After a first quarter punctuated by lower year-on-year net sales and income, Cooper Tire & Rubber achieved growth – albeit slight – in the second quarter. During the three-month period ending 30 June, the tyre maker’s year-on-year net sales increased 0.5 per cent to US$888.7 million. Operating profit rose 10.7 per cent to $76.6 million, with operating margin reaching 8.6 per cent (7.6 per cent in Q2, 2013). Cooper says the increased in operating profit resulted primarily from favourable raw material costs of $67 million, higher unit volume of $13 million, favorable selling, general and administrative costs of $10 million, and manufacturing cost efficiencies of $7 million, which more than offset unfavorable pricing and mix of $85 million. The 2013 operating profit included $7 million in costs related to the then-pending merger with Apollo Tyres, which subsequently did not occur.