Restructuring Activities and Spin Transaction Costs Restructuring liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

Restructuring liabilities

Restructuring liabilities are included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Activity related to the restructuring liabilities is as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,253		$	740
Restructuring expense	13,923			21,939
Payments	(13,857		)	(20,426		)
Balance at December 31	$	2,319		$	2,253

Restructuring liabilities are included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Activity related to the restructuring liabilities is as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,253		$	740
Restructuring expense	13,923			21,939
Payments	(13,857		)	(20,426		)
Balance at December 31	$	2,319		$	2,253

Accrued restructuring liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 relate primarily to employee termination benefits.

Excluded from restructuring expense in the table above are non-cash restructuring charges that did not impact the accrued restructuring liability. In the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $0.3 million and $15.0 million, respectively, in non-cash restructuring expense related to losses (gains) on the disposals of long-lived assets.

Spin-off transaction costs

Spin-off costs were primarily attributable to employee retention awards directly related to the spin-off from our former parent, The Babcock & Wilcox Company (now known as BWX Technologies, Inc.). In the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized spin-off costs of $1.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively. During 2017, we disbursed $1.9 million of the accrued retention awards.

Spin-off transaction costs

Spin-off costs were primarily attributable to employee retention awards directly related to the spin-off from our former parent, The Babcock & Wilcox Company (now known as BWX Technologies, Inc.). In the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized spin-off costs of $1.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively. During 2017, we disbursed $1.9 million of the accrued retention awards.