Restructuring Charges

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded restructuring charges, net of adjustments, of $13.2 million, $17.6 million and $5.7 million, respectively. These charges were primarily related to our ongoing initiatives to drive profitable growth and right size our operations.

Americas segment restructuring charges of $2.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, were related to severance costs for staff reductions in our Northern North America and Latin America Regions. International segment restructuring charges of $5.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, were primarily related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with our ongoing initiatives to drive profitable growth in Europe. Corporate segment restructuring charges of $5.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, related primarily to legal and operational realignment of our U.S. and Canadian operations.

A total of 45 positions were eliminated in 2018. There were 8 positions eliminated in the Americas segment, 34 in the International segment and 3 in the Corporate segment.

Americas segment restructuring charges of $13.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, related primarily to a non-cash special termination benefit expense of $11.4 million for a voluntary retirement incentive package ("VRIP") as well as severance from staff reductions in Brazil. All benefits were paid from our over funded North America pension plan. International segment restructuring charges of $4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, 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.

Approximately 155 positions were eliminated in 2017. There were 90 positions eliminated 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.

A total of 179 positions were eliminated in 2016. There were 103 positions were eliminated in the Americas segment, 75 in the International segment and one 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, 2016	$	1.6		$	5.4		$	1.1		$	8.1
Restructuring charges	1.8			5.3			0.2			7.3
Currency translation and other adjustments	(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
Currency translation and other adjustments	(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
Restructuring charges	2.3			5.6			5.3			13.2
Currency translation and other adjustments	(0.3		)	(0.3		)	—			(0.6		)
Cash payments	(2.0		)	(4.9		)	(5.3		)	(12.2		)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2018	$	0.5		$	4.0		$	—		$	4.5