SEGMENT INFORMATION (Financial Information of Reportable Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	$ 1,060,565	$ 969,589	$ 2,099,908	$ 1,895,037
Adjusted EBIT	190,971	167,015	362,602	330,466
Special items charge (gain)	6,212	615	9,299	(1,773)
EBIT	184,759	166,400	353,303	332,239
Interest income	814	228	1,668	604
Interest expense	(12,513)	(6,687)	(26,567)	(13,261)
Income before income taxes	173,060	159,941	328,404	319,582
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	2,667	(844)	3,544	1,041
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains			(1,134)	113
Inter-segment
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	42,009	41,424	83,977	78,870
Corporate/Eliminations
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	(42,009)	(41,424)	(83,977)	(78,870)
Adjusted EBIT	(2,183)	(3,983)	(11,586)	(8,785)
Special items charge (gain)	0	0	0	0
EBIT	(2,183)	(3,983)	(11,586)	(8,785)
Americas Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	676,966	595,659	1,335,611	1,129,714
Americas Welding | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	707,816	624,690	1,398,779	1,186,901
Adjusted EBIT	139,870	118,067	272,324	229,635
Special items charge (gain)	2,957	461	5,742	(3,274)
EBIT	136,913	117,606	266,582	232,909
Defined benefit plan, net periodic benefit cost (credit), gain (loss) due to curtailment				3,735
Business combination, inventory step up	2,957	1,459	5,742	1,459
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains		998		998
Americas Welding | Inter-segment
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	30,850	29,031	63,168	57,187
International Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	253,403	236,629	505,819	494,670
International Welding | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	261,695	246,156	520,864	510,425
Adjusted EBIT	33,774	35,009	63,371	72,096
Special items charge (gain)	3,255	154	3,557	1,501
EBIT	30,519	34,855	59,814	70,595
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	2,667	154	3,544	2,039
Business combination, inventory step up	588		1,659
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets			1,646
International Welding | Inter-segment
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	8,292	9,527	15,045	15,755
The Harris Products Group
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	130,196	137,301	258,478	270,653
The Harris Products Group | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	133,063	140,167	264,242	276,581
Adjusted EBIT	19,510	17,922	38,493	37,520
Special items charge (gain)	0	0	0	0
EBIT	19,510	17,922	38,493	37,520
The Harris Products Group | Inter-segment
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	$ 2,867	$ 2,866	$ 5,764	$ 5,928