Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 45,546		$ 56,849	$ 27,670
Loss from discontinued operations	6,461		1,713	587
Income from continuing operations	52,007		58,562	28,257
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	40,329		37,658	35,532
Gain on sale of fixed assets	(816)		(397)	(373)
Equity-based compensation expense	5,647		6,767	6,491
Deferred income taxes	(2,675)		(3,004)	(2,648)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(5,159)	[1]	(6,359)	(3,471)
Debt Issuance Cost	1,964		0	0
Earnout reversal	(4,175)		(10,019)	(1,700)
Gain on sale of interests in German joint venture	(11,771)		0	0
Loss on foreign currency transactions	2,425		1,049	(1,155)
Other	1,588		(4,793)	(2,915)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Restricted cash	(102)		(299)	663
Return on equity of affiliated companies	10,691		11,034	7,018
Receivables net, retainage and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	8,222		7,875	(37,236)
Inventories	(736)		(3,376)	(5,974)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(9,685)		2,754	2,495
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,604		12,634	(789)
Other operating	(2,293)		865	(2,046)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	88,065		110,951	22,149
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	(3,761)		(230)	735
Net cash provided by operating activities	84,304		110,721	22,884
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(26,085)		(44,738)	(21,271)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	3,435		4,401	755
Patent expenditures	(2,032)		(552)	(1,130)
Sale of interests in German joint venture	18,300		0	0
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(150,145)		(82,262)	(165,780)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations	845		(1,156)	(283)
Net cash used in investing activities	(149,300)		(83,418)	(166,063)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon stock option exercises, including tax effects	594		1,178	3,610
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisition of Fyfe North America	0		0	4,000
Repurchase of common stock	(27,648)		(12,308)	(5,000)
Investments from noncontrolling interests	0		4,939	546
Purchase of or distributions to noncontrolling interests	(287)		(5)	(1,661)
Payment of earnout related to acquistion of CRTS, Inc.	(2,112)		0	0
Credit facility financing fees	(5,013)		0	(4,320)
Proceeds on notes payable	1,541		7,160	354
Principal payments on notes payable	(183)		(2,768)	(1,499)
Proceeds from line of credit	0		26,000	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	385,500		983	250,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(253,500)		(25,000)	(103,750)
Net cash provided by financing activities	98,892		179	142,280
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9,527)		65	(7,801)
Net increaes (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period	24,369		27,547	(8,700)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	133,676		106,129	114,829
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	158,045		133,676	106,129
Cash paid for:
Interest	8,700		7,945	17,231
Net income taxes paid	11,630		18,456	10,077
Brinderson LP [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	(143,763)		0
Fyfe LA [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0		(3,048)
Fyfe Asia [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0		(38,841)
Fyfe NA [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	$ 0		$ 516	$ (144,134)

[1] Includes the financial data of Insituform-Germany through the date of its sale in June 2013.