The Six Sigma award was accepted by Larry Beard, Tim Wade and Chris Kargula

Novi, Mich. - July 5, 2006 - Cooper-Standard Automotive's Global Fluid Systems Division's water valve design project for a major Japanese OEM customer achieved first-place honors during the prestigious Global Six Sigma Awards competition in the category of "Best Achievement of Design for Six Sigma" ("DFSS").

"I am very proud of the Global Fluid Systems team and am particularly pleased with the recognition of our team's efforts in the area of Design for Six Sigma," said Larry Beard, president, Global Fluid Systems.

As the global award for Best Achievement of DFSS signifies, the Cooper-Standard team's efforts, under the leadership of Master Black Belt Chris Kargula, are producing results that help the Global Fluid Systems Division not only meet, but truly exceed, customer expectations. "This particular award effort, led by Black Belt Tim Wade, is one of several new design projects that our Global Fluid Systems team will be introducing using the Design for Six Sigma process. Our program goes well beyond only looking at product design and has permeated our culture so it touches every aspect of our business," said Beard.

Cooper-Standard's award-winning entry showcased how the Fluid Systems division used the Design for Six Sigma process to deliver a cost-effective water valve design while generating increased sales for the company.

The DFSS project champion was Mark Slater, director of the Global Fluid Systems New American Manufacturers business unit. Besides Kargula, other members of the team included Tom White, director DFSS; Tim Wade, advanced product engineer; Rick Tolbert, senior assembly technician; Dan Baljet, account manager; Steve Slunik, product engineer; and Keith Wischmeyer, assistant division controller.

From a total of 65 entries, an independent judging panel selected 31 entries from eight categories to go forward to the final stages of the judging process. Winners were announced June 28 at the Global Six Sigma Awards Dinner, held at the Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, Nev. The gala dinner coincided with the Global Six Sigma Summit, the largest Six Sigma-related gathering of CEOs and senior executives.

Design for Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach for eliminating defects. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million. The objective of Six Sigma is to provide customers with high-quality, reliable products.


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.