SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of financial information for the reportable segments

Financial information for the reportable segments follows:

	North America Welding		Europe Welding			Asia Pacific Welding		South America Welding			The Harris Products Group		Corporate / Eliminations			Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2013
Net sales	$	419,554	$	110,491		$	70,039	$	36,374		$	82,115	$	—		$	718,573
Inter-segment sales	28,985		4,279			4,384		20			2,224		(39,892		)	—
Total	$	448,539	$	114,770		$	74,423	$	36,394		$	84,339	$	(39,892	)	$	718,573
EBIT, as adjusted	$	76,660	$	10,701		$	2,293	$	5,112		$	7,151	$	(603	)	$	101,314
Special items charge (gain)	860		(6		)	197		9,660			—		—			10,711
EBIT	$	75,800	$	10,707		$	2,096	$	(4,548	)	$	7,151	$	(603	)	$	90,603
Interest income																1,026
Interest expense																(950		)
Income before income taxes																$	90,679
Total assets	$	1,014,910	$	434,484		$	364,673	$	121,024		$	196,434	$	(27,998	)	$	2,103,527
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Net sales	$	381,329	$	125,803		$	92,563	$	39,838		$	87,589	$	—		$	727,122
Inter-segment sales	33,542		4,451			3,817		—			2,383		(44,193		)	—
Total	$	414,871	$	130,254		$	96,380	$	39,838		$	89,972	$	(44,193	)	$	727,122
EBIT, as adjusted	$	69,519	$	12,811		$	2,573	$	2,905		$	7,153	$	(1,753	)	$	93,208
Special items charge (gain)	—		—			—		—			—		—			—
EBIT	$	69,519	$	12,811		$	2,573	$	2,905		$	7,153	$	(1,753	)	$	93,208
Interest income																883
Interest expense																(1,172		)
Income before income taxes																$	92,919
Total assets	$	840,427	$	477,295		$	388,511	$	117,621		$	208,296	$	(9,839	)	$	2,022,311