Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 27,790	$ 34,571	$ 32,295
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation	11,354	12,056	10,715
Amortization	12,961	12,342	11,727
Deferred income taxes	(5,269)	(4,100)	710
Pension termination settlement charges	19,900	0	0
Contributions to pension plan	(2,860)	(825)	(1,000)
Noncurrent employee benefits	464	714	660
Stock-based compensation expense	4,174	1,725	1,537
Changes in:
Receivables	(7,999)	(967)	(3,561)
Inventories	4,859	(6,167)	955
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,062)	(6,237)	(961)
Liabilities other than debt	38	6,639	3,108
Total adjustments	32,560	15,180	23,890
Net cash provided by operations	60,350	49,751	56,185
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions	(8,643)	(15,069)	(10,596)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(8,048)	(20,376)	(1,800)
Net cash used for investing activities	(16,691)	(35,445)	(12,396)
Financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt	(21,012)	6,376	(33,096)
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	(2,034)	0	0
Dividends paid	(16,265)	(14,215)	(12,461)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,443	1,215	568
Purchase of common stock for treasury stock	(4,795)	(4,402)	0
Issuance of treasury stock	523	600	518
Net cash used for financing activities	(42,140)	(10,426)	(44,471)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	403	(54)	(143)
Increase (decrease) in cash	1,922	3,826	(825)
Cash — beginning of year	11,164	7,338	8,163
Cash — end of year	13,086	11,164	7,338
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	12,503	17,912	19,723
Interest	1,175	867	952
Non cash transactions:
Settlement of Innovative Metering Systems payables prior to the acquisition	3,246	0	0
Settlement of Carolina Meter & Supply payables prior to the acquisition	$ 0	$ 4,176	$ 0