we expect , over time , to fully integrate these acquisitions utilizing the trimas business model ( `` tbm `` ) , achieving planned synergies and improving margins . 29 while demand levels in certain end markets were strong , especially for health , beauty and home care products as well as commercial aircraft fastening products , sales of north american industrial-related products declined by nearly $ 20 million from prior year levels . in our specialty products segment , industrial sales were down approximately $ 13.8 million , with cylinder sales lower due to the impact of customer consolidation and inventory management , and sales of upstream oil and gas products lower due to reduced oilfield-related activity . in our packaging segment , industrial sales were down approximately $ 5.8 million due to lower demand levels . given this level of sales , operating profit levels were significantly impacted , primarily in our specialty products segment , which declined by 300 basis points year-over-year due to lower fixed cost absorption and higher conversion costs . while difficult to quantify , we believe demand levels , primarily in the packaging end markets , are being affected by uncertainties related to the direct and indirect impact of current and proposed tariffs and other restrictions on trade . an additional factor significantly impacting 2019 versus 2018 results of operations related to the termination of a legacy liability of approximately $ 8.2 million , which resulted in a non-cash reduction to corporate office selling , general and administrative expenses in 2018 that did not repeat in 2019. prior to 2002 , we were wholly-owned by metaldyne corporation ( `` metaldyne `` ) . in connection with the reorganization between trimas and metaldyne in june 2002 , we assumed certain liabilities and obligations of metaldyne , mainly comprised of contractual obligations to former trimas employees , tax-related matters , benefit plan liabilities and reimbursements to metaldyne of normal course payments to be made on trimas ' behalf . metaldyne and its u.s. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions in the united states bankruptcy court under chapter 11 of the u.s. bankruptcy code in 2009. in january 2018 , the u.s. bankruptcy court entered a final decree to close all remaining cases and finalize the metaldyne bankruptcy distribution trust , effectively terminating any potential obligation by trimas to metaldyne . another factor impacting the 2019 versus 2018 results of operations was a $ 3.9 million non-cash reversal of a contingent liability in our packaging segment . this liability represented deferred purchase price for a prior acquisition , for which the underlying obligation expired during 2019. the remaining factor impacting the 2019 versus 2018 results of operations was our settlement of defined benefit obligations in 2018. in 2018 , we purchased an annuity contract to transfer certain retiree defined benefit obligations to an insurance company . the annuity contract was funded by plan assets . we recognized a one-time settlement charge of approximately $ 2.5 million , which is included in other income ( expense ) , net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income . additional key risks that may affect our reported results critical factors affecting our ability to succeed include : our ability to create organic growth through product development , cross-selling and extending product-line offerings , and our ability to quickly and cost-effectively introduce new products ; our ability to acquire and integrate companies or products that supplement existing product lines , add new distribution channels or customers , expand our geographic coverage or enable better absorption of overhead costs ; our ability to manage our cost structure more efficiently via supply base management , internal sourcing and or purchasing of materials , selective outsourcing and or purchasing of support functions , working capital management , and greater leverage of our administrative functions . our overall business does not experience significant seasonal fluctuation , other than our fourth quarter , which has tended to be the lowest net sales quarter of the year due to holiday shutdowns at certain customers or other customers deferring capital spending to the following year . given the shorter-cycle nature of most of our businesses , we do not consider sales order backlog to be a material factor . a growing amount of our sales is derived from international sources , which exposes us to certain risks , including currency risks . we are sensitive to price movements in our raw materials supply base . our largest material purchases are for resins ( such as polypropylene and polyethylene ) , steel , aluminum and other oil and metal-based purchased components . in mid 2018 , material costs began to rise , increasing through the remainder of 2018 , primarily as a direct and indirect result of foreign trade policy changes . these cost increases primarily related to oil and metal-based commodities . we took swift actions , and continue to take actions , to mitigate such cost impacts , including implementing commercial pricing adjustments , resourcing to alternate suppliers and insourcing of previously sourced products to better leverage our global manufacturing footprint . as a result of these actions , as well as softening of certain underlying commodity costs during 2019 , we largely mitigated the impact such that material costs were not a significant driver of year-over-year profit change . while higher material costs were not directly a significant driver of year-over-year profit change , certain of our packaging segment customers in the united states chose to resource their order requirements in 2019 to avoid tariffs or higher prices from tariffs , until , we believe , we are able to install capacity outside of countries subject to tariffs . story_separator_special_tag 35 year ended december 31 , 2018 compared with year ended december 31 , 2017 the principal factors impacting us during the year ended december 31 , 2018 compared with the year ended december 31 , 2017 were : increased sales levels across our end markets , primarily driven by higher demand for our industrial products within our specialty products reportable segment and from growth in our health , beauty and home care end market within our packaging reportable segment ; benefits of leveraging the tbm , as we continue to drive operating improvements , as well as evaluate , realign and streamline fixed costs and selling , general and administrative expenses ; the impact of the tax reform act , contributing to a lower overall effective tax rate ; higher commodity costs , primarily related to oil and steel-based raw materials , primarily impacting our packaging reportable segment ; the termination of the liability to metaldyne , resulting in an approximate $ 8.2 million reduction in selling , general and administrative expenses ; the impact of fees and expenses related to our issuance of our 4.875 % senior unsecured notes due october 2025 ( `` senior notes `` ) and other refinancing activities in 2017 ; and the settlement of defined benefit obligations in 2018 , wherein a one time settlement charge was recognized . overall , net sales increased approximately $ 48.9 million , or approximately 7.4 % , to $ 705.0 million in 2018 , as compared to $ 656.2 million in 2017 , as sales increased in all three reportable segments . the primary drivers of the sales increase were industrial cylinder products , as well as engines , compressors and related parts used in upstream oil and gas applications , which increased approximately $ 16.2 million and $ 7.4 million , respectively , within our specialty products reportable segment . in addition , sales of our health , beauty and home care products increased approximately $ 15.6 million within our packaging reportable segment . net sales also increased by approximately $ 1.7 million due to net favorable currency exchange , as our reported results in u.s. dollars were favorably impacted as a result of the weakening u.s. dollar relative to foreign currencies . gross profit margin ( gross profit as a percentage of sales ) approximated 28.4 % and 28.8 % in 2018 and 2017 , respectively . gross profit increased primarily as a result of higher sales levels , as well as lower facility exit costs within our packaging reportable segment . these increases were partially offset by the impact of higher commodity-related costs , a less favorable product sales mix and pricing pressures , most notably in our health , beauty and home care end market within our packaging reportable segment . operating profit margin ( operating profit as a percentage of sales ) approximated 15.4 % and 14.1 % in 2018 and 2017 , respectively . operating profit increased approximately $ 16.1 million , to $ 108.8 million in 2018 , as compared to an operating profit of $ 92.7 million in 2017 . operating profit increased primarily due to overall higher sales levels and as a result of the approximately $ 8.2 million reduction of our recorded liability to metaldyne in 2018 following the u.s. bankruptcy court 's final decree to close all remaining cases and terminate the metaldyne bankruptcy distribution trust . interest expense decreased approximately $ 0.5 million , to $ 13.9 million in 2018 , as compared to $ 14.4 million in 2017 , as lower weighted average borrowings more than offset an increase in our interest rates . other expense , net decreased approximately $ 5.9 million to $ 2.5 million in 2018 , from $ 8.5 million in 2017 , primarily due to approximately $ 6.6 million of debt financing and related expenses we incurred in connection with our 2017 refinancing of our long-term debt that did not recur in 2018. this decrease was partially offset by our recognition of a one-time settlement charge of approximately $ 2.5 million in 2018 related to our settlement of defined benefit obligations . in 2018 , we purchased an annuity contract to transfer certain retiree defined benefit obligations to an insurance company . the annuity contract was funded by plan assets . 