Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Receivables, net Receivables, net of allowances of $34,151 and $41,832 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowances for doubtful accounts receivables Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred taxes Deferred tax asset Current deferred tax asset Assets, Current Total current assets Total continuing assets Total Intangible assets, net Assets Total assets Consolidated total Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Assets from discontinued operations Non-current assets Assets of discontinued operations Other Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses Other accrued expenses Total current liabilities Long-term debt Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Non-current deferred tax liability Non-current deferred tax liability Non-current deferred tax liability Deferred income taxes Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Liabilities of discontinued operations Non-current liabilities Liabilities of discontinued operations Stockholders' Equity Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Gross profit Selling and administrative expenses Operating earnings Cost of goods and services Other expense (income), net Sales Revenue, Net As reported Total consolidated revenue Revenue Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Taxes on income from continuing operations Provision for income taxes Provision for taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Earnings from continuing operations - total consolidated Earnings from continuing operations Net earnings Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Minority Interest, and Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of common stock Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net cash used in discontinued operations Net cash used in discontinued operations Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to property, plant and equipment Total capital expenditures Additions to property, plant and equipment Additions to property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses Proceeds from sales of businesses Proceeds from sales of businesses Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions (net of cash and cash equivalents acquired) Acquisitions (net of cash acquired) Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Aggregate asset acquisitions cost, net of cash acquired Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Decrease (increase) in inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (decrease) in accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Increase in accrued and deferred taxes, net Increase in accrued and deferred taxes, net Accrued taxes Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations Increase in accrued expenses Common stock issued for options exercised Translation of foreign financial statements Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax of $582, ($582), ($126) December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively Debt, Current Current portion of long-term debt Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Per Share -Basic Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Earnings from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Loss from discontinued operations, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Per Share - Diluted Earnings from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Loss from discontinued operations, net Earnings Per Share, Basic Net earnings per share - Basic Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Net earnings Net earnings Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Average shares?? Basic Weighted average shares outstanding Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted net earnings per share - diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Net earnings Net earnings Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares Outstanding Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted Average shares Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted Dividends paid per common share Prepaid Other Current Assets Marketable securities, prepaid expenses and other current assets. Prepaid and other current assets Other Assets Deferred Charges Other assets and deferred charges Other assOther assets and deferred chargesets and deferred charges Other assets and deferred charges, including investments, Non-current notes and receivables and pension plan assets. Other deferrals Other deferrals (principally compensation) Noncurrent other deferrals Other liabilities Deferred Compensation, non-current reserves and other non-current liabilities. Interest expense, net Interest expense, net:This include interest expense and amount of interest received. Net interest expense Net interest expense Net interest expense Net interest expense Interest expense, net Proceeds From Exercise Stock Options Including Tax Benefits Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including tax benefits Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including tax benefits Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including tax benefits Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including tax benefits Tax Benefit From Exercise Stock Options Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options, SAR's and performance shares Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity: Current assets: Short-term Investments Short-term Investments, Total Short-term investments Inventories, net Prepaid and other current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Net Goodwill Net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible assets, net Total current liabilities Long-term debt Current liabilities: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations: Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic earnings per share from continuing operations: Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations Financing Activities of Continuing Operations Investing Activities of Continuing Operations Operating Activities of Continuing Operations Gross profit Operating earnings Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Accounts payable Accrued expenses Purchase of short-term investments Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Proceeds from sale of short-term investments Repayments of Notes Payable Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net Amount of Notes Repaid Change in notes payable, net Change in notes payable, net Dividends to stockholders Dividends to stockholders Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Capital, Net Other non-current, net Other non-current, net Other non-current, net Other non-current, net Property, plant and equipment, net Net earnings Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Cash effect of changes in current assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign exchange): Translation of foreign financial