Pension benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization of transition obligation	$	43	$	40	$	39
Actuarial gain (loss)		(179)		986		574
Totals	$	(136)	$	1,026	$	613
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet reflected in net periodic pension cost, net of taxes:
Actuarial gain	$	1,557	$	1,736
Transition obligation		(170)		(213)
Totals	$	1,387	$	1,523
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be amortized in 2017 net periodic pension cost, net of taxes:
Actuarial gain	$	(286)
Transition obligation		38
Totals	$	(248)

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Postemployment Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]

Benefit Obligations:

	2016		2015		2014
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	2,840	$	3,531	$	3,652
Service cost		368		477		491
Interest cost		170		219		222
Actuarial gain		(197)		(1,119)		(855)
Foreign currency exchange rates changes		(142)		(199)		132
Benefits paid		(143)		(69)		(111)
Projected benefit obligation at end of the year	$	2,896	$	2,840	$	3,531

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost:

	2016		2015		2014
Service cost	$	368	$	477	$	491
Interest cost		170		219		222
Actuarial loss (gain) recognized		(315)		(79)		4
Net periodic pension cost	$	223	$	617	$	717

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Actuarial assumptions for all non-U.S. plans are described below. The discount rates are used to measure the year end benefit obligations and the earnings effects for the subsequent year. The assumptions for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

	2016		2015		2014
Discount rate		5.4%-12.5%		5%-9.8%		4.7%-9.5%
Rate of increase in compensation level		5%-8.5%		6%-9%		6%-9%

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

Estimated Future Benefit Payments:

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	530
2018		289
2019		116
2020		221
2021		93
2022 to 2026		1,259
	$	2,508