Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have a number of noncancelable operating leases for office and plant facilities, equipment and automobiles that expire at various dates through 2040. Certain operating leases have renewal options and rent escalation clauses as well as various purchase options. Minimum future rental payments under these leases are as set forth below for each of the following years (dollars in thousands):



2019	$	41,703
2020	35,379
2021	28,833
2022	22,160
2023	18,408
Thereafter	54,410
	$	200,893

Rent expense was $52.2 million, $52.0 million and $46.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

At December 31, 2018, we had noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures in 2019 of $30.2 million.

A competition authority in Germany commenced an antitrust investigation in 2015 involving the industry association for metal packaging in Germany and its members, including our metal container and closures subsidiaries in Germany. At the end of April 2018, the European Commission commenced an antitrust investigation involving the metal packaging industry in Europe including our metal container and closures subsidiaries, which should effectively close out the investigation in Germany. Given the early stage, we cannot reasonably assess what actions may result from these investigations or estimate what costs we may incur as a result thereof.

We are a party to other legal proceedings, contract disputes and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not a party to, and none of our properties are subject to, any pending legal proceedings which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.