as of September 30, 2015 at an average interest rate of 4.0% ; No amounts were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 . Borrowings under this arrangement are also subject to financial and reporting covenants. Financial covenants include a working capital coverage ratio (working capital over total debt), a minimum tangible net worth calculation (total assets plus subordinated debt, less liabilities, intangible assets and goodwill) and an interest coverage ratio (earnings before interest and taxes over gross interest cost). We were in compliance with such covenants for all periods presented.
We are subject to variable interest rates on our term loan and revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2015 , 1-Month LIBOR and 3-Month LIBOR approximated 0.19% and 0.33%, respectively.
Principal payments required under the credit agreement for the Term B Loan are $2.5 million due each calendar quarter beginning September 2015, with the remaining principal due on maturity, June 30, 2021. Commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, and for each fiscal year thereafter, we may also be required to make prepayments of outstanding term loans under the Term B Loan in an amount equal to 50.0% of our excess cash flow for such fiscal year, as defined, subject to adjustments based on our leverage ratio and optional prepayments of term loans and certain other indebtedness.
In addition to our long-term debt, we have other cash commitments related to leases. We account for these lease transactions as operating leases and annual rent expense related thereto approximated $15.1 million. We expect to continue to utilize leasing as a financing strategy in the future to meet capital expenditure needs and to reduce debt levels.

30

Table of Contents

The following is a reconciliation of net income, as reported, which is a GAAP measure of our operating results, to Consolidated Bank EBITDA, as defined in our Credit Agreement, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 . We present Consolidated Bank EBITDA to show our performance under our financial covenants.
 
 
 
 
Less:
 
Add:
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net income
 
$
15,350

 
$
18,410

 
$
10,030

 
$
6,970

Bank stipulated adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
720

 
510

 
4,590

 
4,800

Income tax expense   (credit)
 
5,240

 
5,890

 
30

 
(620
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
18,930

 
14,560

 
13,120

 
17,490

Non-cash compensation expense (1)
 
2,660

 
2,410

 
1,750

 
2,000

Other non-cash expenses or losses
 
15,260

 
11,960

 
11,150

 
14,450

Non-recurring expenses or costs (2)
 
4,440

 
4,140

 
5,000

 
5,300

Acquisition integration costs (3)
 
90

 
90

 

 

Interest-equivalent costs associated with any Specified Vendor Receivables Financing
 
870

 
570

 
690

 
990

Consolidated Bank EBITDA, as defined
 
$
63,560

 
$
58,540

 
$
46,360

 
$
51,380

 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total Consolidated Indebtedness
 
$
185,110

 
Consolidated Bank EBITDA, as defined
 
51,380

 
Actual leverage ratio
 
3.60

x
Covenant requirement
 
5.25

x
______________________
(1)  
Non-cash compensation expenses resulting from the grant of restricted shares of common stock and common stock options. For all the periods through June 30, 2015, these amounts were allocated by former parent company.
(2)  
Non-recurring costs and expenses relating to cost savings projects, including restructuring and severance expenses, not to exceed $5.0 million in any fiscal year and $15 million in aggregate, commencing on or after January 1, 2015.
(3)
Costs and expenses arising from the integration of any business acquired not to exceed $7.5 million in any fiscal year $20.0 million in the aggregate.
Credit Rating
We and certain of our outstanding debt obligations are rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. On April 30, 2015, Moody's assigned a rating of B2 to our then proposed $215 million senior secured term loan, as presented in Note 7 , "Long-term Debt" included in Item 1 , "Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Moody's also assigned a Ba2 to our corporate family rating and established our outlook as stable. On April 30, 2015, Standard & Poor's assigned a B corporate credit rating to our then proposed $215 million senior secured term loan. Standard & Poor's also assigned our outlook as stable. If our credit ratings were to decline, our ability to access certain financial markets may become limited, our cost of borrowings may increase, the perception of us in the view of our customers, suppliers and security holders may worsen and as a result, we may be adversely affected.

31

Table of Contents

Market Risk
We conduct business in various locations throughout the world and are subject to market risk due to changes in the value of foreign currencies. The functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are primarily the local currency in the country of domicile. We manage these operating activities at the local level and revenues and costs are generally denominated in local currencies; however, results of operations and assets and liabilities reported in U.S. dollars will fluctuate with changes in exchange rates between such local currencies and the U.S. dollar.
We use derivative financial instruments to manage currency risks associated with our procurement activities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries and the impact of currency rate volatility on our earnings. As of September 30, 2015 , we were party to forward contracts to hedge changes in foreign currency exchange rates with notional amounts of approximately $9.8 million . See Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments ," included in Part 1, Item 1, " Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ," within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
We are also subject to interest risk as it relates to our long-term debt. We may in the future use interest rate swap agreements to fix the variable portion of our debt to manage this risk.
Outlook
We believe the macroeconomic environment in 2015 will continue to present various challenges for many of our businesses, most notably due to the ongoing strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies and little or no general economic growth. Additionally, while we believe that the continued consolidation in aftermarket distribution presents long-term opportunities for our Company given our strong brand positions, portfolio of product offerings, and existing customer relationships, our results of operations may be impacted by the continuing closure and consolidation of customer warehouses.
We attempt to mitigate the challenging external factors by executing productivity projects across our businesses which we believe will drive future margin expansion, including leveraging recent investments in our low-cost manufacturing footprint, global customer relationships and global manufacturing and distribution capabilities. We believe these initiatives will carry through 2015 and beyond and enhance our margins and business portfolio over time.
Our strategic priorities are to improve margins, reduce our leverage, and drive top line growth.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
See Note  2 , " New Accounting Pronouncements ," included in Part 1, Item 1, " Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ," within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates that affect both the amounts and timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, our evaluation of business and macroeconomic trends, and information from other outside sources, as appropriate.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2015 , there were no material changes to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies in " Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ," in our Registration Statement.

32

Table of Contents

Emerging Growth Company
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, establishes a class of company called an "emerging growth company," which generally is a company whose initial public offering was completed after December 8, 2011 and had total annual gross revenues of less than $1 billion during its most recently completed fiscal year. We currently qualify as an emerging growth company.
As an emerging growth company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are not available to public reporting companies that do not qualify for this classification, including without limitation the following:
An emerging growth company is exempt from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report providing additional information about the audit and financial statements, commonly known as an "auditor discussion and analysis."
An emerging growth company is not required to hold a nonbinding advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation or any golden parachute payments not previously approved by stockholders.
An emerging growth company is not required to comply with the requirement of auditor attestation of management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting, which is required for other public reporting companies by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
An emerging growth company is eligible for reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic and annual reports, including without limitation exemption from the requirement to provide a compensation discussion and analysis describing compensation practices and procedures.
A company that is an emerging growth company is eligible for reduced financial statement disclosure in registration statements, which must include two years of audited financial statements rather than the three years of audited financial statements that are required for other public reporting companies.
For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we expect that we will take advantage of the reduced disclosure obligations available to us as a result of this classification. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (i) December 31, 2020, the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under applicable SEC rules. We expect that we will remain an emerging growth company for the foreseeable future, but cannot retain our emerging growth company status indefinitely and will no longer qualify as an emerging growth company on or before December 31, 2020.
Emerging growth companies may elect to take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to "opt out" of such extended transition period, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for companies that are not "emerging growth companies." Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We are also subject to interest risk as it relates to long-term debt. See Part I, Item 2, " Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, " for details about our primary market risks, and the objectives and strategies used to manage these risks. Also see Note  7 , " Long-term Debt ," and Note 8 , " Derivative Instruments ," in Part I, Item 1, " Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ," included within this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

33

Table of Contents

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
As of September 30, 2015 , an evaluation was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. The Company's disclosure controls and procedures are designed only to provide reasonable assurance that they will meet their objectives. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2015 , the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that they would meet their objectives.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the Company's most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 

34

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
We are subject to claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business, but we do not believe that any such claim or litigation is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in the section entitled " Risk Factors ," in our Registration Statement, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Significant changes in Risk Factors from those discussed in our Registration Statement are as follows:
If we are unable to systematically consolidate our brand names, it may impair our related intangible assets, which could have a material negative impact on our financial results
As of September 30, 2015 , we have approximately $22.7 million in intangible assets related to trademarks/trade names. We are currently in the process of simplifying our brand portfolio to reduce complexity and increase margins. If we are unable to successfully consolidate our brands, we may be required to record impairment charges related to our related intangible assets. Any future impairment of these assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, and products.
Increased global information technology security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data and communications. While we attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, monitoring of our networks and systems, and maintenance of backup and protective systems, our systems, networks and products remain potentially vulnerable to advanced persistent threats. Depending on their nature and scope, such threats could potentially lead to the compromising of confidential information and communications, improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, customer relationships, competitiveness and results of operations.  We may be required to incur significant costs to remedy damages caused by these disruptions or security breaches or to protect against disruption or security breaches in the future.


Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.    Other Information
Not applicable.

35

Table of Contents

Item 6.    Exhibits.
Exhibits Index:

3.1(b)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Horizon Global Corporation.
3.2(a)
Amended and Restated By-laws of Horizon Global Corporation.
10.1(b)
Horizon Global Corporation Executive Retirement Plan effective as of July 1, 2015.
10.2
Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement - Founders Grant - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.3
Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement - 2015 Board of Directors - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.4
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement - 2015 LTI - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.5
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement - Special Award - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.6
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2013 Performance Stock Units - 2006 Plan).
10.7
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2013 Performance Stock Units - 2011 Plan).
10.8
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2014 Performance Stock Units - 2011 Plan).
10.9
Horizon Global Corporation Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy effective as of July 1, 2015.
31.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

(a)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 11, 2015 (Reg. No. 333-203138).
(b)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2015 (File No. 001-37427).
 
 
 
* Certain exhibits and schedules were omitted in the original filing and the Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted exhibits and schedules upon request.




36

Table of Contents

Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
 
HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION (Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DAVID G. RICE
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 10, 2015
By:
 
David G. Rice
Chief Financial Officer


37

Table of Contents

Exhibits Index:

3.1(b)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Horizon Global Corporation.
3.2(a)
Amended and Restated By-laws of Horizon Global Corporation.
10.1(b)
Horizon Global Corporation Executive Retirement Plan effective as of July 1, 2015.
10.2
Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement - Founders Grant - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.3
Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement - 2015 Board of Directors - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.4
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement - 2015 LTI - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.5
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement - Special Award - under the 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.6
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2013 Performance Stock Units - 2006 Plan).
10.7
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2013 Performance Stock Units - 2011 Plan).
10.8
Form of Horizon Replacement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Converted in connection with the adjustment of TriMas 2014 Performance Stock Units - 2011 Plan).
10.9
Horizon Global Corporation Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy effective as of July 1, 2015.
31.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

(a)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 11, 2015 (Reg. No. 333-203138).
(b)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2015 (File No. 001-37427).
 
 
 
* Certain exhibits and schedules were omitted in the original filing and the Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted exhibits and schedules upon request.



38

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION

Restricted Stock Units Agreement
Founders Grant

This RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of August 15, 2015, by and between Horizon Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and _________________ (the “ Grantee ”).

1. Certain Definitions . Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement will have the meanings given to such terms in the Company’s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”).
2. Grant of RSUs . Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including any additional terms and conditions for the Grantee’s country (for Grantees outside the United States only) set forth in the attached Appendix which forms part of this Agreement, and in the Plan, pursuant to authorization under a resolution of the Committee that was duly adopted on August 4, 2015, the Company has granted to the Grantee as of August 15, 2015 (the “ Date of Grant ”) __________ Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”). Each RSU shall represent the right of the Grantee to receive one Common Share subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3. Restrictions on Transfer of RSUs . Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, neither the RSUs evidenced hereby nor any interest therein or in the Common Shares underlying such RSUs shall be transferable prior to payment to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.
4. Vesting of RSUs .
(a)
The RSUs covered by this Agreement shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof on July 1, 2018, conditioned upon the Grantee’s continuous employment with the Company or a Subsidiary through such date (the period from the Date of Grant until July 1, 2018, the “ Vesting Period ”). Any RSUs that do not so become nonforfeitable will be forfeited, including, except as provided in Section 4(b) or Section 4(c) below, if the Grantee ceases to be continuously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary prior to the end of the Vesting Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “continuously employed” (or substantially similar terms) means the absence of any interruption or termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. Continuous employment shall not be considered interrupted or terminated in the case of transfers between locations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 4(a) above, the RSUs shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof upon the occurrence of any of the following events at a time when the RSUs have not been forfeited (to the extent the RSUs have not previously become nonforfeitable) in the following manner:

-1-


(i)
all of the RSUs shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee if the Grantee should die or become Disabled prior to the end of the Vesting Period while the Grantee is continuously employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(ii)
if the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary by reason of a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Grantee for Good Reason that occurs prior to a Change in Control and before the end of the Vesting Period, a pro-rata portion of the RSUs shall become nonforfeitable and payable, with the pro-rata amount calculated by (A) multiplying the total number of RSUs subject to this Agreement by a fraction, (y) the numerator of which is the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed from the Date of Grant to the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment, and (z) the denominator of which is 35, and then (B) subtracting the number of RSUs that have already become nonforfeitable under this Agreement; or
(iii)
in the event of a Change in Control that occurs prior to the end of the Vesting Period, the RSUs shall become nonforfeitable and payable in accordance with Section 4(c) below.
(c)
(i)     Notwithstanding Section 4(a) above, if at any time before the end of the Vesting Period or forfeiture of the RSUs, and while the Grantee is continuously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, a Change in Control occurs, then the RSUs will become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee in accordance with Section 5 hereof, except to the extent that a Replacement Award is provided to the Grantee in accordance with Section 4(c)(ii) to continue, replace or assume the RSUs covered by this Agreement (the “ Replaced Award ”).
(i)
For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Replacement Award ” means an award (A) of the same type ( e.g. , time-based restricted stock units) as the Replaced Award, (B) that has a value at least equal to the value of the Replaced Award, (C) that relates to publicly traded equity securities of the Company or its successor in the Change in Control or another entity that is affiliated with the Company or its successor following the Change in Control, (D) if the Grantee holding the Replaced Award is subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Code, the tax consequences of which to such Grantee under the Code are not less favorable to such Grantee than the tax consequences of the Replaced Award, and (E) the other terms and conditions of which are not less favorable to the Grantee holding the Replaced Award than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control). A Replacement Award may be granted only to the extent it does not result in the Replaced Award or Replacement Award failing to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A

-2-


of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the Replaced Award if the requirements of the two preceding sentences are satisfied. The determination of whether the conditions of this Section 4(c)(ii) are satisfied will be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion.
(ii)
If, after receiving a Replacement Award, the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (or any of their successors) (as applicable, the “ Successor ”) by reason of a termination by the Successor without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason, in each case within a period of two years after the Change in Control and during the remaining vesting period for the Replacement Award, the Replacement Award shall become nonforfeitable and payable with respect to the time-based restricted stock units covered by such Replacement Award upon such termination.
(iii)
If a Replacement Award is provided, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any outstanding RSUs that at the time of the Change in Control are not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) will be deemed to be nonforfeitable at the time of such Change in Control.
(b)
For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply:
(i)
Good Reason ” shall mean (i) a material and permanent diminution in the Grantee’s duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate value of base salary and bonus opportunity provided to the Grantee by the Company; or (iii) a permanent reassignment of the Grantee to another primary office more than 50 miles from the current office location. The Grantee must notify the Company of the Grantee’s intention to invoke termination for Good Reason within 90 days after the Grantee has knowledge of such event and provide the Company 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. The Grantee may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination.
(ii)
Cause ” shall mean (i) the Grantee’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere  to a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or any other jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries conduct business; (ii) the Grantee’s willful misconduct in the performance of the Grantee’s duties to the Company or its Subsidiaries and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Company; (iii) the Grantee’s willful failure or refusal to follow directions from the Board (or direct reporting executive) and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Board; or (iv) the Grantee’s breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or its

-3-


Subsidiaries for personal profit.  Any failure by the Company or a Subsidiary to notify the Grantee after the first occurrence of an event constituting Cause shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event (or a similar event) from constituting Cause.
(iii)
Disabled ” shall mean (i) the Grantee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or last for a continuous period not less than 12 months, the Grantee has received income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan sponsored by the Company.
5.      Form and Time of Payment of RSUs .
(a)
Payment for the RSUs, after and to the extent they have become nonforfeitable, shall be made in the form of Common Shares. Except as provided in Section 5(b) or 5(c) , payment shall be made as soon as administratively practicable following (but no later than thirty (30) days following) the date that the RSUs become nonforfeitable pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
(b)
If the RSUs become nonforfeitable (i) by reason of the occurrence of a Change in Control as described in Section 4(c) , and if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in control” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, or (ii) by reason of a termination of the Grantee’s employment, and if such termination does not constitute a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, then payment for the RSUs will be made upon the earliest of (A) the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company and its Subsidiaries (determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code), (B) the date the RSUs would have become nonforfeitable under Section 4(a) had the Grantee remained in continuous employment, (C) the Grantee’s death, (D) the occurrence of a Change in Control that constitutes a “change in control” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, or (E) the Grantee’s becoming Disabled.
(c)
If the RSUs become payable on the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and the Grantee is a “specified employee” as determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Company in compliance with Section 409A of the Code, then payment for the RSUs shall be made on the earlier of the fifth business day of the seventh month after the date of the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code or the Grantee’s death.

