RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES


•	2014

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we recognized a $0.2 million charge related to the impairment of the investment in Solicore, Inc. As this investment does not specifically relate to any of our operating segments, we have allocated this impairment charge on a basis similar to other Corporate allocations. See Note 8 - Investment for further details on this write-down.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, certain eligible participants in the defined benefit pension plans were given a lump sum payout offer. The payout of this program resulted in a settlement charge of $5.2 million.


•	2013

In 2013, we recognized approximately $10.4 million of restructuring and impairment charges. Approximately $5.7 million of these charges are related to the streamlining initiatives that began in 2012 as we incurred approximately $4.2 million in severance and related charges as a result of these activities as well as changes to the executive management team and we recognized a $1.5 million curtailment charge related to the freezing of the defined benefit pension plans. Further in 2013, we recognized a $4.6 million charge related to the impairment of the investment in Solicore, Inc. As this investment does not specifically relate to any of our operating segments, we have allocated this impairment charge on a basis similar to other Corporate allocations. See Note 8 - Investment for further details on this write-down.


•	2012

In 2012, we began several initiatives to streamline our organization and rationalize our cost structure in order to better position the Company for profitable growth in the future. The goal of these initiatives is to become a more streamlined organization both from an organizational and cost perspective, with efficient manufacturing capabilities that are focused on meeting our customers' needs.

During 2012, we recorded approximately $15.9 million in restructuring and impairment charges (of which $1.8 million was recorded in “Cost of Sales” and $14.1 million was recorded in “Restructuring and impairment expense” on our consolidated statement of income (loss)). These charges were comprised of the following:

•

$7.1 million severance and related costs associated with streamlining initiatives, including an early retirement program for certain eligible individuals. As a result of the early retirement program, we incurred $1.6 million in charges in 2012 related to a special termination benefit associated with the retirement health and life insurance benefits program, as we extended eligibility benefits to certain individuals who chose to participate in the program. We incurred $5.5 million of severance charges related primarily to the early retirement program.


•	$3.8 million severance and related costs associated with moving the Curamik inspection process from Germany to Hungary;


•	$3.3 million related to the shut-down of the High Performance Foams manufacturing facility in Bremen, Germany. This charge includes approximately $1.4 million of shut-down related costs, $0.9 million of severance charges, $0.8 million of accelerated depreciation on certain assets, and $0.2 million of inventory related charges;


•	$0.5 million of charges related to the shut-down of Power Distribution Systems startup operations in North America for accelerated depreciation on certain assets, along with $0.1 million of other costs associated with the shut-down; and


•	Other charges included, $0.4 million of accelerated depreciation of certain assets of Curamik, $0.3 million impairment charge relate to an investment related receivable, and a $0.4 million impairment charge on a license agreement.

High Performance Foams

In the second quarter of 2012, we announced the shut-down of the High Performance Foams manufacturing facility in Bremen, Germany. This shut-down was completed in the first quarter of 2013. The manufacture of certain silicone foam materials produced in the Bremen facility was consolidated into our existing silicone foam manufacturing facility in Carol Stream, Illinois, while other product lines were discontinued. Charges related to the shut-down of the facility include the following: $0.9 million of severance charges related to the termination of certain employees, $0.8 million of accelerated depreciation expense on certain assets that were no longer to be used in production, $0.2 million of inventory related charges and $0.1 million related to a fixed asset disposal. We also incurred an additional $1.4 million in costs related to the shut-down of the facility and other costs to remove and transport certain equipment to Carol Stream. In 2012, we recorded $1.0 million as restricted cash related to early termination of the Bremen Facility lease. This amount was paid to the lessor in the first quarter of 2013.

The High Performance Foams operating segment also recognized $2.2 million in allocated severance and related costs associated with the streamlining initiatives and early retirement program.

Printed Circuit Materials

The Printed Circuit Materials operating segment recognized $2.9 million in allocated severance and related costs associated with the streamlining initiatives and early retirement program.

Power Electronics Solutions

In the third quarter of 2012, we announced a plan to move the final inspection stage of manufacturing operations in the facility in Eschenbach, Germany to Hungary. The move is expected to enable more cost effective performance of the inspection operation and was completed in 2013. We recognized approximately $3.8 million in severance charges related to the separation from employment of certain employees at the facility in Germany. We also recorded $0.4 million of accelerated depreciation related to certain assets.

We incurred $0.5 million in accelerated depreciation associated with the shut-down of the busbar power distribution startup operation in North America, along with $0.1 million of other costs associated with the shut-down. We also incurred $0.3 million in expense related to the impairment of an investment receivable.

The PES operating segment recognized $1.4 million in allocated severance and related costs associated with the streamlining activities and early retirement program.

Other

We incurred a charge of $0.4 million related to the write off of a license agreement formerly associated with the discontinued Thermal Management Solutions operating segment. We also recognized $0.3 million in allocated severance and related costs associated with the streamlining activities and early retirement program.

The following table summarizes the restructuring and impairment charges related to these activities recorded in our operating results in 2014, 2013 and 2012.



(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Cost of Sales

High Performance Foams
Accelerated depreciation expense related to Bremen shut-down	$	—	$	—	$	764
Inventory impairment related to Bremen shut-down	—		—		191
Union ratification bonus	—		181		—
Printed Circuit Materials
Union ratification bonus	—		179		—
Power Electronics Solutions
Accelerated depreciation related to certain assets	—		—		393
Accelerated depreciation expense related to U.S. shut-down	—		—		499
Union ratification bonus	—		8		—
Total charges for Cost of Sales	$	—	$	368	$	1,847

Restructuring and Impairment

High Performance Foams
Pension settlement charge	1,332		—		—
Fixed asset disposal (1)	—		—		79
Severance related to Bremen shut-down	—		—		861
Bremen shut down-costs	—		—		1,442
Allocated severance and related costs	—		1,345		2,188
Allocated Solicore impairment	42		1,617		—
Printed Circuit Materials
Pension settlement charge	1,954		—		—
Allocated severance and related costs	—		802		2,915
Allocated Solicore impairment	62		1,617		—
Power Electronics Solutions
Pension settlement charge	1,921		—		—
Impairment of investment related receivable	—		—		264
Severance and related costs	—		3,494		1,799
Severance related to Hungary move	—		—		3,774
PDS North America shut-down costs	—		—		149
Allocated Solicore impairment	61		1,155		—
Other
Pension settlement charge	17		—		—
License agreement expense	—		—		356
Allocated severance and related costs	—		115		255
Allocated Solicore impairment	1		231		—
Total charges for Restructuring and Impairment	$	5,390	$	10,376	$	14,082

(1) In the first quarter of 2012, we signed an agreement to sell our facility in Richmond, Virginia for $1.5 million. This facility had a book value of approximately $1.8 million prior to the signing of the agreement, and we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.4 million as of December 31, 2011, which represented the write down to the selling price minus approximately $0.1 million of estimated selling costs. The transaction closed in the second quarter of 2012.

The following table summarizes charges in the severance accrual from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014:



(Dollars in thousands)	Streamlining and restructuring related activities			Bremen facility shut down		Curamik finishing operations relocation to Hungary		Total
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	695		$	—	$	—	$	695
Provisions				—		—		—
Payments	(695		)	—		—		(695		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—

Balances may differ from prior periods due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.