36 income tax expense decreased approximately $ 15.3 million , to $ 18.7 million in 2018 as compared to $ 33.9 million in 2017. the effective income tax rate for 2018 was 20.2 % , compared to 48.5 % for 2017 . during 2018 , we reported domestic and foreign pre-tax income of approximately $ 64.7 million and $ 27.7 million , respectively , and recognized a net tax benefit of approximately $ 2.7 million related to provision to return adjustments for our u.s. federal tax return , which included an approximate $ 1.1 million benefit due to additional regulations that were issued in connection with the tax reform act . in 2017 , we reported domestic and foreign pre-tax income of approximately $ 46.2 million and $ 23.7 million , and recognized tax benefits of approximately $ 1.5 million resulting from research and manufacturing tax incentives . we recognized approximately $ 12.7 million of income tax expense as a result of the tax reform act , including $ 3.7 million of provisional expense related to revaluing our net deferred tax assets at the lower u.s. corporate tax rate , and a $ 9.0 million of provisional tax expense related to the deemed repatriation of approximately $ 110.0 million of undistributed non-u.s. subsidiary earnings . income from continuing operations increased approximately $ 37.8 million to $ 73.7 million in 2018 , from $ 36.0 million in 2017 . the increase was primarily the result of an approximately $ 16.1 million increase in operating profit , a decrease in income tax expense of approximately $ 15.3 million , a decrease in interest expense of approximately $ 0.5 million

liquidity and capital resources cash flows cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations in 2019 were approximately $ 95.7 million , as compared to $ 110.8 million in 2018 . significant changes in cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations and the reasons for such changes are as follows : in 2019 , the company generated $ 148.1 million in cash flows , based on the reported net income of $ 61.9 million and after considering the effects of non-cash items related to gains and losses on dispositions of assets , depreciation , amortization , changes in deferred income taxes , debt financing and related expenses , stock-based compensation and other operating activities . in 2018 , the company generated $ 138.2 million in cash flows based on the reported net income of $ 73.7 million and after considering the effects of similar non-cash items . decreases in accounts receivable resulted in a source of cash of approximately $ 3.3 million in 2019 , primarily due to timing of cash collections . increases in accounts receivable resulted in a use of cash of approximately $ 9.6 million in 2018 . days sales outstanding of receivables increased by 3 days , primarily as a result of an increase in sales in europe following our italian acquisitions during 2019 , where standard terms are typically longer than in north america . 38 we decreased our investment in inventory by approximately $ 0.7 million in 2019 , while we increased our investment in inventory by approximately $ 14.7 million in 2018 to buy-ahead on certain china-sourced products that were subject to tariffs , or where the tariff rate would increase , to avoid the higher cost and to ensure we had sufficient inventory supply . our days sales in inventory remained relatively flat in 2019 as compared to 2018 , as we have been moderating inventory levels in line with sales levels . increases in prepaid expenses and other assets resulted in a use of cash of approximately $ 6.9 million in 2019 .


 Write a concise suspicious activity report of the following text delimited by triple backquotes. Return your response as a formal report which covers the key points highlighting the location,dates,entity names and account holder information in chronological order of the text.
     ```liquidity and capital resources cash flows cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations in 2019 were approximately $ 95.7 million , as compared to $ 110.8 million in 2018 . significant changes in cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations and the reasons for such changes are as follows : in 2019 , the company generated $ 148.1 million in cash flows , based on the reported net income of $ 61.9 million and after considering the effects of non-cash items related to gains and losses on dispositions of assets , depreciation , amortization , changes in deferred income taxes , debt financing and related expenses , stock-based compensation and other operating activities . in 2018 , the company generated $ 138.2 million in cash flows based on the reported net income of $ 73.7 million and after considering the effects of similar non-cash items . decreases in accounts receivable resulted in a source of cash of approximately $ 3.3 million in 2019 , primarily due to timing of cash collections . increases in accounts receivable resulted in a use of cash of approximately $ 9.6 million in 2018 . days sales outstanding of receivables increased by 3 days , primarily as a result of an increase in sales in europe following our italian acquisitions during 2019 , where standard terms are typically longer than in north america . 38 we decreased our investment in inventory by approximately $ 0.7 million in 2019 , while we increased our investment in inventory by approximately $ 14.7 million in 2018 to buy-ahead on certain china-sourced products that were subject to tariffs , or where the tariff rate would increase , to avoid the higher cost and to ensure we had sufficient inventory supply . our days sales in inventory remained relatively flat in 2019 as compared to 2018 , as we have been moderating inventory levels in line with sales levels . increases in prepaid expenses and other assets resulted in a use of cash of approximately $ 6.9 million in 2019 .