-4-


(d)
Except to the extent provided by Section 409A of the Code and permitted by the Committee, no Common Shares may be issued to the Grantee at a time earlier than otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
(e)
The Company’s obligations to the Grantee with respect to the RSUs will be satisfied in full upon the issuance of Common Shares corresponding to such RSUs.
6.      Dividend Equivalents; Voting and Other Rights .
(a)
The Grantee shall have no rights of ownership in the Common Shares underlying the RSUs and no right to vote the Common Shares underlying the RSUs until the date on which the Common Shares underlying the RSUs are issued or transferred to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 above.
(b)
From and after the Date of Grant and until the earlier of (i) the time when the RSUs become nonforfeitable and are paid in accordance with Section 5 hereof or (ii) the time when the Grantee’s right to receive Common Shares in payment of the RSUs is forfeited in accordance with Section 4 hereof, on the date that the Company pays a cash dividend (if any) to holders of Common Shares generally, the Grantee shall be credited with cash per RSU equal to the amount of such dividend. Any amounts credited pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be subject to the same applicable terms and conditions (including vesting, payment and forfeitability) as apply to the RSUs based on which the dividend equivalents were credited, and such amounts shall be paid in cash at the same time as the RSUs to which they relate.
(c)
The obligations of the Company under this Agreement will be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to deliver Common Shares in the future, and the rights of the Grantee will be no greater than that of an unsecured general creditor. No assets of the Company will be held or set aside as security for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

-5-


7.      Adjustments . The number of Common Shares issuable for each RSU and the other terms and conditions of the grant evidenced by this Agreement are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.
8.      Withholding Taxes . To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with the delivery to the Grantee of Common Shares or any other payment to the Grantee or any other payment or vesting event under this Agreement, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to make any such delivery or payment that the Grantee make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld. The Grantee may elect that all or any part of such withholding requirement be satisfied by retention by the Company of a portion of the Common Shares to be delivered to the Grantee or by delivering to the Company other Common Shares held by the Grantee. If such election is made, the shares so retained shall be credited against such withholding requirement at the market value of such Common Shares on the date of such delivery. In no event will the market value of the Common Shares to be withheld and/or delivered pursuant to this Section 8 to satisfy applicable withholding taxes exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld.
9.      Compliance With Law . The Company shall make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided , however , notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law.
10.      Compliance With Section 409A of the Code . To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement and the Plan comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement and the Plan shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause this Agreement or the Plan to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and may be made by the Company without the consent of the Grantee).
11.      Interpretation . Any reference in this Agreement to Section 409A of the Code will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein will have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
12.      No Right to Future Awards or Employment . The grant of the RSUs under this Agreement to the Grantee is a voluntary, discretionary award being made on a one-time basis and it does not constitute a commitment to make any future awards. The grant of the RSUs and any payments made hereunder will not be considered salary or other compensation for purposes of any severance pay or similar allowance, except as otherwise required by law. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon the Grantee any right to be employed or remain employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor limit or affect in any manner the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the employment or adjust the compensation of the Grantee.

-6-


13.      Relation to Other Benefits . Any economic or other benefit to the Grantee under this Agreement or the Plan shall not be taken into account in determining any benefits to which the Grantee may be entitled under any profit-sharing, retirement or other benefit or compensation plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall not affect the amount of any life insurance coverage available to any beneficiary under any life insurance plan covering employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
14.      Amendments . Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided , however , that (a) no amendment shall adversely affect the rights of the Grantee under this Agreement without the Grantee’s written consent, and (b) the Grantee’s consent shall not be required to an amendment that is deemed necessary by the Company to ensure compliance with Section 409A of the Code or Section 10D of the Exchange Act.
15.      Severability . In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.
16.      Relation to Plan . This Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. The Committee acting pursuant to the Plan, as constituted from time to time, shall, except as expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Plan, have the right to determine any questions which arise in connection with this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the award described herein are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's clawback policy (if any) as may be in effect from time to time specifically to implement Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (including applicable rules and regulations of any national securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded).
17.      Electronic Delivery . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the RSUs and the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted under the Plan, by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
18.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principle of law that would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
19.      Successors and Assigns . Without limiting Section 3 hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns of the Grantee, and the successors and assigns of the Company.

-7-


20.      Acknowledgement . The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee (a) has received a copy of the Plan, (b) has had an opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, (c) understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan and (d) agrees to such terms and conditions.
21.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

-8-


HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jay Goldbaum                 

Name: Jay Goldbaum
Title: Legal Director & Corporate Secretary

Grantee Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By:                      

Name:
Title:


-9-



APPENDIX
TO
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
NON-U.S. ADDENDUM

Additional Terms and Conditions for Equity Grants Under Horizon Global Corporation’s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan

August 2015
Terms and Conditions

This Addendum includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) granted to you under the Plan if you reside in one of the countries listed below. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Addendum have the meanings set forth in the Plan and/or your award agreement (the “ Agreement ”) that relates to your award. By accepting your award, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions contained in the paragraphs below in addition to the terms of the Plan, the Agreement, and the terms of any other document that may apply to you and your award.

Notifications

This Addendum also includes information regarding exchange controls and certain other issues of which you should be aware with respect to participation in the Plan. The information is based on the securities, exchange control, and other laws in effect in the respective countries as of August 2015. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, it is strongly recommended that you not rely on the information in this Addendum as the only source of information relating to the consequences of your participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time you vest in your RSUs or sell shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure you of a particular result. Accordingly, you are advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in your country may apply to your situation.

Finally, if you are a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which you are currently working, transferred employment after the RSUs were granted to you, or are considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the information contained herein may not apply.

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE
Below please find country specific language that applies to Participants in the following countries: Australia.




NAI-1500357522v9     i




AUSTRALIA

Terms and Conditions

Vesting . The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:

“The RSUs covered by this Agreement shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof on July 1, 2017, conditioned upon the Grantee’s continuous employment with the Company or a Subsidiary through such date (the period from the Date of Grant until July 1, 2017, the “ Vesting Period ”).”

Section 4(b)(ii) of the Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the number “35” where it appears therein with the number “23.”

Section 5 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding a new Section 5(f) to read as follows:

“(f)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Grantee may not sell, transfer or otherwise alienate the Common Shares issued upon vesting of the RSUs within twelve (12) months of the date of issue, unless the Grantee complies in all respects with the licensing and disclosure requirements under the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).”

Taxation . It is understood that the Grantee's RSUs, the terms of which are set forth in the Agreement, should satisfy the real risk of forfeiture test for deferral concessions as set forth in the ESS legislation effective July 1, 2015 because the Grantee will forfeit the RSUs if certain conditions are not met (i.e., the Grantee must remain continuously employed until the RSUs vest), and accordingly, the Grantee will be subject to deferred taxation and should generally not be subject to tax when the RSUs are granted. Furthermore, by accepting the grant of the RSUs, the Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee does not hold a beneficial interest in more than 10% of the Company's common stock, and is not in a position to cast, or to control the casting of more than 10% of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of the Company.

Notifications

Securities Law Information . If a Grantee acquires Common Shares and offers Common Shares for sale to a person or entity resident in Australia, the offer may be subject to disclosure requirements under Australian law. Grantees should obtain legal advice on disclosure obligations prior to making any such offer.

Exchange Control Information . Exchange control reporting is required for cash transactions exceeding A$10,000 and international fund transfers. The Australian bank assisting with the transaction will file the report. If there is no Australian bank involved in the transfer, Grantees will be required to file the report.

ii

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION

Restricted Stock Units Agreement
Board of Directors Grant

This RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of August 15, 2015, by and between Horizon Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and _________________ (the “ Grantee ”).

1. Certain Definitions . Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement will have the meanings given to such terms in the Company’s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”).
2.      Grant of RSUs . Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, pursuant to authorization under a resolution of the Committee that was duly adopted on August 4, 2015, the Company has granted to the Grantee as of August 15, 2015 (the “ Date of Grant ”) __________ Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”). Each RSU shall represent the right of the Grantee to receive one Common Share subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3.      Restrictions on Transfer of RSUs . Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, neither the RSUs evidenced hereby nor any interest therein or in the Common Shares underlying such RSUs shall be transferable prior to payment to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.
4.      Vesting of RSUs .
(a)
The RSUs covered by this Agreement shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof on May 1, 2016, conditioned upon the Grantee’s continuous service on the Board through such date (the period from the Date of Grant until May 1, 2016, the “ Vesting Period ”). Any RSUs that do not so become nonforfeitable will be forfeited, including, except as provided in Section 4(b) below, if the Grantee ceases to continuously serve on the Board prior to the end of the Vesting Period.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 4(a) above, the RSUs shall become nonforfeitable and payable to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 hereof if the Grantee should die or become Disabled prior to the end of the Vesting Period while the Grantee is continuously serving on the Board (to the extent the RSU have not previously become nonforfeitable).
(c)
For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disabled ” shall mean that the Grantee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

-1-



5.      Form and Time of Payment of RSUs .
(a)
Payment for the RSUs, after and to the extent they have become nonforfeitable, shall be made in the form of Common Shares. Except as provided in Section 5(b) , payment shall be made as soon as administratively practicable following (but no later than thirty (30) days following) the date that the RSUs become nonforfeitable pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
(b)
If the RSUs become payable on the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and the Grantee is a “specified employee” as determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Company in compliance with Section 409A of the Code, then payment for the RSUs shall be made on the earlier of the first day of the seventh month after the date of the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code or the Grantee’s death.
(c)
Except to the extent provided by Section 409A of the Code and permitted by the Committee, no Common Shares may be issued to the Grantee at a time earlier than otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
(d)
The Company’s obligations to the Grantee with respect to the RSUs will be satisfied in full upon the issuance of Common Shares corresponding to such RSUs.
6.      Dividend Equivalents; Voting and Other Rights .
(a)
The Grantee shall have no rights of ownership in the Common Shares underlying the RSUs and no right to vote the Common Shares underlying the RSUs until the date on which the Common Shares underlying the RSUs are issued or transferred to the Grantee pursuant to Section 5 above.
(b)
From and after the Date of Grant and until the earlier of (i) the time when the RSUs become nonforfeitable and are paid in accordance with Section 5 hereof or (ii) the time when the Grantee’s right to receive Common Shares in payment of the RSUs is forfeited in accordance with Section 4 hereof, on the date that the Company pays a cash dividend (if any) to holders of Common Shares generally, the Grantee shall be credited with cash per RSU equal to the amount of such dividend. Any amounts credited pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be subject to the same applicable terms and conditions (including vesting, payment and forfeitability) as apply to the RSUs based on which the dividend equivalents were credited, and such amounts shall be paid in cash at the same time as the RSUs to which they relate.
(c)
The obligations of the Company under this Agreement will be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to deliver Common Shares in the

-2-


future, and the rights of the Grantee will be no greater than that of an unsecured general creditor. No assets of the Company will be held or set aside as security for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.
7.      Adjustments . The number of Common Shares issuable for each RSU and the other terms and conditions of the grant evidenced by this Agreement are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.
8.      Taxes . The Grantee will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes that arise with respect to the granting and payment of the RSUs, including the payment of any Common Shares.
9.      Compliance With Law . The Company shall make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided , however , notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law.
10.      Compliance With Section 409A of the Code . To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement and the Plan comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement and the Plan shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause this Agreement or the Plan to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and may be made by the Company without the consent of the Grantee).
11.      Interpretation . Any reference in this Agreement to Section 409A of the Code will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein will have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
12.      No Right to Future Awards or Board Membership . The grant of the RSUs under this Agreement to the Grantee is a voluntary, discretionary award being made on a one-time basis and it does not constitute a commitment to make any future awards. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continued service as a member of the Board.
13.      Amendments . Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided , however , that (a) no amendment shall adversely affect the rights of the Grantee under this Agreement without the Grantee’s written consent, and (b) the Grantee’s consent shall not be required to an amendment that is deemed necessary by the Company to ensure compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
14.      Severability . In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall

-3-


be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.
15.      Relation to Plan . This Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. The Committee acting pursuant to the Plan, as constituted from time to time, shall, except as expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Plan, have the right to determine any questions which arise in connection with this Agreement.
16.      Electronic Delivery . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the RSUs and the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted under the Plan, by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
17.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principle of law that would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
18.      Successors and Assigns . Without limiting Section 3 hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns of the Grantee, and the successors and assigns of the Company.
19.      Acknowledgement . The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee (a) has received a copy of the Plan, (b) has had an opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, (c) understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan and (d) agrees to such terms and conditions.
20.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

-4-


HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jay Goldbaum                 

Name: Jay Goldbaum
Title: Legal Director & Corporate Secretary

Grantee Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By:                      

Name:
Title:

-5-

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement
Annual Grant

This NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of August 15, 2015, by and between Horizon Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and _________________ (the “ Grantee ”).
1. Certain Definitions . Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement will have the meanings given to such terms in the Company’s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”).
2.      Grant of Option . Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, pursuant to authorization under a resolution of the Committee that was duly adopted on August 4, 2015, the Company has granted to the Grantee as of August 15, 2015 (the “ Date of Grant ”) an Option Right to purchase __________ Common Shares (the “ Option ”) at an Option Price of $11.02 per Common Share, which represents at least the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant (the “ Option Exercise Price ”).
3.      Vesting of Option .
(a)      The Option (unless terminated as hereinafter provided) shall be exercisable in substantially equal installments on each of (i) the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and (ii) March 1, 2017 and 2018, if the Grantee shall have been in the continuous employ of the Company or any Subsidiary until each such date (the period from the Date of Grant until March 1, 2018, the “ Vesting Period ”). For purposes of this Agreement, “continuously employed” (or substantially similar terms) means the absence of any interruption or termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. Continuous employment shall not be considered interrupted or terminated in the case of transfers between locations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(b)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, the unvested portion of the Option (to the extent the Option has not been forfeited) shall become immediately exercisable in full if the Grantee should die or become Disabled while continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary during the Vesting Period.
(c)      If the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary by reason of a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Grantee for Good Reason that occurs prior to a Change in Control and before the end of the Vesting Period, a pro-rata portion of the Option shall become exercisable, with the pro-rata amount calculated by (i) multiplying the total number of Common Shares subject to the Option by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed from the Date of Grant to the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment, and (B) the denominator of which is 31, and then (ii) subtracting the portion of the Option that has already become exercisable under this Agreement.

-1-


(d)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, in the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 below.
4.      Termination of the Option . The Option shall terminate on the earliest of the following dates:
(a)      30 days after the Grantee’s termination of employment, unless such termination of employment (i) is a result of Grantee’s death or Disability as described in Section 4(b) or 4(c) , (ii) is a result of termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason as described in Section 4(d) , (iii) is a result of termination of employment for Cause, or (iv) is a result of the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason after a Change in Control;
(b)      One year after the Grantee’s death if such death occurs while the Grantee is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary;
(c)      One year after the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary due to Disability;
(d)      Ninety days after the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee with Good Reason that does not occur after a Change in Control;
(e)      The date of the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary for Cause; or
(f)      Ten (10) years from the Date of Grant.
5.      Effect of Change in Control .
(a)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, if at any time before the Option is fully vested or forfeited, and while the Grantee is continuously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, a Change in Control occurs, then the unvested portion of the Option shall become immediately exercisable, except to the extent that a Replacement Award is provided to the Grantee in accordance with Section 5(b) to continue, replace or assume the Option covered by the Agreement (the “ Replaced Award ”).
(a)      For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Replacement Award ” means an award (i) of the same type ( e.g. , time-based stock options) as the Replaced Award, (ii) that has a value at least equal to the value of the Replaced Award, (iii) that relates to publicly traded equity securities of the Company or its successor in the Change in Control or another entity that is affiliated with the Company or its successor following the Change in Control, (iv) if the Grantee holding the Replaced Award is subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Code, the tax consequences of which to such Grantee under the Code are not less favorable to such Grantee than the tax consequences of the Replaced Award, and (v) the other terms

-2-


and conditions of which are not less favorable to the Grantee holding the Replaced Award than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control). A Replacement Award may be granted only to the extent it does not result in the Replaced Award or Replacement Award failing to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the Replaced Award if the requirements of the two preceding sentences are satisfied. The determination of whether the conditions of this Section 5(b) are satisfied will be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion.
(b)      If, after receiving a Replacement Award, the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (or any of their successors) (as applicable, the “ Successor ”) by reason of a termination by the Successor without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason, in each case within a period of two years after the Change in Control and during the remaining Vesting Period, the Replacement Award shall become fully exercisable with respect to the stock option covered by such Replacement Award upon such termination.
6.      Exercise and Payment of Option . To the extent exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time and will be settled in Common Shares by the Grantee giving notice to the Company specifying the number of Common Shares for which the Option is to be exercised and paying the aggregate Option Exercise Price for such Common Shares. The Option Exercise Price shall be payable (a) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (b) by the actual or constructive transfer to the Company by the Grantee of nonforfeitable, unrestricted Common Shares of the Company owned by the Grantee and having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise of the Option equal to the total Option Price of the Common Shares which are the subject of such exercise, (c) by a net exercise method as described in the Plan, (d) by a combination of such methods of payment, or (e) by such other methods as may be approved by the Committee.
7.      Transferability, Binding Effect . Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the Option is not transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and in no event shall this award be transferred for value.
8.      Definitions .
(a)      Cause ” shall mean (i) the Grantee’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere  to a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or any other jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries conduct business; (ii) the Grantee’s willful misconduct in the performance of the Grantee’s duties to the Company or its Subsidiaries and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Company; (iii) the Grantee’s willful failure or refusal to follow directions from the Board (or direct reporting executive) and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Board; or (iv) the Grantee’s breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or its Subsidiaries for personal profit.   Any failure by the Company or a Subsidiary to notify the Grantee after the first occurrence

-3-


of an event constituting Cause shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event (or a similar event) from constituting Cause.
(b)      Disability ” shall mean (i) the Grantee’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or last for a continuous period not less than 12 months, the Grantee’s receipt of income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan sponsored by the Company.
(c)      Good Reason ” shall mean (i) a material and permanent diminution in the Grantee’s duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate value of base salary and bonus opportunity provided to the Grantee by the Company; or (iii) a permanent reassignment of the Grantee to another primary office more than 50 miles from the current office location. The Grantee must notify the Company of the Grantee’s intention to invoke termination for Good Reason within 90 days after the Grantee has knowledge of such event and provide the Company 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. The Grantee may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination.
9.      No Dividend Equivalents . The Grantee shall not be entitled to dividend equivalents with respect to the Option or the Common Shares underlying the Option.
10.      Adjustments . The number of Common Shares issuable subject to the Option and the other terms and conditions of the grant evidenced by this Agreement are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.
11.      Withholding Taxes . To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made to or benefit realized by the Grantee or other person under the Option, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the Grantee or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld. The Grantee may elect that all or any part of such withholding requirement be satisfied by retention by the Company of a portion of the Common Shares to be delivered to the Grantee or by delivering to the Company other Common Shares held by the Grantee. If such election is made, the shares so retained shall be credited against such withholding requirement at the market value of such Common Shares on the date of such delivery. In no event will the market value of the Common Shares to be withheld and/or delivered pursuant to this Section 11 to satisfy applicable withholding taxes exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld.
12.      Compliance with Law . The Company shall make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided , however , notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation

