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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Tower International, Inc.
17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E
Livonia, Michigan 48152

June 4, 2012March 24, 2015

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tower International, Inc. (the “Company”), which will be held in the Laurel Park Office Complex located at 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Livonia, Michigan at 9:008:30 a.m. local time on July 27, 2012.April 24, 2015.

This booklet includes the Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement, which contain information about the formal business to be acted on by the Company’s stockholders, including the election of threetwo directors, a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, and ratification of the appointment of auditors. I urge you to read the accompanying Proxy Statement thoroughly. As described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of the Company recommends a vote “FOR” each of the threetwo directors, approval of a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, and the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.2015. The Annual Meeting will also feature a report on the operations of the Company and a discussion period at which management will respond to appropriate questions.

We hope that you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. However, whether or not you plan to attend in person, we ask that you complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy or voting instruction card(s) promptly in the enclosed envelope to ensure that your shares will be represented. If you do attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may revoke your proxy at or prior to the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely yours,

Mark Malcolm
President and Chief Executive Officer


 
 

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Tower International, Inc.
17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E
Livonia, Michigan 48152



 

NOTICE OF 20122015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
TO BE HELD ON July 27, 2012APRIL 24, 2015

To the Stockholders of Tower International, Inc.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN regarding the 20122015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tower International, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 
Date and Time 9:008:30a.m., local time, on Friday, July 27, 2012April 24, 2015
Location 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Livonia, Michigan.Directions to attend the meeting in person may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations at (248) 675-6457.
Items of Business Election of threetwo directors to hold office for a term of three years;
   Advisory vote on executive compensation;
   Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012;2015; and
   Action upon such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Record Date The stockholders of record at the close of business on May 29, 2012March 17, 2015 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Proxy Voting It is important that your shares of common stock be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. You should have received either a proxy card or a voting instruction card with the Proxy Statement. If you hold your shares directly, you should have received a proxy card. If you are not the named holder of your shares, you should have received a voting instruction card. You can vote your shares by completing and returning your proxy card or voting instruction card to the Company or to your broker, as applicable. Voting instructions are printed on your proxy card or voting instruction card and are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. You can revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions in the Proxy Statement.

By Resolution of the Board of Directors,

Nanette Dudek
Secretary

June 4, 2012March 24, 2015


 
 

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 Page
About the Annual Meeting  1 
The Proposals  3 
Proposal No. 1 The Election of Directors  3 
Proposal No. 2 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation  43 
Proposal No. 3 Ratification of the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP  4 
Directors and Executive Officers  5 
Nominees and Continuing Directors  5 
Executive Officers  87 
The Board of Directors  109 
Director Independence  109 
Structure  109 
Meetings of the Board  1210 
Committees of the Board  1210 
Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor Compensation  1311 
Contacting the Board of Directors  1412 
Corporate Governance  1412 
Corporate Governance GuidelinesPrinciples  1512 
Code of Conduct  1513 
Audit Committee Matters  1513 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis  17
Introduction1715 
Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy  1715
Compensation Governance Practices15 
Compensation-Setting Process  1716
Role of the Compensation Consultant16 
Role of Executive Officers in Executive Compensation  1816
Risk Mitigation Overview17 
Components of Compensation  1817 
Stock Ownership GuidelinesGuideline and Trading Policies  2322 
Policy Regarding Restatements  23 
Stockholder Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation  23 
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)  2423 
Compensation Committee Report  2423 
Compensation TablesMatters  2524 
20112014 Summary Compensation Table  2524 
GrantGrants of Plan-Based Awards  2726 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Tables  2927 
Equity Exercises and Vesting During 20112014 Table  3028 
Potential Payments Upon TerminationNEO Employment Agreements  30
Compensation of Board Members3428 

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 Page
Potential Payments Upon Termination30
Compensation of Board Members35
Security Ownership  3536 
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions  3738 
Related Party Transactions37
Related PartyPersons Transaction Policy  3738 
Additional Information  38 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance  38 
Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director  38 
Householding of Proxy Materials  3839 
Annual Report; Financial and Other Information  39 
Director Attendance  39 
Other Matters  3940 

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TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E
Livonia, Michigan 48152



 

PROXY STATEMENT

These proxy materials are being provided in connection with the 20122015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tower International, Inc. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card, and our Form 10-K 20112014 Annual Report to Stockholders were first mailed to stockholders on or about June 4, 2012.March 24, 2015. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Who is soliciting my vote?

The Board of Directors of the Company is soliciting your vote in connection with the 20122015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be the Company’s regular, annual meeting of stockholders. You will be voting on the following matters at the Annual Meeting:

1.election of threetwo directors to hold office for a term of three years;
2.a non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s executive officers;
3.ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012;2015; and
4.any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

How does the Board of Directors recommend I vote?

The Board of Directors recommends a vote:

1.  For the election of James Chapman, Chan Galbato, and Scott Wille as directors;

2.  For the non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s executive officers; and

3.  For the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

1.Forthe election of Thomas K. Brown and James Chapman as directors for three year terms;
2.Forthe non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s executive officers; and
3.Forthe ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

The Board of Directors has set May 29, 2012March 17, 2015 as the record date for the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”). All stockholders who owned common stock of the Company at the close of business on the Record Date may attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.

How many votes can be cast by stockholders?

Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote. There is no cumulative voting. There were 20,246,44521,101,219 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the Record Date.

How many votes must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

A quorum must be present at the Annual Meeting in order to hold the Annual Meeting and conduct business. A “quorum” is a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the Record Date. Your shares are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if either you are present at the Annual Meeting and vote in person, or a proxy card or voting instruction card has been properly submitted by you or on your behalf to the Company or your broker, as applicable. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for


 

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the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. A “broker non-vote” is a share of common stock that is beneficially owned by a person or entity and held by a broker or other nominee, but for which the broker or other nominee lacks the discretionary authority to vote on certain matters or has not received a completed voting instruction card providing voting instructions from the beneficial owner in respect of these specific matters.

How many votes are required to elect directors and approve the other proposals?

Directors are elected by a plurality. Therefore, the threetwo nominees that receive the most votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of the election of directors and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of such election.

The approval of the advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, and the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm each requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and actually votedentitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions and brokermatter present in person or represented by proxy. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome onof these matters.

As of Abstentions will have the Record Date, Tower International Holdings, LLC (the “Majority Stockholder”),same effect as votes cast against the Company’s principal stockholder, held approximately 66.3% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“CCM”; and, together with the funds and accounts affiliated with CCM, “Cerberus”), the manager of the Majority Stockholder, has indicated that it will vote the shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the Majority Stockholder in favor of each of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. If CCM votes as it has indicated, its vote is sufficient to satisfy the quorum and voting requirements necessary to adopt the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.proposals.

How do I vote by proxy?

You should have received either a proxy card or a voting instruction card with the Proxy Statement. If you hold your shares directly, you should have received a proxy card. If you are not the named holder of your shares (i.e., you hold your shares through a broker or other nominee), you should have received a voting instruction card. You can vote your shares by completing your proxy card or voting instruction card and returning your proxy card to the Company or your voting instruction card to your broker, as applicable, in the envelope provided with this Proxy Statement. Please see your proxy card or voting instruction card, as applicable, for more information on how to vote.

What if I don’t vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?

If you sign and return your proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed envelope but do not mark selections, it will be voted by the proxies in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has designated Mark Malcolm Dev Kapadia and Nanette Dudek as proxies. If you sign and return your proxy card or voting instruction card and you indicate a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon on your proxy card or voting instruction card, your shares will be voted by the proxies in accordance with your indicated choice.

If you are a beneficial owner and hold your shares through a broker or other nominee and do not return your voting instruction card to your broker, the broker or other nominee has the ability to vote your shares on each matter at the Annual Meeting for which he or she has the requisite discretionary authority. Under applicable rules, brokers have discretion to vote on routine matters, such as the ratification of the selection of independent registered public accounting firms. However, the uncontested election of directors at a stockholder meeting is not considered a routine matter. Therefore, brokers do not have discretion to vote on the uncontested election of directors. Similarly, brokers do not have discretion to vote your shares with respect to the advisory vote on executive compensation.

Who pays for the proxy solicitation and how will the Company solicit votes?

The Company bears the expense of printing and mailing proxy materials. In addition to this solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company’s directors, officers and other employees may solicit proxies by personal interview, telephone, facsimile or email. These individuals will not be paid any additional compensation for any such solicitation. The Company will request brokers and other nominees who hold shares of common


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stock in their names to furnish proxy materials to the beneficial owners of such shares. The Company will reimburse such brokers and other nominees for their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners.

Can I change or revoke my vote after I return my proxy card or voting instruction card?

Yes. Even if you sign and return the proxy card or voting instruction card in the form accompanying this Proxy Statement, you retain the power to revoke your proxy or change your vote. You can revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares directly,


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you may revoke your proxy by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company, specifying such revocation. You may also change your vote by timely delivering a valid, later-dated proxy card to the Company or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. If you do not hold your shares in your name, you may change your vote by complying with the instructions set forth in your voting instruction card. However, please note that if you would like to vote at the Annual Meeting and you are not the stockholder of record, you must request, complete and deliver a proxy from your broker or other nominee.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on July 27, 2012:

April 24, 2015:

The Proxy Statement and the accompanying Form 10-K Annual Report to Stockholders are available at:www.proxyvote.com.

THE PROPOSALS
Proposal No. 1 — The Election of Directors

Stockholders will be asked to elect threetwo directors to serve on the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.Meeting for terms of three years. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more than fifteen directors, with the exact number to be fixed by the Board of Directors (subject to modification by stockholders having the right to vote at least 50% in voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock so long as the Majority Stockholder, its affiliates and its transferees continue to own at least 50% of the Company’s outstanding common stock).Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed the current number of directors at ten. As of July 27, 2012, the number of directors will be reduced to nine.seven.

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation divides the Board of Directors into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the terms of office of the directors of each Class ending in different years. Class I has two directors, Class II has two directors and Class III each has three directors and Class II currently has four directors. As of July 27, 2012, the size of Class II will be reduced to three directors. The terms of directors in Classes I, II, and III end at the Annual Meetings in 2014, 2012,2017, 2015, and 2013,2016, respectively.

The Board of Directors has nominated Thomas K. Brown and James Chapman Chan Galbato and Scott Wille for election as Class II directors for three-year terms expiring at the 20152018 Annual Meeting. Larry Schwentor, currently serving as one of the four Class II Directors, will not continue to serve as a Director after his term ends on July 27, 2012. When elected, directors hold office for a three-yearthree year term and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office or until any such director’s earlier resignation or removal.

Please see “Directors and Executive Officers — Nominees and Continuing Directors” below for information about the nominees for election as directors and the current members of the Board of Directors who will continue serving following the Annual Meeting, including their respective business experience and other pertinent information.

Directors are elected by a plurality. Therefore, the threetwo nominees who receive the most votes will be elected. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. There is no cumulative voting. If you sign and return the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card, your shares will be voted for the election of the threetwo nominees recommended by the Board of Directors unless you choose to abstain or withhold authority to vote againstwith respect to any of the nominees. If any nominee for any reason is unable to serve or will not serve, proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee or nominees as the proxy holder may determine. The Company is not aware of any nominee who will be unable to or will not serve as a director.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the election of Thomas K. Brown and James Chapman Chan Galbato and Scott Wille as directors.directors for three years terms.


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Proposal No. 2 — Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

In accordance with SEC rules, stockholders are being asked to approve, on an advisory or non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

The Company’s goal for its executive compensation program is to reward executives who provide leadership for and contribute to our financial success. The Company seeks to accomplish this goal in a way that is aligned with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Company believes that its executive compensation program satisfies this goal.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis, beginning on page 1715 of this Proxy Statement, describes the Company’s executive compensation program and the decisions made by our Compensation Committee regarding executive compensation in detail.


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The Company requests stockholder approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the Compensation Committee Report, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the compensation tables).

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. However, the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering the Company’s executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal, and will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. In 2011, 97%2014, 82.9% of the votes cast by our stockholders approved of our 20102013 executive compensation and there have not been any significant changes to the elements of our compensation program in 2011.compensation.

If no voting specification is made on a properly voted proxy card, the proxies named on the proxy card will vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement and described in this Proposal 2.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the approval of the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

Proposal No. 3 — Ratification of the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2012,2015, and for the fiscal year then ending. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to ratify this selection. Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited the Company’s financial statements beginning with the fiscal period ended December 31, 2007.

The Company has been advised by Deloitte & Touche LLP that the firm has no relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries other than that arising from the firm’s engagement as auditors and tax advisors. The Company has also been advised that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting where they will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Assuming thatIf no voting specification is made on a quorum is present,properly voted proxy card, the affirmativeproxies named on the proxy card will vote of a majority of“FOR” the sharesratification of common stock voted at the Annual Meeting is necessary to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. Abstentionsdisclosed in this Proxy Statement and broker non-votes will have no effect ondescribed in this proposal.Proposal 3.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.2015.


 

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Nominees and Continuing Directors

The following table sets forth the names and ages of the nominees for election as directors and the current members of the Board of Directors who will continue serving following the Annual Meeting, as well as background information relating to each individual’s business experience, qualifications, attributes and skills and why the Board of Directors and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe each individual is a valuable member of the Board of Directors.

Nominees for Election

  
Name and Experience Class Director
Since
Thomas K. Brown,age 58, became a member of our Board on April 1, 2014. He retired from Ford Motor Company on August 1, 2013, after fourteen years of service in various leadership positions in global purchasing for Ford. In 2008, Mr. Brown became Ford’s Group Vice President, Global Purchasing, with responsibility for approximately $90 billion of production and non-production procurement for Ford operations worldwide. From 1997 to 1999, he served in leadership positions at United Technologies Corporation (a multi-national conglomerate), including its Vice President, Supply Management. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Brown served as Executive Director, Purchasing and Transportation, at QMS Inc., a provider of office printers. From 1976 to 1991, he served in various managerial roles at Digital Equipment Corporation, a computer manufacturer. Mr. Brown also serves on the boards of directors of the 3M Company and ConAgra Foods. Mr. Brown was selected to our Board because of his knowledge of our industry and his experience in purchasing and corporate management.II2014
James Chapman,age 52, serves as non-executive Chairman of CSC ServiceWorks, Inc., age 50,an outsourced services provider to multi-family housing and related commercial property managers, and has been an advisory directoraffiliated with CSC and affiliates since 1992. Mr. Chapman also serves as a non-executive Advisory Director of SkyWorks Capital, LLC, an aviation and aerospace management consulting services and consulting company sincebased in Greenwich, Connecticut, which he joined in December 2004. Prior to joiningCSC and SkyWorks, Mr. Chapman held a variety of investment management, advisory and banking positions, acrosscovering a range of industries. Mr. Chapman currently serves on the boardboards of directors of Aercap Holdings N.V. and Tembec Holdings Inc., and served on such boards when these companies were public within the past five years. Within the past five years, Mr. Chapman served on the boards of SSA Global Technologies, Inc., Anchor Glass Container Corporation, Scottish Re Group Limited, Teleglobe International Holdings Ltd and Coinmach Service Corp. Mr. Chapman was elected to our Board based on his financial and industry experience, as well as his service on the boards of other Cerberus portfolio companies.II2010
Chan Galbato, age 49, joined Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company, LLC (“COAC”) as a Senior Operating Executive in 2009. On March 9, 2012 Mr. Galbato was named CEO of COAC. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Galbato owned and managed CWG Hillside Investments LLC, a consulting business providing operational and strategic turnaround expertise to chief executive officers of portfolio-based companies. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Galbato was President and CEO of the Controls division of Invensys plc, a global technology company. Prior to his position with Invensys, he served as President of Services of The Home Depot (2003 to 2005); President and Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong Floor Products, a division of Armstrong World Industries, (2001 to 2003); Chief Executive Officer of Choice Parts (2000 to 2001); and Chief Executive Officer of Coregis Insurance Company, a GE Capital company (1998 to 2000). Prior to that, Mr. Galbato held various leadership positions within General Electric’s technology and industrial businesses. Since 2006, Mr. Galbato has served as a director of Brady Corporation. Since August 25, 2010, Mr. Galbato has been the chairman of the board of directors of New Page Corporation and New Page Holding Corporation. Mr. Galbato was elected to our Board based on his operational experience with large companies.II2010
Scott Wille, age 31, joined CCM in 2006 as an associate and has been a Vice President since 2009. At CCM, Mr. Wille has been responsible for executing transactions, monitoring existing investments and working with existing portfolio companies’ management teams to maximize value. Mr. Wille has had exposure to a broad set of businesses and industries, including automotive, industrial, consumer products, energy, retail and commercial real estate. Since joining CCM, he has continued to monitor and evaluate Cerberus’ debt and equity investments in the Company. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Wille was a financial analyst with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., an investment banking firm. He was elected to our Board based on his familiarity with our Company and his experience in corporate finance.experience. II 2010

 

