14. Other Operating Expenses

Other Operating Expenses

in € thousand

 

2017

 

2016

Leasing costs

 

53,829

 

62,872

External maintenance services

 

37,294

 

34,686

Consultancy, services, insurance and auditing expenses

 

37,027

 

34,778

Expenditure for the harmonisation of existing pension schemes

 

10,762

 

0

Travel expenses, advertising and promotional costs

 

3,663

 

3,440

Other taxes

 

2,703

 

2,646

Other personnel expenses

 

2,380

 

1,755

External and internal cleaning costs

 

1,977

 

2,270

Postage and telecommunications costs

 

1,449

 

1,585

Expenses from exchange rate differences

 

1,271

 

1,319

Losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

1,171

 

1,800

Venture expenses

 

1,142

 

4,566

Expenses from other accounting periods

 

645

 

546

Other

 

10,985

 

10,203

 

 

166,298

 

162,466

The increase in other operating expenses was due mainly to the expenses associated with the harmonisation of the existing pension schemes. Taking into account the corresponding income referred to in Note 11, the total impact comes to € 9,145 thousand, see Note 37.

The drop in leasing expenses had the opposite effect. Detailed information is available in Note 45.