-4-


of any such law. The Option shall not be exercisable if such exercise would involve a violation of any law.
13.      No Right to Future Awards or Employment . The Option award is a voluntary, discretionary bonus being made on a one-time basis and it does not constitute a commitment to make any future awards. The Option award and any related payments made to the Grantee will not be considered salary or other compensation for purposes of any severance pay or similar allowance, except as otherwise required by law. Nothing contained herein will confer upon the Grantee any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service at any time.
14.      Relation to Other Benefits . Any economic or other benefit to the Grantee under this Agreement or the Plan shall not be taken into account in determining any benefits to which the Grantee may be entitled under any profit-sharing, retirement or other benefit or compensation plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall not affect the amount of any life insurance coverage available to any beneficiary under any life insurance plan covering employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
15.      Amendments . Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided , however , that no amendment shall adversely affect the Grantee’s rights with respect to the options without the Grantee’s consent and the Grantee’s consent shall not be required to an amendment that is deemed necessary by the Company to ensure compliance with Section 10D of the Exchange Act.
16.      Severability . In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.
17.      Relation to Plan . The Option granted under this Agreement and all of the terms and conditions hereof are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will govern. The Committee acting pursuant to the Plan, as constituted from time to time, shall, except as expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Plan, have the right to determine any questions which arise in connection with this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the award described herein are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s clawback policy (if any) as may be in effect from time to time specifically to implement Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (including applicable rules and regulations of any national securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded).
18.      Electronic Delivery . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Option and the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted under the Plan, by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by

-5-


electronic delivery and, if requested, agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
19.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principle of law that would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
20.      Successors and Assigns . Without limiting Section 7 hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns of the Grantee, and the successors and assigns of the Company.
21.      Acknowledgement . The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee (a) has received a copy of the Plan, (b) has had an opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, (c) understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan and (d) agrees to such terms and conditions.
22.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which together shall constitute but one Agreement.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]


-6-


HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jay Goldbaum                 

Name: Jay Goldbaum
Title: Legal Director & Corporate Secretary

Grantee Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By:                     

Name:     



-7-


HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

This NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 7, 2015, by and between Horizon Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and _________________ (the “ Grantee ”).
1. Certain Definitions . Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement will have the meanings given to such terms in the Company’s 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”).
2.      Grant of Option . Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, pursuant to authorization under a resolution of the Committee that was duly adopted on October 7, 2015, the Company has granted to the Grantee as of October 7, 2015 (the “ Date of Grant ”) an Option Right to purchase __________ Common Shares (the “ Option ”) at an Option Price of $9.20 per Common Share, which represents at least the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant (the “ Option Exercise Price ”).
3.      Vesting of Option .
(a)      The Option (unless terminated as hereinafter provided) shall be exercisable in full on March 5, 2017 (the period from the Date of Grant until March 5, 2017, the “ Vesting Period ”). For purposes of this Agreement, “continuously employed” (or substantially similar terms) means the absence of any interruption or termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. Continuous employment shall not be considered interrupted or terminated in the case of transfers between locations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(b)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, the unvested portion of the Option (to the extent the Option has not been forfeited) shall become immediately exercisable in full if the Grantee should die or become Disabled while continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary during the Vesting Period.
(c)      If the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary by reason of a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Grantee for Good Reason that occurs prior to a Change in Control and before the end of the Vesting Period, a pro-rata portion of the Option shall become exercisable, with the pro-rata amount calculated by multiplying the total number of Common Shares subject to the Option by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed from the Date of Grant to the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment, and (ii) the denominator of which is 17.
(d)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, in the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 below.





4.      Termination of the Option . The Option shall terminate on the earliest of the following dates:
(a)      30 days after the Grantee’s termination of employment, unless such termination of employment (i) is a result of Grantee’s death or Disability as described in Section 4(b) or 4(c) , (ii) is a result of termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason as described in Section 4(d) , (iii) is a result of termination of employment for Cause, or (iv) is a result of the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason after a Change in Control;
(b)      One year after the Grantee’s death if such death occurs while the Grantee is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary;
(c)      One year after the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary due to Disability;
(d)      Ninety days after the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause or by the Grantee with Good Reason that does not occur after a Change in Control;
(e)      The date of the Grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary for Cause; or
(f)      Ten (10) years from the Date of Grant.
5.      Effect of Change in Control .
(a)      Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, if at any time before the Option is fully vested or forfeited, and while the Grantee is continuously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, a Change in Control occurs, then the unvested portion of the Option shall become immediately exercisable, except to the extent that a Replacement Award is provided to the Grantee in accordance with Section 5(b) to continue, replace or assume the Option covered by the Agreement (the “ Replaced Award ”).
(a)      For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Replacement Award ” means an award (i) of the same type ( e.g. , time-based stock options) as the Replaced Award, (ii) that has a value at least equal to the value of the Replaced Award, (iii) that relates to publicly traded equity securities of the Company or its successor in the Change in Control or another entity that is affiliated with the Company or its successor following the Change in Control, (iv) if the Grantee holding the Replaced Award is subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Code, the tax consequences of which to such Grantee under the Code are not less favorable to such Grantee than the tax consequences of the Replaced Award, and (v) the other terms and conditions of which are not less favorable to the Grantee holding the Replaced Award than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control). A Replacement Award may be granted

-2-



only to the extent it does not result in the Replaced Award or Replacement Award failing to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the Replaced Award if the requirements of the two preceding sentences are satisfied. The determination of whether the conditions of this Section 5(b) are satisfied will be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion.
(b)      If, after receiving a Replacement Award, the Grantee experiences a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (or any of their successors) (as applicable, the “ Successor ”) by reason of a termination by the Successor without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason, in each case within a period of two years after the Change in Control and during the remaining Vesting Period, the Replacement Award shall become fully exercisable with respect to the stock option covered by such Replacement Award upon such termination.
6.      Exercise and Payment of Option . To the extent exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time and will be settled in Common Shares by the Grantee giving notice to the Company specifying the number of Common Shares for which the Option is to be exercised and paying the aggregate Option Exercise Price for such Common Shares. The Option Exercise Price shall be payable (a) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (b) by the actual or constructive transfer to the Company by the Grantee of nonforfeitable, unrestricted Common Shares of the Company owned by the Grantee and having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise of the Option equal to the total Option Price of the Common Shares which are the subject of such exercise, (c) by a net exercise method as described in the Plan, (d) by a combination of such methods of payment, or (e) by such other methods as may be approved by the Committee.
7.      Transferability, Binding Effect . Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the Option is not transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and in no event shall this award be transferred for value.
8.      Definitions .
(a)      Cause ” shall mean (i) the Grantee’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere  to a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or any other jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries conduct business; (ii) the Grantee’s willful misconduct in the performance of the Grantee’s duties to the Company or its Subsidiaries and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Company; (iii) the Grantee’s willful failure or refusal to follow directions from the Board (or direct reporting executive) and failure to cure such breach within thirty days following written notice thereof from the Board; or (iv) the Grantee’s breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or its Subsidiaries for personal profit.   Any failure by the Company or a Subsidiary to notify the Grantee after the first occurrence of an event constituting Cause shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event (or a similar event) from constituting Cause.

-3-



(b)      Disability ” shall mean (i) the Grantee’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or last for a continuous period not less than 12 months, the Grantee’s receipt of income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan sponsored by the Company.
(c)      Good Reason ” shall mean (i) a material and permanent diminution in the Grantee’s duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate value of base salary and bonus opportunity provided to the Grantee by the Company; or (iii) a permanent reassignment of the Grantee to another primary office more than 50 miles from the current office location. The Grantee must notify the Company of the Grantee’s intention to invoke termination for Good Reason within 90 days after the Grantee has knowledge of such event and provide the Company 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. The Grantee may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination.
9.      No Dividend Equivalents . The Grantee shall not be entitled to dividend equivalents with respect to the Option or the Common Shares underlying the Option.
10.      Adjustments . The number of Common Shares issuable subject to the Option and the other terms and conditions of the grant evidenced by this Agreement are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.
11.      Withholding Taxes . To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made to or benefit realized by the Grantee or other person under the Option, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the Grantee or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld. The Grantee may elect that all or any part of such withholding requirement be satisfied by retention by the Company of a portion of the Common Shares to be delivered to the Grantee or by delivering to the Company other Common Shares held by the Grantee. If such election is made, the shares so retained shall be credited against such withholding requirement at the market value of such Common Shares on the date of such delivery. In no event will the market value of the Common Shares to be withheld and/or delivered pursuant to this Section 11 to satisfy applicable withholding taxes exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld.
12.      Compliance with Law . The Company shall make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided , however , notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law. The Option shall not be exercisable if such exercise would involve a violation of any law.

-4-



13.      No Right to Future Awards or Employment . The Option award is a voluntary, discretionary bonus being made on a one-time basis and it does not constitute a commitment to make any future awards. The Option award and any related payments made to the Grantee will not be considered salary or other compensation for purposes of any severance pay or similar allowance, except as otherwise required by law. Nothing contained herein will confer upon the Grantee any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service at any time.
14.      Relation to Other Benefits . Any economic or other benefit to the Grantee under this Agreement or the Plan shall not be taken into account in determining any benefits to which the Grantee may be entitled under any profit-sharing, retirement or other benefit or compensation plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall not affect the amount of any life insurance coverage available to any beneficiary under any life insurance plan covering employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
15.      Amendments . Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided , however , that no amendment shall adversely affect the Grantee’s rights with respect to the options without the Grantee’s consent and the Grantee’s consent shall not be required to an amendment that is deemed necessary by the Company to ensure compliance with Section 10D of the Exchange Act.
16.      Severability . In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.
17.      Relation to Plan . The Option granted under this Agreement and all of the terms and conditions hereof are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will govern. The Committee acting pursuant to the Plan, as constituted from time to time, shall, except as expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Plan, have the right to determine any questions which arise in connection with this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the award described herein are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s clawback policy (if any) as may be in effect from time to time specifically to implement Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (including applicable rules and regulations of any national securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded).
18.      Electronic Delivery . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Option and the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted under the Plan, by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

-5-



19.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principle of law that would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
20.      Successors and Assigns . Without limiting Section 7 hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns of the Grantee, and the successors and assigns of the Company.
21.      Acknowledgement . The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee (a) has received a copy of the Plan, (b) has had an opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, (c) understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan and (d) agrees to such terms and conditions.
22.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which together shall constitute but one Agreement.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]


-6-



HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jay Goldbaum                 

Name: Jay Goldbaum
Title: Legal Director & Corporate Secretary

Grantee Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By:                     

Name:     



-7-
2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS        
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

HORIZON RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(CONVERTED IN CONNECTION WITH ADJUSTMENT OF
TRIMAS 2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE UNITS)
July 6, 2015
Introduction
Effective June 30, 2015, the Cequent business of TriMas Corporation (“ TriMas ”) was separated from TriMas through a spinoff of that business to TriMas’ stockholders, which resulted in the distribution of 100% of TriMas’ interest in Horizon Global Corporation (“ Horizon ”) to holders of shares of TriMas’ common stock (the “ Spin-Off ”). Horizon is now an independent, publicly traded company. For more information about the Spin-Off, please refer to the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed by Horizon with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015, as amended (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus is available online at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
As a result of the Spin-Off, the 2013-2015 performance stock unit award (which may be referred to in the applicable grant agreement as a “performance unit” award) outstanding as of the Spin-Off and granted by TriMas to you (the “ 2013 TriMas PSU Award ”) pursuant to the terms of a TriMas equity incentive plan (a “ TriMas Equity Plan ”) and related grant agreement (the “ 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement ”) in 2013 was converted into a restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of the date of, and immediately prior to, the effective time of the Spin-Off, as follows (a “ 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award ”):
The relative achievement of the Performance Goals (as described on Appendix A to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement) applicable to the 2013 TriMas PSU Award, and thus the number of performance stock units that were earned under such 2013 TriMas PSU Award, was determined as of the date of the Spin-Off (rather than at the end of the Performance Period); and
The earned portion of the 2013 TriMas PSU Award was then converted into a restricted stock units award covering a number of shares of Horizon common stock to account for the effect of the Spin-Off in a manner intended to retain the same intrinsic value (subject to rounding) immediately after the Spin-Off that the earned portion of the original 2013 TriMas PSU Award had immediately prior to the Spin-Off, as reflected on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com and as further described in the Prospectus.
These adjustments were made by TriMas’ Compensation Committee under the terms of the applicable TriMas Equity Plan.
Terms of 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award
Each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award is issued under the Horizon Global Corporation 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Horizon Equity Plan ”) as an Adjusted Award (as defined in the Horizon Equity Plan). Although issued under the

NAI-1500332744v6


Horizon Equity Plan, each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award continues to be subject to terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding 2013 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced, including the terms of the TriMas Equity Plan under which the 2013 TriMas PSU Award was granted, except to the extent that such terms are rendered inoperative or modified by the Spin-Off (and transactions and events reasonably associated therewith, including as described in the Prospectus) and as described below. Accordingly, for purposes of the Horizon Equity Plan and each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award, the related 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement, the operative terms of the applicable TriMas Equity Plan and this document constitute the Evidence of Award and such documents are collectively referred to herein as a “ 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement .”
Generally, each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (and the related 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement) differs from the related 2013 TriMas PSU Award that it replaced in that each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (1) represents the right to receive shares of Horizon common stock upon the satisfaction of service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, and (2) has otherwise been deemed modified to the extent necessary to reflect the fact that you provide services to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (and not TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates) and the issuer of the common stock underlying the award is Horizon (and not TriMas). In particular, the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award differs from the 2013 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced including in the following ways:
1.
The 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award was converted into a service-based restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, which means that the award represents the right to receive a specified number of shares of Horizon common stock and any dividend rights with respect thereto (if applicable) upon the satisfaction of the service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, but it is no longer subject to the achievement of the Performance Goals.
2.
References to “Performance Stock Units” (or “Performance Units,” if applicable) or “PSUs” in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed references to “Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs,” respectively, and references to shares of TriMas common stock will be deemed references to Horizon common stock, as applicable.
3.
Any references to a “Performance Period,” a “Performance Measurement Period,” “performance conditions,” “performance measures,” “Performance Goals” or “performance goals,” and any modification of the number of shares subject to the award based on the same terms, are deemed no longer applicable with respect to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement, and Appendix A to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement and any references thereto are deemed deleted in their entirety. For the avoidance of doubt, any references in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement regarding the concept of “earning” an award (as distinguished from vesting in an award) will not apply to the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award.
4.
Instead of vesting on the Settlement Date, your 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will vest in full on March 1, 2016, provided that you continue to be a

-2-    


Service Provider through such date. Accordingly, any unvested restricted stock units subject to the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will be cancelled and forfeited if you terminate as a Service Provider prior to March 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided in this document.
5.
Where the context requires, references in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement and TriMas Equity Plan to TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities) are deemed references to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities), as applicable.
6.
In furtherance of the adjustments described above, Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed amended as set forth in Appendix A attached to this document.

-3-    


Appendix A
Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:
5. Termination of Services .
(a)    Any unvested RSUs subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to March 1, 2016, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement).
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider prior to March 1, 2016 as a result of Grantee’s death or Disability, Grantee shall vest in a pro-rata portion of the number of RSUs, if any, that are subject to the Award as specified on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com (the “Replacement RSUs”). The pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs to be settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the number of Replacement RSUs, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed by or rendering services for the Corporation (or, prior to July 1, 2015, for TriMas Corporation) from January 1, 2013 through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.
(c)    If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to vest in a pro-rata portion of the Replacement RSUs, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs that vest on the date of such cessation of service due to Retirement determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(d)    Any Replacement RSUs that do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the Replacement RSUs subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6. Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B) occurs prior to March 1, 2016, the Replacement RSUs shall be subject to pro-rata vesting such that the number of Replacement RSUs subject to the Award that shall become vested and nonforfeitable shall equal (x) the number of Replacement RSUs, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services from January 1, 2013 through the date of the Change of Control, and the denominator of which is 36. Any Replacement RSUs that do not vest in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of the Change

-4-    


of Control. For purposes of this Section II.A.6, the Settlement Date shall be the date of the Change of Control.
7. Determination of RSUs Vested; Settlement . Except as set forth in Section II.A.6, this Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Stock subject to the Replacement RSUs that are vested and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur between March 1, 2016 and March 15, 2016 (the “Settlement Date”). Any unvested Replacement RSUs will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of Replacement RSUs that vest will be rounded down to the nearest whole RSU, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.”

-5-    



2013 Award
Performance Units

TRIMAS CORPORATION
2006 LONG TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT

TriMas Corporation (“Corporation”), as permitted by the TriMas Corporation 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”), grants to the individual listed below (“Grantee”), the opportunity to earn Performance Units (“Performance Units”) in the amount designated in this Performance Unit Agreement (“Agreement”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.
Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in Appendices A or B to this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Plan. The term “Service Provider” as used in this Agreement means an individual actively providing services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation.
I.     NOTICE OF PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD
Grantee:
[specify Grantee’s name]
Date of Agreement:
[month and day] , 2013
Grant Date:
[month and day] , 2013
Number of Performance Units in Award:
[number of shares] (“Target”), subject to addition or subtraction as set forth on Appendix A depending on achievement of performance goals
Performance Measurement Period:
Beginning on January 1, 2013, and continuing through December 31, 2015
Settlement Method:
Earned and vested Performance Units will be settled by delivery of one share of Common Stock for each Performance Unit being settled

II.     AGREEMENT
A.     Grant of Performance Units. The Corporation grants to Grantee (who, pursuant to this Award is a Participant in the Plan) the number of Performance Units set forth above, subject to adjustment as provided otherwise in this Agreement (this “Award”). The Performance Units granted under this Agreement are payable only in shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, the Performance Units in this Award are subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated by reference into this Agreement.




