Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Restructuring and Other Related Costs

v3.10.0.1
Restructuring and Other Related Costs
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Other Related Costs
24. Restructuring and Other Related Costs:
The following table presents the components of restructuring and other related costs for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 included in other operating expense, net, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:
 
 
Years ended
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Severance and other employee costs related to Eco Services restructuring plan
 
$
—

 
$
830

 
$
5,093

Severance and other employee costs related to performance materials plant closure
 
885

 
4,711

 
—

Other related costs
 
5,323

 
2,949

 
7,537

 
 
$
6,208

 
$
8,490

 
$
12,630

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eco Services Restructuring Plan
On July 30, 2014, Eco Services, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and indirect subsidiary of certain investment funds affiliated with CCMP, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Solvay USA, Inc. (“Solvay”), a Delaware corporation, which provided for the sale, transfer and assignment by Solvay and the acquisition, acceptance and assumption by Eco Services, of substantially all of the assets of Solvay’s Eco Services business unit of Solvay’s regeneration and virgin sulfuric acid production business operations in the United States (the “2014 Acquisition”). Prior to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Solvay, Eco Services operated as a business unit within Solvay, which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Solvay SA.
Subsequent to the 2014 Acquisition, the Company initiated a restructuring plan designed to improve organizational efficiency and streamline the operations of Eco Services as a stand-alone company. The primary impact of the plan to the Company’s consolidated results of operations was the recognition of severance costs related to a reduction-in-force. These costs included benefits payable under ongoing Company severance plan arrangements, whereby payments are attributable to employee services rendered with benefits that accumulate over time. The liabilities and associated charges related to these severance costs are recognized by the Company when payment of the benefits becomes probable and estimable. The restructuring plan was substantially complete in early 2017.
Costs related to the restructuring plan affected employees in the Company’s EC&S segment, although these costs are excluded from the segment’s measure of profitability of Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 13 to these consolidated financial statements for further information).
Performance Materials Plant Closure
In September 2017, the Company approved and announced a plan to consolidate its manufacturing operations in Europe for the performance materials product group and close its facility in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany, and subsequently reduced production. The plan was part of the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the Acquisition (see Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements) and the realization of cost and other synergies in connection with the transaction.
As a result of a change in the market and increased customer demand for the products produced at this facility, the Company intends to keep the facility open and expanded production at this facility during the third quarter of 2018 from the previously reduced levels. However, the Company continues to pay its obligations to the individuals originally separated from service as part of the reorganization, with additional payments anticipated through 2019, primarily for individuals who extended their separation dates as a result of the decision to continue operations at the facility. Costs related to the restructuring plan affected employees in the Company’s PM&C segment, although these costs are excluded from the segment’s measure of profitability of Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 13 to these consolidated financial statements for further information). The Company considers the restructuring plan related to the original decision to close the facility substantially complete, with no additional restructuring charges anticipated.
Rollforward of Restructuring Liabilities
The activity in the accrued liability balance associated with the Company’s restructuring plans, all of which related to severance and other employee costs, was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Eco Services
Restructuring Plan
 
Performance Materials
Plant Closure
 
Total Restructuring
Charges
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
1,293

 
$
—

 
$
1,293

Restructuring charges
 
5,093

 
—

 
5,093

Cash payments
 
(4,743
)
 
—

 
(4,743
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
1,643

 
$
—

 
$
1,643

Restructuring charges
 
830

 
4,711

 
5,541

Cash payments
 
(2,258
)
 
(1,588
)
 
(3,846
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
215

 
$
3,123

 
$
3,338

Restructuring charges
 
—

 
581

 
581

Other adjustments
 
—

 
304

 
304

Cash payments
 
(215
)
 
(2,738
)
 
(2,953
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
—

 
$
1,270

 
$
1,270

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other Related Costs
The Company incurred severance and other costs of $5,323, $2,949 and $7,537 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These costs were not associated with formal restructuring plans and primarily related to severance charges for certain executives and employees, transition/duplicate staffing, professional fees and other expenses related to the Company’s organizational changes.