Information on Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Segment	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Reportable Segments	3
Net sales	$ 303,096	$ 289,590
Operating profit	33,013	30,717
Interest expense	2,368	3,655
Other expense (income), net	853	408
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	29,792	26,654
Aerospace [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	97,250	90,560
Operating profit	14,218	13,683
Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	115,348	111,430
Operating profit	10,105	10,958
Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	93,425	89,912
Operating profit	8,690	6,076
Intersegment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ (2,927)	$ (2,312)