1.     Vesting . Except as otherwise designated in this Agreement, Grantee must be a Service Provider on the Settlement Date (as such term is defined in Section II.A.7 below) to be eligible to vest in, and earn, any Performance Units, and any unvested Performance Units subject to this Award will be canceled and forfeited if Grantee terminates as a Service Provider prior to the Settlement Date. Any Performance Units that remain unearned after the “Determination Date” (as such term is defined in Appendix A) will be cancelled and forfeited.
2.     Performance Goals to Earn Performance Units . Grantee will only receive shares of Common Stock related to, and to the extent that such shares are earned pursuant to, the “Performance Goals” specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.
3.     Rights of Grantee . This Award does not entitle Grantee to any ownership interest in any actual shares of Common Stock unless and until such shares of Common Stock are issued to Grantee pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Since no property is transferred until the shares of Common Stock are issued, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that Grantee cannot and will not attempt to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to include the fair market value of the Performance Units in Grantee’s gross income for the taxable year of the grant of this Award. Until shares of Common Stock are issued to Grantee in settlement of earned and vested Performance Units under this Award, Grantee will have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable in settlement of the Performance Units, including the right to vote the shares of Common Stock, but Grantee will be eligible to receive dividends declared with respect to such Performance Units, which will be paid to Grantee on the Settlement Date with respect to the number of shares of Stock delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date. Shares of Common Stock issuable in settlement of Performance Units will be delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date in book entry form or in such other manner as the Committee may determine.
4.     Adjustments . The Common Stock to which the Performance Units covered by this Award relate will be subject to adjustment as provided in Article X of the Plan.
5.     Termination of Services .
(a)    Any unvested Performance Units subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to the Settlement Date, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement, as such term is defined in Appendix B).
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider during the performance period specified in the table above (the “Performance Period”) as a result of Grantee’s death or Disability, Grantee shall receive a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Units, if any, that are earned under Section II.A.2 due to the achievement of one or more performance measures specified in Appendix A, during the Performance Period. The pro-rata percentage of the number of the Performance Units to be earned and settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the amount determined under Section II.A.2 above at the end of the Performance Period, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was

2


employed or rendering services from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.
(c)    If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to receive a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Units specified in Section I above, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of Performance Units to be vested to be determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(d)    Any Performance Units that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the Performance Units subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6.     Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B) occurs prior to the end of the Performance Period, the Performance Units shall be subject to pro-rata vesting such that the number of Performance Units subject to the Award that shall become vested and non-forfeitable shall equal (x) the Target number set forth in “Number of Performance Units in Award” in Section I, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services following the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of the consummation of the Change of Control, and the denominator of which is 36. Any Performance Units that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of the Change of Control. For purposes of this Section II.A.6, the Settlement Date shall be the date of the Change of Control.
7.     Determination of Performance Units Earned and Vested; Settlement . Except as set forth in Section II.A.6, upon the Administrator’s certification of achievement of the achievement of the Performance Goals described in Appendix A and Grantee’s satisfaction of the vesting requirements in Section II.A.1 and Section II.A.5 above, as applicable, this Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Common Stock determined pursuant to Appendix A and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur as soon as practicable following the end of the Performance Period, but in no event later than the March 15 th following such Performance Period (the “Settlement Date”). Any unearned Performance Units will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of Performance Units earned or vested will be rounded down to the nearest whole Performance Unit, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
B.     Other Terms and Conditions .
1.     Non-Transferability of Award . Except as described below, this Award and the Performance Units subject to this Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the Administrator in its sole discretion, Grantee

3


may assign or transfer the Award and its underlying Performance Units to a trust or similar vehicle for estate planning purposes (the “Permitted Assignee”), provided that any such assigned PSUs shall remain subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, and the Permitted Assignee executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation evidencing these obligations. The terms of this Award are binding on the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Grantee.
2.     Withholding . Grantee authorizes the Corporation to withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be delivered in respect of the Performance Units as payment the amount needed to satisfy any applicable minimum income and employment tax withholding obligations, or Grantee agrees to tender sufficient funds to satisfy any applicable income and employment tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of the Performance Units and the resulting delivery of shares of Common Stock under the Award.
3.     Dispute Resolution . Grantee and the Corporation agree that any disagreement, dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its interpretation, validity, or the alleged breach of this Agreement, will be settled exclusively and, consistent with the procedures specified in this Section II.B.3., irrespective of its magnitude, the amount in controversy, or the nature of the relief sought, in accordance with the following:
(a)     Negotiation . Grantee and the Corporation will use their best efforts to settle the dispute, claim, question or disagreement. To this effect, they will consult and negotiate with each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both parties.
(b)     Arbitration . If Grantee and the Corporation do not reach a solution within a period of 30 days from the date on which the dispute, claim, disagreement, or controversy arises, then, upon written notice by Grantee to the Corporation or the Corporation to Grantee, all disputes, claims, questions, controversies, or differences will be submitted to arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in accordance with the provisions of its Employment Arbitration Rules (the “Arbitration Rules”).
(1)     Arbitrator . The arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator skilled in the arbitration of executive employment matters. The parties to the arbitration will jointly appoint the arbitrator within 30 days after initiation of the arbitration. If the parties fail to appoint an arbitrator as provided above, an arbitrator with substantial experience in executive employment matters will be appointed by the AAA as provided in the Arbitration Rules. The Corporation will pay all of the fees, if any, and expenses of the arbitrator and the arbitration, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator. Each party to the arbitration will be responsible for his/its respective attorneys fees or other costs of representation.
(2)     Location . The arbitration will be conducted in Oakland County, Michigan.

4


(3)     Procedure . At any oral hearing of evidence in connection with the arbitration, each party or its legal counsel will have the right to examine its witnesses and cross-examine the witnesses of any opposing party. No evidence of any witness may be presented in any form unless the opposing party or parties has the opportunity to cross-examine the witness, except under extraordinary circumstances in which the arbitrator determines that the interests of justice require a different procedure.
(4)     Decision . Any decision or award of the arbitrator is final and binding on the parties to the arbitration proceeding. The parties agree that the arbitration award may be enforced against the parties to the arbitration proceeding or their assets wherever they may be found and that a judgment upon the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(5)     Power . Nothing contained in this Agreement may be deemed to give the arbitrator any authority, power, or right to alter, change, amend, modify, add to, or subtract from any of the provisions of this Agreement.
The provisions of this Section II.B.3 survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, are binding on the Corporation’s and Grantee’s respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, designated beneficiaries and any other person asserting a claim described above, and may not be modified without the consent of the Corporation. To the extent arbitration is required, no person asserting a claim has the right to resort to any federal, state or local court or administrative agency concerning the claim unless expressly provided by federal statute, and the decision of the arbitrator is a complete defense to any action or proceeding instituted in any tribunal or agency with respect to any dispute, unless precluded by federal statute.
4.     Code Section 409A . Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement, Section 11.9 of the Plan pertaining to Code Section 409A is explicitly incorporated into this Agreement.
5.     No Continued Right as Service Provider. Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement confers on Grantee any right to continue as a Service Provider, or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written employment agreement between Grantee and the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation.
6.     Effect on Other Benefits . In no event will the value, at any time, of the Performance Units or any other payment or right to payment under this Agreement be included as compensation or earnings for purposes of any other compensation, retirement, or benefit plan offered to employees of, or other Service Providers to, the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation unless otherwise specifically provided for in such plan.
7.     Unfunded and Unsecured General Creditor . Grantee, as a holder of the Performance Units and rights under this Agreement has no rights other than those of a general

5


creditor of the Corporation. The Performance Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Corporation, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.
8.     Governing Law . This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, notwithstanding conflict of law provisions.
9.     Clawback Policy . Any shares of Stock issued to Grantee in settlement of the Performance Units shall be subject to the Company’s recoupment policy, as in effect from time to time.
(Signature Page Follows)

6


This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which is deemed an original and all of which constitute one document.
TRIMAS CORPORATION
Dated: [month and date] , 2013
By: /s/ Joshua A. Sherbin
Name: Joshua A. Sherbin
Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary



GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE CORPORATION’S 2006 LONG TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY REFERENCE, CONFERS ON GRANTEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION AS A SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OF THE CORPORATION, NOR INTERFERES IN ANY WAY WITH GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE CORPORATION’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE GRANTEE’S SERVICE PROVIDER RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
BY CLICKING THE “ACCEPT” BUTTON BELOW, GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THE PLAN AND REPRESENTS THAT GRANTEE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN. GRANTEE ACCEPTS THIS PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN. GRANTEE HAS REVIEWED THE PLAN AND THIS AGREEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY. GRANTEE AGREES TO ACCEPT AS BINDING, CONCLUSIVE AND FINAL ALL DECISIONS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR UPON ANY QUESTIONS ARISING UNDER THE PLAN OR THIS AWARD.



7



APPENDIX A
TO
PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT

PERFORMANCE GOALS FOR PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD

The actual number of Performance Units earned by Grantee will be determined by the Committee by the March 1 st following the end of the Performance Period (“Determination Date”), using data as of, and including, December 31, 2015 under the rules described below. Any Performance Units not earned as of the Determination Date will be canceled and forfeited.

1.    The actual number of shares of Common Stock delivered to Grantee in settlement of the Performance Units earned under this Agreement will be determined based on actual performance results, i.e., EPS CAGR and Cash Generation, as described below, subject to Section II.A.1 of the Agreement.

2.    The Performance Units subject to this Award are earned based on the achievement of specific performance measures over the Performance Period (i.e., January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015), and determined on the Determination Date.

3.    The Performance Units subject to this Award that will actually be earned will be based on the achievement of the following performance measures:

(A)
a measure tied to an earnings per share compounded annual growth rate (“EPS CAGR”); and
(B)
a measure tied to Cash Generation.

4.    The performance measures are weighted as follows:

(A)
EPS CAGR = 75%; and
(B)
Cash Generation = 25%.

5.    For purposes of the performance measures:

(A)
“EPS CAGR” means the cumulative average growth rate during the Performance Period of the diluted earnings per share from continuing operations as reported in the Corporation’s Income Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time that the Administrator believes should adjust the as-reported results for measurement of performance; and
(B)
“Cash Generation” means the Corporation’s cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures during the Performance Period, as reported in the Corporation’s Cash Flow Statement with the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time, divided by the Corporation’s three-year income from continuing operations as reported in the Corporation’s Income

i


Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-time-time.

6.    The portion of the Performance Units subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of EPS CAGR will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of EPS CAGR that is achieved:

EPS CAGR %
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of Performance Units Subject to EPS CAGR)
4.0
 
30%
6.3
 
40%
8.7
 
50%
10.4
 
67%
12.7
 
83%
15.0
 
100%
16.1
 
125%
17.3
 
150%
18.7
 
175%
21.2
 
200%
24.0
 
250%
There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of EPS CAGR percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified EPS CAGR percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of EPS CAGR of 15.0% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the Performance Units subject to this Award that are allocated to the EPS CAGR performance measurement will be earned.
7.    The portion of the Performance Units subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of Cash Generation will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of Cash Generation that is achieved:

ii


Target  
(Cash Generation %)
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of Performance Units Subject to Cash Generation)
30%
 
50%
37%
 
60%
44%
 
70%
51%
 
80%
58%
 
90%
65%
 
100%
70%
 
120%
75%
 
140%
80%
 
160%
85%
 
180%
90%
 
200%
There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of Cash Generation percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified Cash Generation percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of Cash Generation of 65% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the Performance Units subject to this Award that are allocated to the Cash Generation performance measurement will be earned.


iii





APPENDIX B
TO
PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT
For purposes of this Agreement:

Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

A “ Change of Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events to occur:

(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below;

(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended (the “Incumbent Board”); provided, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (an “Election Contest”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest;

(iii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, wind-up, reorganization or restructuring of the Company with or into any other entity, or a similar event or series of such events, other than (A) any such event or series of events which results in (1) the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such event or series of events continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after

i


such merger or consolidation and (2) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting immediately thereafter at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) any such event or series of events effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (it being conclusively presumed that any sale or disposition is a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets if the consummation of the sale or disposition is contingent upon approval by the Company’s stockholders unless the Board expressly determines in writing that such approval is required solely by reason of any relationship between the Company and any other Person or an Affiliate of the Company and any other Person), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity (A) at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition and (B) the majority of whose board of directors immediately following such sale or disposition consists of individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions and (B) if required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred only if a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.

Person ” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

ii



“Retirement” means termination of Service with the consent of the Committee on or after age 55, or any other definition established by the Corporation’s Compensation Committee, in its discretion, either in any Award or in writing after the grant of any Award, provided that the definition of Retirement with respect to the timing of payment (and not merely vesting) of any Award subject to Code Section 409A cannot be changed after the Award is granted.



iii
2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS        
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

HORIZON RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(CONVERTED IN CONNECTION WITH ADJUSTMENT OF
TRIMAS 2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE UNITS)
July 6, 2015
Introduction
Effective June 30, 2015, the Cequent business of TriMas Corporation (“ TriMas ”) was separated from TriMas through a spinoff of that business to TriMas’ stockholders, which resulted in the distribution of 100% of TriMas’ interest in Horizon Global Corporation (“ Horizon ”) to holders of shares of TriMas’ common stock (the “ Spin-Off ”). Horizon is now an independent, publicly traded company. For more information about the Spin-Off, please refer to the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed by Horizon with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015, as amended (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus is available online at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
As a result of the Spin-Off, the 2013-2015 performance stock unit award (which may be referred to in the applicable grant agreement as a “performance unit” award) outstanding as of the Spin-Off and granted by TriMas to you (the “ 2013 TriMas PSU Award ”) pursuant to the terms of a TriMas equity incentive plan (a “ TriMas Equity Plan ”) and related grant agreement (the “ 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement ”) in 2013 was converted into a restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of the date of, and immediately prior to, the effective time of the Spin-Off, as follows (a “ 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award ”):
The relative achievement of the Performance Goals (as described on Appendix A to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement) applicable to the 2013 TriMas PSU Award, and thus the number of performance stock units that were earned under such 2013 TriMas PSU Award, was determined as of the date of the Spin-Off (rather than at the end of the Performance Period); and
The earned portion of the 2013 TriMas PSU Award was then converted into a restricted stock units award covering a number of shares of Horizon common stock to account for the effect of the Spin-Off in a manner intended to retain the same intrinsic value (subject to rounding) immediately after the Spin-Off that the earned portion of the original 2013 TriMas PSU Award had immediately prior to the Spin-Off, as reflected on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com and as further described in the Prospectus.
These adjustments were made by TriMas’ Compensation Committee under the terms of the applicable TriMas Equity Plan.
Terms of 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award
Each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award is issued under the Horizon Global Corporation 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Horizon Equity Plan ”) as an Adjusted Award (as defined in the Horizon Equity Plan). Although issued under the

NAI-1500332744v6

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

Horizon Equity Plan, each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award continues to be subject to terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding 2013 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced, including the terms of the TriMas Equity Plan under which the 2013 TriMas PSU Award was granted, except to the extent that such terms are rendered inoperative or modified by the Spin-Off (and transactions and events reasonably associated therewith, including as described in the Prospectus) and as described below. Accordingly, for purposes of the Horizon Equity Plan and each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award, the related 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement, the operative terms of the applicable TriMas Equity Plan and this document constitute the Evidence of Award and such documents are collectively referred to herein as a “ 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement .”
Generally, each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (and the related 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement) differs from the related 2013 TriMas PSU Award that it replaced in that each 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (1) represents the right to receive shares of Horizon common stock upon the satisfaction of service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, and (2) has otherwise been deemed modified to the extent necessary to reflect the fact that you provide services to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (and not TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates) and the issuer of the common stock underlying the award is Horizon (and not TriMas). In particular, the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award differs from the 2013 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced including in the following ways:
1.
The 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award was converted into a service-based restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, which means that the award represents the right to receive a specified number of shares of Horizon common stock and any dividend rights with respect thereto (if applicable) upon the satisfaction of the service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, but it is no longer subject to the achievement of the Performance Goals.
2.
References to “Performance Stock Units” (or “Performance Units,” if applicable) or “PSUs” in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed references to “Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs,” respectively, and references to shares of TriMas common stock will be deemed references to Horizon common stock, as applicable.
3.
Any references to a “Performance Period,” a “Performance Measurement Period,” “performance conditions,” “performance measures,” “Performance Goals” or “performance goals,” and any modification of the number of shares subject to the award based on the same terms, are deemed no longer applicable with respect to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement, and Appendix A to the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement and any references thereto are deemed deleted in their entirety. For the avoidance of doubt, any references in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement regarding the concept of “earning” an award (as distinguished from vesting in an award) will not apply to the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award.
4.
Instead of vesting on the Settlement Date, your 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will vest in full on March 1, 2016, provided that you continue to be a

NAI-1500332744v6     -2-    

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

Service Provider through such date. Accordingly, any unvested restricted stock units subject to the 2013 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will be cancelled and forfeited if you terminate as a Service Provider prior to March 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided in this document.
5.
Where the context requires, references in the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement and TriMas Equity Plan to TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities) are deemed references to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities), as applicable.
6.
In furtherance of the adjustments described above, Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed amended as set forth in Appendix A attached to this document.

NAI-1500332744v6     -3-    

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

Appendix A
Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2013 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:
5. Termination of Services .
(a)    Any unvested RSUs subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to March 1, 2016, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement).
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider prior to March 1, 2016 as a result of Grantee’s death or Disability, Grantee shall vest in a pro-rata portion of the number of RSUs, if any, that are subject to the Award as specified on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com (the “Replacement RSUs”). The pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs to be settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the number of Replacement RSUs, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed by or rendering services for the Corporation (or, prior to July 1, 2015, for TriMas Corporation) from January 1, 2013 through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.
(c)    If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to vest in a pro-rata portion of the Replacement RSUs, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs that vest on the date of such cessation of service due to Retirement determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(d)    Any Replacement RSUs that do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the Replacement RSUs subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6. Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B) occurs prior to March 1, 2016, the Replacement RSUs shall be subject to pro-rata vesting such that the number of Replacement RSUs subject to the Award that shall become vested and nonforfeitable shall equal (x) the number of Replacement RSUs, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services from January 1, 2013 through the date of the Change of Control, and the denominator of which is 36. Any Replacement RSUs that do not vest in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of the Change

NAI-1500332744v6     -4-    

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

of Control. For purposes of this Section II.A.6, the Settlement Date shall be the date of the Change of Control.
7. Determination of RSUs Vested; Settlement . Except as set forth in Section II.A.6, this Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Stock subject to the Replacement RSUs that are vested and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur between March 1, 2016 and March 15, 2016 (the “Settlement Date”). Any unvested Replacement RSUs will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of Replacement RSUs that vest will be rounded down to the nearest whole RSU, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.”


