Note 4 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Detail) - Intangible Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 206,179		$ 189,645
Accumulated Amortization	(48,100)		(39,990)
Net Carrying Amount	158,079		149,655
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	8 years
Gross Carrying Amount	3,926		3,922
Accumulated Amortization	(2,781)		(2,654)
Net Carrying Amount	1,145		1,268
Order or Production Backlog [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	0 years
Gross Carrying Amount	4,657		4,651
Accumulated Amortization	(4,657)		(3,705)
Net Carrying Amount			946
Lease Agreements [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	14 years
Gross Carrying Amount	2,067		2,067
Accumulated Amortization	(295)		(183)
Net Carrying Amount	1,772		1,884
Trademarks [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	18 years
Gross Carrying Amount	21,477		21,396
Accumulated Amortization	(2,914)		(2,141)
Net Carrying Amount	18,563		19,255
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	0 years
Gross Carrying Amount	740		740
Accumulated Amortization	(740)		(729)
Net Carrying Amount			11
Customer Relationships [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	15 years
Gross Carrying Amount	117,725	[1]	102,963
Accumulated Amortization	(15,910)		(10,970)
Net Carrying Amount	101,815		91,993
Patents [Member]
Weighted Average Useful Lives	18 years
Gross Carrying Amount	55,587	[1]	53,906
Accumulated Amortization	(20,803)		(19,608)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 34,784		$ 34,298

[1] During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded $1.4 million in patents and acquired technology to be amortized over a weighted average life of twenty years and $14.5 million in customer relationships to be amortized over a weighted average life of fifteen years related to the acquisitions discussed in Note 1 of this report.