Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net income	$ 528,842	$ 502,413	$ 327,216
Adjustments for cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	119,439	102,846	98,524
Net change in receivables sold under Receivables Securitization Facility (Note 2)		(82,000)	(3,000)
Stock-based compensation expense	28,679	25,385	20,240
Non-cash casualty loss related to flood	10,388
Change in contingent acquisition-related obligations	(17,813)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements	(5,995)	(14,692)	(16,085)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(9,664)	(157,657)	96,588
Inventory	(88,486)	(65,179)	76,332
Other current assets	(8,890)	(5,637)	6,017
Accounts payable	(27,547)	76,932	(31,709)
Accrued income taxes	26,947	(3,996)	16,920
Other accrued liabilities	(2,613)	35,466	(19,494)
Accrued pension and post employment benefits	(5,660)	(1,247)	6,526
Other long-term assets	17,114	11,658	8,842
Other	466	601	(4,620)
Cash flow provided by operating activities	565,207	424,893	582,297
Cash flow from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(100,222)	(109,458)	(63,058)
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets	8,118	1,851	3,224
Purchases of short-term investments	(181,880)	(198,228)	(46,786)
Sales and maturities of short-term investments	146,373	138,012	13,444
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(303,273)	(180,402)	(280,014)
Cash flow used in investing activities	(430,884)	(348,225)	(373,190)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Long-term borrowings under credit facilities (Note 2)	873,200	793,406	609,648
Repayments of long-term debt	(301,900)	(748,017)	(1,241,582)
Borrowings under senior notes			598,878
Settlement of interest rate swap agreements			(4,575)
Payment of fees and expenses related to debt financing	(2,125)	(6,975)	(4,650)
Purchase and retirement of treasury stock	(672,191)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	26,086	46,616	25,481
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements	5,995	14,692	16,085
Payment of contingent acquisition related obligations	(40,000)
Distributions to and purchases of noncontrolling interests	(29,931)	(24,588)	(23,328)
Dividend payments	(10,282)	(10,413)	(10,279)
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities	(151,148)	64,721	(34,322)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,023	(114)	(5,159)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(10,802)	141,275	169,626
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year	525,888	384,613	214,987
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of year	515,086	525,888	384,613
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	40,489	40,124	38,532
Income taxes	$ 144,175	$ 133,068	$ 117,122