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Continuing Directors

  
Name and Experience Class Director
Since
Nicholas D. Chabraja,, age 69,72, is the Chairman of the Board of the Company, a position which he has held since he was elected to the Board in 2010. He has been a member of the board of directors of General Dynamics, an aerospace and defense industry contractor, since 1994. Mr. Chabraja was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics from 1997 to 2009. He served General Dynamics as non-executive chairman from 2009 to May 2010. Previously, Mr. Chabraja had been vice chairman of General Dynamics. He joined General Dynamics in 1993 as senior vice president and general counsel. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Chabraja was an executive vice president of General Dynamics, with the company’s strategic planning, finance, legal and investor relations functions reporting to him. Prior to joining General Dynamics, Mr. Chabraja was a senior partner in the Chicago law firm of Jenner & Block. Mr. Chabraja has served as a director of Northern Trust Corporation since 2007. He previously served as a director of Ceridian Corporation from 2001 to 2007 (and as a director of Ceridian Corporation’s predecessor from 1998 – 2001). Mr. Chabraja was elected to our Board based on his executive level experience at General Dynamics, his understanding of corporate governance and his experience on the boards of directors of General Dynamics, Northern Trust Corporation and Ceridian Corporation. III 2010
Dennis DonovanAlison Davis-Blake,, age 63, was appointed to Vice Chairman of COAC, an affiliate of CCM that provides operational and other advice to Cerberus’ portfolio companies, in 2012. He was a Senior Advisor to the firm from 2009 to 2012. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Donovan was a senior executive and director of COAC. He joined COAC in 2007 as Chief Human Resource Officer. Mr. Donovan previously served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources at The Home Depot (home improvement retailer), from 2001 to 2007. He was Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Raytheon (technology provider to defense, homeland security and other governmental markets) from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Donovan spent 26 years at GE (a conglomerate), working in a number of the company’s businesses and at the corporate headquarters. He was made an officer of GE in 1991. Mr. Donovan has been a Managing Director and56, became a member of our Board on October 17, 2014. She has been the compensation committeeDean of the Traxis Group, B.V., an affiliateStephen M. Ross School of CCM,Business at the University of Michigan since 2008. He has also2011. Prior to becoming Dean at Ross in 2011, Ms. Davis-Blake had been Dean of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota since 2006; she was the first female Dean at both Carlson and Ross. At both schools she significantly expanded the business program offerings, global study opportunities and student enrollment. She previously served on the boardsfaculties at Carnegie Mellon and compensation committeesthe University of School Bus Holdings, Traxis Financial Group and Nabi Optima Holdings, affiliates of CCM engaged in the manufacturing, financing and sales of vehicles in the transportation sector. Mr. DonovanTexas. Ms. Davis-Blake was an advisorelected to our Board based on her business and Compensation Committee during 2009 to 2010financial knowledge, expertise in strategic human resource management and toorganization design, and her experience as an innovative leader in the boards and compensation committees of GMI Holding Corporation, a textile company; Freedom Group, Inc., a manufacturer of sporting goods products; and NewPage Corporation, a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of printed paper; all affiliates of CCM.business academic community. I 2010

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Name and ExperienceClassDirector
Since2014
Frank E. English, Jr.,, age 66,69, became a member of our Board on August 24, 2010, transitioned to senior advisor status on September 28, 2010 and was again appointed to our Board on May 17, 2011. Mr. English served as a Senior Advisor at Morgan Stanley & Co. from his retirement from that global financial services firm in 2009 through MarchJanuary 2011. From 1976 to 2009, Mr. English served in various senior roles at Morgan Stanley & Co., most recently as Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Investment Banking from 2002 to 2009. Prior to that, Mr. English held positions in research, investment banking, capital markets and fixed income at Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. English spent a considerable part of his career at Morgan Stanley & Co. analyzing and advising companies in the automotive industry. Since 2009, Mr. English has been a director of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Since April 2011, Mr. English has served as a Senior Advisor to W.W. Grainger, Inc.I2011
Jonathan Gallen, age 52, is the president and sole principal of Ahab Capital Management, Inc., which manages Ahab Partners, L.P. and is the investment advisor Mr. English was elected to Ahab International, Ltd. In that role, which he has performed since 1993, Mr. Gallen is responsible for the investment decisions made with respect to these funds’ assets. Prior to joining Ahab Capital Management, Mr. Gallen formed and operated a sports memorabilia business from 1990 to 1993. Within the past five years, Mr. Gallen served on the board of directors of Anchor Glass Container Corporation.CBOE Holdings, Inc. in June, 2012. Mr. GallenEnglish was elected to our Board based on his financialexperience with, and knowledge of, the automotive industry experience, as well as his service on the boards of other Cerberus portfolio companies.and corporate finance. I 20102011

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Name and ExperienceClassDirector
Since
Dev Kapadia,, age 40,43, has been a Managing Director of CCMCerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“CCM”) since 2003. As such, one of his principal responsibilities has been to monitor Cerberus’ debt and equity investments in the Company. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Kapadia served in various capacities with The Carlyle Group, a global private investment firm, and Carlyle Management Group, an affiliate of The Carlyle Group dedicated to turnaround and special situation investments. Prior to joining Carlyle in 1996, Mr. Kapadia was a financial analyst with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, an investment banking firm. Mr. Kapadia serves on the boards of directors of several privately held companies. He also became a director of Blue Bird Corporation (formerly Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp.) in February 2015 upon the consummation of that entity’s acquisition of School Bus Holdings Inc. He was elected to our Board based on his knowledge of the Company and its predecessorsTower Automotive, Inc., the Company’s predecessor (the “Predecessor”), and his experience as a board member of, and senior executive with private equity firms that invest in, other manufacturing companies. III 2007
Mark Malcolm,, age 58,61, has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since August 1, 2007. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Malcolm served as a senior member of CCM’sthe operations team of CCM from January 2006 to July 2007 and played a leading role on behalf of CCM in the 2007 acquisition of the Company from Tower Automotive, Inc., the Company’s predecessor (the “Predecessor”).Predecessor. Before joining CCM, Mr. Malcolm spent 28 years at Ford Motor Company in a variety of senior financial positions, including Executive Vice President and Controller of Ford Motor Credit from 2004 to 2005, Director of Finance and Strategy for Global Purchasing from 2002 to 2004 and Director of Worldwide Accounting from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Malcolm was elected to our Board based on his industry knowledge, his familiarity with all aspects of the Company’s business and his experience and perspective as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. III 2007

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Executive Officers

Set forth below are the names and ages of the executive officers of the Company who do not also serve as directors, as well as background information relating to each such individual’s business experience.

James Gouin, age 52,55, has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since November 1, 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gouin served in 2007 as a senior managing director of the corporate financial practice of FTI Consulting, Inc., a business advisory firm. Prior to joining FTI, Mr. Gouin spent 28 years at Ford Motor Company in a variety of senior positions, including as the Vice President, Finance and Global Corporate Controller from 2003 to 2006 and as the Vice President of Finance, Strategy and Business Development of Ford Motor Company’s International Operations from 2006 to 2007.

Michael Rajkovic, age 50,53, has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since August 1, 2007. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Rajkovic served as a senior member of CCM’sthe operations team of CCM from August 2006 to August 2007 and assisted Mr. Malcolm in various aspects of the 2007 acquisition of the Company from the Predecessor. Since April 11, 2011, Mr. Rajkovic has also served as the President of Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC. Before joining CCM, Mr. Rajkovic was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United States Can Corporation, a global packaging company, from May 2005 to March 2006. Prior to his service with U.S. Can Corporation, Mr. Rajkovic served as Vice President of Finance, North America and as Chairman of the Canadian subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, an automotive products manufacturer, from August 2003 to May 2005. Prior to that period, Mr. Rajkovic held a variety of manufacturing and finance positions within Visteon Corporation, a manufacturer of climate, interior, electronic and lighting products for automobiles, from January 2000 to August 2003.an automotive supplier.


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James Bernard, age 48,51, has been President, Americas for the Company since August 15, 2011. Prior to being elected President, Americas, Mr. Bernard was the Company’s Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development, a position held since March 2011. From 2007 to 2011 Mr. Bernard was the Company’s Vice President, North American Sales and Program Management and from 2003 to 2007 Mr. Bernard was the Company’s Vice President, North American Sales and Technology.

Pär Malmhagen, age 49,52, joined the Company on June 1, 2012 as President, Tower Europe. From 1992 to 2012, at Autoliv Inc., a leading global developer and manufacturer of automotive safety systems, Mr. Malmhagen held senior leadership positions in Europe and internationally, including, simultaneously, Vice President Sales Europe and Vice President Volkswagen Global Business Unit from 2009 to 2012, Senior Vice President European Seat Belt Division from 2006 to 2009, Vice President European Technology Center North from 2005 to 2006, Managing Director Eastern Europe, Hungary and South Africa from 1999 to 2005, General Manager China from 1997 to 1999, and Controller Global Ford Account from 1995 to 1997. In addition, Mr. Malmhagen was a supervisory member of Norma AG, a manufacturer of joining technology products, from May 2007 through June of 2012.

William Cook, age 60,63, has been the Company’s Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources since September 2007. From 2001 to 2007 he held senior human resource leadership positions at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, including four years as Vice President of Human Resources for Goodyear North American Tire. During a fifteen year career at United Technologies Corporation, Mr. Cook held key leadership positions, including four years as head of human resources for Carrier Corporation Residential and Light Commercial Systems, a supplier of heating and air conditioning equipment, and eight years as head of human resources for Otis Elevator Asia-Pacific, a supplier of elevators and escalators.

Jeffrey L. Kersten, age 44,47, has been the Company’s and Predecessor’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller since February 1, 2007. He transitioned2007 and effective September 1, 2014 he assumed responsibility for Business Development as well. From October 2006 to that position from the position ofFebruary 2007 Mr. Kersten was Senior Vice President, Restructuring, which he held since October 2006 withfor the Predecessor. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Kersten was the Predecessor’s Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development. Mr. KerstenHe joined the Predecessor in 1997, holding financial positions within the Predecessor’s Grand Rapids, Michigan offices until 2001, when he relocated to France and became the Predecessor’s European Regional Finance Leader. Mr. Kersten began his career in 1990 with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, where he remained until 1997, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.


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Paul Radkoski, age 52,55, has served as the Predecessor’s and the Company’s Senior Vice President, Global Purchasing, since March 2006. Prior to joining the Predecessor, Mr. Radkoski held various positions within Visteon Corporation, an automotive supplier, from 2000 until 2006, including the position of Vice President, North America Purchasing and Supplier Management from 2005 to 2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Radkoski held various purchasing, manufacturing and logistics positions with Lear Corporation from 1997 to 2000 and automobile manufacturers BMW (from 1993 to 1997) and Honda of North America (from 1986 to 1993).

Mr. Kersten was an officer of the Predecessor when the Predecessor filed for bankruptcy protection in 2005. Mr. Radkoski joined the Predecessor after it filed for bankruptcy protection. Mr. Galbato was President and CEO of Armstrong Floor Products, the largest division of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (2001 – 2003) after Armstrong World Industries filed for bankruptcy protection.


 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Director Independence

The Company’s Corporate Governance Principles adopted by the Board of Directors defines an “independent” director in accordance with the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). The Board of Directors has affirmatively determinedmade an affirmative determination that each of Thomas Brown, Nicholas Chabraja, James Chapman, Alison Davis-Blake, Frank English and Jonathan GallenDev Kapadia is independent as defined in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).NYSE. Mark Malcolm is not independent due to his employment as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. To be considered “independent,” a director must be determined by the Board of Directors to have no relevant material relationship with the Company, other than as a director of the Company. As the concern is independence from management, the Board of Directors does not view ownership of even a significant amount of stock, by itself, as a bar to an independence finding.

The Majority Stockholder controls a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a result, the Company is a “controlled company” within the meaningCompany’s Corporate Governance Principles provide that each member of the NYSE corporate governance standards. UnderAudit Committee, the NYSE rules, a company of which more than 50% ofCompensation Committee and the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including:

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

The Company currently utilizes these exemptions, although the Board has adopted written charters for the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and formust be independent as determined by the Board’s Compensation Committee. The Board also intends to conduct annual performance evaluations of both committees. As a controlled company,Board. In addition, each committee member must satisfy the Company does not have a majority of independent directors and does not have a compensationmembership requirements set forth in the relevant committee or nominating and corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors.charter.

Structure

Generally

The Company seeks to maintain an appropriate balance between management and the Board of Directors. The Company does not have a specific policy regarding the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company for the Board to make a determination regarding whether or not to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO based upon the circumstances. The Board believes that presently it is in the best interests of the Company that the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO are separate. The Board believes that this separation is presently appropriate as it allowed the Company to attract Mr. Chabraja to join the Board. The policy also allows the CEO to focus primarily on leading the day-to-day operations of the Company while the Chairman can focus on leading the Board in the performance of its duties. The Board acknowledges that there may be circumstances in the future when it is in the best interests of the Company to combine the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO.

The Board is obligated to conduct periodic executive sessions of the directors without those directors who are also executive officers of the Company. These directors shall designate one of their number to preside at each session, although it need not be the same director at each session. The Chairman of the Board, as long as he or she is not a member of management, will chair these meetings.


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Risk Oversight

The Board has delegated certain duties with respect to risk oversight for the Company to the Board’s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s charter identifies the following as falling within the Audit Committee’s purview:

“The Audit Committee shall discuss guidelines and policies developed by Company management and the Board with respect to risk assessment and risk management and the steps that the Company’s management has taken to monitor and control financial risk exposure, including anti fraudanti-fraud programs and controls. The Committee shall discuss the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.”

The Audit Committee is charged with the responsibility of reporting back to the full Board with respect to its assessments.

In establishing appropriate compensation levels and programs, the Board’s Compensation Committee considers, among other things, the extent to which the Company’s compensation policies and programs encourage the monitoring and control of risk exposure. The Compensation Committee is also required to report back to the full Board with respect to its assessments.

Advisors

Since the Company’s Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) in October, 2010, Allan Gilmour and Rande Somma have been engaged as advisors to assist Board members in performing their Board functions and responsibilities. Effective July 27, 2012, the Board advisor engagements of Messrs. Gilmour and Somma will end and, with the exception of Mr. Somma’s service agreement as set forth in “Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor Compensation” these individuals will have no further engagements with the Company.

Allan D. Gilmour, age 77, became a member of the Company’s Board on August 24, 2010 and transitioned to senior advisor status on September 30, 2010. In January 2011, Mr. Gilmour was named President of Wayne State University. Mr. Gilmour served as Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Ford Motor Company from 2002 to 2005, a position that he previously held from 1992 until his initial retirement in 1995. Mr. Gilmour began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1960. While at Ford, Mr. Gilmour served in a variety of roles, including: President of Ford Automotive Group; Executive Vice President, International Automotive Operations; Vice President, External and Personnel Affairs; Vice President and Controller; Chief Financial Officer; and President of Ford Motor Credit Company. From 1995 to May 2011, Mr. Gilmour served on the board of directors of DTE Energy Company. From 1990 to 2007, Mr. Gilmour served on the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation and from 2006 to 2010 he served on the board of directors of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Rande Somma, age 60, became a member of the Company’s Board on August 1, 2007 and transitioned to senior advisor status on September 27, 2010. Mr. Somma has been President of his consulting company, Rande Somma and Associates LLC, since May 2004. Mr. Somma, through his consulting firm, has provided consulting services to the Company since December 1, 2007. Prior to establishing his consulting business, he was the President of Automotive Operations — Worldwide, at Johnson Controls, Inc. from 2002 – 2003 and was President of Automotive Operations — North America at Johnson Controls from 2000 – 2002. From 1988 to 2000, Mr. Somma held several different managerial positions in the Automotive Systems Group at Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls is a Tier 1 supplier of automotive systems and facility management and control products. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems and batteries. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Mr. Somma served in a variety of purchasing, manufacturing and sales positions within the automotive division of Rockwell International. From 2005 until May 2011, Mr. Somma served on the board of directors of Gentex Corporation, a supplier to the global automotive industry. Additionally, Mr. Somma is currently the Chairman of the Executive Board of the NewNorth Center for Design in Business, a nonprofit learning center for the delivery of intellectual and experiential training programs focused on the development and application of design centric innovation.


 

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Meetings of the Board

The Board held twelveseven meetings during the year ended December 31, 2011.2014. Each director attended at least 75%100% of all board and applicable committee meetings in 20112014 held while such director was a member of the Board or the applicable committee.

Committees of the Board

The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, among other things, assists the Board in its oversight responsibilities relating to the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the qualifications, independence, compensation and performance of the Company’s independent auditors, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls utilized by the Company, the performance of the internal audit function, the compliance of the Company with legal and regulatory requirements and compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Committee is governed by a charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The charter is available on the Company’s website atwww.towerinternational.comby following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance” and “Committee Charters” or upon written request to the Company, as set forth below under “Additional Information — Annual Report; Financial and Other Information.” The Audit Committee held eightnine meetings during 2011.2014.

The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Chapman and English and Gallen.Ms. Davis-Blake. The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs.Mr. Chapman, Mr. English and GallenMs. Davis-Blake all meet the audit committee independence requirements as defined in the applicable NYSE and SEC rules. Mr. Chapman is the Chairman of the Committee. During 2011 Mr. Schwentor also served on the Audit Committee until October 3, 2011. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Committee is “financially literate” as required by the listing standards of the NYSE, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board of Directors in its business judgment. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Chapman qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee, among other things, facilitates our Board’s discharge of its responsibilities relating to the evaluation and compensation of our executives, oversees the administration of our compensation plans, reviews and determines board member compensation and prepares any report on executive compensation required by the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. The Committee is governed by a charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The charter is available on the Company’s website atwww.towerinternational.comby following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance” and “Committee Charters” or upon written request to the Company, as set forth below under “Additional Information — Annual Report; Financial and Other Information.” The Compensation Committee held sixfive meetings during 2011.2014.

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Brown, Chabraja Donovan and Kapadia. Mr. Kapadia is the Chairman of the Committee. BecauseThe Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Brown, Chabraja and Kapadia meet the Company is a “controlled company”, there is no requirement that any member ofcompensation committee independence requirements as defined in the Compensation Committee satisfyapplicable NYSE or SEC independence requirements.rules.

