Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 56,849	$ 27,670	$ 61,880
Loss from discontinued operations			100
Income from continuing operations	56,849	27,670	61,980
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38,117	36,039	30,732
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets	(785)	(373)	73
Equity-based compensation expense	6,767	6,491	6,713
Deferred income taxes	(2,933)	(2,320)	8,024
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(6,359)	(3,471)	(7,291)
Reversal of earnout	(10,019)	(1,700)	(1,700)
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions	1,049	(1,155)	98
Other	(2,272)	573	(1,246)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Restricted cash	(1,492)	663	538
Return on equity of affiliated companies	11,034	7,018	7,803
Receivables net, retainage and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	5,397	(38,310)	(39,214)
Inventories	(3,661)	(5,992)	(9,677)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,338	2,045	(539)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,826	(2,248)	(3,781)
Other operating	865	(2,046)	962
Net cash provided by operating activities	110,721	22,884	53,475
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations			(446)
Net cash provided by operating activities	110,721	22,884	53,029
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(45,894)	(21,554)	(36,858)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	4,401	755	482
Patent expenditures	(552)	(1,130)	(1,346)
Purchase of Singapore licensee			(1,257)
Net cash used in investing activities	(83,418)	(166,063)	(38,979)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock upon stock option exercises, including tax benefit	1,178	3,610	2,302
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisition of Fyfe North America		4,000
Repurchase of common stock	(12,308)	(5,000)
Investments from noncontrolling interests	4,939	546	2,578
Purchase of or distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5)	(1,661)	(398)
Proceeds on notes payable	7,160	354	1,986
Principal payments on notes payable	(2,768)	(1,499)	(1,808)
Proceeds from line of credit	26,000
Proceeds from long-term debt	983	250,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(25,000)	(103,750)	(10,000)
Credit facility and other financing fees		(4,320)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	179	142,280	(5,340)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	65	(7,801)	55
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period	27,547	(8,700)	8,765
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	106,129	114,829	106,064
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	133,676	106,129	114,829
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest	7,945	17,231	7,046
Net income taxes paid	18,456	10,077	19,001
Fyfe LA [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Reversal of earnout	(300)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business Acquisition	(3,048)
Fyfe Asia [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business Acquisition	(38,841)
CRTS, Hockway and Fyfe NA [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business Acquisition	$ 516	$ (144,134)