13. Segment Information Segment Information by Geographical Location (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 550,200	$ 516,500	$ 521,700	$ 485,100	$ 533,700	$ 471,500	$ 467,700	$ 454,200	$ 2,073,529	$ 1,927,118	$ 1,784,244
Other assets and property, plant and equipment	559,000				506,600				559,000	506,600
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									896,400	842,600	814,400
Other assets and property, plant and equipment	180,900				181,800				180,900	181,800
Pacific Rim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									398,400	347,800	291,500
Other assets and property, plant and equipment	26,000				23,100				26,000	23,100
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									631,000	600,500	565,800
Other assets and property, plant and equipment	338,700				287,800				338,700	287,800
Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									147,700	136,200	112,500
Other assets and property, plant and equipment	$ 13,400				$ 13,900				$ 13,400	$ 13,900