Employee Benefit Plans benefit plans (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has defined contribution employee benefit plans in both the United States and certain of its foreign locations, covering substantially all eligible non-union employees.  Contributions to all such plans are principally at the Company’s discretion.  Total expense related to all defined contribution plans in the United States for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million, $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Certain of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries provide pension benefits to employees or participate in government sponsored programs.  The cost of these plans or government sponsored programs was $1.7 million, $1.8 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Most employees outside the United States are covered by government sponsored and administered programs. Other contributions to government-mandated programs are not expected to be significant.