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Costs Associated with Rationalization Programs
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]  
Costs Associated with Rationalization Programs

NOTE 3. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RATIONALIZATION PROGRAMS

In order to maintain our global competitiveness, we have implemented rationalization actions over the past several years to reduce high-cost and excess manufacturing capacity and operating and administrative costs.

The following table presents the roll-forward of the liability balance between periods:

 

 

Associate-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Related Costs

 

 

Other Costs

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

 

$

200

 

 

$

 

 

$

200

 

2021 Charges

 

 

40

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

50

 

Incurred, net of foreign currency translation of ($6) million and $0 million, respectively

 

 

(79

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(89

)

Balance at March 31, 2021

 

$

161

 

 

$

 

 

$

161

 

  

During the first quarter of 2021, we approved a plan primarily designed to reduce Selling, Administrative and General Expense (“SAG”) in Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), which will result in approximately 60 job reductions. We have $19 million accrued related to this plan at March 31, 2021, which is expected to be substantially paid through 2021.

During the first quarter of 2021, we increased by $32 million the estimated total cost of our previously announced plan to permanently close our Gadsden, Alabama tire manufacturing facility (“Gadsden”), primarily to reflect our decision to transfer additional machinery and equipment from Gadsden to other tire manufacturing facilities. We have $28 million accrued at March 31, 2021 related to this plan, which is expected to be substantially paid through 2021. In addition, we increased by $21 million the estimated total cost of our previously announced plan to modernize two of our tire manufacturing facilities in Germany, primarily to increase expected associate severance costs based on actual payout history to date and the mix of associates electing lump sum vs. annuity settlements. We have $63 million accrued at March 31, 2021 related to this plan, which is expected to be substantially paid through 2022.

The remainder of the accrual balance at March 31, 2021 is expected to be substantially utilized in the next 12 months and includes $16 million related to global plans to reduce SAG headcount, $9 million related to plans to reduce manufacturing headcount and improve operating efficiency in EMEA, $8 million related to the closed Amiens, France tire manufacturing facility, and $6 million related to a plan primarily to offer voluntary buy-outs to certain associates at Gadsden. 

The following table shows net rationalization charges included in Income (Loss) before Income Taxes:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Current Year Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate Severance and Other Related Costs

 

$

20

 

 

$

2

 

Current Year Plans - Net Charges

 

$

20

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior Year Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate Severance and Other Related Costs

 

$

20

 

 

$

6

 

Benefit Plan Curtailments/Settlements/Termination Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Other Exit Costs

 

 

10

 

 

 

5

 

Prior Year Plans - Net Charges

 

 

30

 

 

 

7

 

Total Net Charges

 

$

50

 

 

$

9

 

Asset Write-off and Accelerated Depreciation Charges

 

$

 

 

$

4

 

 

Substantially all of the new charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 related to future cash outflows. Current year plan charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily related to efforts to reduce SAG headcount in EMEA.

Net prior year plan charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 included $14 million related to the modernization of two of our tire manufacturing facilities in Germany, $8 million related to Gadsden and $6 million related to various plans to reduce manufacturing headcount and improve operating efficiency.  Net prior year plan charges for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included $5 million related to the plan to modernize two of our tire manufacturing facilities in Germany and $3 million related to a plan primarily to offer voluntary buy-outs to certain associates at Gadsden.  Net prior year plan charges for the three months ended March 31, 2020 also include a curtailment credit of $4 million for a postretirement benefit plan related to the exit of employees under an approved rationalization plan.

Ongoing rationalization plans had approximately $740 million in charges incurred prior to 2021 and approximately $70 million is expected to be incurred in future periods.

Approximately 60 associates will be released under new plans initiated in 2021. In the first three months of 2021, approximately 100 associates were released under plans initiated in prior years. Approximately 400 associates remain to be released under all ongoing rationalization plans.