Role of Compensation Consultants.  During 2011,2014, the Compensation Committee retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) to assist in the development of the 20112014 equity awards under the Company’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and to provide advice and comparative analyses of the various elements of executive compensation. In retaining Meridian, the Compensation Committee assessed Meridian’s independence in accordance with applicable rules of the NYSE. Meridian does not provide any other services as an independent consultant to the Company.


 

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, (i) reviewing the qualifications of, and recommending to our Board, proposed nominees for election to our Board, consistent with criteria approved by our Board, (ii) selecting, or recommending that our Board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, (iii) developing, evaluating and recommending to our Board corporate governance practices applicable to the Company and (iv) leading our Board in an annual review of the Board and management. The Committee is also responsible for establishing procedures for the consideration of Board candidates recommended by stockholders, including potential nominees for election, as described in greater detail below under “Director Nomination Process.” The Committee is governed by a charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The charter is available on the Company’s website atwww.towerinternational.comby following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance” and “Committee Charters” or upon written request to the Company, as set forth below under “Additional Information — Annual Report; Financial and Other Information.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held three meetings during 2011.2014.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of MessrsMessrs. Brown, Chabraja Galbato and Kapadia. Mr. Chabraja who has been determined by our Board to be independent, is Chairman of the Committee. BecauseThe Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Brown, Chabraja and Kapadia meet the Company is a “controlled company”, there is no requirement that any member ofnominating and corporate governance committee independence requirements as defined in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee satisfyapplicable NYSE or SEC independence requirements.rules.

Director Nomination Process.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying candidates for director nominees. The Board has adopted the following guidelines for the Committee:

“The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider (a) minimum individual qualifications, including strength of character, mature judgment, industry knowledge or experience and an ability to work collegially with the other members of the Board and (b) all other factors it considers appropriate, which may include age, gender and ethnic and racial background, existing commitments to other businesses, potential conflicts of interest with other pursuits, legal considerations such as antitrust issues, corporate governance background, financial and accounting background, executive compensation background and the size, composition and combined expertise of the existing Board. The Board should monitor the mix of specific experience, qualifications and skills of its directors in order to assure that the Board, as a whole, has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure.”

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider these criteria in the context of the perceived needs of the Board as a whole and intends to seek to achieve a diversity of experience and personal backgrounds on the Board. The Committee will use the same criteria in determining whether to recommend stockholder nominations of candidates for director made pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Company’s Bylaws and described in greater detail below under “Additional Information — Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director.”

Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor Compensation

During 2011From January to March 2014 the Company provided the following compensation to Board members and Board advisors who are neithernot employed by us nor parties (either individually or through entities controlled by them) to consulting agreements with us:

an annual retainer of $150,000,$100,000 or $150,000; and $300,000 in the case of the Chairman of the Board;
additional annual compensation of $10,000 to the chairmanChairman of our Audit Committee;
prorated compensation of $60,215 to Frank English for his services as an advisor to the Audit Committee prior to his election to the Board and appointment to the Audit Committee on May 17, 2011;
additional annual compensation of $5,000 to the chairman of eachChairman of our other standingNominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Effective March 6, 2014, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee of the Board, committees.the Board revised its Board compensation package and adopted the following compensation to Board members who are not employed by us:

an annual retainer of $200,000; and $350,000 in the case of the Chairman of the Board;

 

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The Board has

additional annual compensation of $5,000 to members of our Audit Committee; and $15,000 in the discretioncase of the Chairman of our Audit Committee; and
additional annual compensation of $5,000 to convert up to one halfthe Chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Fifty percent of the annual retainer into equity interestsis paid to our Board members in the Company.form of cash and fifty percent is remunerated through a grant of Restricted Stock Units (as hereinafter defined). In addition, effective March 6, 2014, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for our Board members that provide for each non-employee Board member to achieve ownership in the Company’s common stock equivalent to three times their respective cash retainer. Such common stock ownership threshold must be obtained within five years from the date of appointment to our Board or five years from March 6, 2014, whichever is later.

The Company also reimburses each non-employee member of our Board and our Board Advisors for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending our Board and committee meetings. Board members do not participate in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan and we do not pay any life insurance policies for our Board members.

In 2007, we entered into a service agreement with Mr. Somma. The service agreement was approved and authorized by our Board comprised at that time. Mr. Somma’s service agreement with the Company terminated on January 2, 2012. We made total payments of $300,000 in 2011 to Mr. Somma which was inclusive of amounts earned under his service agreement with the Company and for his role as a Board Advisor to the Company. We will make an additional payment to Mr. Somma of $249,000 in April 2012 for a bonus earned in 2011 under the terms of his service agreement. The service agreement also provided for reimbursement of certain tax, legal and other expenses incurred by Mr. Somma under the service agreement.

Effective January 3, 2012, Mr. Somma entered into a separate service agreement with Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC (“TDA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to provide sales and business development services to TDA. The TDA service agreement is for a term of 12 months, terminating on December 31, 2012, and provides for compensation of $150,000 and a potential bonus based on the 2012 financial performance of TDA.

Contacting the Board of Directors

Any stockholder or other interested party who desires to communicate with individual directors, a committee of the Board, the Board of Directors as a group, the directors who are not also executive officers as a group or the independent directors as a group, may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, c/o the Secretary of the Company, 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E, Livonia, Michigan 48152, or sending an e-mail toCorporate_Secretary@towerinternational.com. Corporate_Secretary@towerinternational.com. In either instance, the Secretary will forward such communications to the appropriate party. Such communications may be done confidentially.

All communications will be received and processed by the Secretary of the Company. Unless indicated otherwise, communications about accounting, internal control and audits will be referred to the Audit Committee.

All communications required by law or regulation to be relayed to the Board of Directors will be relayed immediately after receipt. Any communications received by management from stockholders or other interested parties which have not also been sent directly to the Board of Directors will be processed as follows: (1) if the party specifically requests that the communication be sent to the Board, the communication will then be promptly relayed to the Board of Directors; and (2) if the party does not request that the communication be sent to the Board of Directors, then management will promptly relay to the Board all communications that management, using its judgment, determines should be relayed to the Board.

Employees may also report misconduct, raise issues or simply ask questions, including with respect to any questionable accounting, internal control or auditing matters concerning the Company, without fear of dismissal or retaliation of any kind. Reports may be made confidentially and/or anonymously through the Company’s Whistleblower Hotline, 888-475-9498.

Corporate Governance

The Company will monitor developments in the area of corporate governance and routinely review its processes and procedures in light of such developments. Accordingly, the Company will review federal laws affecting corporate governance such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Act as well as various rules promulgated by the SEC and the NYSE.


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Corporate Governance GuidelinesPrinciples

In furtherance of this practice, the Board of Directors has approved Corporate Governance GuidelinesPrinciples for the Company. The Corporate Governance GuidelinesPrinciples address, among other things: the role and responsibility of the Board of Directors; Board structure, composition and size; director independence; director qualifications; Board meetings; Board committees; and expectations of Board members. The full text of the Company’s Corporate Governance GuidelinesPrinciples is available on the Company’s websitewww.towerinternational.comby following links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance,” “Governance Documents” and “Corporate Governance Guidelines”Principles” or upon written request to the Company, as set forth below under “Additional Information — Annual Report; Financial and Other Information.”


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Code of Conduct

The Board of Directors has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of ConductConduct”) applicable to all of the Company’s employees as well as the members of the Board of Directors. The Code of Conduct, together with the Corporate Governance Guidelines,Principles, serves as the foundation for the Company’s system of corporate governance. Among other things, the Code of Conduct: provides guidance for maintaining ethical behavior; requires that directors and employees, including officers, comply with applicable laws and regulations; provides guidance for protecting confidential information and Company assets; regulates conflicts of interest; addresses the Company’s policies with respect to gifts and political contributions; and provides mechanisms for reporting violations of the Company’s policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct. The full text of the Code of Conduct is available on the Company’s websitewww.towerinternational.comby following links to “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance,” “Governance Documents” and “Code of Business Conduct” or upon written request to the Company, as set forth below under “Additional Information — Annual Report; Financial and Other Information.

Audit Committee Matters

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee monitors the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility with respect to the financial statements and the reporting process of the Company. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

1.  The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011,2014, with the Company’s management.

2.  The Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.

3.  The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the independence of that firm.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,2014, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,



James Chapman, Chairman
Alison Davis-Blake
Frank E. English, Jr.
Jonathan Gallen


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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted a written policy for the pre-approval of audit, audit-related and non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In general, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm cannot be engaged to provide any audit or non-audit services unless the engagement is pre-approved by the Audit Committee in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Certain basic services may also be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Audit Committee under the policy. However, any service that is not specifically pre-approved under the policy must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.


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Audit, Audit-Related and Non-Audit Fees

Set forth below are the fees paid by the Company to its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, for the years indicated, all of which were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company (amounts in thousands).

    
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
Nature of the Fees 2011 2010 2014 2013
Audit fees (includes fees incurred during 2010 for services related to the Company’s IPO) $2,155  $2,678 
Audit fees $2,251  $2,271 
Audit-related fees  210   140   30   0 
Tax fees  40   319   356   60 
All other fees        0   0 
Total $2,405  $3,137  $2,637  $2,331 

Audit Fees — Consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, the audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the review of financial statements included in the Company’s FormsQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or services that are normally provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements for the applicable years. Such services include those associated with reports or other documents filed with the SEC, such as the issuance of consents, filings on Form 8-K, responding to SEC comment letters or other inquiries by regulators related to accounting or disclosure matters, as well as the issuance of comfort letters related to securities offerings, as applicable.

Audit-Related Fees — Consist of fees for services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, including fees for the performance of audits and attestation services not required by statute or regulations; audits of the Company’s employee benefit plans; due diligence activities related to mergers, acquisitions and investments; and accounting consultations about the application of generally accepted accounting principles to proposed transactions.

Tax Fees — Consist of fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Corporate tax services encompass a variety of permissible services, including: technical tax advice related to U.S. and international tax matters; assistance with foreign income and withholding tax matters; assistance with sales tax, value added tax and equivalent tax related matters in local jurisdictions; preparation of reports to comply with local tax authority transfer pricing documentation requirements; and assistance with tax audits.


 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

The following discusses the various components of compensation paid in 2011 to, or earned by, the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) of the Company.Company during 2014. As used in this Proxy Statement, the term “NEOs” refers to:

Mark Malcolm, our President and Chief Executive Officer;
James Gouin, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;
Michael Rajkovic, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer;
James Bernard, our President, Americas; and
Gyula Meleghy,Pär Malmhagen, our President, International until April 30, 2012.Europe.

Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy

The primary objectives and philosophy of our compensation programs are to (i) drive executive behaviors that maximize long-term shareholder value creation, (ii) attract and retain talented executive officers with the skills necessary to successfully manage our business, and (iii) align the interests of our executive officers with stockholders by rewarding them for strong company performance. In support of these objectives, we:

Weight a significant proportion of NEO compensation toward variable pay elements — 64%In 2014, 65% to 74%87% of NEO total compensation iswas targeted to be delivered in variable annual or long-term incentive compensation,
Target aNEO total compensation packageto be competitive with peers — weWe regularly compare our NEOs’ total compensation levels with companies of a similar size and complexity in our industry and related industries, andand;
Deliver a meaningful proportion of NEO compensation in share-based and performance-based incentives — 30%In 2014, 42% to 40%69% of NEO total compensation iswas targeted to be delivered in the form of stock options or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and cash-based performance awards (“Performance Awards”).

Compensation Governance Practices

The Company places high value on strong compensation governance practices. We believe our executive compensation practices align with our corporate values and provide a foundation for success. These governance practices include:

Practices We Employ

•  Pay is closely linked to performance
•  Equity ownership guidelines for our NEOs
•  Risk mitigation
•  A recoupment (i.e., clawback) practice is in
place
•  Change-in-Control (“CIC”) severance requires
a double trigger
•  Our Compensation Committee reviews NEO
pay annually
•  Our Compensation Committee is comprised
entirely of independent directors
•  Our Compensation Committee engages an
independent consultant
•  Our Compensation Committee regularly has
executive sessions without management present

Practices We Avoid

•  Hedging, pledging or short sales of stock is
not permitted
•  Dividends or dividend equivalents are not
provided on unearned performance awards
•  No excise tax gross-ups are provided to any
executives
•  We do not provide additional supplemental
executive retirement service credit as a
recruitment tool for executive hires

Compensation-Setting Process

The Compensation Committee of our Board has responsibility for oversight and review of our total executive compensation strategy, including the design and monitoring of certainour executive compensation plans such as our annual cashincentive bonus plan.plan and our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. In addition, the Compensation Committee determinesreviews and approves the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves the compensation of all officers, including each of our NEOs. In settingreviewing and reviewingapproving compensation for our NEOs, the Compensation Committee evaluates the compensation components that it believes support our compensation objectives and philosophy.

As part of its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviews the appropriateness and effectiveness of our compensation programs. The Compensation Committeeprograms and approves target award opportunities and performance criteria to be utilized in our annual cashincentive bonus plan. In addition, the Compensation Committee is responsible for determining equity-based awards,plan and establishing and monitoringour long-term incentive plans.

In 2011,awards under the Compensation Committee engaged an independent consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), to provide it with advice and comparative analyses of various elements of executive compensation, including annual salary, annual variable bonus, total targeted annual cash compensation and long-term incentives. Meridian does not provide any services as an independent compensation consultant to management and it had no relationship with management prior to its engagement by the Compensation Committee.2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

The Compensation Committee considers competitive market practices with respect to the compensation of our NEOs. In its discretion, the Compensation Committee also considers compensation levels of executives holding similar positions at other domestic and international manufacturing companies that the Compensation Committee views as comparable in size and complexity of business, with additional consideration given to individual credentials. For 2011, this2014, our peer group consisted of the following 1315 companies including similarly sized companies inwithin the automotive supplier and manufacturing sectors: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., BorgWarner Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Dana Holding Corporation, Federal-Mogul Corporation, Linamar


TABLE OF CONTENTSsectors with median revenues and market capitalization of $3.70 billion and $2.34 billion, respectively:

Corporation, Martinrea International Inc., Meritor Inc., Modine Manufacturing Company, OshKosh Corporation, Tenneco Inc., Visteon Corporation, and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.Modine Manufacturing Company
BorgWarner Inc.OshKosh Corporation
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.Stoneridge, Inc.
Cooper Tire & Rubber CompanyTenneco Inc.
Dana Holding CorporationThe Timken Company
Federal-Mogul CorporationVisteon Corporation
Martinrea International Inc.Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Meritor Inc.

Although the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation data and practices of our peer group, the Committee does not adhere to strict formulas or identify specific target percentiles with respect to such data and practices to determine the total compensation or mix of compensation elements for our executives. Instead, the Committee collectively considers various factors in exercising its discretion to determine overall compensation, including the experience, responsibilities and performance of individuals as well as the Company’s overall financial performance. In making compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee has not determined that compensation elements are to be set according to a pre-set or formulaic mix. The Compensation Committee retains full discretion to consider or disregard data collected through peer group studies in the course of settingevaluating executive total compensation levels.levels or mix of compensation elements. The Compensation decisionsCommittee has not determined that compensation elements are also consideredto be set according to pre-set formulas or specific target percentiles with respect to such peer group data and practices. Instead, the Compensation Committee collectively considers a variety of factors in the context of individual and Company performance, retention concerns,exercising its discretion with respect to overall compensation, including the importance of theeach position, retention concerns, each individual’s experience, responsibilities and performance and internal equity.equity, as well as the Company’s overall financial performance.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

In 2014, the Compensation Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners LLC (“Meridian”) as its independent compensation consultant. Meridian provides consulting services solely relating to executive compensation and governance matters to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has determined that Meridian is independent under its charter and applicable NYSE rules and further, that no conflict of interest exists between Meridian and the Company.

A representative of Meridian attended Compensation Committee meetings in 2014 and advised the Compensation Committee on all principal aspects of executive compensation, including the competitiveness of program design and award values and specific analyses with respect to the Company’s executive officers.

While it is necessary for the consultant to interact with management to gather information and obtain recommendations, the Compensation Committee Chairperson governs the relationship. Meridian does not provide any services to management outside of its engagement by the Compensation Committee.

Role of Executive Officers in Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee determines the total compensation for our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer plays no role in determining his own compensation.


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The Compensation Committee also determines the total compensation of our other NEOs acting with advice from our Chief Executive Officer. Although the Compensation Committee utilizes and considers comments, advice and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer the final decision with respect to compensation levels and components of the other NEOs remains withNEOs.

Risk Mitigation Overview

The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation policies and practices of the Company do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In establishing pay practices for the Company, the goal is to design a compensation structure that does not encourage inappropriate risk-taking by employees or executive officers. Therefore, enterprise risk management is integral to the overall compensation philosophy. The following features of the compensation structure reflect this approach:

Payout opportunity of short and long-term incentives are capped;
Annual cash incentive design provides a balance of key performance metrics that are focused on financial results and sustainability over time;
The total compensation program does not provide for guaranteed bonuses and has multiple performance measures;
The Compensation Committee.

Committee reviews both short-term and long-term performance metrics and objectives to ensure the plan design does not encourage executives to take excessive risks but also does not discourage appropriate risks;
Officers are prohibited from hedging the economic interest in the Company shares they hold; and
The Company maintains a recoupment practice in the event of financial restatement.

