Restructuring

On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its business and objectives to ensure that it is properly configured and sized based on changing market conditions. Accordingly, the Company has implemented several restructuring initiatives, including closure or consolidation of facilities throughout the world and the reorganization of its operating structure.

In January 2015, the Company announced its intention to further restructure its European manufacturing footprint based on anticipated market demands. The total estimated cost of this initiative, which is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2017, is approximately $120,000 to $125,000, of which approximately $107,000 has been incurred to date. We expect to incur total employee separation costs of approximately $63,000 to $66,000, other related exit costs of approximately $56,000 to $58,000 and non-cash asset impairments related to restructuring activities of approximately $500.

The Company’s restructuring charges consist of severance, retention and outplacement services, and severance-related postemployment benefits (collectively, “employee separation costs”), other related exit costs and asset impairments related to restructuring activities.

Restructuring expense by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
North America	$	2,503	$	306	$	3,320	$	1,661
Europe	6,236		9,691		22,341		30,184
Asia Pacific	1,170		433		2,559		1,623
Total	$	9,909	$	10,430	$	28,220	$	33,468

Restructuring activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was as follows:



	Employee Separation Costs			Other Exit Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	21,927		$	2,311		$	24,238
Expense	14,991			13,229			28,220
Cash payments	(22,224		)	(11,811		)	(34,035		)
Foreign exchange translation and other	1,769			450			2,219
Balance as of September 30, 2017	$	16,463		$	4,179		$	20,642