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Rationalization Charges
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Rationalization Charges
RATIONALIZATION CHARGES

We continually evaluate cost reduction opportunities across each of our businesses, including rationalizations of our existing facilities through plant closings and downsizings. We use a disciplined approach to identify opportunities that generate attractive cash returns. Rationalization charges by business segment for each of the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Metal containers
$
41

 
$
(440
)
 
$
2,490

Closures
1,684

 
12,256

 
5,615

Plastic containers
12,682

 
2,665

 
3,882

 
$
14,407

 
$
14,481

 
$
11,987


Rationalization charges in 2015 for the plastic container business segment were primarily related to the announced shutdown of the Woodstock, Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri manufacturing facilities. Rationalization charges in 2014 for the closures business segment were primarily related to the shutdown of the manufacturing facility in Venezuela and headcount reductions in Europe.
 
Activity in reserves for our rationalization plans was as follows:
 
Employee
Severance
and Benefits
 
Non-Cash Retirement Benefit Curtailment
 
Plant
Exit
Costs
 
Non-Cash
Asset
Write-Down
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of January 1, 2013
$
3,231

 
$
—

 
$
1,696

 
$
—

 
$
4,927

Charged to expense
5,822

 
—

 
1,684

 
4,481

 
11,987

Utilized and currency translation
(4,937
)
 
—

 
(1,962
)
 
(4,481
)
 
(11,380
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
4,116

 
—

 
1,418

 
—

 
5,534

Charged to expense
11,111

 
—

 
1,572

 
1,798

 
14,481

Utilized and currency translation
(9,175
)
 
—

 
(2,674
)
 
(1,798
)
 
(13,647
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
6,052

 
—

 
316

 
—

 
6,368

Charged to expense
3,199

 
(522
)
 
287

 
11,443

 
14,407

Utilized and currency translation
(6,225
)
 
522

 
(335
)
 
(11,443
)
 
(17,481
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
3,026

 
$
—

 
$
268

 
$
—

 
$
3,294



Non-cash asset write-downs were the result of comparing the carrying value of certain production related equipment to their fair value using estimated future discounted cash flows, a Level 3 fair value measurement (as defined in Note 9). Rationalization reserves were included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as accrued liabilities.

Additional expenses and cash expenditures for our rationalization plans of $9.5 million and $10.9 million, respectively, are expected primarily in 2016.