Other intangible assets, net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	$ 2,222,341		$ 1,523,549
Accumulated amortization	(509,655)		(429,407)
Net book value	1,712,686		1,094,142
Amortization expense of other intangible assets	79,335	73,466
Assets subject to amortization | Customer related intangibles
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	1,502,947		1,022,134
Accumulated amortization	(358,525)		(302,156)
Net book value	1,144,422		719,978
Assets subject to amortization | Unpatented technology
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	199,112		193,915
Accumulated amortization	(89,504)		(72,358)
Net book value	109,608		121,557
Assets subject to amortization | Software
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	160,542		49,395
Accumulated amortization	(40,500)		(35,833)
Net book value	120,042		13,562
Assets subject to amortization | Patents and other protective rights
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	27,679		25,398
Accumulated amortization	(19,661)		(17,699)
Net book value	8,018		7,699
Assets subject to amortization | Trade secrets
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	1,500		1,500
Accumulated amortization	(1,465)		(1,361)
Net book value	35		139
Assets not subject to amortization | Trade names
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	330,561		231,207
Accumulated amortization	0		0
Net book value	$ 330,561		$ 231,207