Components of Compensation

Our compensation programs consist of several components, although particular individuals may not be eligible for each component. The guiding principles of our compensation programs remain consistent throughout the various components. In each instance, we seek to incentivize and retain our NEOs by providing competitive compensation while at the same time aligning the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders.

The principal components of our compensation programs for the NEOs are: annual base salary; annual incentive; long term equitylong-term incentive awards;awards (cash and equity); defined contribution plan retirement benefits; severance benefits; perquisites;benefits and employment agreements, which contain termination benefits.perquisites. The Compensation Committee considers all such components to be an appropriate compensation package for our NEOs. The charts below illustrate the general target mix of salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive awards among our NEOs in 2011.2014.

[GRAPHIC MISSING][GRAPHIC MISSING] 


 

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[GRAPHIC MISSING]

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Annual Base Salary

We use base salary to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers. When establishing base salaries for the NEOs, theThe Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer (other than for himself) consider a number of factors, including the seniority, skills and experience of the individual, the individual’s prior salary, the functional role of the position, and the level of the Named Executive Officer’sNEO’s responsibilities. The leading factors in determining increases infor increasing base salary include the performance, experience and skills of the individuals, and market compensation levels for senior executives with similar levels of experience and skills.

None of our NEOs received an increase to his annual rate of base salary during 2011, except for Mr. Bernard who2014. Messrs. Malcolm, Gouin and Rajkovic have not received an increase in March when he became our Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development, andbase salary since August, 2010. Mr. Bernard has not received an increase in base salary since August, 2011 when he became our President, Americas. For each of the other NEOs, the lastMr. Malmhagen has not received an increase to his annual rate ofin base salary wassince his employment commenced in August, 2010.June, 2012.

Annual Incentive Compensation

We believe that annual cash incentive awards motivate our NEOs and reward them for annual business results that help create value for our stockholders. Each year, the Compensation Committee establishes an annual incentive bonus plan for the NEOs based on one or more performance measures and determines the relative weighting of each factor,measure. Each year’s annual incentive bonus plan is a restatement of the same plan (which we refer to as determined by the Compensation Committee.our Tower Bonus Plan) that was adopted in 2010. Other hourly and salaried employees participate in our annual incentive bonus plan as well.

2011 Tower Bonus Plan

In January, 2011,February, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan and established the level of performance necessary for the NEOs to earn their targeted payouts andpayouts. Each NEO is assigned each NEO a target percentage of base salary.bonus. Cash incentive awards are permitted to the extent selected operating results meet or exceed threshold levels of performance established by the Compensation Committee for the performance year.

For 2011,2014, the Compensation Committee designated (1) Adjusted EBITDA, (2)(i) “Adjusted Free Cash Flow, (3) AdjustedFlow”, (ii) “Adjusted EBITDA” and (iii) “Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable FactorsFactors” (which excludes the impact of volume (customer demand), product mix and (4) Increase in 2013 Sales Backlogforeign exchange) as the fourthree financial measures used to determine payouts. Adjusted EBITDA performance accounted for 40% of the total award, Free Cash Flow performance accounted for 30%45% of the total award, Adjusted EBITDA performance accounted for 45% of the total award and Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable Factors performance accounted for 15% of the total award and Increase in 2013 Sales Backlog accounted for 15%10% of the total award.

The performance necessary for the NEOs to earn their targeted payouts werewas established by the Compensation Committee at levels intended to be challenging, yet attainable, and aligned with our 20112014 business plan. The Compensation Committee retained discretion to adjust the calculation of its financial measures to account for unanticipated events.

For purposes of the 2014 Tower Bonus Plan:

Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by continuing operating activities less cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment described on page 42 of our 10-K filed with the SEC, excluding net cash provided from or disbursed for customer-funded tooling (which nets to zero over the program lifetime), and (for 2014) excluding cash flow for opportunistic growth initiatives regarding new


 

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For purposes of the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan:

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring itemsbusiness in Mexico and other adjustments described in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.for a conquest award. The Compensation Committee chose this as a performance measure because it is consistent with how analysts and many investors evaluate the business.
Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. The Compensation Committee designated Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a performance measure in order to focus our management on freeing up cash to de-lever the business and fund profitable growth.
The Compensation Committee weighted this measure at 45% because it believed Adjusted Free Cash Flow would be an important financial deliverable in 2014 to our stockholders.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items and other adjustments described on pages 33 and 34 of our 10-K filed with the SEC. The Compensation Committee weighted this measure at 45% because it is an important driver of shareholder value and is consistent with how analysts and many investors evaluate the business.

Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable Factorsis defined as the change in Adjusted EBITDA in 20112014 versus 2010,2013, excluding the impact of volume (customer demand), product mix and foreign exchange.exchange described on page 34 of our 10-K filed with the SEC. For 2014, the impact of the Growth Initiatives is excluded. We determine the impact of volume, mix and foreign exchange on Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to policies that we utilize to manage our business and measure our performance throughout the year. The Compensation Committee excluded the impact of volume, mix and foreign exchange in order to focus management on those elements of cost and efficiency that management can most influence in the near term.

Increase in 2013 Sales Backlog is defined as net new business for 2013 compared to the status of this metric on January 1, 2011. The Compensation Committee added the Increase in 2013 Sales Backlogweighted this measure to encourage NEOs and other employees to focus on profitable organic revenue growth.
at 10%.

The 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan established a scale for each performance measure displayingthat displays the percent payout relative to a 100% target bonus payout at varying achievement levels. Each scale shows a threshold amount that must be satisfied to earn a payment and the amount necessary to achieve a 100% payout. The maximum payout under the plan is two (2) times the target payout and payout percentages are adjusted ratably between bands of payout percentages. The following scale showsscales show the payouts at various achievement levels:

       
Adjusted EBITDA
40%
 Free Cash Flow
30%
 Adjusted EBITDA
Change in
Controllable Factors
15%
 Increase in
2013 Sales Backlog
15%
Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
 Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
 Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
 Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
$190  0  ($20  0  ($15  0 $0   0
$210  100 $0   100  ($5  100 $100   100
$230  145 $20   145 $10   145 $200   145
$240  175 $30   175 $15   175 $250   175
      
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow
45%
 Adjusted EBITDA
45%
 Adjusted EBITDA
Change in
Controllable Factors
10%
   Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
 Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
 Achievement
($Mils)
 Payout
(%)
Threshold: $30   0 $200   0  ($5  0
   $40   80 $210   80  ($2  80
   $60   100 $220   100 $2   100
   $70   110 $225   110 $4   110
   $80   120 $230   120 $6   120
Max: $90   200 $240   200 $9   200

For 2011, we met2014, it was determined by the Compensation Committee that performance for bonus purposes should include results from two China joint ventures held for sale at year-end 2014 and accounted for as discontinued operations, as these operations were managed for all of 2014. We achieved all performance thresholds necessaryrequired to pay bonusesbonus under the 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan for each metric exceptPlan. Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $59.0 million, Adjusted EBITDA was $219.2 million, and Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable Factors.Factors was $3.1 million. These results would have resulted in a payout of 99.4% for each of the NEOs.

Our Adjusted EBITDA for 2011 was $227.6 million. For 2011However, during 2014, Tower Bonus Plan purposes, however,incurred customer charges retroactive to 2010 – 2013 related to steel scrap. Considering the Compensation Committee elected to increase that amount by $0.2 million to offset the small negative impact of investingthese charges on bonus payouts in a new joint venture in China that was not contemplated whenprior years, the 2011 Adjusted EBITDA target was established. Therefore,Committee exercised its discretion under the Adjusted EBITDA usedplan to reduce the 2014 bonus payouts for 2011 Tower Bonus Plan calculations was $227.8 million, which was above the $190 million threshold required to generate a payout under this measure.

Our Free Cash Flow for 2011 was negative $19.6 million. For 2011 Tower Bonus Plan purposes, however, the Compensation Committee elected to increase that amount by $34.3 million. Of that amount, $4.9 million was due to acquisition payments that were included in cash flow from operations that were made related to Company’s purchase of W Industries (see Note 17each of the NotesNEOs from 99.4% to our 2011 year-end consolidated financial statements as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for information about the acquisition)96.5%. Such acquisition was not contemplated when the 2011 Cash Flow target was established. The second adjustment accounted for $6.9 million which was the cash paid for capital expenditures and other working capital items related to the new joint venture in China that was not contemplated when the 2011 Cash Flow target was established. The final adjustment was $22.5 million received from one of our customers in January 2012. Receipt of such amount was factored into the 2011 Cash


 

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Flow target, and the Compensation Committee elected not to penalize bonus plan participants because of a short delay in receiving it. Therefore, the Cash Flow used for 2011 Tower Bonus Plan calculations was $14.7 million, which was above the negative $20 million threshold required to generate a payout under this measure.

Our calculated Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable Factors was negative $16.9 million, which was below the negative $15 million threshold required to generate a payout under this measure. Therefore, no payout was generated by this measure under the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan.

Our calculated Increase in 2013 Sales Backlog for 2011 was $121.7 million, which was above the $0 threshold required to generate a payout under this measure.

The Compensation Committee considers each of the adjustments noted above to be appropriate because the bonus plan participants would be otherwise penalized by factors which were outside of the influence of participants or which were not factored into the 2011 targeted results.

Each Named Executive Officer was assigned a target bonus, expressed as a percentage of such participant’s base salary. Mr. Malcolm’s target bonus was 130%. Messrs. Gouin and Rajkovic each had a target bonus of 105%. Mr. Bernard’s effective target bonus was 67.4%. Mr. Bernard’s target bonus was increased from 50% to 60% in March 2011 and from 60% to 80% in August 2011. Dr. Meleghy had a target bonus of 80%.

By applying the results for each measure to the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan table shown above, we calculated a final payout of 110.5% of the targeted bonus for each of the NEOs. We calculated Mr. Malcolm’s 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan payment as follows: (i) the payout percentage of 110.5%96.5%multiplied by (ii) Mr. Malcolm’s individual bonus target percentage of base salary (130%)multiplied by (iii) Mr. Malcolm’s base salary of $840,000, resulting in a $1,206,660$1,053,780 overall bonus award. We calculated the 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan payouts for the other NEOs in the same manner.

2012 Tower Bonus Plan

In February, 2012, the Compensation Committee approved the 2012 Tower Bonus Plan. The 2012 plan has been structured in a manner similar to the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan. The Compensation Committee established the level of performance necessary for the NEOs to earn their targeted payouts and assigned each Named Executive Officer a target percentage of base salary.

For 2012, the Compensation Committee designated (1) “Adjusted EBITDA”, (2) “Free Cash Flow”, (3) “Adjusted EBITDA Change in Controllable Factors” (which excludes the impact of volume, mix and foreign exchange) and (4) “Increase in 2014 Sales Backlog” as the four financial measures used to determine payouts. All four measures are similar to the ones used under the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan. Adjusted EBITDA performance will account for 40%determination of the totalbonus award Cash Flow performance will account for 30% ofpaid to each NEO is summarized in the total award, Adjusted EBITDA Improvement in Controllable Factors will account for 15% of the total award, and Increase in 2014 Sales Backlog will account for 15% of the total award.table below:

    
NEO Salary Target Bonus
as % of
Salary
 Payout % of
Target Bonus
 Bonus
Award
Mark Malcolm $840,000   130  96.5 $1,053,780 
James Gouin $472,500   105  96.5 $478,760 
Michael Rajkovic $577,500   105  96.5 $585,152 
James Bernard $400,000   80  96.5 $308,800 
Pär Malmhagen* $441,614   60  96.5 $256,862 

*Mr. Malmhagen’s salary of 365,000 Euro and target bonus of 220,000 Euro have been converted to United States Dollars (“USD”) using an exchange rate as of December 31, 2014 of 1 Euro equal to 1.2099 USD (220,000 Euro x 1.2099 x 96.5% = $256,862).

Equity-Based Long TermLong-Term Incentive Awards — 2010 Equity Incentive Plan

We believe providing our NEOs with equity interests in our Company motivates them to make decisions that will build the long-term value of ourthe Company and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders.

During 2010, our Board adopted our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan — pursuant to which a total of 4,600,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity-based awards. During 2011,2014, we granted restricted stock unitsRSUs and Performance Awards to each of our NEOs and we granted stock options to Mr. Bernard, under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee set a target value for each NEO based upon a review of the competitive practices of our peer companies and the individual performance, skills and tenure of each NEO. This target value was delivered 70% in Performance Awards and 30% in RSUs.

We believe using a combination of RSUs and Performance Awards provides a balance between retaining our executives and motivating them to achieve specific business and value-creating objectives over a three-year performance period. No stock options were granted to NEOs during 2014.

Grants of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)RSUs During 20112014

On March 3, 20116, 2014 the Compensation Committee granted RSUs covering the following RSUsnumber of shares of Company common stock to our NEOs pursuant to our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan:

for our NEOs: Mr. Malcolm, 22,703 RSUs; Mr. Gouin, 6,385 RSUs; Mr. Rajkovic, 10,405 shares; and Dr. Meleghy, 6,385 RSUs; and

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for other executive officers as a group: 15,135 RSUs.
NEORSUs Granted
Mr. Malcolm14,291
Mr. Gouin4,019
Mr. Rajkovic6,550
Mr. Bernard3,403
Mr. Malmhagen3,131

On March 10, 2011 the Compensation Committee granted 2,748These RSUs to Mr. Bernard, pursuant to our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

The RSUs granted on March 3, 2011 and March 10, 2011 will vest ratably on March 1, 2012,6, 2015, March 1, 20136, 2016 and March 1, 2014.

On August 15, 2011 the Board of Directors of the Company granted 2,988 RSUs to Mr. Bernard due to his promotion to President, Americas. These RSUs vest ratably on August 15, 2012, August 15, 2013 and August 15, 2014.

On December 20, 2011 the Board of Directors of the Company granted 295,858 RSUs to Mr. Malcolm, and 98,619 RSUs to each of Messrs. Gouin and Rajkovic. These RSUs cliff vest on December 31, 2014. The Board of Directors of the Company granted these RSUs upon each agreeing to extend his employment agreement through December 31, 2014.

All RSUs described above will vest on the vesting dates described above6, 2017 if the executive is employed by us on such vesting date. Suchdates (except that in Mr. Malcolm’s case, he will vest in any remaining unvested outstanding awards on January 1, 2017 pursuant to his employment agreement). The RSUs will also vest in full upon the occurrence of a change in control of ourthe Company, or in the event the executive’s employment terminates due to death or disability, as defined in our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. In the case of the RSUs granted on December 20, 2011, vesting will also occur on December 31, 2014 if the executive’s employment is not terminated due to voluntary resignation or Cause, with Cause defined in each executive’s employment agreement described below.


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Grants of Stock OptionsPerformance Awards During 20112014

On March 10, 20116, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted stock options covering 5,542 sharesthe following target Performance Awards to each NEO to tie a significant portion of NEO compensation to specific business performance results over the three-year performance period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016:

 
NEO Target Performance Award
Mr. Malcolm $882,000 
Mr. Gouin $248,063 
Mr. Rajkovic $404,250 
Mr. Bernard $210,000 
Mr. Malmhagen $193,214 

The specific business performance metrics are our Adjusted Earnings Per Share Growth Rate (“EPS Growth Rate”) and our Total Shareholder Return Percentile ranking among a group of peer companies (“TSR Percentile”). These two measures were selected based on the Compensation Committee’s review of the metrics used by our peers for similar awards and the desire to tie NEO rewards to the long-term interests of our shareholders.

50% of the Performance Award is earned based on our EPS Growth Rate for the performance period. Adjusted EPS is our diluted EPS for a fiscal year after adjusting to exclude the effect of extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring items and is intended to be the same as reported in our fourth quarter earnings presentation for the relevant fiscal year. The EPS Growth Rate is our cumulative Adjusted EPS for the performance period stated in terms of an average annual percentage growth rate. Our NEOs will achieve the targeted amount of this portion of the Performance Award if our EPS Growth Rate is 10% for the performance period.

The remaining 50% of the Performance Award is earned based on our TSR Percentile for the performance period. Total Shareholder Return is the total percentage return per share of common stock based on the average stock price over the first 20 trading days of the performance period compared to Mr. Bernard due to his expanded role as Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development. These optionsthe average stock price over the last 20 trading days of the performance period assuming the reinvestment of dividends. Our NEOs will vest ratably on March 1, 2012, March 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014. These options have an exercise priceachieve the targeted amount of $16.65.

On Augustthis portion of the Performance Award if our TSR Percentile is 50th for the performance period. TSR Percentile is the percentile ranking of our Total Shareholder Return among the Total Shareholder Returns of the following group of 15 2011peer companies over the same performance period. The Compensation Committee granted stock options covering 12,676 sharesbelieves these companies provide a good representation of our common stockthe competitive business environment in which the Company operates.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.Linamar Corporation
Autoliv, Inc.Magna International, Inc.
BorgWarner Inc.Martinrea International Inc.
Dana Holding CorporationMeritor, Inc.
Delphi Automotive, PLCTenneco Inc.
Federal-Mogul CorporationTRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
Johnson Controls, Inc.Visteon Corporation
Lear Corporation

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The amount of the Performance Award paid is dependent upon achieved performance and may range from zero to Mr. Bernard due to his promotion to President, Americas. These options will vest ratably on August 15, 2012, August 15, 2013 and August 15, 2014. These options have an exercise price200% of $14.81.the target amount. The following scales show the payouts at various achievement levels:

All stock options described above will vest on

     
 EPS Growth Rate
(50% Weighting)
 TSR Percentile
(50% Weighting)
 
 % Pay Out
(% of Target)
 Percentile
Rank vs. Peers
 Pay-Out
(% of Target)
 
   < 5% 0% < 25th 0%   
   5% 50%   25th 50%   
   10% 100%   50th 100%   
   20% 200%   75th 200%   

Payment of the vesting dates described above ifPerformance Award is made after the executiveend of the performance period. A prorated target Performance Award is employed by us on such vesting date. Such options will also vest in full upon the occurrence ofpaid after a change in control of ourthe Company, orexcept Mr. Malcolm’s payment is not prorated. A prorated Performance Award (based on actual performance results through the end of the preceding year) is also paid after the termination of the executive without cause, except Mr. Malcolm’s payment is not prorated. A prorated Performance Award (based on actual performance results through the end of the preceding year) is also paid in the event the executive’s employment terminates due to death or disability, as defined in our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

Equity-Based Long Term Incentive Awards — Management Incentive Plan

In 2007, Tower Automotive Management, LLC, or Tower Management LLC, an affiliate of our Company, adopted the 2007 Management Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the MIP. In 2008, Tower Management, LLC sold units of its non-voting membership interests, which we refer to as the Management MIP Units, to eight of our executive officers, including each of the NEOs (except Mr. Bernard who was not an executive officer at the time), and to certain of our board members and consultants.

