SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 segment	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	$ 685,062	$ 718,573
Inter-segment sales	0	0
Total	685,062	718,573
EBIT, as adjusted	100,730	101,314
Special items net charges	17,648	10,711
EBIT	83,082	90,603
Interest income	914	1,026
Interest expense	(1,570)	(950)
Income before income taxes	82,426	90,679
Total assets	2,113,976	2,103,527	2,151,867
Special items
Number of operating segments	5
North America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	401,906	419,554
Inter-segment sales	32,943	28,985
Total	434,849	448,539
EBIT, as adjusted	71,364	76,660
Special items net charges	(47)	860
EBIT	71,411	75,800
Total assets	1,107,182	1,014,910
Europe Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	105,406	110,491
Inter-segment sales	5,860	4,279
Total	111,266	114,770
EBIT, as adjusted	9,292	10,701
Special items net charges	39	(6)
EBIT	9,253	10,707
Total assets	404,451	434,484
Asia Pacific Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	61,286	70,039
Inter-segment sales	4,449	4,384
Total	65,735	74,423
EBIT, as adjusted	(640)	2,293
Special items net charges	(9)	197
EBIT	(631)	2,096
Total assets	320,776	364,673
South America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	43,993	36,374
Inter-segment sales	29	20
Total	44,022	36,394
EBIT, as adjusted	11,765	5,112
Special items net charges	17,665	9,660
EBIT	(5,900)	(4,548)
Total assets	141,079	121,024
The Harris Products Group
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	72,471	82,115
Inter-segment sales	2,118	2,224
Total	74,589	84,339
EBIT, as adjusted	6,058	7,151
Special items net charges	0	0
EBIT	6,058	7,151
Total assets	170,856	196,434
Corporate / Eliminations
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	0	0
Inter-segment sales	(45,399)	(39,892)
Total	(45,399)	(39,892)
EBIT, as adjusted	2,891	(603)
Special items net charges	0	0
EBIT	2,891	(603)
Total assets	$ (30,368)	$ (27,998)