NAI-1500332744v6     -5-    




2013 Award
Performance Stock Units

TRIMAS CORPORATION
2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

TriMas Corporation (“Corporation”), as permitted by the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (“Plan”), grants to the individual listed below (“Grantee”), the opportunity to earn Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) in the amount designated in this Performance Stock Unit Agreement (“Agreement”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.
Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in Appendices A or B to this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Plan; provided, however, that, as permitted by Section 10.1 of the Plan, the PSUs granted under this Agreement consist solely of Restricted Stock Units (with performance conditions) under the Plan. The term “Service Provider” as used in this Agreement means an individual actively providing services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation.
I.     NOTICE OF PSU AWARD
Grantee:
[specify Grantee’s name]
Date of Agreement:
[month and day] , 2013
Grant Date:
[month and day] , 2013
Number of PSUs in Award:
[number of shares] (“Target”), subject to addition or subtraction as set forth on Appendix A depending on achievement of performance goals
Performance Period:
Beginning on January 1, 2013, and continuing through December 31, 2015
Settlement Method:
Earned and vested PSUs will be settled by delivery of one share of Stock for each PSU being settled

II.     AGREEMENT
A.     Grant of PSUs. The Corporation grants to Grantee (who, pursuant to this Award is a Participant in the Plan) the number of PSUs set forth above, subject to adjustment as provided otherwise in this Agreement (this “Award”). The PSUs granted under this Agreement are payable only in shares of Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement,

CLI-2067205v7

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

the PSUs in this Award are subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated by reference into this Agreement.
1.     Vesting . Except as otherwise designated in this Agreement, Grantee must be a Service Provider on the Settlement Date (as such term is defined in Section II.A.7 below) to be eligible to vest in, and earn, any PSUs, and any unvested PSUs subject to this Award will be canceled and forfeited if Grantee terminates as a Service Provider prior to the Settlement Date. Any PSUs that remain unearned after the “Determination Date” (as such term is defined in Appendix A) will be cancelled and forfeited.
2.     Performance Goals to Earn PSUs . Grantee will only receive shares of Stock related to, and to the extent that such shares are earned pursuant to, the “Performance Goals” specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.
3.     Rights of Grantee . This Award does not entitle Grantee to any ownership interest in any actual shares of Stock unless and until such shares of Stock are issued to Grantee pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Since no property is transferred until the shares of Stock are issued, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that Grantee cannot and will not attempt to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to include the fair market value of the PSUs in Grantee’s gross income for the taxable year of the grant of this Award. Until shares of Stock are issued to Grantee in settlement of earned and vested PSUs under this Award, Grantee will have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation with respect to the shares of Stock issuable in settlement of the PSUs, including the right to vote the shares of Stock, but Grantee will be eligible to receive dividends declared with respect to such PSUs, which will be paid to Grantee on the Settlement Date with respect to the number of shares of Stock delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date. Shares of Stock issuable in settlement of PSUs will be delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date in book entry form or in such other manner as the Committee may determine.
4.     Adjustments . The Stock to which the PSUs covered by this Award relate will be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 of the Plan.
5.     Termination of Services .
(a)     Any unvested PSUs subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to the Settlement Date, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement).
(b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider during the performance period specified in the table above (the “Performance Period”) as a result of Grantee’s death or Disability, Grantee shall receive a pro-rata portion of the number of PSUs, if any, that are earned under Section II.A.2 due to the achievement of one or more performance measures specified in Appendix A during the Performance Period. The pro-rata percentage of the number of PSUs to be earned and settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the amount determined under Section II.A.2 above at the end of the Performance Period, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which

CLI-2067205v7      2

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.
(c)     If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to receive a pro-rata portion of the number of PSUs specified in Section I above, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of PSUs to be vested to be determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(d)     Any PSUs that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the PSUs subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6.     Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B) occurs prior to the end of the Performance Period, the PSUs shall be subject to pro-rata vesting such that the number of PSUs subject to the Award that shall become vested and non-forfeitable shall equal (x) the Target number set forth in “Number of PSUs in Award” in Section I, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services following the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of the consummation of the Change of Control, and the denominator of which is 36. Any PSUs that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of the Change of Control. For purposes of this Section II.A.6, the Settlement Date shall be the date of the Change of Control.
7.     Determination of PSUs Earned and Vested; Settlement . Except as set forth in Section II.A.6, upon the Committee’s certification of achievement of the Performance Goals described in Appendix A, and Grantee’s satisfaction of the vesting requirements in Section II.A.1 and Section II.A.5 above, as applicable, this Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Stock determined pursuant to Appendix A and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur as soon as practicable following the end of the Performance Period, but in no event later than the March 15 th following such Performance Period (the “Settlement Date”). Any unearned PSUs will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of PSUs earned or vested will be rounded down to the nearest whole PSU, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
B.     Other Terms and Conditions .
1.     Non-Transferability of Award . Except as described below, this Award and the PSUs subject to this Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the Committee in its sole discretion, Grantee may assign or transfer this Award and its underlying PSUs to a trust or similar vehicle for estate

CLI-2067205v7      3

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

planning purposes (the “Permitted Assignee”), provided that any such assigned PSUs shall remain subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, and the Permitted Assignee executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation evidencing these obligations. The terms of this Award are binding on the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Grantee.
2.     Withholding . Grantee authorizes the Corporation to withhold from the shares of Stock to be delivered in respect of the PSUs as payment the amount needed to satisfy any applicable minimum income and employment tax withholding obligations, or Grantee agrees to tender sufficient funds to satisfy any applicable income and employment tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of the PSUs and the resulting delivery of shares of Stock under this Award.
3.     Dispute Resolution . Grantee and the Corporation agree that any disagreement, dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its interpretation, validity, or the alleged breach of this Agreement, will be settled exclusively and, consistent with the procedures specified in this Section II.B.3., irrespective of its magnitude, the amount in controversy, or the nature of the relief sought, in accordance with the following:
(a)     Negotiation . Grantee and the Corporation will use their best efforts to settle the dispute, claim, question or disagreement. To this effect, they will consult and negotiate with each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both parties.
(b)     Arbitration . If Grantee and the Corporation do not reach a solution within a period of 30 days from the date on which the dispute, claim, disagreement, or controversy arises, then, upon written notice by Grantee to the Corporation or the Corporation to Grantee, all disputes, claims, questions, controversies, or differences will be submitted to arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in accordance with the provisions of its Employment Arbitration Rules (the “Arbitration Rules”).
(1)     Arbitrator . The arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator skilled in the arbitration of executive employment matters. The parties to the arbitration will jointly appoint the arbitrator within 30 days after initiation of the arbitration. If the parties fail to appoint an arbitrator as provided above, an arbitrator with substantial experience in executive employment matters will be appointed by the AAA as provided in the Arbitration Rules. The Corporation will pay all of the fees, if any, and expenses of the arbitrator and the arbitration, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator. Each party to the arbitration will be responsible for his/its respective attorneys fees or other costs of representation.
(2)     Location . The arbitration will be conducted in Oakland County, Michigan.
(3)     Procedure . At any oral hearing of evidence in connection with the arbitration, each party or its legal counsel will have the right to examine its witnesses and cross-examine the witnesses of any opposing party. No evidence of any witness

CLI-2067205v7      4

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

may be presented in any form unless the opposing party or parties has the opportunity to cross-examine the witness, except under extraordinary circumstances in which the arbitrator determines that the interests of justice require a different procedure.
(4)     Decision . Any decision or award of the arbitrator is final and binding on the parties to the arbitration proceeding. The parties agree that the arbitration award may be enforced against the parties to the arbitration proceeding or their assets wherever they may be found and that a judgment upon the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(5)     Power . Nothing contained in this Agreement may be deemed to give the arbitrator any authority, power, or right to alter, change, amend, modify, add to, or subtract from any of the provisions of this Agreement.
The provisions of this Section II.B.3 survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, are binding on the Corporation’s and Grantee’s respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, designated beneficiaries and any other person asserting a claim described above, and may not be modified without the consent of the Corporation. To the extent arbitration is required, no person asserting a claim has the right to resort to any federal, state or local court or administrative agency concerning the claim unless expressly provided by federal statute, and the decision of the arbitrator is a complete defense to any action or proceeding instituted in any tribunal or agency with respect to any dispute, unless precluded by federal statute.
4.     Code Section 409A . Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement, Sections 18.9 and 18.10 of the Plan pertaining to Code Section 409A are explicitly incorporated into this Agreement.
5.     No Continued Right as Service Provider . Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement confers on Grantee any right to continue as a Service Provider, or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written employment agreement between Grantee and the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation.
6.     Effect on Other Benefits . In no event will the value, at any time, of the PSUs or any other payment or right to payment under this Agreement be included as compensation or earnings for purposes of any other compensation, retirement, or benefit plan offered to employees of, or other Service Providers to, the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation unless otherwise specifically provided for in such plan.

CLI-2067205v7      5

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

7.     Unfunded and Unsecured General Creditor . Grantee, as a holder of PSUs and rights under this Agreement has no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Corporation. The PSUs represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Corporation, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.
8.     Governing Law . This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, notwithstanding conflict of law provisions.
9.     Clawback Policy . Any shares of Stock issued to Grantee in settlement of the PSUs shall be subject to the Company’s recoupment policy, as in effect from time to time.
(Signature Page Follows)

CLI-2067205v7      6

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which is deemed an original and all of which constitute one document.
TRIMAS CORPORATION
Dated: [month and date] , 2013
By: /s/ Joshua A. Sherbin
Name: Joshua A. Sherbin
Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary



GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE CORPORATION’S 2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN, WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY REFERENCE, CONFERS ON GRANTEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION AS A SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF THE CORPORATION, NOR INTERFERES IN ANY WAY WITH GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE CORPORATION’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE GRANTEE’S SERVICE PROVIDER RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
BY CLICKING THE “ACCEPT” BUTTON BELOW, GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THE PLAN AND REPRESENTS THAT GRANTEE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN. GRANTEE ACCEPTS THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN. GRANTEE HAS REVIEWED THE PLAN AND THIS AGREEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY. GRANTEE AGREES TO ACCEPT AS BINDING, CONCLUSIVE AND FINAL ALL DECISIONS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE UPON ANY QUESTIONS ARISING UNDER THE PLAN OR THIS AWARD.



CLI-2067205v7      7



APPENDIX A
TO
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

PERFORMANCE GOALS FOR PSU AWARD

The actual number of PSUs earned by Grantee will be determined by the Committee by the March 1 st following the end of the Performance Period (“Determination Date”), using data as of, and including, December 31, 2015, under the rules described below. Any PSUs not earned as of the Determination Date will be canceled and forfeited.

1.    The actual number of shares of Stock delivered to Grantee in settlement of the PSUs earned under this Agreement will be determined based on actual performance results, i.e., EPS CAGR and Cash Generation, as described below, subject Section II.A.1 of the Agreement.

2.    The PSUs subject to this Award are earned based on the achievement of specific performance measures over the Performance Period (i.e., January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015) and determined on the Determination Date.

3.    The PSUs subject to this Award that will actually be earned will be based on the achievement of the following performance measures:

(A)
a measure tied to an earnings per share compounded annual growth rate (“EPS CAGR”); and
(B)
a measure tied to Cash Generation.

4.    The performance measures are weighted as follows:

(A)
EPS CAGR = 75%; and
(B)
Cash Generation = 25%.

5.    For purposes of the performance measures:

(A)
“EPS CAGR” means the cumulative average growth rate during the Performance Period of the diluted earnings per share from continuing operations as reported in the Corporation’s Income Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time that the Committee believes should adjust the as-reported results for measurement of performance; and
(B)
“Cash Generation” means the Corporation’s cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures during the Performance Period, as reported in the Corporation’s Cash Flow Statement with the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time, divided by the Corporation’s three-year income from continuing

CLI-2067205v7

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

operations as reported in the Corporation’s Income Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-time-time.

6.    The portion of the PSUs subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of EPS CAGR will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of EPS CAGR that is achieved:

EPS CAGR %
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of PSUs Subject to EPS CAGR)
4.0
 
30%
6.3
 
40%
8.7
 
50%
10.4
 
67%
12.7
 
83%
15.0
 
100%
16.1
 
125%
17.3
 
150%
18.7
 
175%
21.2
 
200%
24.0
 
250%
There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of EPS CAGR percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified EPS CAGR percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of EPS CAGR of 15.0% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the PSUs subject to this Award that are allocated to the EPS CAGR performance measurement will be earned.
7.    The portion of the PSUs subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of Cash Generation will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of Cash Generation that is achieved:

CLI-2067205v7      2

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

Target  
(Cash Generation %)
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of PSUs Subject to Cash Generation)
30%
 
50%
37%
 
60%
44%
 
70%
51%
 
80%
58%
 
90%
65%
 
100%
70%
 
120%
75%
 
140%
80%
 
160%
85%
 
180%
90%
 
200%
There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of Cash Generation percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified Cash Generation percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of Cash Generation of 65% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the PSUs subject to this Award that are allocated to the Cash Generation performance measurement will be earned.

CLI-2067205v7      3

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

APPENDIX B
TO
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

GLOSSARY

For purposes of this Agreement:

Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

A “ Change of Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events to occur:

(i)    any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below;

(ii)    the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended (the “Incumbent Board”); provided, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (an “Election Contest”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest;

(iii)    there is consummated a merger, consolidation, wind-up, reorganization or restructuring of the Company with or into any other entity, or a similar event or series of such events, other than (A) any such event or series of events which results in (1) the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such event or series of events continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or

CLI-2067205v7      4

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (2) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting immediately thereafter at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) any such event or series of events effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv)    the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (it being conclusively presumed that any sale or disposition is a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets if the consummation of the sale or disposition is contingent upon approval by the Company’s stockholders unless the Board expressly determines in writing that such approval is required solely by reason of any relationship between the Company and any other Person or an Affiliate of the Company and any other Person), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity (A) at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition and (B) the majority of whose board of directors immediately following such sale or disposition consists of individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions and (B) if required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred only if a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.

CLI-2067205v7      5

2013-2015 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
(U.S. HORIZON EMPLOYEES)


Person ” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.



CLI-2067205v7      6
2014-2016 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS    
(HORIZON EMPLOYEES)

HORIZON RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(CONVERTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADJUSTMENT OF
TRIMAS 2014-2016 PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS)
July 6, 2015
Introduction
Effective June 30, 2015, the Cequent business of TriMas Corporation (“ TriMas ”) was separated from TriMas through a spinoff of that business to TriMas’ stockholders, which resulted in the distribution of 100% of TriMas’ interest in Horizon Global Corporation (“ Horizon ”) to holders of shares of TriMas’ common stock (the “ Spin-Off ”). Horizon is now an independent, publicly traded company. For more information about the Spin-Off, please refer to the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed by Horizon with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015, as amended (the “ Prospectus ”). The Prospectus is available online at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
As a result of the Spin-Off, the 2014-2016 performance stock unit award outstanding as of the Spin-Off and granted by TriMas to you (the “ 2014 TriMas PSU Award ”) pursuant to the terms of the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ TriMas Equity Plan ”) and related grant agreement (the “ 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement ”) in 2014 was converted into a restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of the date of, and immediately prior to, the effective time of the Spin-Off, as follows (a “ 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award ”):
The relative achievement of the Performance Goals (as described on Appendix A to the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement) applicable to the 2014 TriMas PSU Award, and thus the number of performance stock units that were earned under such 2014 TriMas PSU Award, was determined as of the date of the Spin-Off (rather than at the end of the Performance Period) and was pro-rated based on the percentage of the Performance Period completed as of the date of the Spin-Off; and
The earned portion of the 2014 TriMas PSU Award was then converted into a restricted stock units award covering a number of shares of Horizon common stock to account for the effect of the Spin-Off in a manner intended to retain the same intrinsic value (subject to rounding) immediately after the Spin-Off that the earned portion of the original 2014 TriMas PSU Award had immediately prior to the Spin-Off, as reflected on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com and as further described in the Prospectus.
These adjustments were made by TriMas’ Compensation Committee under the terms of the TriMas Equity Plan.
Terms of 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award
Each 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award is issued under the Horizon Global Corporation 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Horizon Equity Plan ”) as an Adjusted Award (as defined in the Horizon Equity Plan). Although issued under the Horizon Equity Plan, each 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award continues to be subject




to terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding 2014 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced, including the terms of the TriMas Equity Plan under which the 2014 TriMas PSU Award was granted, except to the extent that such terms are rendered inoperative or modified by the Spin-Off (and transactions and events reasonably associated therewith, including as described in the Prospectus) and as described below. Accordingly, for purposes of the Horizon Equity Plan and each 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award, the related 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement, the operative terms of the TriMas Equity Plan and this document constitute the Evidence of Award and such documents are collectively referred to herein as a “ 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement .”
Generally, each 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (and the related 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Agreement) differs from the related 2014 TriMas PSU Award that it replaced in that each 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award (1) represents the right to receive shares of Horizon common stock upon the satisfaction of service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, and (2) has otherwise been deemed modified to the extent necessary to reflect the fact that you provide services to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (and not TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates) and the issuer of the common stock underlying the award is Horizon (and not TriMas). For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer of your employment to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates in connection with the Spin-Off alone will not constitute a Qualifying Termination for purposes of the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement.
In particular, the 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award differs from 2014 TriMas PSU Award which it replaced including in the following ways:
1.
The 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award was converted into a service-based restricted stock units award covering Horizon common stock, which means that the award represents the right to receive a specified number of shares of Horizon common stock and any dividend rights with respect thereto (if applicable) upon the satisfaction of the service-based vesting criteria set forth in this document, but it is no longer subject to the achievement of the Performance Goals.
2.
References to “Performance Stock Units” or “PSUs” in the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed references to “Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs,” respectively, and references to shares of TriMas common stock will be deemed references to Horizon common stock, as applicable.
3.
Any references to a “Performance Period,” “performance conditions,” “performance measures,” “Performance Goals” or “performance goals,” and any modification of the number of shares subject to the award based on the same, are deemed no longer applicable with respect to the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement, and Appendix A to the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement and any references thereto are deemed deleted in their entirety. For the avoidance of doubt, any references in the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement regarding the concept of “earning” an award (as distinguished from vesting in an award) will not apply to the 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award.

