CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 121,987	$ 156,075
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	125,161	120,893
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	38,704	976
Rationalization charges	5,809	4,782
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,429)	(1,856)
Other changes that provided (used) cash, net of effects from acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(239,154)	(286,666)
Inventories	10,841	(47,204)
Trade accounts payable	(7,308)	45,712
Accrued liabilities	4,874	41,492
Contributions to domestic pension benefit plans	(76,000)
Other, net	10,552	41,951
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(5,963)	76,155
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(317,546)	(289,367)
Capital expenditures	(84,739)	(123,265)
Proceeds from asset sales	1,456	3,440
Net cash used in investing activities	(400,829)	(409,192)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving loans	651,299	982,177
Repayments under revolving loans	(325,922)	(935,908)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	526,550	1,088,823
Repayments of long-term debt	(284,204)	(689,631)
Debt issuance costs	(9,847)	(12,943)
Changes in outstanding checks - principally vendors	(66,178)	(92,928)
Dividends paid on common stock	(25,371)	(23,361)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	195	1,116
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,429	1,856
Repurchase of common stock under stock plan	(1,872)	(5,128)
Repurchase of common stock under share repurchase authorization	(33,863)	(15,797)
Net cash provided by financing activities	432,216	298,276
Cash and cash equivalents:
Net increase (decrease)	25,424	(34,761)
Balance at beginning of year	397,101	175,226
Balance at end of period	422,525	140,465
Interest paid, net	38,457	46,158
Income taxes paid, net	$ 55,858	$ 4,373