Note 7. Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 7.Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Net periodic pension cost for the plans consisted of the following for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	970		$	550		$	13		$	12
Interest cost		1,029			931			20			19
Expected return on plan assets		(1,371	)		(1,260	)		22			--
Amortization of prior service cost		100			150			(33	)		13
Amortization of net (gain) loss		220			217			11			(12	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	948		$	588		$	33		$	32

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	1,939		$	1,101		$	27		$	23
Interest cost		2,057			1,862			39			37
Expected return on plan assets		(2,741	)		(2,520	)		22			--
Amortization of prior service cost		201			301			(22	)		26
Amortization of net (gain) loss		440			433			--			(23	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,896		$	1,177		$	66		$	63

The increased service costs in 2011 versus 2010 were driven primarily by higher staffing and compensation levels.

We do not expect to contribute to the pension plans during the year of 2011.