Cooper Standard Wins Ford World Excellence Award

Novi Michigan, May 18, 2005 - Cooper Standard Automotive's Bowling Green, Ohio, manufacturing facility has earned the Silver World Excellence Award from Ford Motor Company. The award is one of Ford's highest supplier honors and is given to those suppliers who meet the criteria for exemplary performance in 2004 based on quality, cost and delivery.

At a ceremony to honor Ford's World Excellence award winners, Ed Hasler, president, Global Sealing Systems for Cooper Standard Automotive, said: "We are extremely pleased for the team at our Bowling Green facility and proud of their efforts that led to earning this recognition. It’s a tremendous achievement considering that only 26 of Ford’s many suppliers received the Silver award."

Cooper Standard's Global Sealing Systems facility in Bowling Green provides body sealing and glass runs for a number for Ford's top-selling vehicles, including the Ford Freestyle, Ford 500, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and the Mercury Montego.

"Ford is a very important customer of ours and, as with all our customers, we work hard to exceed their expectations," said Lyle Otremba, vice president, Sales and Program Engineering, Global Sealing Systems. "An award like this validates that our efforts are valued and recognized."


About Cooper-Standard Automotive
Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global automotive supplier specializing in the manufacture and marketing of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include body sealing systems, fluid handling systems, and NVH control systems. Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. employs approximately 19,000 people globally with more than 70 facilities throughout the world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: www.cooperstandard.com.

Cooper-Standard is a privately-held portfolio company of The Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners Funds.

The Cypress Group is a private equity investment firm managing more than $3.5 billion of capital. Cypress has an extensive track record of making growth-oriented investments in targeted industry sectors and building equity value alongside proven management teams.

Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is one of the oldest and largest investment banking firms. Goldman Sachs is also a global leader in private corporate equity and mezzanine investing. Established in 1991, the GS Capital Partners Funds are part of the firm's Principal Investment Area in the Merchant Banking Division. Since 1986, Goldman Sachs' Principal Investment Area has formed 13 investment vehicles aggregating $56 billion of capital to date.