OTHER EXPENSE, NET

Items included in other expense, net consist of:



	Year Ended December 31,
(millions of dollars)	2017			2016			2015
Asset impairment and loss on divestiture	$	71.0		$	127.1		$	—
Restructuring expense	58.5			26.9			65.7
Merger and acquisition expense	10.0			23.7			21.8
Lease termination settlement	5.3			—			—
Asbestos-related charge	—			703.6			—
Intangible asset impairment	—			12.6			—
Pension settlement loss	—			—			25.7
Gain on previously held equity interest	—			—			(10.8		)
Other income	(0.3		)	(4.2		)	(1.0		)
Other expense, net	$	144.5		$	889.7		$	101.4

In the third quarter of 2017, the Company started exploring strategic options for the non-core emission product lines. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company launched an active program to locate a buyer for the non-core pipes and thermostat product lines and initiated all other actions required to complete the plan to sell the non-core product lines. The Company determined that the assets and liabilities of the pipes and thermostat product lines met the held for sale criteria as of December 31, 2017. As a result, the Company recorded an asset impairment expense of $71.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 to adjust the net book value of this business to fair value less costs to sell. See the Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

In October 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the light vehicle aftermarket business associated with Remy. This transaction closed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the Company recorded a loss on divestiture of $127.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2016. See the Recent Transactions footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded restructuring expense of $58.5 million, $26.9 million and $65.7 million, respectively, primarily related to Drivetrain and Engine segment actions designed to improve future profitability and competitiveness. The restructuring expense in the year ended December 31, 2015 also included amounts related to a global realignment plan intended to enhance treasury management flexibility by creating a legal entity structure that better aligns with the Company's business strategy. See the Restructuring footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these expenses.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $10.0 million of merger and acquisition expense primarily related to the acquisition of Sevcon, Inc. ("Sevcon") completed on September 27, 2017. See the Recent Transactions footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in Remy. During the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $23.7 million and $21.8 million of transition and realignment expenses and other professional fees associated with this transaction, respectively. See the Recent Transactions footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a loss of $5.3 million related to the termination of a long term property lease for a manufacturing facility located in Europe.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company determined that its best estimate of the aggregate liability both for asbestos-related claims asserted but not yet resolved and potential asbestos-related claims not yet asserted, including an estimate for defense costs, was $879.3 million as of December 31, 2016. The Company recorded a charge of $703.6 million before tax ($440.6 million after tax) in Other Expense, representing the difference in the total liability from what was previously accrued, consulting fees, less available insurance coverage. See the Contingencies footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an intangible asset impairment loss of $12.6 million related to Engine segment Etatech’s ECCOS intellectual technology. The ECCOS intellectual technology impairment was due to the discontinuance of interest from potential customers during the fourth quarter of 2016 that significantly lowered the commercial feasibility of the product line.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company settled approximately $48 million of its projected benefit obligation by transferring approximately $48 million in plan assets through a lump-sum pension de-risking disbursement made to an insurance company. This agreement unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees all future payments to certain participants that were receiving payments from the U.S. pension plan. The insurance company assumes all investment risk associated with the assets that were delivered as part of this transaction. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash settlement loss of $25.7 million related to the accelerated recognition of unamortized losses.

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 51% of BERU Diesel Start Systems Pvt. Ltd. ("BERU Diesel") by acquiring the shares of its former joint venture partner. As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded a $10.8 million gain on the previously held equity interest in this joint venture. See the Recent Transactions footnote to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this acquisition.