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 Suspicious Activity Report : we expect , over time , to fully integrate these acquisitions utilizing the trimas business model ( `` tbm `` ) , achieving planned synergies and improving margins . 29 while demand levels in certain end markets were strong , especially for health , beauty and home care products as well as commercial aircraft fastening products , sales of north american industrial-related products declined by nearly $ 20 million from prior year levels . in our specialty products segment , industrial sales were down approximately $ 13.8 million , with cylinder sales lower due to the impact of customer consolidation and inventory management , and sales of upstream oil and gas products lower due to reduced oilfield-related activity . in our packaging segment , industrial sales were down approximately $ 5.8 million due to lower demand levels . given this level of sales , operating profit levels were significantly impacted , primarily in our specialty products segment , which declined by 300 basis points year-over-year due to lower fixed cost absorption and higher conversion costs . while difficult to quantify , we believe demand levels , primarily in the packaging end markets , are being affected by uncertainties related to the direct and indirect impact of current and proposed tariffs and other restrictions on trade . an additional factor significantly impacting 2019 versus 2018 results of operations related to the termination of a legacy liability of approximately $ 8.2 million , which resulted in a non-cash reduction to corporate office selling , general and administrative expenses in 2018 that did not repeat in 2019. prior to 2002 , we were wholly-owned by metaldyne corporation ( `` metaldyne `` ) . in connection with the reorganization between trimas and metaldyne in june 2002 , we assumed certain liabilities and obligations of metaldyne , mainly comprised of contractual obligations to former trimas employees , tax-related matters , benefit plan liabilities and reimbursements to metaldyne of normal course payments to be made on trimas ' behalf . metaldyne and its u.s. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions in the united states bankruptcy court under chapter 11 of the u.s. bankruptcy code in 2009. in january 2018 , the u.s. bankruptcy court entered a final decree to close all remaining cases and finalize the metaldyne bankruptcy distribution trust , effectively terminating any potential obligation by trimas to metaldyne . another factor impacting the 2019 versus 2018 results of operations was a $ 3.9 million non-cash reversal of a contingent liability in our packaging segment . this liability represented deferred purchase price for a prior acquisition , for which the underlying obligation expired during 2019. the remaining factor impacting the 2019 versus 2018 results of operations was our settlement of defined benefit obligations in 2018. in 2018 , we purchased an annuity contract to transfer certain retiree defined benefit obligations to an insurance company . the annuity contract was funded by plan assets . we recognized a one-time settlement charge of approximately $ 2.5 million , which is included in other income ( expense ) , net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income . additional key risks that may affect our reported results critical factors affecting our ability to succeed include : our ability to create organic growth through product development , cross-selling and extending product-line offerings , and our ability to quickly and cost-effectively introduce new products ; our ability to acquire and integrate companies or products that supplement existing product lines , add new distribution channels or customers , expand our geographic coverage or enable better absorption of overhead costs ; our ability to manage our cost structure more efficiently via supply base management , internal sourcing and or purchasing of materials , selective outsourcing and or purchasing of support functions , working capital management , and greater leverage of our administrative functions . our overall business does not experience significant seasonal fluctuation , other than our fourth quarter , which has tended to be the lowest net sales quarter of the year due to holiday shutdowns at certain customers or other customers deferring capital spending to the following year . given the shorter-cycle nature of most of our businesses , we do not consider sales order backlog to be a material factor . a growing amount of our sales is derived from international sources , which exposes us to certain risks , including currency risks . we are sensitive to price movements in our raw materials supply base . our largest material purchases are for resins ( such as polypropylene and polyethylene ) , steel , aluminum and other oil and metal-based purchased components . in mid 2018 , material costs began to rise , increasing through the remainder of 2018 , primarily as a direct and indirect result of foreign trade policy changes . these cost increases primarily related to oil and metal-based commodities . we took swift actions , and continue to take actions , to mitigate such cost impacts , including implementing commercial pricing adjustments , resourcing to alternate suppliers and insourcing of previously sourced products to better leverage our global manufacturing footprint . as a result of these actions , as well as softening of certain underlying commodity costs during 2019 , we largely mitigated the impact such that material costs were not a significant driver of year-over-year profit change . while higher material costs were not directly a significant driver of year-over-year profit change , certain of our packaging segment customers in the united states chose to resource their order requirements in 2019 to avoid tariffs or higher prices from tariffs , until , we