In 2008, Tower Management, LLC, in turn, purchased an equal number of equity interests in our Company. In connection with our conversion in 2010 from a limited liability company to a corporation, our Corporate Conversion, these units became equity interests in Tower International Holdings, LLC, our principal stockholder. We refer to these units as MIP Units. Tower International Holdings, LLC has the same capital structure as we had prior to the consummation of the Corporate Conversion. Tower Management, LLC has no assets other than the MIP Units. Accordingly, the Management MIP Units held by executive officers and certain of our board members and consultants represent indirect ownership interests in the MIP Units.

The MIP is designed to align the interests of Management MIP Unit holders with those of our stockholders by providing such holders with an indirect ownership interest in us.

The Management MIP Units sold to executive officers became vested ratably over four years. All such Management MIP Units are now 100% vested.


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Holders of Management MIP Units will not be entitled to any distributions from Tower International Holdings, LLC until Cerberus receives distributions from Tower International Holdings, LLC of $205.9 million (which is referred to as the “Reference Amount”) plus a ten percent return on unpaid distributions, such return running from July 31, 2010 with respect to $180.9 million of such Reference Amount and from August 24, 2010 with respect to the balance. At the time of the Corporate Conversion, a total of 8,500 capital units of Tower International Holdings, LLC were owned by Cerberus and a total of 1,500 capital units of Tower International Holdings, LLC were owned by Tower Management, LLC. See “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Tables” below for additional information regarding the Management MIP Units.

Defined Contribution Plan Retirement Benefits

We maintain a 401(k) Plan, a tax qualified defined contribution plan, and the NEOs other than Dr. Meleghy are eligible to participate in this plan. We match 100% of the first 1% of each participant’s compensation that is contributed to the plan and 50% of the next 5% of such participant’s compensation that is contributed to the plan.plan, subject to applicable limits imposed by law.

Employment Agreements and Severance Benefits

We have entered intoThe employment agreements with each of theour NEOs except Mr. Bernard. The employment agreements provide for the payment of severance benefits to the NEOs under specified circumstances. We believe severance benefits help us attract key executive talent. In entering into these agreements, we considered the benefit of receiving confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement protections. The amount and type of benefits under the employment agreements in place during 2014 are described below under “— Potential“NEO Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination — Severance —Termination”.

On July 28, 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Malcolm which supersedes his prior employment agreement. Under the agreement Mr. Malcolm was awarded a Retention Bonus, a Succession and Officer Transition Award and a Stock Appreciation Incentive, the details of which can be found in the NEO Employment Agreements.”Agreements section below. The Compensation Committee linked these incentives to key performance objectives. The majority of the value of these incentives can only be earned by Mr. Malcolm upon achievement of a high-level of company performance and through delivering significant incremental value to shareholders.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

Messrs. Malcolm, Gouin, Rajkovic and Bernard each receive non-accountablea cash payment in lieu of perquisites in the annual gross amount of $25,000. Because Mr. Bernard began receiving this higher amount upon being promoted to President, AmericasMalmhagen receives perquisites in August, 2011, he actually received $16,909 during 2011.the form of reimbursed relocation expenses and a company vehicle. We consider such amounts to be market competitive and part of the compensation package we believe is necessary to attract key talent. There are no restrictions on how each Named Executive OfficerNEO may use such cash perquisites.

The NEOs participate in our other benefit plans on the same terms as other employees. These plans include medical, and dental insurance and life insurance.

Stock Ownership GuidelinesGuideline and Trading Policies

There are currently noIn December 2014, the Compensation Committee established an equity ownership requirements or guidelines that anyguideline for our NEOs to further align the interests of our NEOs with stockholders. The equity ownership guideline is stated in terms of a multiple of base salary and is five (5) times base salary for our CEO and three (3) times base salary for our other NEOs. The NEOs have five (5) years to satisfy the guideline.


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Pursuant to our insider trading policy, our directors and NEOs are subject to certain anti-hedging restrictions, including the prohibition from making pledges, short sales, or transactions including options and other employees must meet or maintain.derivatives related to Tower stock.

Policy Regarding Restatements

For 2011, we did not have a formal policy requiring a fixed course of action with respect to compensation adjustments following a restatement of financial results. If we were to consider a restatement of our financial statements for years through 2011, our Board or the Compensation Committee would evaluate whether future compensation adjustments were appropriate based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the restatement.

The Compensation Committee will take appropriate action to comply with “clawback” regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act in the event that we restate our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws.

Stockholder Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

Consistent withAs described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, at least once every three years, our proposal at the 2011 Annual Meeting that was approved in an advisory vote by 94.82% of the votes cast by our stockholders, ourannual proxy materials will include on an annual basis a non-binding resolution seeking stockholder approval of the compensation paid to our NEOs (a say-on-pay vote). The first say-on-pay vote that occurred at the 20112014 Annual Meeting of stockholders. With 97%Stockholders resulted in 82.9% of the votes cast by our stockholders approving the compensation paid to our NEOs,NEOs. The vote confirmed the appropriateness of pay policies and programs, therefore, the Compensation Committee did not consider changing our compensation policies for 2011.


TABLE OF CONTENTSas a result of the vote. We include a non-binding resolution seeking stockholder approval in each year’s annual proxy materials.

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid by a publicly held corporation to its chiefprincipal executive officer, chief financial officer and to each of its three other most highly compensated executive officers, unless the compensation qualifies as “performance-based” or is otherwise exempt from Section 162(m). Under a transition rule for a limited periodthat applied to Tower until the 2014 Annual Meeting of time after a company becomes publicly held,Stockholders, the deduction limits dolimit did not apply to any compensation paid pursuant to a compensation plan or agreement that existed during the period in which the corporationTower was not publicly held.held so long as such plan or agreement was properly disclosed at the time of its initial public offering. Because of the expiration of this transition rule, Tower submitted the amended and restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan for stockholder approval at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders so that certain performance-based equity and cash based awards under the plan will be exempt from the Section 162(m) deduction limitation. Shareholders approved the amended and restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan with a vote of 75.0%. The Compensation Committee willintends to consider the potential impact of Section 162(m) on compensation decisions and, intendswhere appropriate, to maintain flexibilitystructure certain compensation arrangements to be exempt from the deduction limitation, but reserves the right to approve compensation for an executive officer that does not meet the deductibility requirements of Section 162(m) in order to provide competitive compensation packages.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement, and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.2014.

By the Compensation Committee,



Dev Kapadia, Chairman
Nicholas Chabraja
Dennis DonovanThomas K. Brown


 

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COMPENSATION TABLESMATTERS

20112014 Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, for our three most recently completed fiscal years, the compensation of (1)(i) our Chief Executive Officer, (2)(ii) our Chief Financial Officer, and (3)(iii) each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers for services rendered in fiscal 20112014 who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2011, which we2014. We refer to these individuals as our Named“Named Executive OfficersOfficers” or NEOs.“NEOs”.

        
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Stock
Awards(1)
 Option
Awards(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
 All Other
Compensation
 Total
Mark Malcolm
President and Chief Executive Officer
  2011  $840,000  $ —  $3,378,005  $  $1,206,660  $36,787(4)  $5,461,452 
  2010
  $816,667  $  $6,608,056  $716,623  $2,964,850(5)  $37,538(4)  $11,143,734 
  2009
  $653,333(6)  $  $  $  $552,718  $34,835(4)  $1,240,886 
James Gouin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  2011  $472,500  $  $1,106,307  $  $$548,218  $35,435(4)  $2,162,460 
  2010
  $459,375  $  $3,083,769  $201,551  $$1,548,986(7)  $35,391(4)  $5,329,072 
  2009
  $408,750(8)  $  $  $  $$281,565  $34,230(4)  $724,545 
Michael Rajkovic
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
  2011  $577,500  $  $1,173,240  $  $670,044  $34,458(4)  $2,455,242 
  2010
  $561,458  $  $4,405,375  $328,457  $2,020,983(9)  $26,831(4)  $7,343,104 
  2009
  $499,584(8)  $  $  $  $344,135  $27,062(4)  $870,781 
James Bernard
President, Americas
  2011  $337,182  $  $90,006  $154,003  $363,446(10)  $27,647(11)  $972,284 
Gyula Meleghy
President, International Operations(8)
  2011(12)  $435,456  $  $106,310  $  $384,943  $41,029(13)  $967,738 
  2010(14)  $431,200  $  $1,762,150  $201,551  $1,119,949(15)  $40,752(16)  $3,555,602 
  2009(17)  $418,560(8)  $  $  $  $216,242  $319,967(18)  $954,769 
        
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Stock
Awards(1)
 Option
Awards(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
 All Other Compensation Total
Mark Malcolm President and Chief Executive Officer  2014  $840,000  $  $7,191,895(4)  $  $1,428,630(5)  $38,800(16)  $9,499,324 
  2013  $840,000  $  $378,004  $  $1,794,366(6)  $38,639(16)   3,051,009 
  2012  $840,000  $  $377,999  $882,001  $1,304,940  $37,026(16)  $3,441,966 
James Gouin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  2014  $472,500  $  $106,303  $  $584,187(7)  $36,795(16)  $1,199,785 
  2013  $472,500  $  $106,306  $  $732,032(8)  $35,710(16)  $1,346,548 
  2012  $472,500  $  $106,315  $248,065  $592,869  $35,517(16)  $1,455,266 
Michael Rajkovic Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  2014  $577,500  $  $173,248  $  $756,958(9)  $35,219(16)  $1,542,924 
  2013  $577,500  $  $173,244  $  $949,785(10)  $35,049(16)  $1,735,578 
  2012  $577,500  $  $173,249  $404,253  $724,618  $34,696(16)  $1,914,316 
James Bernard, President, Americas  2014  $400,000  $  $90,009  $  $398,050(11)  $37,071(16)  $925,130 
  2013  $400,000  $  $90,003  $  $499,410(12)  $36,895(16)  $1,026,308 
  2012  $400,000  $  $90,003  $209,999  $494,900(13)  $36,114(16)  $1,231,016 
Pär Malmhagen(20) President, Europe(21)  2014  $441,614  $60,495(19)  $82,815  $  $338,978(14)  $93,810(17)  $1,017,711 
  2013  $502,824  $  $78,347  $  $464,222(15)  $44,245(18)  $1,089,638 

(1)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards. The assumptions used by us in making these calculations are described in Note 1411 of the Notes to our 20112014 year-end consolidated financial statements as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.2014.
(2)Represents the dollar amount recognized by us for financial statement purposes as the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options. The assumptions used by us in making these calculations are described in the above-mentioned Note 14.11.
(3)AmountsRepresents amounts earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus PlanPlan; and in 2010, amounts earned pursuant2013 and 2014, the grant date target value of performance cash awards related to our Special Incentive Program (“SIP”),total shareholder return metric; and in 2011,2012 the amount earned by Mr. Bernard pursuant to our Supplemental Value Creation Plan (“SVCP”). For 2010, our Compensation Committee established the SIP which provided an aggregate bonus pool of $5.5 million whichThe SVCP was designed to reward the performance of NEOs and other seniormanagement executives in achieving certain operating objectives, including the retirement of certain specified debt. The SVCP was created for similar purposes for other management executives.
(4)This amount includes $377,997 related to RSUs granted on 3/6/14; and $6,813,898 related to the Stock Appreciation Incentive Award granted on 7/28/14, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation. No actual value has been paid to Mr. Malcolm in 2014 under this incentive. Company share price must exceed a threshold of $40.59 for this incentive to provide any value to Mr. Malcolm.
(5)Represents $1,053,780 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $374,850 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/6/2014. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 85% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(6)Represents $1,313.676 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $480,690 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/5/2013. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 109% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(7)Represents $478,760 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $105,427 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/6/2014. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 85% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(8)Represents $596,838 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $135,194 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/5/2013. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 109% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(9)Represents $585,152 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $171,806 representing the grant date

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value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/6/2014. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 85% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(10)Represents $729,469 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $220,316 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/5/2013. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 109% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(11)Represents $308,800 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $89,250 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/6/2014. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 85% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(12)Represents $384,960 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $114,450 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/5/2013. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 109% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(13)Represents $112,500 earned pursuant to the SVCP and $382,400 earned pursuant to the 2012 Tower Bonus Plan.
(14)Represents $256,862 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $82,116 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/6/2014. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 85% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(15)Represents $364,596 earned pursuant to the Tower Bonus Plan and $99,625 representing the grant date value of the TSR portion of the Performance Award granted on 3/5/2013. The TSR portion of the Performance Award was valued at 109% of target, determined using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(16)Represents non-accountable cash perquisites of $25,000, income associated with certain benefits and company paid benefits (company paid benefits include company matching contributions to our 401(k) plan that were not included in the summary compensation table in our 2011 Proxy Statement.
(5)Represents $1,750,000 earned pursuant to the SIP and $1,214,850 earned pursuant to the 2010 Tower Bonus Plan.
(6)For 2009, reflects a 20% voluntary reduction in annual base salary from February through December 2009.
(7)Represents $1,000,000 earned pursuant to the SIP and $548,986 earned pursuant to the 2010 Tower Bonus Plan.
(8)For 2009, reflects a 10% voluntary reduction in annual base salary from February through December 2009.
(9)Represents $1,350,000 earned pursuant to the SIP and $670,983 earned pursuant to the 2010 Tower Bonus Plan.
(10)Represents $112,500 earned pursuant to the SVCP and $250,946 earned pursuant to the 2011 Tower Bonus Plan.

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(11)Represents non-accountable cash perquisites of $16,909, income associated with certain benefits and company paid benefits.
(12)For 2011, amounts for Dr. Meleghy were converted from Euros to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.296.
(13)Represents the cost of a company vehicle of $19,820, a company paid private healthcare subsidy of $14,572, cell phone costs of $6,404 and other company paid benefits.
(14)For 2010, amounts for Dr. Meleghy were converted from Euros to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.32.
(15)Represents $730,760 earned pursuant to the SIP and $389,189 earned pursuant to the 2010 Tower Bonus Plan.
(16)Represents the cost of a company vehicle of $19,710, a company paid private healthcare subsidy of $14,625, cell phone costs of $6,179 and other company paid benefits.
(17)For 2009, amounts for Dr. Meleghy were converted from Euros to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.44Amount represents company-paid benefits toward reimbursed relocation expenses, automobile, pension and from Yen to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate of ¥92.43 to $1.00.other insurances and certain health-related subsidies.
(18)Amount represents company-paid benefits toward automobile, pension and other insurances and certain health-related subsidies (excludes reimbursed Relocation expenses).
(19)Represents the cost$60,495 payment of a company vehicle of $19,039, cell phone costs of $14,674, a non-accountable cash perquisite of $10,800 and companyone-off retention bonus paid insurance payments of $15,846. Also, includes allowancesin January, 2014 pursuant to Dr. Meleghy’s expatriate assignment which includes $48,600employment agreement.
(20)Euro converted to USD using a foreign exchange rate as of 12/31/14 of 1 Euro equal to 1.2099 USD.
(21)Euro converted to USD using a goods and services allowance, $9,806foreign echange rate as a car and driver allowance, $77,825 as a housing allowance, $3,253 as a utilities allowance, $6,395 as a home leave allowance, $1,921 as a furniture allowance, $1,812 as a club membership allowance, and $109,996 in tax gross-ups.of 12/31/13 of 1 Euro equal to 1.3776 USD.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following sets forth certain information with respect to grants of plan-based awards for the year ended December 31, 20112014 made to our NEOs.

