Note 4—Restructuring and Asset Impairments

We implement restructuring programs from time to time that are designed to improve operating effectiveness and lower costs. When we implement these programs, we incur various charges, including severance, asset impairments, and other employment related costs. We had no restructuring activities during the first quarter of 2015. During the first quarter of 2014, we implemented a restructuring program that involved the closure of two of our smaller plants, one located in North America and another one located in the United Kingdom (the “2014 Restructuring Plan”). For the first quarter of 2014, in connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan, we incurred charges of approximately $2.2 million related primarily to headcount reductions and $1.6 million related to asset impairments.

The following table summarizes restructuring charges for the three months ended March 29, 2014 in connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan:

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

North America

U.K.

Total

Restructuring

2.1

0.1

2.2

Asset impairments

0.9

0.7

1.6

3.0

0.8

3.8

The following tables summarize our restructuring liability as of March 29, 2014, along with charges to costs and expenses and cash payments in connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan:


	North America
(in millions of U.S. dollars)	Balance at December 28, 2013		Charges to costs and expenses		Cash payments			Balance at March 29, 2014
Severance liability - restructuring	$	—	$	2.1	$	(0.2	)	$	1.9

	$	—	$	2.1	$	(0.2	)	$	1.9


	U.K.
(in millions of U.S. dollars)	Balance at December 28, 2013		Charges to costs and expenses		Cash payments		Balance at March 29, 2014
Severance liability - restructuring	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1

	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1