Restructuring Charges

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded restructuring charges, net of adjustments, of $17.6 million, $5.7 million, and $12.3 million, respectively. These charges were primarily related to reorganization activities.

Americas segment restructuring charges of $13.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 related primarily to the voluntary retirement incentive package described below as well as severance from staff reductions in Brazil. International segment restructuring charges of $4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 were related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with our ongoing initiatives to drive profitable growth in Europe and right size our operations in Africa. Favorable adjustments for changes in estimates on employee restructuring reserves of $0.3 million were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017.

In September 2016, certain employees in the Americas segment were offered a voluntary retirement incentive package (“VRIP”). The election window for participation closed on October 17, 2016. The employees were required to render service through January 31, 2017 to receive the VRIP and had until February 6, 2017 to revoke their election. None of the 83 employees who accepted the VRIP revoked their election to retire under the terms of the plan. Non-cash special termination benefit expense of $11.4 million was incurred in the first quarter of 2017 related to these elections. All benefits were paid from our over funded North America pension plan.

Headcount was reduced by approximately 155 in 2017. Headcount was reduced by approximately 90 in the Americas segment and approximately 65 in the International segment.

International segment restructuring charges of $5.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 were related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with ongoing initiatives to right size our operations in Europe and Japan. Americas segment restructuring charges of $1.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 related primarily to severance from staff reductions in Brazil and North America. Corporate segment restructuring charges were $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. Favorable adjustments for changes in estimates on employee restructuring reserves of $1.6 million were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Headcount was reduced by 179 in 2016. Headcount was reduced by 103 in the Americas segment, 75 in the International segment, and 1 in the Corporate segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, International segment restructuring charges of $7.4 million were primarily related to staff reductions in Europe, Australia, Japan, and China and a one-time benefit for employees impacted by our European Principal Operating Company. Americas segment restructuring charges of $3.3 million and Corporate segment restructuring charges of $1.6 million were primarily related to staff reductions in North America.

Headcount was reduced by 216 in 2015. Headcount was reduced by 70 in the Americas segment, 134 in the International segment, and 12 in the Corporate segment.

Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges by segment were as follows:



(in millions)	Americas			International			Corporate			Total
Reserve balances at January 1, 2015	$	0.2		$	2.6		$	—		$	2.8
Restructuring charges	3.3			7.4			1.6			12.3
Cash payments	(1.9		)	(4.6		)	(0.5		)	(7.0		)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2015	$	1.6		$	5.4		$	1.1		$	8.1
Restructuring charges	1.8			5.3			0.2			7.3
Adjustments to estimates on restructuring reserves	(0.5		)	(0.6		)	(0.5		)	(1.6		)
Cash payments	(2.0		)	(7.3		)	(0.5		)	(9.8		)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2016	$	0.9		$	2.8		$	0.3		$	4.0
Restructuring charges	13.0			4.9			—			17.9
Adjustments to estimates on restructuring reserves	(0.2		)	(0.1		)	—			(0.3		)
Cash payments / utilization	(13.2		)	(4.0		)	(0.3		)	(17.5		)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2017	$	0.5		$	3.6		$	—		$	4.1