Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have a number of noncancelable operating leases for office and plant facilities, equipment and automobiles that expire at various dates through 2030. Certain operating leases have renewal options and rent escalation clauses as well as various purchase options. Minimum future rental payments under these leases are as set forth below for each of the following years (dollars in thousands):



2018	$	42,483
2019	31,975
2020	26,792
2021	22,149
2022	17,958
Thereafter	47,850
	$	189,207

Rent expense was $52.0 million, $46.5 million and $44.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

At December 31, 2017, we had noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures in 2018 of $24.0 million.

A competition authority in Germany commenced an antitrust investigation in 2015 involving the industry association for metal packaging in Germany and its members, including our metal container and closures subsidiaries in Germany, which is ongoing. Given the early stage of the investigation, we cannot reasonably assess what actions may result from the investigation or estimate what costs we may incur as a result of the investigation.

We are a party to other legal proceedings, contract disputes and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not a party to, and none of our properties are subject to, any pending legal proceedings which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.