CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Net sales	$ 2,054,130	$ 1,893,134	$ 1,809,690
Cost of sales	1,378,012	1,271,381	1,214,159
Gross profit	676,118	621,753	595,531
Research and development expenses	(62,115)	(54,131)	(54,645)
Selling expenses	(119,438)	(111,773)	(106,187)
General and administrative expenses	(289,609)	(276,026)	(265,380)
Operating income	204,956	179,823	169,319
Interest expense	(20,834)	(22,107)	(25,066)
Other income, net	867	579	1,006
Earnings before income taxes	184,989	158,295	145,259
Provision for income taxes	(54,566)	(51,697)	(50,038)
Net earnings	$ 130,423	$ 106,598	$ 95,221
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic earnings per share	$ 2.81	$ 2.33	$ 2.10
Diluted earnings per share	$ 2.77	$ 2.30	$ 2.08
Dividends per share	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 0.32
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	46,372	45,823	45,237
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	47,013	46,322	45,695