        
 Grant Date   
  
  
  
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(2)
(#)
 All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(3)
(#)
 Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option Awards(4),(5)
Name Threshold Target Maximum
Mark Malcolm  1/1/2011  $0  $1,092,000  $2,184,000                     
    3/3/2011                  22,703            $378,005 
    12/20/2011                  295,858            $3,000,000 
James Gouin  1/1/2011  $0  $496,125  $992,250                     
    3/3/2011                  6,385            $106,310 
    12/20/2011                  98,619            $999,997 
Michael Rajkovic  1/1/2011  $0  $606,375  $1,212,750                     
    3/3/2011                  10,405            $173,243 
    12/20/2011                  98,619            $999,997 
James Bernard  1/1/2011  $0  $227,100  $454,200                     
    3/10/2011                       5,542  $16.65  $50,751 
    3/10/2011                  2,748            $45,754 
    8/15/2011                       12,676  $14.81  $103,252 
    8/15/2011                  2,988            $44,252 
Gyula Meleghy  1/1/2011  $0  $348,365  $696,730                     
    3/3/2011                  6,385            $106,310 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(3)
(#)
Base Price
of Stock
Awards
($/Sh)
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards(4)
NameGrant
Date
ThresholdTargetMaximumThreshold # of SharesTarget #
of Shares
Maximum #
of Shares
Mark Malcolm(5)1/1/2014$0$1,092,000$2,184,000
3/6/2014$0$441,000$882,000
3/6/2014$0$441,000$882,00014,291$26.45$377,997
7/28/20140123,183359,777
James Gouin1/1/2014$0$496,125$992,250
3/6/2014$0$124,032$248,063
3/6/2014$0$124,032$248,0634,019$26.45$106,303
Michael Rajkovic1/1/2014$0$606,375$1,212,750
3/6/2014$0$202,125$404,250
3/6/2014$0$202,125$404,2506,550$26.45$173,248
James Bernard1/1/2014$0$320,000$640,000
3/6/2014$0$105,000$210,000
3/6/2014$0$105,000$210,0003,403$26.45$90,009
Pär Malmhagen(6)1/1/2014$0$266,178$532,356
3/6/2014$0$96,607$193,214
3/6/2014$0$96,607$193,2143,131$26.45$82,815

(1)TheseThe amounts granted on 1/1/2014 relate to the 20112014 Tower Bonus Plan described above.Plan. For the actual bonus amounts earned in 2011,2014, see the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table. The amounts granted on 3/6/2014 relate to Performance Awards granted to the Named Executive Officers. The Performance Awards vest after 12/31/2016 based on performance results.
(2)The target number of shares of our common stock assumes achievement of the minimum Stock Appreciation Incentive Award ($5,000,000) divided by the minimum price of our common stock per share needed to achieve it ($40.59 per share). The maximum number of shares of our common stock assumes achievement of the maximum Stock Appreciation Incentive Award ($20,000,000) divided by the price per share of our common stock needed to achieve it ($55.59 per share). The Stock Appreciation Incentive Award is payable in shares of our common stock or in cash.
(3)Awards reflect the number of RSUs granted to the Named Executive Officers. The RSUs granted on 3/3/11 and 8/15/11 vest ratably over three years. The RSUs granted on 12/20/11 cliff vest on 12/31/14.
(3)Awards reflect the number of shares of common stock covered by the stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers. The options6/2014 vest ratably over three years.
(4)Grant date fair value of stock options is the value per share,multiplied by a modified Black Scholes valuation of 55%,multiplied by the number of shares of common stock covered by the stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers (value per share was $16.65 for the 3/10/11 grant, and $14.81 for the 8/15/11 grant).
(5)Grant date fair value of RSUs is the value per share,base price of stock awards,multiplied by the number of RSUs awarded (valueawarded.
(5)Any non-vested awards will become fully vested effective 1/1/17 per share was $16.65 for the 3/10/11 grant, $14.81 for the 8/15/11 grant and $10.14 for theMr. Malcolm's employment agreement.
(6)For amount granted on 1/1/2014, Euro converted to USD using a foreign exchange rate as of 12/20/11 grant).31/14 of 1 Euro equal to 1.2099 USD.

The stock optionsRSUs and RSUsPerformance Awards granted during 20112014 were granted pursuant to our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. That plan authorizes the grant of the following types of awards: nonqualified stock options, or NSOs, incentive stock options, or ISOs, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or RSUs, performance shares, performance units, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. Awards may be granted to employees, officers, non-employee board members, consultants and other service providers of our Company and its affiliates. However, ISOs may be granted only to employees.

We have authorized a total of 4,600,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to all awards granted under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares issued or reserved pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (or pursuant to outstanding awards) is subject to adjustment as a result of mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, stock splits, stock dividends and other changes in our common stock. Shares subject to awards that have been terminated, expired unexercised, forfeited or settled in cash do not count as


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shares issued under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. No person may receive awards of stock options or SARs during any calendar year for more than 500,000 shares of our common stock.

Vesting of awards granted under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan may be subject to the satisfaction of one or more performance goals established by the Compensation Committee. The performance goals may vary from participant to participant, group to group, and period to period. Performance goals may be weighted for different factors and measures. The Compensation Committee will certify the degree of attainment of performance goals after the end of each year.

The Compensation Committee may, at the time of the grant of an award, provide for the effect of a change in control (as defined in the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan) on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, or (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and SARs to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or SAR in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock, RSU, performance share or performance unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or SAR in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control, and cancel any option or SAR without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; or (g) make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The grant agreements for the RSUs and stock options granted in connection with our IPO provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control. The Compensation Committee currently anticipates that grants of stock options, RSUs, restricted stock and other equity-based awards in the future will contain similar accelerated vesting provisions.


 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Tables

The following 20112014 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End table summarizestables summarize our NEOs’ outstanding equity awards under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan at December 31, 2011.2014.

          
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-ENDOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
 Grant Date OPTION AWARDS Grant Date OPTION AWARDS
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Unexercisable
 Option
Exercise
Price(1)
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date(1)
 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Exercisable
 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Unexercisable
 Option Exercise
Price(1)
($)
 Option Expiration
Date(1)
Mark Malcolm  10/14/2010(4)   0   100,227  $13.00   10/14/2020   10/14/2010   100,227   0  $13.00   10/14/2020 
  3/6/2012(4)   97,503   48,750  $11.71   3/6/2022 
James Gouin  10/14/2010(4)   0   28,189  $13.00   10/14/2020   10/14/2010   9,396   0  $13.00   10/14/2020 
  3/6/2012(4)   13,712   13,710  $11.71   3/6/2022 
Michael Rajkovic  10/14/2010(4)   0   45,938  $13.00   10/14/2020   10/14/2010   15,312   0  $13.00   10/14/2020 
  3/6/2012(4)   22,345   22,343  $11.71   3/6/2022 
James Bernard  10/14/2010(4)   0   6,364  $13.00   10/14/2020   3/6/2012(4)   0   11,606  $11.71   3/6/2022 
  3/10/2011(4)   0   5,542  $16.65   3/3/2021 
  8/15/2011(7)   0   12,676  $14.81   8/15/2021 
Gyula Meleghy  10/14/2010(4)   0   28,189  $13.00   10/14/2020 
Pär Malmhagen  6/1/2012(8)   0   5,161  $12.66   6/1/2022 

      
  STOCK AWARDS  STOCK AWARDS
Name Grant Date Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested(2)
(#)
 Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That Have
Not Vested(2),(3)
($)
 Grant Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(2)
(#)
 Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (2),(3)
($)
Mark Malcolm(9)  10/15/2010(5)   254,156  $2,729,635   3/6/2012(4)   10,760  $274,918 
  3/5/2013(5)   19,414  $496,028 
  3/3/2011(4)   22,703  $243,830   3/6/2014(6)   14,291  $365,135 
  12/20/2011(6)   295,858  $3,177,515   7/28/2014(7)     $6,813,898 
James Gouin  10/15/2010(5)   118,606  $1,273,828   3/6/2012(4)   3,025  $77,289 
  3/3/2011(4)   6,385  $68,575   3/5/2013(5)   5,460  $139,503 
  12/20/2011(6)   98,619  $1,059,168   3/6/2014(6)   4,019  $102,685 
Michael Rajkovic  10/15/2010(5)   169,437  $1,819,753   3/6/2012(4)   4,931  $125,987 
  3/3/2011(4)   10,405  $111,750   3/5/2013(5)   8,898  $227,344 
  12/20/2011(6)   98,619  $1,059,168   3/6/2014(6)   6,550  $167,353 
James Bernard  3/10/2011(4)   2,748  $29,514   3/6/2012(4)   2,562  $65,459 
  8/15/2011(7)   2,988  $32,091   3/5/2013(5)   4,622  $118,092 
Gyula Meleghy  10/15/2010(5)   67,775  $727,904 
  3/3/2011(4)   6,385  $68,575   3/6/2014(6)   3,403  $86,947 
Pär Malmhagen  6/1/2012(8)   1,139  $29,101 
  3/5/2013(5)   4,024  $102,813 
  3/6/2014(6)   3,131  $79,997 

(1)Refers to stock options.
(2)Refers to RSUs.
(3)Market Value is the number of RSUs granted on 3/6/12, 6/1/12, 3/5/13 and 3/6/14 multiplied by $10.74$25.55 (the closing sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2011).31, 2014); and, with respect to Mr. Malcolm, the fair value of his Stock Appreciation Incentive Award using a Monte Carlo valuation.
(4)TheseUnexercisable options and unvested RSUs vest on March 6, 2015.
(5)Unvested RSUs vest ratably on March 1, 2012, March 1, 20136, 2015 and March 1, 2014.
(5)These RSUs vest on April 20, 2012.6, 2016.
(6)These RSUs vest on December 31, 2014.
(7)These options andUnvested RSUs vest ratably on August 15, 2012, August 15, 2013March 6, 2015, March 6, 2016 and August 15, 2014.March 6, 2017 (except Mr. Malcolm's last vest date is 1/1/17).

 

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(7)Represents the grant date fair value of the Stock Appreciation Incentive Award.
(8)Unexercisable options and unvested RSUs vest on May 11, 2015.
(9)Any non-vested awards will become fully vested effective 1/1/17 per Mr. Malcolm's employment agreement.

Equity Exercises and Vesting During 2011 Tables2014 Table

No stock options were exercised by any of the NEOs during 2011.

The table below shows the number of stock options exercised and RSUs acquired on vesting in 20112014 and the value realized by the NEOs.

      
 Options Exercised and Stock Vested
   Option Awards Stock Awards
 Number of
RSUs
Acquired on
Vesting in
2011
 Value
Realized on
Vesting in
2011(1)
 2014 Exercise Date Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise in
2014
(#)
 Value Realized
on Exercise in
2014(1)
($)
 2014 Vesting
Date
 Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting in 2014
(#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting in
2014(2)
($)
Mark Malcolm  254,156  $4,340,984                  3/1/2014   7,567  $194,321 
                 3/6/2014   20,468  $541,379 
                 12/31/2014   295,858  $7,721,894 
James Gouin  118,607  $2,025,808                  3/1/2014   2,128  $54,647 
                 3/6/2014   5,757  $152,273 
                 12/31/2014   98,619  $2,573,956 
Michael Rajkovic  169,438  $2,894,001                  3/1/2014   3,468  $89,058 
                 3/6/2014   9,381  $248,127 
                 12/31/2014   98,619  $2,573,956 
James Bernard  0  $   5/2/2014   17,972  $293,871   3/1/2014   916  $23,523 
Gyula Meleghy  67,775  $1,157,597 
  8/15/2014   12,618  $232,359   3/6/2014   4,874  $128,917 
  8/18/2014   5,600  $108,640   8/15/2014   996  $33,944 
Pär Malmhagen  6/9/2014   5,161  $104,777   5/11/2014   1,139  $31,983 
                 3/6/2014   2,012  $53,217 

(1)The fair market value of these RSUs at vestingValue realized is determined by multiplying the number of vested shares acquired mulitiplied by $17.08 (the FMV ofan amount equal to the shares at vesting).

The table below shows the Management MIP Units held by the NEOs that vested in 2011 as well as the total number of vested Management MIP Units held by the NEOs.

    
 MIP Unit Awards
Name Number of
Management
MIP Units
Acquired on
Vesting in
2011
 Value
Realized on
Vesting in
2011(1)
 Total Vested
Management
MIP
Units(2)
 Market Value of
Management
MIP Units That
Have Vested(3)
Mark Malcolm  75      300  $  — 
James Gouin  25      100  $ 
Michael Rajkovic  43.75      175  $ 
James Bernard  0      0  $ 
Gyula Meleghy  25      100  $ 

(1)There is no value realized upon vesting.stock price on exercise minus the option price.
(2)Represents all vested Management MIP Units held by the Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2011.
(3)Market Value realized is the number of MIP Units that are vested at 12/31/2011shares acquired multiplied by $0. That amount is determined by multiplying $10.74 (representing the closing salesstock price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2011) by 12,467,866 (representing the number of shares of our common stock owned by Tower International Holdings, LLC) and comparing that result ($133,904,881) to the Reference Amount plus a ten percent return on unpaid distributions (see “— Management Incentive Plan” discussion above) of $235,796,000 at December 31, 2011. Since the value of the common stock owned by Tower International Holdings, LLC is less than the value of the Reference Amount as of December 31, 2011, the MIP units have a market value of $0.vesting.

Potential PaymentsNEO Employment Agreements

CEO Agreement

On July 28, 2014, Mr. Malcolm and Tower Automotive Operations USA I, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amended and restated employment agreement, which superseded Mr. Malcolm’s prior employment agreement which was entered into on March 4, 2013.

Under the new employment agreement, the term of Mr. Malcolm’s employment, which would have expired on December 31, 2014, has been extended through December 31, 2016 (the “Retirement Date”), at which time Mr. Malcolm will retire from employment with us. In addition to continuing Mr. Malcolm’s annual base salary of $840,000 and his eligibility for an annual target incentive of 130% of his annual base salary, the new employment agreement provides the incentives set forth below to encourage Mr. Malcolm to (i) continue his employment to the Retirement Date, or the consummation of a “change in control” occurring before the Retirement Date, (ii) facilitate a successful chief executive officer succession and other officer transition plan for the Company beyond his Retirement Date, and (iii) create shareholder value.


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Retention Bonus

Mr. Malcolm will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash retention bonus in the amount of $3,000,000 if his employment is not terminated by the Company for cause or by Mr. Malcolm without good reason, in either case, prior to the earlier of (a) the Retirement Date, or (b) a “change in control” (as defined in the employment agreement). The retention bonus is payable on the earlier of January 16, 2017 or the date of a change in control.

CEO Succession and Officer Transition Award

Mr. Malcolm will be entitled to receive a lump sum special transition cash bonus in the amount of $3,000,000 if Mr. Malcolm successfully delivers to our Board’s satisfaction a comprehensive chief executive officer succession and other officer transition plan. This amount will not be paid if (i) a change in control is consummated prior to the Retirement Date, or (ii) Mr. Malcolm’s employment is terminated (a) by the Company for cause, or (b) by Mr. Malcolm without good reason, in either case, prior to the Retirement Date. The special transition bonus is payable on January 16, 2017.

Stock Appreciation Incentive Award

Mr. Malcolm will be entitled to receive a stock appreciation incentive award payable in cash or shares of our common stock in the amount of $5,000,000 if a specific Appreciation Hurdle (as defined in the employment agreement) with respect to our common stock is achieved during the term of the employment agreement. This amount, even if the Appreciation Hurdle is achieved, will not be paid if (i) Mr. Malcolm’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, or (ii) by Mr. Malcolm without good reason, in either case, prior to the earlier of (a) the Retirement Date, or (b) a change in control. In general, the Appreciation Hurdle will be met if the per share closing price of our common stock exceeds $40.59, an increase of at least $5.00 from our per share closing price on July 25, 2014. For each additional one dollar by which (i) the per share closing price of our common stock exceeds the $5.00 Appreciation Hurdle as of the Retirement Date, or (ii) the price per share of common stock payable in connection with a change in control consummated prior to the Retirement Date exceeds the $5.00 Appreciation Hurdle, up to a maximum of $15.00 above the $5.00 Appreciation Hurdle, the $5,000,000 payment will be increased by $1,000,000 (up to a maximum stock appreciation incentive award of $20,000,000). The stock appreciation incentive award is payable on the earlier of January 16, 2017 or the date of a change in control. The stock appreciation incentive award will be paid in cash or shares of our common stock, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, unless a change in control occurs in which event it will be paid in cash.

Accelerated Vesting of Equity and Performance Awards

All outstanding equity and cash-based performance awards granted to Mr. Malcolm will immediately become fully vested (i) upon a change in control (determined based on target level performance and without pro-ration for partially completed performance periods), and (ii) subject to Mr. Malcolm’s execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release, upon the termination of Mr. Malcolm’s employment (a) by the Company without cause, or (b) by Mr. Malcolm for good reason prior to the Retirement Date (determined based on actual performance through the end of the preceding fiscal year and without pro-ration for partially completed performance periods). Upon Termination

Severance — EmploymentMr. Malcolm’s Retirement Date, subject to Mr. Malcolm’s execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release, he will be entitled to receive full vesting of all outstanding equity and cash-based performance awards as of January 1, 2017 (determined based on actual performance through the Retirement Date and without pro-ration of the amount payable thereto).

Other NEO Agreements

We haveDuring 2013, we entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Malcolm (dated August 1, 2007, as amended), Gouin, (dated November 1, 2007, as amended)Rajkovic, Bernard and Rajkovic (dated August 16, 2007, as amended) and Dr. Meleghy (dated February 15, 2000). Dr. Meleghy’s employment agreement terminated upon his retirement, effective April 30, 2012.Malmhagen. Each of the employment agreements was approved and authorized by the Compensation Committee orCommittee.

The term of our board (other than Dr. Meleghy’s agreement, which was assumed by the Predecessor). Our2013 employment agreements with Messrs. Malcolm, Gouin and Rajkovic have been extended such that their terms will continue untilexpired on December 31, 2014. In October, 2014, we entered into new amended and restated employment agreements with eachMessrs. Gouin and Rajkovic which became effective on January 1, 2015 and expire on December 31, 2017. Each agreement being extendableis subject to extension for


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successive one-year periods or, if the executive agrees, two-year or three-year periods. Each of the employment agreements was approved and authorized by the Compensation Committee.


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The term of our employment agreement with Mr. Bernard does not have anexpires December 31, 2015, but is also subject to extension for successive one-year periods or, if the executive agrees, two-year or three-year periods. Our employment agreement specifying a term of employment.with Mr. Malmhagen is for successive one-year terms ending each December 31st.

