CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,525,003	$ 1,593,068
Cost of sales	1,154,179	1,224,968
Gross profit	370,824	368,100
Selling, general and administrative expenses	201,826	200,124
Provision for doubtful accounts	24,226	24,431
Settlements, litigations and other related charges	22,619	7,203
Other miscellaneous charges	4,006	11,512
Operating Income (Loss)	118,147	124,830
Interest expense, net of investment income	(29,459)	(30,834)
Income before income taxes	88,688	93,996
Income tax (benefit) expense	34,334	38,257
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	54,354	55,739
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic:
Net income	$ 0.53	$ 0.50
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted:
Diluted earnings per share (per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.48
Dividends per common share	$ 0.14	$ 0.07
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Common shares (in shares)	103,210	111,487
Diluted shares (in shares)	107,466	116,500
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 54,330	$ 56,161