believe , we are able to install capacity outside of countries subject to tariffs . story_separator_special_tag 35 year ended december 31 , 2018 compared with year ended december 31 , 2017 the principal factors impacting us during the year ended december 31 , 2018 compared with the year ended december 31 , 2017 were : increased sales levels across our end markets , primarily driven by higher demand for our industrial products within our specialty products reportable segment and from growth in our health , beauty and home care end market within our packaging reportable segment ; benefits of leveraging the tbm , as we continue to drive operating improvements , as well as evaluate , realign and streamline fixed costs and selling , general and administrative expenses ; the impact of the tax reform act , contributing to a lower overall effective tax rate ; higher commodity costs , primarily related to oil and steel-based raw materials , primarily impacting our packaging reportable segment ; the termination of the liability to metaldyne , resulting in an approximate $ 8.2 million reduction in selling , general and administrative expenses ; the impact of fees and expenses related to our issuance of our 4.875 % senior unsecured notes due october 2025 ( `` senior notes `` ) and other refinancing activities in 2017 ; and the settlement of defined benefit obligations in 2018 , wherein a one time settlement charge was recognized . overall , net sales increased approximately $ 48.9 million , or approximately 7.4 % , to $ 705.0 million in 2018 , as compared to $ 656.2 million in 2017 , as sales increased in all three reportable segments . the primary drivers of the sales increase were industrial cylinder products , as well as engines , compressors and related parts used in upstream oil and gas applications , which increased approximately $ 16.2 million and $ 7.4 million , respectively , within our specialty products reportable segment . in addition , sales of our health , beauty and home care products increased approximately $ 15.6 million within our packaging reportable segment . net sales also increased by approximately $ 1.7 million due to net favorable currency exchange , as our reported results in u.s. dollars were favorably impacted as a result of the weakening u.s. dollar relative to foreign currencies . gross profit margin ( gross profit as a percentage of sales ) approximated 28.4 % and 28.8 % in 2018 and 2017 , respectively . gross profit increased primarily as a result of higher sales levels , as well as lower facility exit costs within our packaging reportable segment . these increases were partially offset by the impact of higher commodity-related costs , a less favorable product sales mix and pricing pressures , most notably in our health , beauty and home care end market within our packaging reportable segment . operating profit margin ( operating profit as a percentage of sales ) approximated 15.4 % and 14.1 % in 2018 and 2017 , respectively . operating profit increased approximately $ 16.1 million , to $ 108.8 million in 2018 , as compared to an operating profit of $ 92.7 million in 2017 . operating profit increased primarily due to overall higher sales levels and as a result of the approximately $ 8.2 million reduction of our recorded liability to metaldyne in 2018 following the u.s. bankruptcy court 's final decree to close all remaining cases and terminate the metaldyne bankruptcy distribution trust . interest expense decreased approximately $ 0.5 million , to $ 13.9 million in 2018 , as compared to $ 14.4 million in 2017 , as lower weighted average borrowings more than offset an increase in our interest rates . other expense , net decreased approximately $ 5.9 million to $ 2.5 million in 2018 , from $ 8.5 million in 2017 , primarily due to approximately $ 6.6 million of debt financing and related expenses we incurred in connection with our 2017 refinancing of our long-term debt that did not recur in 2018. this decrease was partially offset by our recognition of a one-time settlement charge of approximately $ 2.5 million in 2018 related to our settlement of defined benefit obligations . in 2018 , we purchased an annuity contract to transfer certain retiree defined benefit obligations to an insurance company . the annuity contract was funded by plan assets . 36 income tax expense decreased approximately $ 15.3 million , to $ 18.7 million in 2018 as compared to $ 33.9 million in 2017. the effective income tax rate for 2018 was 20.2 % , compared to 48.5 % for 2017 . during 2018 , we reported domestic and foreign pre-tax income of approximately $ 64.7 million and $ 27.7 million , respectively , and recognized a net tax benefit of approximately $ 2.7 million related to provision to return adjustments for our u.s. federal tax return , which included an approximate $ 1.1 million benefit due to additional regulations that were issued in connection with the tax reform act . in 2017 , we reported domestic and foreign pre-tax income of approximately $ 46.2 million and $ 23.7 million , and recognized tax benefits of approximately $ 1.5 million resulting from research and manufacturing tax incentives . we recognized approximately $ 12.7 million of income tax expense as a result of the tax reform act , including $ 3.7 million of provisional expense related to revaluing our net deferred tax assets at the lower u.s. corporate tax rate , and a $ 9.0 million of provisional tax expense related to the deemed repatriation of approximately $ 110.0 million of undistributed non-u.s. subsidiary earnings . income from continuing operations increased approximately $ 37.8 million to $ 73.7 million in 2018 , from $ 36.0 million in 2017 . the increase was primarily the result of an approximately $ 16.1 million increase in operating profit , a decrease in income tax expense of approximately $ 15.3 million , a decrease in interest expense of approximately $ 0.5 million