-2-    


4.
Instead of vesting on the Settlement Date, your 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will vest in full on March 5, 2017, provided that you continue to be a Service Provider through such date. Accordingly, any unvested restricted stock units subject to the 2014 Horizon Replacement RSU Award will be cancelled and forfeited if you terminate as a Service Provider prior to March 5, 2017, except as otherwise provided in this document.
5.
Where the context requires, references in the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement and TriMas Equity Plan to TriMas or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities) are deemed references to Horizon or its subsidiaries or affiliates (or their policies or administrative entities), as applicable.
6.
References in the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement to Rieke Packaging Systems Limited are deemed references to C P Witter Ltd.
7.
In furtherance of the adjustments described above, Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed amended as set forth in Appendix A attached to this document.


-3-    


Appendix A
Sections II.A.5 through II.A.7 of the 2014 TriMas PSU Agreement are deemed deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:
5. Termination of Services .
(a)    Any unvested RSUs subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to March 5, 2017, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement).
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider prior to March 5, 2017 as a result of Grantee’s Qualifying Termination, Grantee shall vest in a pro-rata portion of the number of RSUs, if any, that are subject to the Award as specified on the Fidelity Investments website at www.netbenefits.fidelity.com (the “Replacement RSUs”). The pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs to be settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the number of Replacement RSUs, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed by or rendering services for the Corporation (or, prior to July 1, 2015, for TriMas Corporation) from January 1, 2014 through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.
(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider prior to March 5, 2017 as a result of Grantee’s Disability, the Replacement RSUs shall become fully vested on the date of such cessation of service.
(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider prior to March 5, 2017 as a result of Grantee’s death, the Replacement RSUs shall immediately become fully vested as of the date of Grantee’s death.
(e)    If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to vest in a pro-rata portion of the Replacement RSUs, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of Replacement RSUs that vest on the date of such cessation of service due to Retirement determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(f)        Any Replacement RSUs that do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the Replacement RSUs subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6. Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider due to Grantee’s Qualifying

-4-    


Termination within two years after a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B) and prior to March 5, 2017 (a “CIC Qualifying Termination”), the Replacement RSUs shall immediately become fully vested as of the date of such CIC Qualifying Termination.
7. Determination of RSUs Vested; Settlement . This Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Stock subject to the Replacement RSUs that are vested and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur between March 5, 2017 and March 15, 2017 (the “Settlement Date”). Any unvested Replacement RSUs will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of Replacement RSUs that vest will be rounded down to the nearest whole RSU, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.”

-5-    



2014 Award
Performance Stock Units

TRIMAS CORPORATION
2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

TriMas Corporation (“Corporation”), as permitted by the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (“Plan”), grants to the individual listed below (“Grantee”), the opportunity to earn Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) in the amount designated in this Performance Stock Unit Agreement (“Agreement”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.
Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in Appendices A or B to this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Plan; provided, however, that, as permitted by Section 10.1 of the Plan, the PSUs granted under this Agreement consist solely of Restricted Stock Units (with performance conditions) under the Plan. The term “Service Provider” as used in this Agreement means an individual actively providing services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation.
I.     NOTICE OF PSU AWARD
Grantee:
[specify Grantee’s name]
Date of Agreement:
March 5, 2014
Grant Date:
March 5, 2014
Number of PSUs in Award:
[number of shares] (“Target”), subject to addition or subtraction as set forth on Appendix A depending on achievement of performance goals
Performance Period:
Beginning on January 1, 2014, and continuing through December 31, 2016
Settlement Method:
Earned and vested PSUs will be settled by delivery of one share of Stock for each PSU being settled

II.     AGREEMENT
A.     Grant of PSUs. The Corporation grants to Grantee (who, pursuant to this Award is a Participant in the Plan) the number of PSUs set forth above, subject to adjustment as provided otherwise in this Agreement (this “Award”). The PSUs granted under this Agreement are payable only in shares of Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, the PSUs in this Award are subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated by reference into this Agreement.




1.     Vesting . Except as otherwise designated in this Agreement, Grantee must be a Service Provider on the Settlement Date (as such term is defined in Section II.A.7 below) to be eligible to vest in, and earn, any PSUs, and any unvested PSUs subject to this Award will be canceled and forfeited if Grantee terminates as a Service Provider prior to the Settlement Date. Any PSUs that remain unearned after the “Determination Date” (as such term is defined in Appendix A) will be cancelled and forfeited.
2.     Performance Goals to Earn PSUs . Grantee will only receive shares of Stock related to, and to the extent that such shares are earned pursuant to, the “Performance Goals” specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.
3.     Rights of Grantee . This Award does not entitle Grantee to any ownership interest in any actual shares of Stock unless and until such shares of Stock are issued to Grantee pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Since no property is transferred until the shares of Stock are issued, Grantee acknowledges and agrees that Grantee cannot and will not attempt to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to include the fair market value of the PSUs in Grantee’s gross income for the taxable year of the grant of this Award. Until shares of Stock are issued to Grantee in settlement of earned and vested PSUs under this Award, Grantee will have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation with respect to the shares of Stock issuable in settlement of the PSUs, including the right to vote the shares of Stock, but Grantee will be eligible to receive dividends declared with respect to such PSUs, which will be paid to Grantee on the Settlement Date with respect to the number of shares of Stock delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date. Shares of Stock issuable in settlement of PSUs will be delivered to Grantee on the Settlement Date in book entry form or in such other manner as the Committee may determine.
4.     Adjustments . The Stock to which the PSUs covered by this Award relate will be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 of the Plan.
5.     Termination of Services .
(a)     Any unvested PSUs subject to this Award will be forfeited if, prior to the Settlement Date, Grantee voluntarily terminates as a Service Provider, or if Grantee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated by the Corporation for any reason (other than death, Disability, or Retirement).
(b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider during the performance period specified in the table above (the “Performance Period”) as a result of Grantee’s Qualifying Termination, Grantee shall receive a pro-rata portion of the number of PSUs, if any, that are earned under Section II.A.2 due to the achievement of one or more performance measures specified in Appendix A during the Performance Period. The pro-rata percentage of the number of PSUs to be earned and settled under Section II.A.7 shall be equal to (x) the amount determined under Section II.A.2 above at the end of the Performance Period, multiplied by (y) a fraction (not greater than 1), the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months Grantee was employed or rendering services from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of Grantee’s termination, and the denominator of which is 36.

2


(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider during the Performance Period as a result of Grantee’s Disability, the Grantee’s PSUs shall become fully vested at the end of the Performance Period based on the number of PSUs that would have been actually earned due to the achievement of one or more performance measures specified in Appendix A, assuming Grantee had continued to be a Service Provider through the end of the Performance Period.
(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider during the Performance Period as a result of Grantee’s death, the Grantee’s PSUs shall immediately become fully vested based on the Target number set forth in “Number of PSUs in Award” in Section I.
(e)     If Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Grantee’s Retirement, the Committee may, in its discretion , permit Grantee to receive a pro-rata portion of the number of PSUs specified in Section I above, with the pro-rata percentage of the number of PSUs to be vested to be determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section II.A.5.
(f)     Any PSUs that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with this Section II.A.5. shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of Grantee’s termination. Further, the Corporation retains the right to accelerate the vesting (but not the time of payment) of all or a portion of the PSUs subject to this Award, in which event a similar pro-ration determination as provided in this Section II.A.5 will be applied.
6.     Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider due to Grantee’s Qualifying Termination within two years after a “Change of Control” (as defined in Appendix B), the number of PSUs subject to the Award that shall become vested and non-forfeitable shall equal (x) the Target number set forth in “Number of PSUs in Award” in Section I, less (y) the number of PSUs that had already become vested as of the date of such termination, but in no event may negative discretion be exercised with respect to the number of PSUs awarded. Any PSUs that are not earned and do not vest in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall terminate and be forfeited.
7.     Determination of PSUs Earned and Vested; Settlement . Subject to Section II.A.6, upon the Committee’s certification of achievement of the Performance Goals described in Appendix A, and Grantee’s satisfaction of the vesting requirements in Section II.A.1 and Section II.A.5 above, as applicable, this Award shall be settled by issuing to Grantee the number of shares of Stock determined pursuant to Appendix A and Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation with respect to such shares. This settlement shall occur as soon as practicable following the end of the Performance Period, but in no event later than the March 15 th following such Performance Period (the “Settlement Date”). Any unearned PSUs will be canceled and forfeited. In all circumstances, the number of PSUs earned or vested will be rounded down to the nearest whole PSU, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
B.     Other Terms and Conditions .

3


1.     Non-Transferability of Award . Except as described below, this Award and the PSUs subject to this Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the Committee in its sole discretion, Grantee may assign or transfer this Award and its underlying PSUs to a trust or similar vehicle for estate planning purposes (the “Permitted Assignee”), provided that any such assigned PSUs shall remain subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, and the Permitted Assignee executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation evidencing these obligations. The terms of this Award are binding on the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Grantee.
2.     Withholding . Grantee authorizes the Corporation to withhold from the shares of Stock to be delivered in respect of the PSUs as payment the amount needed to satisfy any applicable minimum income and employment tax withholding obligations, or Grantee agrees to tender sufficient funds to satisfy any applicable income and employment tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of the PSUs and the resulting delivery of shares of Stock under this Award.
3.     Dispute Resolution . Grantee and the Corporation agree that any disagreement, dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its interpretation, validity, or the alleged breach of this Agreement, will be settled exclusively and, consistent with the procedures specified in this Section II.B.3., irrespective of its magnitude, the amount in controversy, or the nature of the relief sought, in accordance with the following:
(a)     Negotiation . Grantee and the Corporation will use their best efforts to settle the dispute, claim, question or disagreement. To this effect, they will consult and negotiate with each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both parties.
(b)     Arbitration . If Grantee and the Corporation do not reach a solution within a period of 30 days from the date on which the dispute, claim, disagreement, or controversy arises, then, upon written notice by Grantee to the Corporation or the Corporation to Grantee, all disputes, claims, questions, controversies, or differences will be submitted to arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in accordance with the provisions of its Employment Arbitration Rules (the “Arbitration Rules”).
(1)     Arbitrator . The arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator skilled in the arbitration of executive employment matters. The parties to the arbitration will jointly appoint the arbitrator within 30 days after initiation of the arbitration. If the parties fail to appoint an arbitrator as provided above, an arbitrator with substantial experience in executive employment matters will be appointed by the AAA as provided in the Arbitration Rules. The Corporation will pay all of the fees, if any, and expenses of the arbitrator and the arbitration, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator. Each party to the arbitration will be responsible for his/its respective attorneys fees or other costs of representation.

4


(2)     Location . The arbitration will be conducted in Oakland County, Michigan.
(3)     Procedure . At any oral hearing of evidence in connection with the arbitration, each party or its legal counsel will have the right to examine its witnesses and cross-examine the witnesses of any opposing party. No evidence of any witness may be presented in any form unless the opposing party or parties has the opportunity to cross-examine the witness, except under extraordinary circumstances in which the arbitrator determines that the interests of justice require a different procedure.
(4)     Decision . Any decision or award of the arbitrator is final and binding on the parties to the arbitration proceeding. The parties agree that the arbitration award may be enforced against the parties to the arbitration proceeding or their assets wherever they may be found and that a judgment upon the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(5)     Power . Nothing contained in this Agreement may be deemed to give the arbitrator any authority, power, or right to alter, change, amend, modify, add to, or subtract from any of the provisions of this Agreement.
The provisions of this Section II.B.3 survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, are binding on the Corporation’s and Grantee’s respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, designated beneficiaries and any other person asserting a claim described above, and may not be modified without the consent of the Corporation. To the extent arbitration is required, no person asserting a claim has the right to resort to any federal, state or local court or administrative agency concerning the claim unless expressly provided by federal statute, and the decision of the arbitrator is a complete defense to any action or proceeding instituted in any tribunal or agency with respect to any dispute, unless precluded by federal statute.
4.     Code Section 409A . Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement, Sections 18.9 and 18.10 of the Plan pertaining to Code Section 409A are explicitly incorporated into this Agreement.
5.     No Continued Right as Service Provider . Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement confers on Grantee any right to continue as a Service Provider, or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written employment agreement between Grantee and the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation.
6.     Effect on Other Benefits . In no event will the value, at any time, of the PSUs or any other payment or right to payment under this Agreement be included as compensation or earnings for purposes of any other compensation, retirement, or benefit plan offered to employees of, or other Service Providers to, the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation unless otherwise specifically provided for in such plan.

5


7.     Unfunded and Unsecured General Creditor . Grantee, as a holder of PSUs and rights under this Agreement has no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Corporation. The PSUs represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Corporation, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.
8.     Governing Law . This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, notwithstanding conflict of law provisions.
9.     Clawback Policy . Any shares of Stock issued to Grantee in settlement of the PSUs shall be subject to the Corporation’s recoupment policy, as in effect from time to time.
(Signature Page Follows)

6


This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which is deemed an original and all of which constitute one document.
TRIMAS CORPORATION
Dated: March 5, 2014
By: /s/ Joshua A. Sherbin
Name: Joshua A. Sherbin
Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary



GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE CORPORATION’S 2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN, AS AMENDED, WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY REFERENCE, CONFERS ON GRANTEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION AS A SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF THE CORPORATION, NOR INTERFERES IN ANY WAY WITH GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE CORPORATION’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE GRANTEE’S SERVICE PROVIDER RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
BY CLICKING THE “ACCEPT” BUTTON, GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THE PLAN AND REPRESENTS THAT GRANTEE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN. GRANTEE ACCEPTS THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN. GRANTEE HAS REVIEWED THE PLAN AND THIS AGREEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY. GRANTEE AGREES TO ACCEPT AS BINDING, CONCLUSIVE AND FINAL ALL DECISIONS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE UPON ANY QUESTIONS ARISING UNDER THE PLAN OR THIS AWARD.



7



APPENDIX A
TO
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

PERFORMANCE GOALS FOR PSU AWARD

The actual number of PSUs earned by Grantee will be determined by the Committee by the March 5th following the end of the Performance Period (“Determination Date”), using data as of, and including, December 31, 2016, under the rules described below. Any PSUs not earned as of the Determination Date will be canceled and forfeited.

1.    The actual number of shares of Stock delivered to Grantee in settlement of the PSUs earned under this Agreement will be determined based on actual performance results as described below, subject Section II.A.1 of the Agreement.

2.    The PSUs subject to this Award are earned based on the achievement of specific performance measures over the Performance Period (i.e., January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016) and determined on the Determination Date.

3.    The PSUs subject to this Award that will actually be earned will be based on the achievement of the following performance measures:

(A)
a measure tied to an earnings per share compounded annual growth rate (“EPS CAGR”); and
(B)
a measure tied to a three-year average return on invested capital (“ROIC”).

4.    The performance measures are weighted as follows:

(A)
EPS CAGR = 75%; and
(B)
ROIC = 25%.

5.    For purposes of the performance measures:

(A)
“EPS CAGR” means the cumulative average growth rate during the Performance Period of the diluted earnings per share from continuing operations as reported in the Corporation’s Income Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may occur from time-to-time that the Committee believes should adjust the as-reported results for measurement of performance; and
(B)
“ROIC” means the average of each of the three years in the Performance Period of the Corporation’s operating profit less income taxes paid in cash during the Performance Period divided by the last five-quarter average of debt plus equity plus non-controlling interest minus cash and cash equivalents on hand, all as reported in the Corporation’s Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement within the applicable Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, plus or minus special items that may

i


occur from time-to-time that the Committee believes should adjust the as-reported results for measurement of performance.

6.    The portion of the PSUs subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of EPS CAGR will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of EPS CAGR that is achieved:

EPS CAGR %
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of PSUs Subject to EPS CAGR)
4.0
 
30%
4.8
 
40%
5.6
 
50%
7.1
 
66.6%
8.6
 
83.4%
10.0
 
100%
11.5
 
125%
13.0
 
150%
14.5
 
175%
17.0
 
200%
20.0
 
250%
There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of EPS CAGR percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified EPS CAGR percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of EPS CAGR of 10.0% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the PSUs subject to this Award that are allocated to the EPS CAGR performance measurement will be earned.
7.    The portion of the PSUs subject to this Award that are tied to achievement of ROIC will be determined in accordance with the table below, with the total value of such portion of this Award determined based on the level of ROIC that is achieved:
Target  
(ROIC %)
 
Award Payout
(Reflected as % of PSUs Subject to ROIC)
12.3%
 
30%
12.5%
 
40%
12.7%
 
50%
13.2%
 
66.6%
13.8%
 
83.4%
14.5%
 
100%
14.9%
 
120%
15.3%
 
140%
16.1%
 
160%
16.9%
 
180%
17.9%
 
200%

ii


There will be pro rata allocations between the achievement of ROIC percentage levels, i.e., there will be interpolation between the specified ROIC percentage levels.
The table above provides that the achievement of ROIC of 14.5% is the target level, i.e., at that level, 100% of the PSUs subject to this Award that are allocated to the ROIC performance measurement will be earned.

iii


APPENDIX B
TO
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

GLOSSARY

For purposes of this Agreement:

Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

A “ Change of Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events to occur:

(i)    any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Corporation or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below;

(ii)    the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Corporation) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended (the “Incumbent Board”); provided, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (an “Election Contest”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest;

(iii)    there is consummated a merger, consolidation, wind-up, reorganization or restructuring of the Corporation with or into any other entity, or a similar event or series of such events, other than (A) any such event or series of events which results in (1) the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such event or series of events continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity or

iv


any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (2) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting immediately thereafter at least a majority of the board of directors of the Corporation, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Corporation or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) any such event or series of events effected to implement a recapitalization of the Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Corporation or its Affiliates) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv)    the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (it being conclusively presumed that any sale or disposition is a sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets if the consummation of the sale or disposition is contingent upon approval by the Corporation’s stockholders unless the Board expressly determines in writing that such approval is required solely by reason of any relationship between the Corporation and any other Person or an Affiliate of the Corporation and any other Person), other than a sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to an entity (A) at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale or disposition and (B) the majority of whose board of directors immediately following such sale or disposition consists of individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions and (B) if required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred only if a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.

