RATIONALIZATION CHARGES

We continually evaluate cost reduction opportunities across each of our businesses, including rationalizations of our existing facilities through plant closings and downsizings. We use a disciplined approach to identify opportunities that generate attractive cash returns. Rationalization charges by business segment for each of the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	2017		2016		2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Metal containers	$	3,308	$	12,056	$	41
Closures	1,042		568		1,684
Plastic containers	1,476		6,437		12,682
	$	5,826	$	19,061	$	14,407

Rationalization charges in 2016 for the metal container business segment were primarily related to the shutdown of the LaPorte, Indiana manufacturing facility. Rationalization charges in 2015 for the plastic container business segment were primarily related to the shutdown of the Woodstock, Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri manufacturing facilities.

Activity in reserves for our rationalization plans was as follows:



	Employee Severance and Benefits			Non-Cash Retirement Benefits			Plant Exit Costs			Non-Cash Asset Write-Down			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	6,052		$	—		$	316		$	—		$	6,368
Charged to expense	3,199			(522		)	287			11,443			14,407
Utilized and currency translation	(6,225		)	522			(335		)	(11,443		)	(17,481		)
Balance at December 31, 2015	3,026			—			268			—			3,294
Charged to expense	5,103			2,197			5,012			6,749			19,061
Utilized and currency translation	(7,184		)	(2,197		)	(2,854		)	(6,749		)	(18,984		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	945			—			2,426			—			3,371
Charged to expense	1,255			—			1,380			3,191			5,826
Utilized and currency translation	(2,178		)	—			(1,409		)	(3,191		)	(6,778		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	22		$	—		$	2,397		$	—		$	2,419

Non-cash retirement benefits in 2016 consisted of special termination benefits of $2.8 million and net curtailment gains of $0.6 million recognized in connection with the shutdown of the LaPorte, Indiana manufacturing facility. See Note 11 for further information. Non-cash asset write-downs were the result of comparing the carrying value of certain production related equipment to their fair value using estimated future discounted cash flows, a Level 3 fair value measurement (as defined in Note 9).

Rationalization reserves as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as accrued liabilities of $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and as other liabilities of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Remaining expenses for our rationalization plans of $1.3 million are expected in 2018 and thereafter. Remaining cash expenditures for our rationalization plans of $3.7 million are expected through 2023.