Note 3. Repositioning and Other Charges

In the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we recognized repositioning charges totaling $123 million including severance costs of $82 million related to workforce reductions of 1,902 manufacturing and administrative positions mainly in Home and Building Technologies and Aerospace. The workforce reductions were primarily related to cost savings actions taken in connection with our productivity and ongoing functional transformation initiatives and with site transitions, mainly in Aerospace, to more cost-effective locations. The repositioning charges included asset impairments of $33 million primarily related to the write-down of property in our Corporate segment in connection with a planned sale of such property.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2016, we recognized repositioning charges totaling $97 million including severance costs of $70 million related to workforce reductions of 2,578 manufacturing and administrative positions across our segments. The workforce reductions were primarily related to cost savings actions taken in connection with our productivity and ongoing functional transformation initiatives. The repositioning charge included asset impairments of $24 million primarily related to the write-off of certain intangible assets in connection with the now completed sale of a Performance Materials and Technologies business. Also, $44 million of previously established accruals for severance mainly in Home and Building Technologies, Safety and Productivity Solutions and Aerospace were returned to income as a result of higher attrition than anticipated in prior severance programs resulting in lower required severance payments, lower than expected severance costs in certain repositioning actions, and changes in the scope of previously announced repositioning actions.

In the six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized repositioning charges totaling $146 million including severance costs of $102 million related to workforce reductions of 2,524 manufacturing and administrative positions across our segments. The workforce reductions were primarily related to cost savings actions taken in connection with our productivity and ongoing functional transformation initiatives and with site transitions, mainly in Aerospace, to more cost-effective locations. The repositioning charges included asset impairments of $35 million primarily related to the write-down of property in our Corporate segment in connection with a planned sale of such property.

In the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized repositioning charges totaling $134 million including severance costs of $98 million related to workforce reductions of 2,871 manufacturing and administrative positions across our segments. The workforce reductions were primarily related to cost savings actions taken in connection with our productivity and ongoing functional transformation initiatives, achieving acquisition-related synergies and outsourcing of certain packaging operations. The repositioning charge included asset impairments of $31 million primarily related to the write-off of certain intangible assets in connection with the now completed sale of a Performance Materials and Technologies business. Also, $61 million of previously established accruals, primarily for severance, in Home and Building Technologies, Safety and Productivity Solutions, Aerospace and Performance Materials and Technologies were returned to income as a result of higher attrition than anticipated in prior severance programs resulting in lower required severance payments, lower than expected severance costs in certain repositioning actions, and changes in the scope of previously announced repositioning actions.

Certain repositioning projects in 2017 and 2016 included exit or disposal activities, the costs related to which will be recognized in future periods when the actual liability is incurred. Such exit and disposal costs are not expected to be significant.