Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 84,868	$ 79,157
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	43,022	45,487
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,438	1,785
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,231	2,515
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	7,585	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	5,748
(Gain) loss on derivatives, net	194	6,952
Gain (loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment	400	13
Stock-based compensation expense	7,021	6,564
Deferred income taxes	(1,513)	(2,356)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	52,260	50,151
Inventories	9,260	5,852
Prepaid expenses and other	(16,877)	(24,333)
Other assets	(1,038)	(394)
Accounts payable	(51,616)	(34,490)
Progress billings	(577)	393
Accrued expenses	21,626	10,253
Other non-current liabilities	7,018	13,519
Total adjustments	26,326	44,041
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	111,194	123,198
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(15,783)	(18,127)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(18,344)	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	256	46
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	0	1,494
Net cash used in investing activities	(33,871)	(16,587)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	0	610,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(11,250)	(709,919)
Debt issuance costs	0	(11,580)
Repurchases of common stock	(87,130)	(155,817)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,956	5,646
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities	(89,424)	(261,670)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	474	158
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,627)	(154,901)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	101,971	245,935
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	90,344	91,034
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	24,923	28,567
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	67,016	72,026
Non-cash financing activities:
Stock issued under stock-based compensation plans	$ 0	$ 3,184