Good Reason ” means:

(i)
A material and permanent diminution in Grantee’s duties or responsibilities;

v


(ii)
A material reduction in the aggregate value of base salary and bonus opportunity provided to Grantee by the Corporation; or
(iii)
A permanent reassignment of Grantee to another primary office more than 50 miles from the current office location.
Grantee must notify the Corporation of Grantee’s intention to invoke termination for Good Reason within 90 days after Grantee has knowledge of such event and provide the Corporation 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. Grantee may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination.

Person ” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation.

“Qualifying Termination” means a termination of Grantee’s services with the Corporation or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Corporation for any reason other than:

(i)    death;
(ii)    Disability;
(iii)    Cause; or
(iv)    a termination of Services by Grantee without Good Reason, (as defined above).


vi
Department:
Legal
Date Issued:
July 1, 2015
Prepared By:
Legal Director
Approved By:
Compensation Committee of Board of Directors
Title: EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE/CHANGE OF CONTROL POLICY (this “Policy”)



Scope:
This Policy applies to (i) the executive officers of Horizon Global Corporation (“Horizon ” or the “ Company ”) set forth on Exhibit A, as such exhibit may be updated by the Compensation Committee (the “ Compensation Committee ”) of the Horizon Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) from time to time and (ii) such other officers or executives as may be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time (the individuals participating in this Policy from time to time, “ Executives ”). Each Executive will be designated by the Compensation Committee as a Tier I Participant, Tier II Participant or Tier III Participant upon being included as a participant in this Policy (as applicable, the “ Participation Tier ”).

Purpose:
To detail what compensation and benefits, if any, are due to an Executive upon an Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, which for purposes of this Policy shall mean a “separation from service”, as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).

Defined Terms:
Any capitalized term that is used, but not defined, in this Policy shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9 hereof.

Policy:
Each Executive is an at-will employee whose employment may be terminated by Executive or Horizon at any time for any reason. Upon a termination of employment of an Executive, this Policy shall govern the rights and responsibilities of the Company and Executive. In consideration of Executive’s participation in this Policy, Executive will devote his or her full business time and efforts to the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities for the Company; provided that, this Policy does not preclude Executive from engaging in charitable and community affairs or managing any passive investment (i.e., an investment with respect to which Executive is in no way involved with the management or operation of the entity in which Executive has invested) to the extent that such activities do not conflict with the Executive’s duties; and further provided, that, subject to Section 7 hereof, Executive shall not, without the prior approval of the Board, serve as a director or trustee of any other corporation, association or entity, or own more than five percent of the equity of any publicly traded entity.

1 . Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason Prior to a Change of Control

Except as otherwise set forth in Section 2 of this Policy, if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates by reason of a Qualifying Termination, then the Company shall, subject to Section 7(F), provide the Executive the following severance benefits:

(A)
Payment of an amount equal to the product of (i) the Non-COC Multiplier for Executive’s Participation Tier as set forth on Exhibit A, multiplied by (ii) the sum of (a) Executive’s annual base salary in effect on the date of termination and (b) Executive’s target Short-Term Incentive Plan (as in effect from time to time, the “ Short-Term Incentive Plan ”) bonus for the full year of termination at the level in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, commencing on the 60 th day following the date of termination and ending on the last payroll date of the Company in the last month of the Non-COC Period applicable to Executive’s Participation Tier set forth on Exhibit A, provided that the first such payment shall include all amounts that would have been paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices if such payments had begun on the date of termination;



 
(B)
Payment of all (i) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination and (ii) earned but unused vacation through the date of termination, payable by the next payroll date following termination of employment;

(C)
Payment of Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus payment for the most recently completed bonus term if a bonus has been declared for Executive under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for such year but not paid, payable in accordance with the terms of the Short-Term Incentive Plan;

(D)
Payment of Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance results for the full year and prorated through Executive’s employment termination date, payable in accordance with the terms of the Short-Term Incentive Plan;

(E)
Notwithstanding anything set forth in any of the Company’s equity compensation plans or arrangements:

(i) any unvested equity awards Executive may have received prior to March 2, 2013 under the TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (“ 2002 Plan ”) or the TriMas Corporation 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (“ 2006 Plan ”), which were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff, shall immediately vest, and for stock options become exercisable, upon the employment termination date and otherwise be subject to the terms consistent with such plan and award agreement, including the time for payment of such award; and

(ii) any unvested equity awards Executive may have originally received (a) on or after March 2, 2013 under the 2002 Plan or the 2006 Plan, which were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff, (b) at any time under the TriMas Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (“2011 Plan”), which were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff, or (c) at any time under t he Horizon Global Corporation 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“2015 Plan”) or any equity plan or arrangement subsequently issued by the Company shall vest, and for stock options become exercisable, (and otherwise be subject to the terms consistent with the applicable plan and award agreements, including the time for payment of such award) in an amount equal to (1) the product of (A) the total number of shares subject to such award and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed from the grant date of the applicable award to the date of Executive’s termination of employment and the denominator of which is equal to the full number of calendar months in the vesting period of such award, less (2) the number of shares that had already become vested as of the date of such termination in respect of such award.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any equity awards granted under the 2002 Plan, the 2006 Plan, the 2011 Plan, the 2015 Plan, or any subsequently issued equity plan or arrangement that are subject to vesting upon the attainment of performance goals shall become vested in an amount equal to (a) the product of (1) the total number of shares that would be issued at the end of the performance period based on actual performance in accordance with the terms of the governing arrangements under which such performance-based awards were granted and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed from the grant date of the applicable award to the date of Executive’s termination and the denominator of which is the full number of calendar months in the vesting period of such award, less (b) the number of shares that had already become vested as of the date of such termination in respect of such award, provided that such award will be settled at the time when awards are settled under the terms of the applicable plan for individuals who remain employed through the end of the performance period;

2



(F)
If Executive timely elects to continue group health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“ COBRA ”), and subject to the Company’s COBRA policies, the Company will reimburse Executive for the employer’s portion of premiums for continued group health coverage under COBRA until the earliest of (i) the termination of Executive’s COBRA period; (ii) the expiration of the Non-COC Period applicable to Executive’s Participation Tier set forth on Exhibit A; or (iii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical benefits under any plan or program of any other employer. Executive will be responsible for payment of the COBRA premium and will be reimbursed by the Company for the portion of the premium that the Company would have paid for group health coverage if Executive had continued to be an employee of the Company. If the COBRA period expires before the applicable Non-COC Period has elapsed following Executive’s termination of employment, the Company shall pay Executive a monthly amount equal to the monthly contribution that the Company would have paid for Executive’s coverage under the applicable group health plan of the Company if Executive had continued as an employee of the Company until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the applicable Non-COC period or (ii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical benefits under any plan or program of any other employer;

(G)
Executive-level outplacement services until the earlier of (i) 12 months following Executive’s termination of employment or (ii) the date on which Executive becomes employed by a subsequent employer; and

(H) Except for the benefits stated in the applicable portion of this Section 1, Executive’s participation in all benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company shall cease as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, programs or arrangements, if any, governing such benefits.

2. Termination Following a Change of Control

If the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates by reason of a Qualifying Termination within two years after a Change of Control, in place of any other severance payments, benefits or other consideration, whether pursuant to this Policy or otherwise, and subject to all legal requirements, the Company shall, subject to Section 7(F), provide Executive the following severance benefits:

(A)
If the Change of Control is a Section 409A Change of Control, a lump sum payment payable on the 60 th day following the date of Executive’s termination, equal to the product of (i) the COC Multiplier for Executive’s Participation Tier as set forth on Exhibit A, multiplied by (ii) the sum of (a) Executive’s annual base salary rate in effect on the date of termination (without regard to any reduction giving rise to Good Reason) and (b) Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan target bonus for the full year of termination at the level in effect immediately prior to the date of termination (without regard to any reduction giving rise to Good Reason);

(B)
If the Change of Control is not a Section 409A Change of Control, an amount equal to the product of (i) the COC Multiplier for Executive’s Participation Tier as set forth on Exhibit A, multiplied by (ii) the sum of (a) Executive’s annual base salary rate in effect on the date of termination (without regard to any reduction giving rise to Good Reason) and (b) Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan target bonus for the full year of termination at the level in effect on the date of termination (without regard to any reduction giving rise to Good Reason), payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, commencing on the 60 th day following the date of termination and ending on the last payroll date of the Company in the last month of the COC Period applicable to Executive’s Participation Tier set forth on Exhibit A, provided that the first such payment shall include all amounts that

3


would have been paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices if such payments had begun on the date of termination.

(C)
Payment of Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus payment for the most recently completed bonus term if a bonus has been earned by Executive under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for such year but not yet paid, payable at the time set forth in the Short-Term Incentive Plan, provided that in no event will the Company be permitted to exercise any negative discretion with respect to the amount of such Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus;

(D)
Payment of Executive’s Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance results for the full year and prorated through Executive’s employment termination date, payable in accordance with the terms of the Short-Term Incentive Plan, provided that in no event will the Company be permitted to exercise any negative discretion with respect to the amount of such Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus (the “ Prorated Bonus );

(E)
Any unvested equity awards Executive may have received under any equity compensation plans or arrangements sponsored by the Company, its successor or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates (including any equity awards that were originally received pursuant to the 2002 Plan, 2006 Plan, or 2011 Plan that were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff) shall immediately vest, or for stock options become exercisable, upon the termination of Executive’s employment and otherwise be subject to the terms consistent with such plan or arrangement, including the time for payment of such award; provided, however, that any awards subject to vesting upon the attainment of performance goals shall become vested in an amount equal to (1) the total number of shares that would be issued at the end of the performance period based on target performance in accordance with the terms of the governing arrangements under which such performance-based awards were granted, less (2) the number of shares that had already become vested as of the date of such termination in respect of such award, but in no event may negative discretion be exercised with respect to any such performance awards;

(F)
If Executive timely elects to continue group health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“ COBRA ”), and subject to the Company’s COBRA policies, the Company will reimburse Executive for the employer’s portion of premiums for continued group health coverage under COBRA until the earliest of (i) the termination of Executive’s COBRA period; (ii) the expiration of the COC Period applicable to Executive’s Participation Tier set forth on Exhibit A; or (iii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical benefits under any plan or program of any other employer. Executive will be responsible for payment of the COBRA premium and will be reimbursed by the Company for the portion of the premium that the Company would have paid for group health coverage if Executive had continued to be an employee of the Company. If the COBRA period expires before the applicable COC Period has elapsed following Executive’s termination of employment, the Company shall pay Executive a monthly amount equal to the monthly contribution that the Company would have paid for Executive’s coverage under the applicable group health plan of the Company if Executive had continued as an employee of the Company until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the applicable COC period or (ii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical benefits under any plan or program of any other employer;

(G)
Executive level outplacement services until the earlier of (i) 12 months following Executive’s termination of employment or (ii) the date on which Executive is employed by a subsequent employer; and

( H )
Except for the benefits stated in this Section 2, Executive’s participation in all benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company shall cease as of the date of Executive’s termination

4


of employment and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, programs or arrangements, if any, governing such benefits.

3. Voluntary Termination by Executive

If Executive voluntarily terminates employment with the Company without Good Reason, the Company shall pay Executive his or her (i) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination, (ii) earned but unused vacation through the date of termination and (iii) Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus payment for the most recently completed bonus term if a bonus has been declared for Executive under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for such year but not paid. The accrued salary and vacation time shall be payable by the next normal payroll date following the date of Executive’s termination of employment, and the Short-Term Incentive Plan award shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the Short-Term Incentive Plan. Except for the benefits stated in this Section 3, Executive’s participation in all benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company shall cease as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, programs or arrangements, if any, governing such benefits.

4. Termination for Cause

If the Company terminates Executive with Cause, the Company shall pay Executive his or her (i) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination and (ii) earned but unused vacation through the date of termination payable by the next normal payroll date following the date of Executive’s termination of employment. Executive shall not be entitled to payment of any Short-Term Incentive Plan award, whether declared and unpaid for any prior year, relating to any portion of the year in which the termination occurs or otherwise. Except for the benefits stated in this Section 4, Executive’s participation in all benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company shall cease as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, programs or arrangements, if any, governing such benefits.

5. Termination for Disability

If Executive’s employment is terminated after it is determined that the Executive is Disabled, then all obligations of the Company to make any further payments, except for earned but unpaid base salary and accrued but unpaid Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus awards, shall terminate on the first to occur of (i) the date that is six (6) months after such termination or (ii) the date Executive becomes entitled to benefits under a Company-provided long-term disability program. I n the event of a Disability termination hereunder, Executive’s outstanding equity awards (including any equity awards that were originally received pursuant to the 2002 Plan, 2006 Plan, or 2011 Plan that were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff) shall (i) immediately become 100% vested with respect to time-based equity awards and (ii) become fully vested at the end of the performance period, based on actual performance through the end of the performance period, with respect to performance-based equity awards. The earned but unpaid base salary shall be paid by the next normal payroll payment date following termination of the Executive’s employment, and the Short-Term Incentive Plan award shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan. Company may only terminate Executive on account of Disability after giving due consideration to whether reasonable accommodations can be made under which Executive is able to fulfill Executive’s job related duties. The commencement date and expected duration of any physical or mental condition that prevents Executive from performing job related duties shall be determined by a medical doctor selected by Company. Company may, in its discretion, require written confirmation from a physician of Disability during any extended absence. Except for the benefits stated above, Executive’s participation in all other Company benefits shall cease as of the date above on which Company’s obligation to make payments ceases and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, if any, applicable to such benefits.


5


6. Termination Due to Death

If Executive’s employment terminates due to Executive’s death, all obligations of Company to make any further payments, other than an obligation to pay any accrued but unpaid base salary to the date of death and any accrued but unpaid bonuses under the Short-Term Incentive Plan to the date of death, shall terminate upon Executive’s death. I n the event Executive’s employment is terminated due to death, Executive’s outstanding equity awards (including any equity awards that were originally received pursuant to the 2002 Plan, 2006 Plan, or 2011 Plan that were adjusted and converted to equity awards with respect to common stock of the Company as a result of the Spinoff) shall immediately become 100% vested and assuming performance achievement at target level with respect to performance-based equity awards. The accrued but unpaid base salary shall be paid by the next normal payroll date following termination of employment, and the accrued but unpaid Short-Term Incentive Plan award shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan. In accordance with Company guidelines, Executive’s qualified dependents shall be reimbursed for the employer portion of COBRA premiums for Company group medical benefits (including health, dental, vision, EAP and prescription plans), as defined by the plan documents, for a period not to exceed thirty-six (36) months; provided a timely election to continue health care coverage under COBRA is made and subject to Company’s COBRA policies. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the “Employer’s portion of COBRA premiums” means the portion of the premium that the Company would have paid for group health coverage if Executive had continued to be employed by the Company. Except for the benefits stated above, Executive’s participation in all other Company benefits shall cease as of the date of death and otherwise be governed by the terms of the plans, if any, applicable to such benefits.
7. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality; Release of Claims

In consideration of Executive’s participation in this Policy, Executive shall comply with the following:

(A)
Acceptance of participation in this Policy and performance relative to this Policy are not in violation of any restrictions or covenants under the terms of any other agreements to which Executive is a party.

(B)
Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business of the Company and accordingly agrees that, in consideration of this Policy, the rights conferred hereunder, and any payment hereunder, while Executive is employed by the Company and for the duration of the Non-Compete Term, Executive shall not engage, either directly or indirectly, as a principal for Executive’s own account or jointly with others, or as a stockholder in any corporation or joint stock association, or as a partner or member of a general or limited liability entity, or as an employee, officer, director, agent, consultant or in any other advisory capacity in any business other than the Company or its subsidiaries which designs, develops, manufactures, distributes, sells or markets the type of products or services sold, distributed or provided by the Company or its subsidiaries during the one-year period prior to the date of employment termination (the “ Business ”); provided that nothing herein shall prevent Executive from owning, directly or indirectly, not more than five percent of the outstanding shares of, or any other equity interest in, any entity engaged in the Business and listed or traded on a national securities exchanges or in an over-the-counter securities market.

(C)
During the Non-Compete Term, Executive shall not (i) directly or indirectly employ or solicit, or receive or accept the performance of services by, any active employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who is employed primarily in connection with the Business, except in connection with general, non-targeted recruitment

6


efforts such as advertisements and job listings, or directly or indirectly induce any employee of the Company to leave the Company, or assist in any of the foregoing, or (ii) solicit for business (relating to the Business) any person who is a customer or former customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, unless such person shall have ceased to have been such a customer for a period of at least six months as of the time of such solicitation.

(D)
Executive shall not at any time (whether during or after his employment with the Company) disclose or use for Executive’s own benefit or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than the Company and any of its subsidiaries, any trade secrets, information, data, or other confidential information of the Company, including but not limited to, information relating to customers, development programs, costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit and financial data, financing methods, plans or the business and affairs of the Company generally, or of any subsidiary of the Company, unless required to do so by applicable law or court order, subpoena or decree or otherwise required by law, with reasonable evidence of such determination promptly provided to the Company. The preceding sentence of this paragraph (D) shall not apply to information which is not unique to the Company or which is generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result of Executive’s breach of this covenant. Executive agrees that upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will return to the Company immediately all memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies of these materials, in any way relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, except that Executive may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Executive further agrees that Executive will not retain or use for Executive’s account at any time any trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned in connection with the business of the Company or its subsidiaries.