Each employment agreement in effect during 2014 provides for a minimum annual base salary ($840,000 for Mr. Malcolm, $472,500472,500 for Mr. Gouin, $577,500 for Mr. Rajkovic, $400,000 for Mr. Bernard and €336,000365,000 Euro for Dr. Meleghy),Mr. Malmhagen) and the agreements for Messrs. Malcolm, Rajkovic and Gouin provide that the executive’s base salary may be increased from time to time at our discretion. Each of the agreements also provide forprovides eligibility for an annual target incentive compensation, currently at the target level of 130% of base salary for Mr. Malcolm, 105% of annual base salary for Messrs. Gouin and Rajkovic, and 80% of annual base salary for Dr. Meleghy.Mr. Bernard and 220,000 Euro (approximately 60% of annual base salary) for Mr. Malmhagen. Effective January 1, 2015, the amended and restated employment agreements with Messrs. Gouin and Rajkovic provide for minimum base salaries of $525,000 and $625,000, respectively, and increase the annual target incentives of each to 110% of annual base salary.

If Messrs. Malcolm’s, Gouin’sThe employment agreements for Mr. Bernard and Mr. Malmhagen also include a cash retention bonus equal to $720,000 and 585,000 Euro, respectively, if the executive is still employed on December 31, 2015. The retention bonus vests earlier upon a change in control or Rajkovic’s employmentif the executive is terminated by us for “cause”,the Company without cause or if the executive’s employment terminates due to death or disability.

Potential Payments Upon Termination

Termination Other Than In Connection with a Change in the case of Messrs. Malcolm and Gouin by the executive without “good reason,” as these terms are defined in their respective employment agreements, the executive will be entitled to receive the following benefits, which we refer to as the accrued benefits:

the amount of any base salary earned and due but not paid through the date of termination;
the amount of any annual bonus relating to the calendar year prior to the year of termination that was earned on the applicable bonus approval date but unpaid; and
any reimbursable expenses that have not been reimbursed.
Control

CEO

If Mr. Malcolm’s Mr. Gouin’s or Mr. Rajkovic’s employment is terminated due to the executive’shis death or disability,“disability” as that term is defined in his employment agreement, if we terminate the executive’shis employment without “cause,”“cause”, or if the executivehe terminates his employment for “good reason” (other than in the case of Mr. Rajkovic) or if the executive’s employment agreement terminates because we do not elect to extend the term of the agreement, the executive, he will receive the following benefits:

(in addition to certain accrued but unpaid amounts payable through his date of termination and amounts due, as described above, pursuant to the accrued benefits;
terms of his employment agreement related to the Retention Bonus, CEO Succession and Officer Transition Award, Stock Appreciation Incentive Award and Accelerated Vesting of Equity and Performance Awards), subject to execution of a release and compliance with confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, non-disparagement and cooperation requirements:

(a) an aggregate amount equal to (i) in the case of Mr. Malcolm, two (2) times his annualized base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination payable in 12 equal monthly installments, and (ii) in the case of Messrs. Gouin and Rajkovic, one times his annualized base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination payable in 12 equal monthly installments;

a pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the calendar year up to and including the date of termination) of the annual bonus relating to the calendar year of termination based on the actual awards for the plan year of termination, (or a reasonable good faith determination of the expected amount of the actual awards if the actual awards are not determinablepayable by March 15 of the calendar year followingafter the calendar year of termination);termination; and

(b) COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost of coverage exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage, until the first to occur of (i) the first twelve12 months of COBRA coverage, or (ii) the date the executivehe is covered under another group health plan.

If Mr. Malcolm retires from employment on the Retirement Date of December 31, 2016, he will receive the following (in addition to certain accrued but unpaid amounts payable through his date of termination and amounts due, as described above, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement related to the Retention Bonus, CEO Succession and Officer Transition Award, Stock Appreciation Incentive Award and Accelerated Vesting of Equity and Performance Awards), subject to execution of a release and compliance with confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, non-disparagement and cooperation requirements:

(a) the annual bonus relating to the 2016 calendar year based on the actual awards earned and paid for the fiscal year, and

(b) full vesting of all 2010 Equity Incentive Plan awards effective as of January 1, 2017 (determined in the case of cash performance awards, based on the total amount of the performance award that would have been earned had the relevant performance period ended on the Retirement Date (based on Actual Performance results for that period), without proration.

Other NEOs

If Messrs. Gouin’s, Rajkovic’s or Bernard’s employment is terminated involuntarily anddue to his death or “disability” as that term is defined in each employment agreement, if we terminate any such executive’s employment without cause,“cause”, if he terminates his employment for “good reason” (other than in the case of Mr. Bernard) or if his


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employment agreement terminates because we do not elect to extend the term of the agreement, he will be entitledreceive the following (in addition to receive, pursuantcertain accrued but unpaid amounts payable through the executive’s date of termination), subject to our executive severance policy,execution of a release and compliance with confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, non-disparagement and cooperation requirements:

(a) an aggregate amount equal to (i) one (1) times his annualized base salary, in effect as of the effective date of termination.termination payable in 12 equal monthly installments, (ii) a pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the calendar year up to and including the date of termination) of the annual bonus relating to the calendar year of termination based on the actual awards for the plan year of termination, and (iii) the average of the respective executive’s bonuses paid for the three consecutive years immediately prior to the year of termination; and

(b) COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost of coverage exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage, until the first to occur of (i) the first twelve12 months of COBRA coverage or (ii) the date the executive is covered under another group health plan.

If Mr. BernardMalmhagen’s employment agreement (also known as his service agreement) is terminated or not extended by the Company before his attainment of age 65 for reasons other than cause as defined in his service agreement or disability as defined in his service agreement he will also receive any other payments duebe entitled, as severance, to him according(i) the payment of his fixed salary for 12 months following the termination of his service agreement, (ii) a payment of one (1) times his target bonus for the year of termination, (iii) a pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the calendar year up to and including the date of termination) of the annual bonus relating to the Company’s policies atcalendar year of termination based on the timeactual awards for the plan year of termination.


TABLE OF CONTENTStermination, and (iv) the payment of the cash value of fringe benefits (excluding any long-term incentive arrangements) for 12 months following the termination of his service agreement.

The following tables set forth the payments and benefits potentiallythat would have been payable to each Named Executive Officer in the event of a termination of such person’s employment other than in connection with a change in control, assuming that such events occurred as ofon December 31, 2011:2014:

        
Mark Malcolm Severance
Amounts(1)
 Benefits
Continuation
 Vested
RSUs
 Total Severance
Amounts(1)
 Benefits
Continuation
 Vested Equity/
Performance
Awards
 Total
Termination by us for any reason (other than by us for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Malcolm’s employment agreement $1,680,000(2)   (3)  $5,907,150(4)  $7,587,150 
Termination by us (other than for cause) $7,680,000(2)   (3)  $4,694,921(4)  $12,374,921 
Termination by Mr. Malcolm for good reason $1,680,000(2)   (3)     $1,680,000  $7,680,000(2)   (3)  $4,694,921(4)  $12,374,921 
Termination by us for cause                        
Termination by Mr. Malcolm without good reason                        

(1)In the event of any termination either by us or by the executive, the executive is entitled to the accrued benefits as described under “Severance — Employment Agreements”“Potential Payments Upon Termination”. In the event Mr. Malcolm’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause, the RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 and December 20, 2011 will vest assuming his employment continued until the date of vesting.
(2)Aggregate amount represents two times Mr. Malcolm’s annualized rate of base salary as of the effective date of termination plus the $3 million Retention Bonus and the $3 million CEO Succession and Officer Transition Award in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Aggregate amount does not include a pro-rated portion of the 20122014 annual bonus Mr. Malcolm would be entitled to receive in the event of such a termination, during 2012, as more fully described above.
(3)Pursuant to Mr. Malcolm’s employment agreement, COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage for 12 months. Mr. Malcolm has waived health coverage.
(4)Represents the sum of the value of RSUs that vest after termination,unvested equity and performance awards for which vesting would be accelerated, as follows: (i) the value of 48,750 unvested stock options based on the numberan exercise price of unvested RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 of 254,156$11.71 and granted on December 20, 2011 of 295,858 multiplied by the closing salesales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 201131, 2014 ($10.74).25.55), (ii) the value of 44,465 unvested RSUs multiplied by $25.55, (iii) the estimated value of the 2013 Performance Award of $882,000 assuming a payout of 200% as of December 31, 2014, and (iv) the estimated value of the 2014 Performance Award of $882,000 assuming a 127% payout as of December 31, 2014.

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James Gouin Severance
Amounts(1)
 Benefits
Continuation
 Vested
RSUs
 Total Severance
Amounts(1)
 Benefits
Continuation
 Vested Equity/
Performance
Awards
 Total
Termination by us for any reason (other than by us for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Gouin’s employment agreement $472,500(2)  $11,866(3)  $2,332,996(4)  $2,817,362 
Termination by us (other than for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Gouin’s employment agreement $1,051,808(2)  $12,618(3)     $1,064,426 
Termination by Mr. Gouin for good reason $472,500(2)  $11,866(3)     $484,366  $1,051,808(2)  $12,618(3)      1,064,426 
Termination by us for cause                        
Termination by Mr. Gouin without good reason                        

(1)In the event of termination either by us or by the executive, the executive is entitled to the accrued benefits as described under “Severance — Employment Agreements”“Potential Payments Upon Termination”. In the event Mr. Gouin’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause, the RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 and December 20, 2011 will vest assuming his employment continued until the date of vesting.
(2)Aggregate amount represents one times Mr. Gouin’s annualized rate of base salary as of the effective date of termination of $472,500 plus the average of bonuses paid for the three (3) consecutive years immediately prior to the year of termination of $579,308 in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Aggregate amount does not include a pro-rated portion of the 20122014 annual bonus Mr. Gouin would be entitled to receive in the event of such a termination, during 2012, as more fully described above.
(3)Pursuant to Mr. Gouin’s employment agreement, COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage for 12 months.
(4)Represents the value of RSUs that vest after termination, based on the number of unvested RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 of 118,606 and granted on December 20, 2011 of 98,619 multiplied by the closing sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2011 ($10.74).

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Michael Rajkovic Severance
Amounts(1)
 Benefits
Continuation
 Vested
RSUs
 Total
Termination by us for any reason (other than by us for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Rajkovic’s employment agreement $577,500(2)  $11,911(3)  $2,878,921(4)  $3,468,332 
Termination by us for cause or resignation by Mr. Rajkovic            
    
Michael Rajkovic Severance Amounts(1) Benefits
Continuation
 Vested Equity/
Performance
Awards
 Total
Termination by us (other than for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Rajkovic’s employment agreement $1,285,544(2)  $13,175(3)     $1,298,719 
Termination by Mr. Rajkovic for good reason $1,285,544(2)  $13,175(3)     $1,298,719 
Termination by us for cause            
Termination by Mr. Rajkovic without good reason            

(1)In the event of termination either by us or by the executive, the executive is entitled to the accrued benefits as described under “Severance — Employment Agreements”“Potential Payments Upon Termination”. In the event that Mr. Rajkovic’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause, the RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 and December 20, 2011 will vest assuming his employment continued until the date of vesting.
(2)Aggregate amount represents one times Mr. Rajkovic’s annualized rate of base salary as of the effective date of termination of $577,500 plus the average of bonuses paid for the three (3) consecutive years immediately prior to the year of termination of $708,044 in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Aggregate amount does not include a pro-rated portion of the 20122014 annual bonus Mr. Rajkovic would be entitled to receive in the event of such a termination, during 2012, as more fully described above.
(3)Pursuant to Mr. Rajkovic’s employment agreement, COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage for 12 months.
(4)Represents the value of RSUs that vest after termination, based on the number of unvested RSUs granted on October 15, 2010 of 169,437 and granted on December 20, 2011 of 98,619 multiplied by the closing sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2011 ($10.74).

        
James Bernard Severance
Amounts
 Benefits
Continuation
 Supplemental
Value
Creation Plan
 Total Severance Amounts(1) Benefits Continuation Retention
Bonus
 Total
Termination by us for any reason (other than by us for cause) $400,000(1)  $11,866(2)  $112,500(3)  $524,366 
Termination by us (other than for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Bernard’s employment agreement $739,435(2)  $12,618(3)  $720,000(4)  $1,472,053 
Termination by us for cause or by Mr. Bernard                        

(1)In the event of termination either by us or by the executive, the executive is entitled to the accrued benefits as described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination”.
(2)Aggregate amount represents one times Mr. Bernard’s annualized rate of base salary as of the effective date of termination of $400,000 plus the average of bonuses paid for the three (3) consecutive years immediately prior to the year of termination of $339,435 in accordance with the terms of our executive severance policy.his employment agreement. Aggregate amount does not include the 2014 annual bonus Mr. Bernard would be entitled to receive in the event of such a termination, as more fully described above.

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(2)(3)Pursuant to the terms of our executive severance policy,Mr. Bernard’s employment agreement, COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage for 12 months.
(4)Represents the lump sum amount due to Mr. Bernard in the case of such termination prior to December 31, 2015 and paid on or after December 31, 2015.

    
Par Malmhagen Severance Amounts Benefits Continuation Retention
Bonus
 Total(1)
Termination by (other than for cause) or because we do not extend the term of Mr. Malmhagen’s employment agreement $707,792(2)  $39,234(3)  $707,792(4)  $1,454,818 
Termination by us for cause or by Mr. Malmhagen            

(1)Euro is converted to USD using a foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2014 of 1 Euro equal to 1.2099 USD.
(2)Aggregate amount represents one times Mr. Malmhagen’s annualized rate of base salary of $441,614 plus one times Mr. Malmhagen’s annual target bonus of $266,178 as of the effective date of termination in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Aggregate amount does not include the 2014 annual bonus Mr. Malmhagen would be entitled to receive in the event of such a termination, as more fully described above.
(3)Amount represents the cost of 12 months of fringe benefits.
(4)Represents the lump sum amount due to Mr. Malmhagen in the case of such termination prior to December 31, 2015 and paid on or after December 31, 2015.

Termination In Connection with a Change in Control

CEO

If within two (2) years following a “change in control”, Mr. Malcolm is terminated by the Company without “cause” or if he terminates his employment for “good reason”, he will receive the following (in addition to certain accrued but unpaid amounts payable through his date of termination and amounts due, as described above, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement related to the Retention Bonus, CEO Succession and Officer Transition Award, Stock Appreciation Incentive Award and Accelerated Vesting of Equity and Performance Awards), subject to execution of a release and compliance with confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, non-disparagement and cooperation requirements:

(a) an aggregate amount equal to (i) three (3) times his annualized base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination payable in 36 equal monthly installments, and (ii) an amount equal to three (3) times his target bonus for the year of termination, plus a pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the calendar year up to and including the date of termination) of the annual bonus relating to the calendar year of termination based on the actual awards for the plan year of termination, payable by March 15 of the year after the year of termination; and

(b) COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost of coverage exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage, until the first to occur of (i) the first 18 months of COBRA coverage or (ii) the date he is covered under another group health plan.

Mr. Malcolm’s employment agreement permits his aggregate change in control payments to exceed the Internal Revenue Code Section 280G cap if, after his payment of all taxes and penalties, he has an after-tax benefit that exceeds his after-tax benefit capped at the Code Section 280G limit.


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Other NEOs

If within two (2) years following a “change in control”, Messrs. Gouin, Rajkovic, Bernard or Malmhagen is terminated by the Company without “cause” or if any such executive terminates his employment for “good reason”, such executive will receive the following (in addition to certain accrued but unpaid amounts payable through the executive’s date of termination), subject to execution of a release and compliance with confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, non-disparagement and cooperation requirements:

(a) an aggregate amount equal to (i) two (2) times his annualized base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination payable in 24 equal monthly installments, and (ii) two (2) times his target bonus for the year of termination, plus a pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the calendar year up to and including the date of termination) of the annual bonus relating to the calendar year of termination based on the actual awards for the plan year of termination, payable by March 15 of the year after the year of termination; and

(b) COBRA premiums will be waived to the extent the cost of coverage exceeds the cost we charge for active employees for similar coverage, until the first to occur of (i) the first 18 months of COBRA coverage or (ii) the date the executive is covered under another group health plan, except in the case of Mr. Malmhagen who will be entitled to the benefits set forth in his service agreement until the first to occur of (i) the first 18 months following the change in control or (ii) the termination of the service agreement.

Each of the employment agreements provide that all equity awards will vest upon a change in control, and permit an executive’s aggregate change in control payments to exceed the Internal Revenue Code Section 280G cap if, after an executive’s payment of all taxes and penalties, the executive has an after-tax benefit that exceeds the executive’s after-tax benefit capped at the Code Section 280G limit.

