Cooper Standard, BK Launch Veterans Program

Cooper Standard (NYSE: CPS) announced today that the company is building on its community involvement activities with the formation of the “Cooper Standard Careers for Veterans” program. The program will leverage Cooper Standard’s partnership with Brad Keselowski and Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) throughout the 2014 NASCAR season.

Novi, Michigan based Cooper Standard, a leading global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry, has been a primary partner of BKR since 2011. The BKR team, which fields multiple entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series including the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-150, is owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Keselowski. Cooper Standard originally partnered with Brad Keselowski based on his Michigan heritage (Rochester Hills, Michigan-native) and the shared interests in assisting military veterans returning to civilian life. Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation strives to support those who have sacrificed greatly including military members and veterans.

The overall objective of the “Cooper Standard Careers for Veterans” program is to provide career opportunities for military veterans and those transitioning from active service. “We look at the ‘Careers for Veterans’ program as a means for Cooper Standard to let veterans know we are actively hiring and looking to recruit top talent that can positively impact our business,” said Jeff Edwards, Cooper Standard’s Chairman and CEO. “In many cases, military veterans possess unique skill sets acquired through their service to our country. Cooper Standard is one company where these veterans can put these skills to work. Brad Keselowski and BKR will help get this message out to the massive NASCAR audience, and many military families. We hope that Cooper Standard’s efforts and the visibility of the program through Brad and BKR encourage other companies to engage in similar programs.”

Keselowski, as well as Ryan Blaney, the driver of the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-150, will help serve as spokesmen of the Cooper Standard program. The No. 29 BKR truck with Blaney at the wheel will feature a special “Cooper Standard Careers for Veterans” paint scheme that will take to the track at four (4) races in 2014 — Daytona (February 21st), Charlotte (May 16th), Kentucky (June 26th) and Michigan (August 16th).