SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 26, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories
Inventory valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market (as a percent)	37.00%		40.00%
Excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value	$ 52,062		$ 49,536
Raw materials and purchased parts	216,182		202,953
Work-in-process	30,342		28,053
Finished goods and manufactured goods	246,138		212,312
Subtotal	492,662		443,318
Less: LIFO reserve	52,062		49,536
Net inventory	440,600		393,782
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
United States	62,695	26,117
Foreign	15,971	13,090
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	78,666	39,207
Stock Plans
Shares of common stock available for issuance	861,939
Stock option plans
Stock Plans
Compensation expense	1,245	1,252
Income tax benefits	$ 479	$ 482
Stock option plans \| Maximum
Stock Plans
Vesting period of options	6 years
Expiration period of grant (in years)	P10Y
Stock option plans \| Minimum
Stock Plans
Vesting period of options	3 years
Expiration period of grant (in years)	P6Y

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.