THE HERSHEY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) (amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated) 2020 International Optimization Program Margin for Growth Program 2016 Operational Optimization Program In the fourth quarter of 2020, we commenced a program ("International Optimization Program") to streamline resources and investments in select international markets, including the optimization of our China operating model that will improve our operational efficiency and provide for a strong, sustainable and simplified base going forward. The International Optimization Program is expected to be completed by mid-2022, with total pre-tax costs anticipated to be $50,000 to $75,000. Cash costs are expected to be $40,000 to $65,000, primarily related to workforce reductions of approximately 350 positions outside of the United States, costs to consolidate and relocate production, and third-party costs incurred to execute these activities. The costs and related benefits of the International Optimization Program relate to the International and Other segment. However, segment operating results do not include these business realignment expenses because we evaluate segment performance excluding such costs. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized total costs associated with the International Optimization Program of $29,343. These charges predominantly included severance and employee benefit costs. In addition, we incurred other program costs, which related to third-party charges in support of our initiative to transform our China operating model. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company's Board of Directors ("Board") unanimously approved several initiatives under a single program focused on improving global efficiency and effectiveness, optimizing the Company’s supply chain, streamlining the Company’s operating model and reducing administrative expenses to generate long-term savings.  For the years end ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized total costs associated with the Margin for Growth Program of $2,170, $9,238, and $55,449 respectively. These charges included employee severance, largely relating to initiatives to improve the cost structure of our corporate operating model as part of optimizing our global supply chain. In addition, we incurred other program costs, which related primarily to third- party charges in support of our initiative to improve global efficiency and effectiveness. This project was completed in mid-2020. The costs and related benefits of the Margin for Growth Program relate approximately 63% to the North America segment and 37% to the International and Other segment. However, segment operating results do not include these business realignment expenses because we evaluate segment performance excluding such costs. In the second quarter of 2016, we commenced a program (the “Operational Optimization Program”) to optimize our production and supply chain network, which included select facility consolidations. The program encompassed the transition of our China chocolate and SGM operations into a united  Golden Hershey  platform, including the integration of the China sales force, as well as workforce planning efforts and the consolidation of production within certain facilities in China and North America. During 2018, we incurred pre-tax costs totaling $2,940, relating primarily to third-party charges in support of our initiative to optimize our production and supply chain network. In addition, we completed the sale of select China facilities in 2018 that had been taken out of service in connection with the Operational Optimization Program resulting in a gain of $6,562. This program was completed in 2018. Table of Contents The Hershey Company | 2020 Form 10-K | Page 76