GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	North America Welding		Europe Welding			Asia Pacific Welding		South America Welding			The Harris Products Group			Consolidated
Balance as of January 1, 2011	$	5,069	$	16,379		$	5,030	$	565		$	18,909		$	45,952
Additions and adjustments	13,478		9,543			—		—			(1,247		)	21,774
Foreign currency translation	(33)		(2,055		)	178		(4		)	(711		)	(2,625		)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	18,514		23,867			5,208		561			16,951			65,101
Additions and adjustments	67,740		66			—		—			(1,109		)	66,697
Foreign currency translation	23		1,424			40		53			(435		)	1,105
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	86,277	$	25,357		$	5,248	$	614		$	15,407		$	132,903

Schedule of gross and net intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class

Gross and net intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

		December 31, 2012
	Weighted Average Life	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Indefinite Lived Assets		Total Intangible, Net
Trademarks and trade names	12	$	30,611	$	9,493	$	18,276	$	39,394
Customer relationships	16	63,906		12,099		—		51,807
Patents	19	20,882		5,103		—		15,779
Other	14	44,769		18,847		—		25,922
Total		$	160,168	$	45,542	$	18,276	$	132,902

	December 31, 2011
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Indefinite Lived Assets		Total Intangible, Net
Trademarks and trade names	$	18,559	$	8,020	$	18,081	$	28,620
Customer relationships	40,818		7,875		—		32,943
Patents	18,677		3,927		—		14,750
Other	33,148		14,990		—		18,158
Total	$	111,202	$	34,812	$	18,081	$	94,471