Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 1,613,723	$ 1,531,251
Cash paid to suppliers and employees	(1,352,654)	(1,335,844)
Interest paid	(10,757)	(50,188)
Income tax payments	(31,105)	(59,720)
Investment proceeds and miscellaneous receipts, net	11,363	12,926
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(766)	(808)
Proceeds from forward foreign exchange contracts, net	3,292	969
Net cash provided by operating activities	233,096	98,586
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(80,865)	(78,938)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	381	1,252
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received, and long-term investments	(43,645)	(68,510)
Payments for purchases of intangible assets	(15,488)	(500)
Payments for purchases of marketable securities and investments	(159,607)	(325,036)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments	58,691	277,389
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities and investments	99,466	234,707
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(141,067)	40,364
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments on line-of-credit arrangements and notes payable	(362)	(18)
Payments on long-term borrowings	(181)	(300,178)
Payments of contingent consideration	0	(25,474)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,365	9,397
Payments of debt issuance costs for credit agreement	(524)	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	766	808
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,064	(315,465)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(7,051)	4,920
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	93,042	(171,595)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	331,551	463,388
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	424,593	291,793
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income including noncontrolling interests	49,808	47,675
Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	110,129	105,181
Share-based compensation	10,714	9,894
Losses on dispositions of securities	329	408
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(766)	(808)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,378)	(1,347)
Decrease in accounts receivable	51,149	14,803
Increase in inventories	(28,881)	(61,580)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	354	(5,748)
Increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities	39,743	19,272
Decrease in income taxes payable	(593)	(30,710)
Net decrease/increase in other long-term assets/liabilities	9,488	1,546
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 233,096	$ 98,586