Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 128,460	$ 64,957	$ 107,032
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation	48,191	56,380	44,021
Amortization of other intangible assets	27,800	14,515	8,166
Share-based compensation expense related to options, restricted stock units and stock purchase rights	34,846	25,807	24,503
Write-down of investments	43	643	2,727
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	(838)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(3,455)	(2,814)	(6,592)
Loss (gain) on cash surrender value of life insurance policies	(901)	(1,223)	2,868
In-process research and development			1,000
Deferred income taxes and other	(8,683)	(17,895)	(10,387)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(54,684)	28,489	152,496
Inventories	(60,482)	30,942	(9,078)
Other assets	5,825	15,038	14,615
Accounts payable	37,714	94,155	(123,802)
Accrued liabilities	2,715	56,265	(6,982)
Net cash provided by operating activities	156,551	365,259	200,587
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(43,039)	(39,834)	(48,263)
Purchases of trading investments	(19,075)
Proceeds from cash surrender of life insurance policies	11,313	813
Proceeds from sale of business	9,087
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired	(7,300)	(388,809)	(64,430)
Sales of trading investments	6,470
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,688
Premiums paid on cash surrender value life insurance policies	(5)		(427)
Net cash used in investing activities	(39,861)	(427,830)	(113,120)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights	42,969	28,917	31,119
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	3,455	2,814	6,592
Purchases of treasury shares		(126,301)	(78,870)
Repayments of debt		(13,630)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	46,424	(108,200)	(41,159)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5,127)	(2,044)	(35,901)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	157,987	(172,815)	10,407
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	319,944	492,759	482,352
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	477,931	319,944	492,759
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	25	66	143
Income taxes paid	$ 16,619	$ 9,436	$ 15,268