ACQUISITIONS	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS During 2014, the Company acquired the remaining interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Harris Soldas Especiais S.A. The purchase price was not material. During November 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Robolution GmbH ("Robolution"). Robolution, based outside of Frankfurt, Germany, is a leading European provider of robotic arc welding systems. The acquisition added to the Company's growing automation business and will enable the Company to support automation customers across three continents. During November 2013, the Company acquired an ownership interest in Burlington Automation Corporation ("Burlington"). Burlington, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a leader in the design and manufacture of 3D robotic plasma cutting systems whose products are sold under the brand name Python X^®. The acquisition broadens the Company's portfolio of automated cutting and welding process solutions. Combined revenues for Robolution and Burlington in 2013 were approximately $35,000. The Company acquired Robolution and Burlington for approximately $54,261 in cash, net of cash acquired, and assumed debt and a $18,943 liability to acquire the remaining financial interest in Burlington. The fair value of net assets acquired was $30,531, resulting in goodwill of $42,673. The purchase price allocations are preliminary and subject to final opening balance sheet adjustments. In addition, during 2013 the Company acquired a greater interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Lincoln Electric Heli (Zhengzhou) Welding Materials Company Ltd. The purchase price was not material. Pro forma information related to these acquisitions has not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

ACQUISITIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

During 2014, the Company acquired the remaining interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Harris Soldas Especiais S.A. The purchase price was not material.

During November 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Robolution GmbH ("Robolution"). Robolution, based outside of Frankfurt, Germany, is a leading European provider of robotic arc welding systems. The acquisition added to the Company's growing automation business and will enable the Company to support automation customers across three continents.

During November 2013, the Company acquired an ownership interest in Burlington Automation Corporation ("Burlington"). Burlington, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a leader in the design and manufacture of 3D robotic plasma cutting systems whose products are sold under the brand name Python X^®. The acquisition broadens the Company's portfolio of automated cutting and welding process solutions.

Combined revenues for Robolution and Burlington in 2013 were approximately $35,000. The Company acquired Robolution and Burlington for approximately $54,261 in cash, net of cash acquired, and assumed debt and a $18,943 liability to acquire the remaining financial interest in Burlington. The fair value of net assets acquired was $30,531, resulting in goodwill of $42,673. The purchase price allocations are preliminary and subject to final opening balance sheet adjustments. In addition, during 2013 the Company acquired a greater interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Lincoln Electric Heli (Zhengzhou) Welding Materials Company Ltd. The purchase price was not material.

Pro forma information related to these acquisitions has not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.