RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

The Company recorded rationalization net charges of $9,354 and $282 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and net gains of $384 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2012 net charges include $7,615 primarily related to employee severance and $1,842 in asset impairment charges, partially offset by gains of $103 related to sale of assets. A description of each restructuring plan and the related costs follows:

North America Welding Plans:

During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the North America Welding segment. Plans for the segment are to consolidate its Oceanside, California operations and its Reno, Nevada operations to another facility in Reno, Nevada and to consolidate its Baltimore, Maryland manufacturing operations into its current manufacturing operations in Cleveland, Ohio. These actions are expected to impact 72 employees within the North America Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded charges of $827 related to these activities. Charges represent employee severance and other related costs. The Company expects additional charges in the range of $1,400 to $1,700 related to the completion of these activities.

Europe Welding Plans:

During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the Europe Welding segment. Plans for the segment are to consolidate manufacturing facilities in Russia, relocate its Italian machine manufacturing operations to current facilities in Poland and to restructure headcount at various other manufacturing operations within the segment to better align the cost structure and capacity requirements with current economic needs and conditions. These actions are expected to impact 285 employees within the Europe Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded charges of $3,534 related to these activities. Charges represent employee severance and other related costs of $3,637, partially offset by gains from the sale of assets at rationalized operations of $103. At December 31, 2012, a liability relating to these actions of $1,836 was recognized in Other current liabilities, which will be substantially paid in 2013. The Company expects to incur additional charges in the range of $50 to $100 related to the completion of this plan.

Asia Pacific Welding Plans:

During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the Asia Pacific Welding segment. Plans for the segment are to rationalize its Australian manufacturing operations and to restructure headcount at various other manufacturing operations within the segment to better align the cost structure and capacity requirements with current economic needs and conditions. These actions are expected to impact 268 employees within the Asia Pacific Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded charges of $4,993 related to these activities. Charges represent employee severance and other related costs of $3,151 and asset impairment charges of $1,842. At December 31, 2012, a liability relating to these actions of $1,044 was recognized in Other current liabilities, which are expected to be substantially paid in 2013. The Company expects additional charges up to $500 related to the completion of these activities.

2009 Plans:

During 2009, the Company initiated rationalization actions including the consolidation of certain manufacturing operations in the Europe Welding, Asia Pacific Welding and The Harris Products Group segments. At December 31, 2012, a liability relating to these actions of $177 was recognized in Other current liabilities. The Company does not expect further costs associated with these actions in 2013 as they were substantially completed in 2010 and are expected to be paid in 2013.

The Company continues evaluating its cost structure and additional rationalization actions may result in charges in future periods. The following tables summarize the activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:



	North America Welding			Europe Welding			Asia Pacific Welding			The Harris Products Group			Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	—		$	173		$	—		$	82		$	255
Payments and other adjustments	(827		)	(1,797		)	(2,107		)	(82		)	(4,813		)
Charged to expense	827			3,637			3,151			—			7,615
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	2,013		$	1,044		$	—		$	3,057



	Europe Welding			Asia Pacific Welding			The Harris Products Group			Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	411		$	90		$	930		$	1,431
Payments and other adjustments	(404		)	(183		)	(848		)	(1,435		)
Charged to expense	166			93			—			259
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	173		$	—		$	82		$	255