(E)
Although Executive and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Policy to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Policy is an unenforceable restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Policy shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any tribunal of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Policy is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

(F)
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to make any payments or provide any benefits under this Policy that are not otherwise required to be paid or provided to Executive pursuant to applicable law unless (i) within 60 days following the date of termination of Executive’s employment, Executive executes and delivers to the Company a waiver and release agreement in the form approved by the Company from time to time (the “ Release ”) and (ii) any applicable revocation period has expired during such 60-day period without Executive revoking such Release.

(G)
Upon Executive’s termination of employment, or at any other time as requested by the Company, Executive will be required to surrender to the Company all

7


correspondence, documents, supplies, files, equipment, checks, and all other materials and records of any kind that are the property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates that are in the possession or under control of the Executive.




8. Miscellaneous Provisions

(A)
Payments Not Compensation

Any participation by Executive in, and any terminating distributions and vesting rights (other than previously defined) under, the Company sponsored retirement or savings plans, regardless of whether such plans are qualified or non-qualified for tax purposes, shall be governed by the terms of those respective plans. Any salary continuation or severance benefits shall not be considered compensation for purposes of accruing additional benefits under such plans.

(B)
Code Section 409A

(i) To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Policy comply with or be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code do not apply to Executive. Consistent with that intent, and to the extent required under Section 409A of the Code, for benefits that are to be paid in connection with a termination of employment, “termination of employment” or any similar term shall be limited to such a termination that constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code.

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of this Policy to the contrary, if Executive is a “specified employee,” determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Company in compliance with Section 409A of the Code, on the date of his separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(h)) and if any portion of the payments or benefits to be received by Executive upon his or her termination of employment would constitute a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable pursuant to this Policy during the six-month period immediately following Executive’s termination of employment will instead be paid or made available on the earlier of (A) the first business day of the seventh month after the date of Executive’s termination of employment, or (B) Executive’s death. For purposes of application of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, each payment made under this Policy shall be treated as a separate payment.

(iii) Notwithstanding any provision of this Policy to the contrary, to the extent any reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under this Policy is nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code: (A) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year; (B) the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (C) the right

8


to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(iv) In no event, however, shall this Section 8(B) or any other provisions of this Policy be construed to require the Company to provide any gross-up for the tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code of any provisions of, or payments under, this Policy and the Company shall have no responsibility for tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code to Executive resulting from the terms or operation of this Policy.

(C)
Payment Process and Taxation Requirements

The Company may withhold from any amounts payable hereunder all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any law or government regulation or ruling. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Policy, the Company shall not be obligated to guarantee any particular tax result for Executive with respect to any payment or benefit provided to Executive hereunder, and Executive shall be responsible for any taxes imposed on Executive with respect to any such payment or benefit.

(D)
Notices

All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed as follows:

To the Company:         Horizon Global Corporation
39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Attn: Legal Director

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as above (or to such other address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described above), and the third business day after the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice was given.

(E)
Severability; Legal Fees

If any provision of this Policy shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a dispute by the Company, Executive or others as to the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Policy prior to a Change of Control, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Executive if Executive prevails on the merits in the dispute resolution process, and if Executive does not so prevail, Executive and the Company shall be responsible for their respective legal fees and expenses. In the event of any such dispute on or after a Change of Control, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Executive regardless of the outcome thereof unless the finder of fact in such action determines that Executive’s position was frivolous or maintained in bad faith.

(F)
ERISA Provisions


9


This Policy constitutes a “top hat” plan maintained primarily for a group of management or highly compensated employees and is exempted from most, but not all of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”). To the extent that ERISA applies, the ERISA provisions are set forth on Appendix B to the Policy.

(G)
Dispute Resolution Governing Law

Any and all disputes arising under this Policy must be resolved in accordance with the Horizon Dispute Resolution Policy process, as set forth in the ERISA attachment on Appendix B to the Plan. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, this Policy and all disputes related to it shall be governed by Michigan law, without regard to conflict of law principles.

(H)
Amendments and Termination

(i) This Policy may be amended or terminated at any time by the Compensation Committee; provided however, that no such amendment or termination may adversely affect any Executive without the Executive’s prior written consent unless the Company provides 12 months’ written notice of such amendment or termination to any adversely affected Executive.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Policy may not be terminated or amended in any manner prior to the fifth business day following the second anniversary of the Change of Control without the prior written consent of the applicable Executive potentially affected thereby.

(I)
Code Section 162(m)

Notwithstanding anything contrary in this Policy, to the extent any benefit covered under this Policy is intended to be exempt from the application of Code Section 162(m) as “performance based compensation” (as defined in 162(m) and the regulations thereunder), then such performance-based compensation shall only be paid to the Executive in accordance with Code Section 162(m).

(J)
Effective Date

The Policy, in the form effective as of July 1, 2015 , supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations, written or oral, with respect to the subject matter herein.

9. Certain Definitions .

For purposes of this Policy, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

(A)
Affiliate ” shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company as determined by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as applicable, in its discretion.

(B)     Cause ” shall mean:


10


(i) Executive’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business;

(ii) Executive’s willful failure or refusal to perform his or her duties to the Company and failure to cure such breach within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Company;

(iii) Executive’s willful failure or refusal to follow directions of the Board (or direct reporting executive) and failure to cure such breach within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Board; or

(iv) Executive’s breach of fiduciary duty to the Company for personal profit.
Any failure by the Company or a Subsidiary to notify an Executive after the first occurrence of an event constituting Cause shall not preclude any subsequent occurrence of such event (or similar event) from constituting Cause.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no termination of Executive’s employment shall qualify as a termination for Cause unless (x) the Company notifies Executive in writing of the Company’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause within 90 days following the Company’s knowledge of initial existence of such occurrence or event, (y) Executive fails to cure such occurrence or event within 30 days after receipt of such notice from the Company and (z) the Company terminates Executive’s employment within 45 days after the expiration of Executive’s cure period in subsection (y).

(C)
A “ Change of Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events to occur:

(i) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a "Person") becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (a) the then-outstanding Common Shares (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (b) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (I) any acquisition directly from the Company, (II) any acquisition by the Company, (III) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate or (IV) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 9(C)(iii)(a), (iii)(b) and (iii)(c) below;

(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the shareholders of Company common stock, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual was a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal

11


of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;

(iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or securities of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (a) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (b) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 35% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (c) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

(iv) approval by the holders of common shares of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(D)
COC Multiplier ” means the multiplier set forth on Exhibit A that applies to the Executive’s Participation Tier in respect of a termination of Executive’s employment under Section 2 of this Policy.

(E)
COC Period ” means the period of time that begins on the date of Executive’s termination of employment and equals the number of months set forth on Exhibit A that applies to the Executive’s Participation Tier in respect of a termination of Executive’s employment under Section 2 of this Policy.

(F)
Disability ” means (i) the Executive is unable to engage in any substantial activity due to medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) if due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or last for a continuous period not less than 12 months, Executive has received income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under a accident and health plan sponsored by the Company.

12



(G)     Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.

(H)     “ Good Reason ” shall mean:

(i)     A material and permanent diminution in Executive’s duties or responsibilities;

(ii)     A material reduction in the aggregate value of base salary and bonus opportunity provided to Executive by the Corporation; or

(iii) A permanent reassignment of Executive to another primary office more than 50 miles from current office location.

Executive must notify the Corporation of Executive’s intention to invoke termination for Good Reason within 90 days after Executive has knowledge of such event and provide the Corporation 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. Executive may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination.

(I)
Non-COC Multiplier ” means the multiplier set forth on Exhibit A that applies to the Executive’s Participation Tier in respect of a termination of Executive’s employment under Section 1 of this Policy.

(J)
“Non-COC Period” means the period of time that begins on the date of Executive’s termination of employment and equals the number of months set forth on Exhibit A that applies to the Executive’s Participation Tier in respect of a termination of Executive’s employment under Section 1 of this Policy.

(K)
Non-Compete Term ” shall mean (i) the Non-COC Period if the Executive is terminated in a manner that gives rise to severance benefits under Section 1, (ii) the COC Period if the Executive is terminated in a manner that gives rise to severance benefits under Section 2 and (iii) 24 months following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company if the Executive’s employment has terminated in any other manner.

(L)
A “ Qualifying Termination ” shall be defined for purposes of this Policy as a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than:

(i) Death;

(ii) Disability (as defined in this Policy);

(iii) Cause (as defined in this Policy); or

(iv) A termination by Executive without Good Reason (as defined in this Policy).

(M)
A “ Section 409A Change of Control ” means a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code.


13


(N)
Spinoff ” means the distribution of 100% of the TriMas Corporation’s interest in Horizon Global Corporation to shareholders of TriMas Corporation common stock.




14

 

APPENDIX A
APPLICATION OF GOLDEN PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

1.    Cap on Payments .

(a)
General Rules . The Code may place significant tax burdens on Executive and the Company if the total payments made to Executive due to a Change of Control exceed prescribed limits. In order to avoid this excise tax and the related adverse tax consequences for the Company, by continuing Executive’s employment with the Company after the effective date of this Policy, Executive will be agreeing that the present value of Executive’s Total Payments will not exceed an amount equal to Executive’s Cap.
(b)
Special Definitions . For purposes of this Section, the following specialized terms will have the following meanings:

(1)
Base Period Income ”. “Base Period Income” is an amount equal to Executive’s “annualized includable compensation” for the “base period” as defined in Sections 280G(d)(1) and (2) of the Code and the regulations adopted thereunder. Generally, Executive’s “annualized includable compensation” is the average of Executive’s annual taxable income from the Company for the “base period,” which is the five calendar years prior to the year in which the Change of Control occurs. These concepts are complicated and technical and all of the rules set forth in the applicable regulations apply for purposes of this Agreement.

(2)
Cap” or “280G Cap ”. “Cap” or “280G Cap” shall mean an amount equal to 2.99 times Executive’s “Base Period Income.” This is the maximum amount which Executive may receive without becoming subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or which the Company may pay without loss of deduction under Section 280G of the Code.

(3)
Total Payments ”. The “Total Payments” include any “payments in the nature of compensation” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code and the regulations adopted thereunder), made pursuant to this Policy or otherwise, to or for Executive’s benefit, the receipt of which is contingent on a Change of Control and to which Section 280G of the Code applies.

(c)
Calculating the Cap and Adjusting Payments . If the Company believes that these rules will result in a reduction of the payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement, it will so notify Executive as soon as possible. The Company will then, at its expense, retain a “Consultant” (which shall be a law firm, a certified public accounting firm, and/or a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants) to provide an opinion or opinions concerning whether Executive’s Total Payments exceed the 280G Cap discussed above. The Company will select the Consultant. At a minimum, the opinions required by this Section must set forth the amount of Executive’s Base Period Income, the present value of the Total Payments and the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments. If the opinions state that there would be an excess parachute payment, Executive’s payments under this Policy will be reduced to the Cap. In the case of a reduction in the Total Payments, the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order: (i) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1,

15

 

Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii) or (iv) will be next reduced pro-rata. Any reductions made pursuant to each of clauses (i)-(v) above will be made in the following manner: first, a pro-rata reduction of cash payment and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity not subject to Section 409A, and second, a pro-rata reduction of cash payments and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity subject to Section 409A as deferred compensation. If the Consultant selected to provide the opinions referred to above so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Section, a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants selected by the Company shall provide an opinion, upon which such Consultant may rely, as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation as reasonable compensation for services rendered before or after the Change of Control. The Company will make payments to Executive, at the times stated above, in the maximum amount that it believes, in its discretion, may be paid without exceeding the Cap. If it is ultimately determined, pursuant to the opinion referred to above or by the Internal Revenue Service, that a greater payment should have been made to Executive, the Company shall pay Executive the amount of the deficiency, together with interest thereon from the date such amount should have been paid to the date of such payment, at the rate used to determine the present value of the Total Payments, so that Executive will have received or be entitled to receive the maximum amount to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement. Payment of any deficiency and interest determined under this Section 1(c) shall be made by the last day of the calendar year in which is received either the opinions called for above or the Internal Revenue Service determination that a deficiency exists.

(d)
Effect of Repeal . In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code are repealed without succession, this Section shall be of no further force or effect.


16

 

APPENDIX B
ERISA ATTACHMENT TO HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE/CHANGE OF CONTROL POLICY

The Horizon Global Corporation Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy to which this Appendix B is attached (the “Policy”) is intended to constitute an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees under Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the Policy, the Policy is subject to the provisions set forth below.
1.    Plan Administrator and Named Fiduciary. The Plan Administrator and Named Fiduciary of the Plan for purposes of ERISA shall be Horizon Global Corporation, or any successor thereto. The address of the Plan Administrator is 39400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. The Plan Administrator shall have absolute discretion to administer the Plan, including but not limited to questions of construction, interpretation and eligibility under the Plan.
2.    Claims Procedure. Claims for benefits under the Policy shall be processed in accordance with the Horizon Global Corporation Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy (the “ADR Policy”), subject, however, to the modifications described below.
(a)     Mediation . If an Executive is unable to resolve a dispute over benefits under the Policy through internal human resource channels, he or she must request mediation of the dispute. The decision of the mediator shall be delivered to the Executive electronically or by mail within 90 days after the Executive’s request for mediation, unless circumstances require an extension. The need for an extension shall be communicated to the Executive before the expiration of the initial 90 day period. The extension may not exceed 90 days.
If the mediator denies the Executive’s claim for benefits, the mediator shall provide, in written or electronic form, a notice of a claim denial, which sets forth:
(1)
the specific reasons for the denial;
(2)
reference to specific provisions of the Policy upon which the denial is based;
(3)
a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Executive to perfect his or her claim, along with an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(4)
an explanation of claim review procedures under the Policy and the time limits applicable to such procedures.
Any such claim denial notice shall be written in a manner that may be understood without legal or actuarial counsel.
(b)     Arbitration .
(1)
An Executive whose claim for benefits has been wholly or partially denied by the mediator may request arbitration of such denial. The request for arbitration must be in written or electronic form, and delivered to the Plan Administrator within 60 days following the denial of the claim by the mediator.
The request should set forth the reasons why the Executive believes the denial of his or her claim is incorrect. The Executive shall be entitled to submit such issues, comments,

17

 

documents, or records as the Executive shall consider relevant to a determination of the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted to or considered by the mediator. Prior to submitting such request, the Executive shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, such documents, records, and other information that are relevant to the claim.
(2)
The Executive may, at all stages of review, be represented by counsel, legal or otherwise, of his or her choice, provided that the fees and expenses of the Executive’s counsel shall be borne by the Executive.
(3)
The Plan Administrator’s decision with respect to any such review shall be delivered electronically or in writing to the Executive no later than 60 days following receipt by the Plan Administrator of the Executive’s request, unless special circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require an extension of time for processing. If an extension is needed, the Plan Administrator shall, before the end of the initial review period, give the Executive written notice of the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which he or she expects a decision will be rendered. In any event, the Plan Administrator must provide the Executive with written or electronic notification of the decision on review no later than 120 days after receipt of the Executive’s request.
In the case of an adverse benefit determination by the arbitrator, the notification shall set forth the information described in Section (a)(1) and (2) above, a statement that the Executive is entitled to receive, upon request and at no charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim, a description of any voluntary appeal procedure offered by the Policy, and the Executive’s right to obtain information about the appeals procedure.

(c)     Time Limits Affecting Jurisdiction . The Plan Administrator shall not entertain a claim or a request for review unless it is filed timely in the manner specified by subsection (a) or (b) above, as applicable, which is a condition precedent to obtaining review by the Plan Administrator. The period of time within which the benefit determination, or an appeal of a benefit determination, is required to be made shall begin at the time the claim or appeal is filed and without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a determination accompanies the filing. If the period of review is extended because of the Executive’s failure to submit all necessary information, the period for making the determination shall be tolled from the date the notice of extension is sent to the Executive to the date on which the Executive responds to the request.
(d)     Horizon Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy Process . An arbitrator selected pursuant to the ADR Policy, as modified above, shall not have jurisdiction or authority to change, add to or subtract from any of the provisions of the Policy. The arbitrator’s sole authority shall be to interpret or apply the provisions of the Policy, and the arbitrator shall have the power to compel attendance of witnesses at the hearing. The arbitrator shall be appointed upon mutual agreement of the Corporation and the Executive pursuant to the arbitration rules referenced above. Once an Executive commences arbitration proceedings, the Executive shall not be permitted to terminate the arbitration proceedings without the express written consent of the Corporation. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment based upon such arbitration. All decisions of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the Executive and the Corporation without appeal to any court. The costs of the arbitration shall be split equally between the parties.
3.     Non-alienation of Benefits . Except in so far as this provision may be contrary to applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge collateralization, or attachment of any benefits under the Policy shall be valid or recognized by the Corporation.


18




IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has adopted this Horizon Global Corporation Executive Severance/Change of Control Policy, effective as of July 1, 2015.

HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION

                         By:      /s/ Jay Goldbaum                 

Its: Legal Director and Corporate Secretary     

NAI-1500354373v3




Exhibit A
Tier Level
Tier I Participants
Tier II Participants
Tier III Participants

Mark Zeffiro
David Rice
Jay Goldbaum
John Aleva
Maria Duey


    
Termination Multipliers and Periods
Participation Tier
Non-COC Multiplier
Non-COC Period
COC Multiplier
COC Period
I
2
24 months
3
36 months
II
1
12 months
2
24 months
III
1
12 months
1
12 months





Exhibit 31.1
Certification
Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1350(A) and (B))

I, A. Mark Zeffiro, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Horizon Global Corporation;
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: November 10, 2015
 
/s/  A. MARK ZEFFIRO
 
A. Mark Zeffiro
Chief Executive Officer





Exhibit 31.2
Certification
Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1350(A) and (B))

I, David G. Rice, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Horizon Global Corporation;
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: November 10, 2015
 
/s/ DAVID G. RICE
 
David G. Rice
Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit 32.1
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Horizon Global Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, A. Mark Zeffiro, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 10, 2015
 
/s/  A. MARK ZEFFIRO
 
A. Mark Zeffiro
Chief Executive Officer





Exhibit 32.2
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Horizon Global Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David G. Rice, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 10, 2015
 
/s/  DAVID G. RICE
 
David G. Rice
Chief Financial Officer