Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ (133,935)	$ (39,384)	$ 11,789
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(109,167)	(6,037)	938
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(24,768)	(33,347)	10,851
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	22,045	26,183	12,413
Amortization	47,591	49,129	14,621
Bad debt expense	617	(261)	777
Provision Bankruptcy Settlement	366	7,675	7,175
Compensation expense of share-based plans	5,418	4,965	3,807
Debt extinguishment	0	0	1,810
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0	0	(12,200)
Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization	4,622	3,937	759
Deferred income taxes	(3,440)	(2,367)	(11,792)
Loss (gain) on property, plant and equipment	(1,793)	1,380	349
Loss on sale of businesses	3,615	1,882	5,300
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	24,339	(12,229)	(17,232)
Inventories	(9,557)	6,620	15,647
Prepaid expenses and other assets	7,360	(26,770)	(6,664)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(34,168)	30,458	(16,085)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	42,247	57,255	9,536
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	(26,334)	(3,261)	101
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	15,913	53,994	9,637
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(13,855)	(20,114)	(12,814)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	6,172	156	785
Proceeds from divestitures	162,591	2,753	0
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired	0	3,727	(488,517)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	155,769	(13,478)	(500,546)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	(2,733)	(3,399)	(1,578)
Net cash used in investing activities	153,036	(16,877)	(502,124)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt	281,600	248,300	1,090,883
Payments of long-term debt	(434,797)	(260,146)	(523,183)
Debt issuance costs	0	0	(30,366)
Dividends paid	0	0	(2,506)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	253	690	740
Payments for Return of Cash to Seller	0	(62,917)	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(152,944)	(74,073)	535,568
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(152,944)	(74,073)	535,568
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	197	(5,812)	8,996
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	16,202	(42,768)	52,077
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	69,525	112,293
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	85,727	69,525	112,293
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	68,517	110,356	58,279
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	84,531	68,517	110,356
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Income taxes	16,711	633	9,984
Interest	47,544	50,326	6,778
Colfax, Inc. Fluid Handing Business [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed) [Abstract]
Share issuance for business acquisition	0	0	143,767
Accrued purchase price	0	0	4,824
Payable to seller related to cash balances	0	0	65,314
Change in fair value for shares issued in acquisition	0	(3,783)	0
Accrued purchase price settled	$ 0	$ (2,299)	$ 0