Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 34,571	$ 32,295	$ 25,938
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation	12,056	10,715	9,993
Amortization	12,342	11,727	10,606
Deferred income taxes	(4,100)	710	(3,023)
Contributions to pension plan	(825)	(1,000)	0
Noncurrent employee benefits	714	660	1,261
Stock-based compensation expense	1,725	1,537	1,541
Changes in:
Receivables	(967)	(3,561)	(5,511)
Inventories	(6,167)	955	(7,116)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,237)	(961)	(1,632)
Liabilities other than debt	6,639	3,108	3,774
Total adjustments	15,180	23,890	9,893
Net cash provided by operations	49,751	56,185	35,831
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions	(15,069)	(10,596)	(19,766)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(20,376)	(1,800)	(1,907)
Net cash used for investing activities	(35,445)	(12,396)	(21,673)
Financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	6,376	(33,096)	(3,960)
Dividends paid	(14,215)	(12,461)	(11,261)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,215	568	1,641
Tax benefit on stock options	0	0	141
Purchase of common stock for treasury stock	4,402	0	0
Issuance of treasury stock	600	518	470
Net cash used for financing activities	(10,426)	(44,471)	(12,969)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	(54)	(143)	318
Increase (decrease) in cash	3,826	(825)	1,507
Cash — beginning of year	7,338	8,163	6,656
Cash — end of year	11,164	7,338	8,163
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	17,912	19,723	18,167
Interest	867	952	1,246
Non cash transaction:
Settlement of Carolina Meter & Supply payables prior to the acquisition	4,176	0	0
Settlement of United Utilities payables prior to the acquisition	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,866