15.	BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company approved a plan to shut down Surfactants operations at its German plant site. As of September 30, the Company recognized restructuring costs of $1,410,000 comprised of asset and spare part write-downs. The shutdown decision was made in order to reduce the Company’s fixed cost base, facilitate a refocusing of Surfactant resources on higher margin end markets and allow for select assets to be repurposed to support future polyol growth. Decommissioning expenses associated with the shutdown will be incurred throughout 2019.

In June 2017, the Company eliminated 11 positions from manufacturing operations at its Singapore plant, which is part of the Company’s Surfactant segment. The reduction in positions was made to better align the number of personnel with business requirements and to reduce costs at that site. As a result of the reduction in workforce, termination expense of $132,000 was recognized in the consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. There is no more termination liability remaining for this site.

In May 2016, the Company announced plans to shut down its Longford Mills, Ontario, Canada (Longford Mills) manufacturing facility, a part of the Surfactant reportable segment, by December 31, 2016. The shutdown plan was developed as an effort to improve the Company’s asset utilization in North America and to reduce the Company’s fixed cost base. Manufacturing operations at the Longford Mills plant ceased by the end of 2016, and production of goods manufactured at the facility was transferred to other Company production sites in the United States. Decommissioning activities are expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2018 and 2019. As of September 30, 2018, $5,775,000 of aggregate restructuring expense has been recognized, reflecting $1,594,000 of termination benefits for approximately 30 employees and $4,181,000 for other expenses, principally asset decommissioning costs.

Below is a reconciliation of the December 31, 2017 and the September 30, 2018 restructuring liabilities:

(In thousands)	Termination Benefits			Other Expense			Total
Restructuring liability at December 31, 2017	$	592		$	99		$	691
Expense recognized		—			358			358
Amounts paid		(140	)		(409	)		(549	)
Foreign currency translation		(3	)		(4	)		(7	)
Restructuring liability at March 31, 2018	$	449		$	44		$	493
Expense recognized		—			273			273
Amounts paid		(79	)		(226	)		(305	)
Foreign currency translation		(7	)		(2	)		(9	)
Restructuring liability at June 30, 2018	$	363		$	89		$	452
Expense recognized		—			305			305
Amounts paid		(61	)		(306	)		(367	)
Foreign currency translation		6			1		7
Restructuring liability at September 30, 2018	$	308		$	89		$	397