6.Pensions

U.S. Plans

For the U.S. plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) of the plans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	285		$	224		$	853		$	671
Interest cost	1,138			1,204			3,365			3,611
Expected return on plan assets	(1,783		)	(1,885		)	(5,349		)	(5,656			)
Amortization of prior service cost	4			18			11			55
Net actuarial loss amortization	646			219			1,916			658
Settlement	480			—			480			—

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	770		$	(220	)	$	1,276		$		(661	)

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company made a $1.2 million discretionary contribution to the U.S. plans. The Company incurred a settlement charge of $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 as a result of lump sum payments elected by retiring employees. As a result of continuing retirements, the Company believes that it may incur an additional settlement charge in the fourth quarter of 2015, however, the amount is not yet estimable.

European Plans

For the European plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) of the plans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	72		$	83		$	217		$	255
Interest cost	309			404			920			1,220
Expected return on plan assets	(421		)	(379		)	(1,251		)	(1,140		)
Net actuarial loss amortization	54			60			163			182

Net periodic pension cost	$	14		$	168		$	49		$	517

Multi-Employer Plan

In addition to the aforementioned European plans, the Company participates in a multi-employer plan in Europe. This multi-employer plan almost entirely relates to former employees of operations it has divested. Benefits are distributed by the multi-employer plan. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company has a $0.9 million liability recorded as a component of payroll and benefits payable within its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 11 for further information related to this multi-employer plan.