statements Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number) Acquisitions Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure Text Block Property, Plant & Equipment Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Disposed and Discontinued Operations Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Employee Benefit Plans Segment Information Segment Data Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Equity and Cash Incentive Program Dividends paid per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Acquisitions [Abstract] Acquisitions [Abstract] Acquisitions. Property, Plant & Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Components of property, plant and equipment, net Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities. Repayments of Long-term Debt Reduction of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repayment of Structured five year, non interest bearing amortizing loan Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Other expense (income), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Dividends to stockholders Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Purchase of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events Abstract. Subsequent Events Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Gross Profit Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating Income (Loss) Net Income (Loss) Assets, Current [Abstract] Inventory, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Liabilities, Current Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease) Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and Amortization Share-based Compensation Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Accrued compensation and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued compensation and employee benefits Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Anti-dilutive options/SAR's excluded from diluted EPS computation Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Loss from discontinued operations Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations, net Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Dividends paid Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Accrued insurance Accrued Insurance, Current Common Stock Common Stock Equity and Cash Incentive Program [Abstract] Equity and Cash Incentive Program [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Components of Inventory Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingent liabilities Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Earnings [Abstract] Parent [Member] Common Stock $1 Par Value Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-In Capital Common Stock $1 Par Value Components Of Inventory Text Block Components of Inventory Components of inventory. Total Inventory, LIFO Reserve Less LIFO reserve Less LIFO reserve Less LIFO reserve Subtotal Inventory, Gross, Total Inventory, Gross Finished goods Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods Work in progress Inventory, Work in Process Raw materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Total Inventory, Raw Materials Total Accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Land Land Buildings and improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross, Total Buildings and Improvements, Gross Machinery, equipment and other Machinery, equipment and other Machinery and Equipment, Gross Income Taxes (Details) [Abstract] Income Taxes. Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Effective rate from continuing operations Effective tax rates Effective tax rates Foreign currency translation adjustment Net Earnings Property Plant And Equipment [Text Block] Components of property, plant and equipment, net Accumulated depreciation Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Details. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables) [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Tables. Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block] Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment Electronic Technologies [Member] Segment One Member. Industrial Products [Member] Segment Two Member. Fluid Management [Member] Segment Three Member. Engineered Systems [Member] Segment Four Member. Drawings and Manuals [Member] Drawings and Manuals. Other intangibles [Member] Other Intangible assets. Total Intangible Assets Total Intangible Assets Total Intangible Assets. Trademarks Indefinite-Lived Trademarks Gross Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Amortized Intangible Assets: Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract] Unamortized Intangible Assets: Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Acquisitions (Details) [Abstract] Acquisitions details. Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] REVENUE REVENUE Revenue from continuing operations: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent [Abstract] EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Net earnings from continuing operations: Pro forma Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Acquisitions (Textuals) [Abstract] Acquisitions Textuals. Restructuring Reserve Restructuring Reserve, Ending balance Restructuring Reserve, Beginning balance Reserves related to severance and facility closings Restructuring Reserve, Total Severance and facility reserve Pro forma information on company revenue and net earnings Text Block Pro forma information on company's revenue and net earnings Pro forma information on company's revenue and net earnings. Pro forma information on company revenue and net earnings Abstract Pro forma information on company's revenue and net earnings Pro forma information on company's revenue and net earnings. Goodwill [Roll Forward] Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment Gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets Text Block Gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets Gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets. Pro forma Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax Pro forma Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax, Per Share, Basic Pro forma Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax, Per Share, Diluted Customer Intangibles [Member] Unpatented Technologies [Member] Distributor Relationships [Member] Acquisitions (Tables) [Abstract] Acquisitions (Tables) [Abstract] Acquisitions Tables. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Trademarks [Member] Patents [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Results Of Companys Discontinued Operations Text Block Results of the Company's discontinued operations Results Of Companys Discontinued Operations. Results of the Company's discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Sale of previously discontinued business and other adjustments, net loss Loss on sale, net of taxes Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Loss from operations before taxes Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax, Total Earnings (loss) from operations before taxes