Supplementary Information (Summary of Unaudited Results of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,267,830		$ 1,242,846		$ 1,281,970		$ 1,279,891		$ 1,262,923		$ 1,207,708		$ 1,229,610		$ 1,257,256		$ 5,072,537	$ 4,957,497	$ 4,746,283
Operating income	150,232		154,919		168,769		156,614		152,261	[1]	147,279	[1]	145,186	[1]	151,690	[1]	630,534	596,417	556,221
Net earnings	88,357	[2]	82,759	[2]	94,982	[2]	84,686	[2]	86,140	[2]	82,915	[2]	81,020	[2]	90,798	[2]	350,784	340,874	313,374
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.19	[3]	$ 1.12	[3]	$ 1.29	[3]	$ 1.16	[3]	$ 1.15	[3]	$ 1.07	[3]	$ 1.05	[3]	$ 1.18	[3]	$ 4.76	$ 4.45	$ 4.09
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.17	[3]	$ 1.10	[3]	$ 1.27	[3]	$ 1.14	[3]	$ 1.13	[3]	$ 1.05	[3]	$ 1.03	[3]	$ 1.15	[3]	$ 4.68	$ 4.35	$ 4.00
Restructuring and other special charges (benefits), net (Notes 22 and 23)									1,663		(1,729)		2,443		5,712		0	8,089	24,448
Loss on the extinguishment of debt, net of tax	0				0		0
State income tax benefits	(1,800)		0	[4]	(1,493)		0	[4]									201,121	202,543	178,792
Gain on sale of businesses, net of tax									$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ (5,491)			$ (5,500)

[1] Operating income includes the following items:

[2] Net earnings include the after tax impact of the above listed items in operating income as well as the following non-operating items after tax

[3] Earnings per share calculations for each of the quarters are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding in each quarter. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share does not necessarily equal the full year earnings per share disclosed on the consolidated statements of earnings.

[4] During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a $1.5 million tax benefit related to a change in a state income tax law, allowing the Company to utilize additional net operating loss carryforwards. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized an additional $1.8 million