The following table sets forth the benefits that would have been payable to each NEO, assuming that a change in control occurred as of December 31, 2014:

     
 Estimated Value Upon Change in Control
   Option
Awards(1)
 Stock
Awards(2)
 Performance
Awards(3)
 Cash Retention
Bonus(4)
 Total
Mark Malcolm(5) $674,700  $1,136,081  $1,764,000  $3,000,000  $6,574,781 
James Gouin $189,746  $319,477  $248,063       $757,287 
Michael Rajkovic $309,227  $520,683  $404,250       $1,234,161 
James Bernard $160,627  $270,498  $210,000  $720,000  $1,361,125 
Pär Malmhagen(6) $66,525  $211,912  $186,270  $707,792  $1,172,498 

(1)Represents the number of unvested options from each grant, multiplied by (i) the closing sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2014 ($25.55) minus (ii) the exercise price from each grant.
(2)Represents the number of unvested stock awards multiplied by the closing sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2014 ($25.55).
(3)For Mr. Malcolm, represents the target performance awards granted. For all other NEOs, represents the pro-rated portion of the target performance awards granted.
(4)Represents a Supplemental Value Creation Plan payment.cash retention bonus.
(5)Does not include any amount attributable to the Stock Appreciation Incentive Award payable to Mr. Malcolm in the event of a Change in Control since, as of December 31, 2014, the “Appreciation Hurdle” had not been achieved.
(6)Malmhagen Cash Retention of 585,000 Euro is converted to USD using a foreign exchange rate as of 12/31/14 of 1 Euro equal to 1.2099 USD.

 

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Compensation of Board Members

The following table sets forth a summary of our non-employee board members’ compensation for fiscal 2011.2014.

  
Name Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
 Total
Nicholas Chabraja $305,000  $305,000 
James Chapman $160,000  $160,000 
Frank English $153,763  $153,763 
Dennis Donovan $150,000  $150,000 
Jonathan Gallen $150,000  $150,000 
Larry Schwentor(1) $150,000  $150,000 
Dev Kapadia $118,333  $118,333 
Chan Galbato $116,667  $116,667 
Scott Wille $116,667  $116,667 
Greg Powell(2) $56,452  $56,452 
      
  Fees Earned or Paid in Equity
Name Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
 Grant Date Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(3)
 Base Price of
Stock Awards
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
Awards(4)
 Total Cash and
Grant Value
Thomas K. Brown(1) $75,000   4/1/2014   3,674  $27.22  $100,006  $175,006 
Nicholas Chabraja $202,513   3/6/2014   6,616  $26.45  $174,993  $377,507 
James Chapman $123,105   3/6/2014   3,781  $26.45  $100,007  $223,112 
Alison Davis-Blake(2) $21,875   10/17/2014   2,167  $21.00  $45,507  $67,382 
Frank English $113,105   3/6/2014   3,781  $26.45  $100,007  $213,112 
Dev Kapadia $104,099   3/6/2014   3,781  $26.45  $100,007  $204,107 

(1)As of December 31, 2011, Mr. Schwentor held 37,177 unvested RSUs and held 37.5 Unvested Management MIP Units through an affiliate entity. Prior to our Corporate Conversion in 2010, and while serving as a member of our Board of Managers at the time, Mr. Schwentor acquired the Management MIP Units. See “— Components of Compensation — Equity-Based Long Term Incentive Awards —  Management Incentive Plan.”Appointed effective 4/1/2014.
(2)Mr. Powell resigned from our BoardAppointed effective May 17, 2011.10/17/2014.
(3)Awards reflect the number of RSUs granted to the Director. The RSUs granted have a one-year vesting requirement. A Director who voluntarily resigns before vesting will forfeit the award. Directors will only be issued shares related to vested RSUs when they leave the service of the Board.
(4)Grant date fair value of RSUs is the base price of stock awards, multiplied by the number of RSUs awarded.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth as of May 29, 2012,March 17, 2015, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

each of our Named Executive Officers;
each of our directors;
all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and
each person or group of affiliated persons who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stockstock.

The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the SEC’s rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. In addition, a person who has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of securities within sixty days after a specified date is deemed to be the beneficial owner of those securities as of that date. Unless otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the percentage for each listed person or entity excludes shares reserved for issuance under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. Non-employee directors who receive RSUs granted pursuantgenerally do not have rights as stockholders with respect to onevested RSUs until the earlier of our benefit plans.the date when they cease their service with the Company or the date of consummation of a change in control (as defined). We have not treated such RSUs as being beneficially owned by such directors because of the delay in settlement, but in the footnotes to the following table we have distinguished between RSUs that (i) are vested or will vest within sixty days of March 17, 2015 and (ii) those that will not vest within sixty days of March 17, 2015.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Tower International, Inc., 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E, Livonia, MI 48152.

  
 Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner Number Percent
Named Executive Officers and Directors:
          
Mark Malcolm(1)  357,610   1.8
James Gouin(2)  145,552    * 
Michael Rajkovic(3)  228,995   1.1
James Bernard(4)  633    * 
Gyula Meleghy(5)  172,468    * 
Nicholas Chabraja  2,000    * 
James Chapman      
Dennis Donovan      
Frank English  500    * 
Chan Galbato      
Jonathan Gallen      
Dev Kapadia      
Larry Schwentor(6)  55,530    * 
Scott Wille      
Executive officers and directors as a group (17 persons)(7)  1,033,923   5.3
5% Stockholders
          
Stephen Feinberg(8)  13,049,310   66.3
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (“AFI”)/Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“CMIA”)(9)  1,074,091   5.5
Robeco Investment Management, Inc.(10)  1,259,010   6.4
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries(11)  929,681   4.7
  
 Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner Number Percent
Named Executive Officers and Directors:
          
Mark Malcolm(1)  888,521   4.2
James Gouin(2)  141,376   
Michael Rajkovic(3)  133,436   
James Bernard(4)  16,324   
Par Malmhagen(5)  9,558   
Thomas K. Brown(6)  0   
Nicholas Chabraja(7)  4,000   
James Chapman(8)  0   
Alison Davis-Blake(9)  0   
Frank English(10)  1,500   
Dev Kapadia(11)  0   
Executive officers and directors as a group (14 persons)(12)  1,267,202   5.9
5% Stockholders
          
BlackRock, Inc.(13)  2,127,194   10.3
The Vanguard Group(14)  1,355,537   6.53

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*Less than 1%.

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(1)Includes options to purchase 246,480 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 100,2279,707 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs which we granted in connection with the consummation of the IPO. Also excludes 15,135on March 5, 2013; 9,527 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 3, 2011; 32,2806, 2014 and 14,450 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; 146,253 shares of common stock underlying stock options granted on March 6, 2012; 295,858 shares of common stock underlying RSUs granted on December 20, 2011; and the 300 Management MIP Units held by Mr. Malcolm.2015.
(2)Includes options to purchase 36,818 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 28,1892,730 shares of common stock underlying stock options which we granted in connection with the consummation of the IPO. Also excludes 4,256unvested RSUs granted on March 3, 2011; 9,0795, 2013; 2,679 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; 41,1342014 and 6,021 shares of common stock underlying stock optionsunvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; 98,619 shares of common stock underlying RSUs granted on December 20, 2011; and the 100 Management MIP Units held by Mr. Gouin.2015.
(3)Includes options to purchase 60,000 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 45,9384,449 shares of common stock underlying stock options which we granted in connection with the consummation of the IPO. Also excludes 6,936unvested RSUs granted on March 3, 2011; 14,7955, 2013; 4,366 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; 67,0332014 and 7,884 shares of common stock underlying stock optionsunvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; 98,619 shares of common stock underlying RSUs granted on December 20, 2011; and the 175 Management MIP Units held by Mr. Rajkovic.2015.
(4)Includes options to purchase 11,606 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 6,3642,311 shares of common stock underlying stock options which weunvested RSUs granted in connection with the consummation of the IPO. Also excludes 1,832on March 5, 2013; 2,268 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 10, 2011; 5,5426, 2014 and 3,440 shares of common stock underlying stock optionsunvested RSUs granted on March 10, 2011; 2,9886, 2015.
(5)Includes options to purchase 5,161 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015 and 1,139 shares subject to restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 2,012 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on August 15, 2011; 12,676March 5, 2013; 2,087 shares of common stock underlying stock optionsunvested RSUs granted on August 15, 2011; 7,686March 6, 2014 and 2,568 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 6, 2012; and 34,822 shares of common stock underlying stock options granted on March 6, 2012.
(5)Represents shares of common stock held as of April 30, 2012, the date of Mr. Meleghy’s retirement from the Company. Excludes 100 Management MIP Units held by Dr. Meleghy.2015.
(6)Excludes 150 Management MIP Units held by Mr. Schwentor.3,674 RSUs which will not vest until April 1, 2015 and 3,823 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(7)Excludes 247,5356,616 vested RSUs and 6,690 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(8)Excludes 3,781 vested RSUs and 3,823 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(9)Excludes 2,167 RSUs which will not vest until October 17, 2015 and 3,823 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(10)Excludes 3,781 vested RSUs and 3,823 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(11)Excludes 3,781 vested RSUs and 3,823 RSUs which will not vest until March 6, 2016.
(12)Includes options to purchase 403,569 shares that are exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2015 and 1,139 shares subject to RSUs held by an executive officer that will vest within 60 days of March 17, 2015. Excludes 24,949 shares of common stock underlying stock options which weunvested RSUs granted in connection with the consummation of the IPO. Also excludes 36,416on March 5, 2013; 42,556 shares of common stock underlying vested RSUs which we granted to non-employee directors and unvested RSUs granted to executive officers on March 3, 2011; 1,8326, 2014; 3,674 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs granted on March 10, 2011; 5,542April 1, 2014; 2,167 shares of common stock underlying stock options which weunvested RSUs granted on March 10, 2011; 2,988October 17, 2014 and 66,024 shares of common stock underlying unvested RSUs which we granted on August 15, 2011; 12,676 shares of common stock underlying stock options granted on August 15, 2011; 493,096 shares of common stock underlying RSUs granted on December 20, 2011; 76,281 shares of common stock underlying RSUs which we granted on March 6, 2012; 345,611 shares of common stock underlying stock options we granted on March 6, 2012; and 975 Management MIP Units held by the executive officers and board members.2015.
(8)Tower International Holdings, LLC (“Tower International Holdings”) owns 12,467,866 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of Tower International Holdings, the manager of Tower International Holdings exercises sole voting and dispositive authority over all of the securities owned by Tower International Holdings. The manager of Tower International Holdings is CCM. Stephen Feinberg is the sole shareholder of Craig Court, Inc., the managing member of Craig Court GP, LLC, which is the general partner of CCM. As a result of the foregoing, Mr. Feinberg, through one or more intermediate entities, possesses the sole power to vote and the sole power to direct the disposition of all shares of the Company’s common stock held by Tower International Holdings. The address for Stephen Feinberg is c/o Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Tower International Holdings is a party to voting agreements with certain executive officers of the Company, a director of the Company and a consultant to the Company, and as a result Mr. Feinberg has the power to direct the voting of certain securities of the Company beneficially owned by such persons. As a result of the foregoing, Mr. Feinberg may be deemed to beneficially own 13,049,310 shares of the Company’s common stock or 66.3% of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
(9)(13)Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed February 13, 2011.10, 2015. The address of AFI, the parent of CMIA, is 145 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55474. CMIA’sstockholder’s address is 100 Federal55 East 52nd Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.New York, NY 10022.
(10)(14)Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A13G filed February 6, 2012.10, 2015. The stockholder’s address is 909 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
(11)Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed September 9, 2011. The stockholder’s address is One Wall Street, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10286.100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvem, PA 19355.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related Party Transactions

Cerberus does not charge us a quarterly or annual management or sponsor fee. During 2011 we reimbursed COAC, an affiliate of CCM, less than $100,000 for consulting services. If we request COAC, an affiliate of Cerberus, to provide consulting services in the future, we would expect to reimburse COAC for the salaries and benefits of the individuals providing such services on behalf of COAC.

We made pension payments of 200,000 Euro (or $300,000 based on the average exchange rate during 2011) in 2011 to the mother of Gyula Meleghy, our President, International Operations, as required pursuant to the terms of the acquisition by the Predecessor, of Dr. Meleghy & Co. GmbH on January 1, 2000.

In connection with the IPO, Tower entered into a registration rights agreement with the Majority Stockholder. The agreement provides the Majority Stockholder with certain demand and piggyback registration rights, as well as indemnification protection and expense reimbursement in the event that shares of the Majority Stockholder’s common stock are sold pursuant to a registration statement covered by that agreement.

Also in connection with the IPO, the individuals who received RSUs from the Company entered into voting agreements with Cerberus. Those voting agreements enable Cerberus to direct the voting of the shares of Tower common stock that such individuals receive pursuant to the RSU grants and upon exercise of stock option grants. However, such voting agreements do not restrict the transferability of the underlying shares of common stock.

Related PartyPersons Transaction Policy

Our Board recognizes that related person transactions, as defined in our related person transaction policy, present a risk of actual or perceived conflicts of interest that could damage the reputation and public trust of our Company. It is our policy that all related partyRelated person transactions shall beare subject to approval or ratification to the extent provided in accordance with our related person transaction policy, which was adopted in connection with the IPO.policy.

The Audit Committee will review this policy annually and will recommend amendments, if any, to the Board for its consideration. In addition, the Board has determined that the Audit Committee shall consider, approve or ratify each related person transaction.transaction to the extent provided in our related person transaction policy. The Audit Committee will, in determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate: (i) the benefits to our Company; (ii) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, stockholder or executive officer; (iii) the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; (iv) the terms of the proposed related person transaction; (v) whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable to the Company than terms generally available with respect to an unaffiliated third party; and (vi) the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. No member of the Audit Committee will participate in any review, consideration or approval of any related person transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the related person.

None of the transactions described above under “Related Party Transactions” were approved pursuant to this policy as the policy was implemented subsequent to the transactions. However, each transaction was approved by Tower’s Board comprised at that time. All future transactions of this nature will be approved pursuant to the Company’s written policy now in effect, as required by the specific terms of the policy.


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC and the NYSE initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s common stock and other equity securitiessecurities.

Other than as stated below, toTo the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such filings furnished to the Company and written representations from its directors and executive officers, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company’s directors, executive officers and greater than 10 percent beneficial owners were complied with on a timely basis during the year ended December 31, 2011. Dr. Meleghy failed to file a Form 4 Report for four transactions (with respect to the acquisition of common stock), which were subsequently reported by Dr. Meleghy on a Form 5. In addition, Form 4s for each of Messrs. Malcolm, Rajkovic, Gouin, Meleghy, Kersten, Radkoski, and Cook each reporting one transaction (with respect to a grant of restricted stock units) were filed late.2014.

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director

Deadlines to Have Matters Considered at a Meeting.  Under the Company’s Bylaws, for nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely written notice of the nomination or such other business to the Company’s Corporate Secretary and such business must be a proper subject for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary not later than the ninetieth (90th)(90th) day nor earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th)(120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the anniversary of the prior year’s meeting, notice must be delivered not later than the later of the ninetieth (90th)(90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th)(10th) day following the date on which the Company makes public announcement of the date of the meeting. For purposes of the 2013 annual meeting,2016 Annual Meeting, assuming it is not moved more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after July 27, 2013,April 24, 2016, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary not later than April 28, 2013,Monday, January 25, 2016, nor earlier than March 29, 2013.Saturday, December 26, 2015. Any such notice must include the applicable information required pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Company’s Bylaws. Nominations or proposals not meeting these requirements will not be entertained at the annual meeting.Annual Meeting.

Deadlines for Inclusion of Matters in the Company’s Proxy Materials.  Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statementProxy Statement and form of proxy for the 20132016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under Rule 14a-8, to be eligible for inclusion in the


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Company’s proxy statementProxy Statement and form of proxy for the 20132016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, among other things, a proposal must qualify as a proper subject matter under SEC Rule 14a-8 and be received no later than February 8, 2013.Wednesday, November 25, 2015.

Householding of Proxy Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. The Company and some brokers household proxy materials unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once a stockholder has received notice from the stockholder’s broker or the Company that they or the Company will be householding materials to the stockholder’s address, householding will continue until the stockholder is notified otherwise or until the stockholder revokes the stockholder’s consent. If, at any time, the stockholder no longer wishes to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if the stockholder is receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and wishes to receive only one, the stockholder should notify the stockholder’s broker if the stockholder’s shares are held in a brokerage account or the Company if the stockholder holds common stock directly. The


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Company will deliver promptly upon request a separate copy of the 20112014 Annual Report to Stockholders or Proxy Statement, as applicable, to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered. Requests in writing should be addressed to: Tower International, Inc., 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E, Livonia, Michigan 48152, Attention: Investor Relations.

Annual Report; Financial and Other Information

The Company’s annual audited financial statements and review of operations for 20112014 can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.2014. A copy of the 20112014 Form 10-K is included in the 20112014 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is being mailed concurrently with this Proxy Statement to each stockholder. The Company will furnish without charge a copy of the 20112014 Form 10-K (including the financial statements, schedules and a list of exhibits), as well as a copy of any of the documents referenced in this Proxy Statement as being available upon written request, to any person requesting in writing and stating that he or she was the beneficial owner of the Company’s common stock on the Record Date.The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K may be obtained without charge over the Internet at the Company’s website atwww.towerinternational.comor at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website atwww.sec.gov. The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders may be obtained without charge over the Internet at the Company’s website atwww.towerinternational.com. The Company will also furnish copies of any exhibits to the 20112014 Form 10-K to eligible persons requesting exhibits at a cost of $0.50 per page, paid in advance. The Company will indicate the number of pages to be charged for upon written inquiry. Requests should be addressed to: Tower International, Inc., 17672 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 400E, Livonia, Michigan 48152, Attention: Investor Relations.

Director Attendance

Our Board members are encouraged, but not required by any specific Board policy, to attend our Annual Meeting of stockholders. All Board members attended the Company’s 20112014 Annual Meeting of its stockholders.stockholders.


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OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that will be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter that may properly be acted upon properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxies solicited hereby will be voted on such matter in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders named therein.

By Resolution of the Board of Directors,



Nanette Dudek
Secretary

June 4, 2012

March 24, 2015


 

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