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.

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 months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
North America	$	7,133	$	1,104
Europe	7,553		5,529
Asia Pacific	2,886		438
South America	143		54
Total	$	17,715	$	7,125

Restructuring activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was as follows:



	Employee Separation Costs			Other Exit Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	9,398		$	3,829		$	13,227
Expense	14,177			3,538			17,715
Cash payments	(4,798		)	(2,107		)	(6,905		)
Foreign exchange translation and other	(168		)	(520		)	(688		)
Balance as of March 31, 2019	$	18,609		$	4,740		$	23,349