Information on Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Segment	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
Net sales	$ 306,059	$ 298,643	$ 902,577	$ 886,069
Operating profit	29,671	34,188	96,810	98,678
Interest expense	3,243	1,902	8,046	7,906
Other expense (income), net	851	(501)	1,799	228
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	25,577	32,787	86,965	90,544
Aerospace [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	98,370	98,125	289,391	283,415
Operating profit	15,345	16,071	44,269	44,548
Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	123,812	112,476	349,404	337,910
Operating profit	7,406	10,340	28,728	32,275
Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	85,719	90,260	270,999	271,903
Operating profit	6,920	7,777	23,813	21,855
Intersegment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ (1,842)	$ (2,218)	$ (7,217)	$ (7,159)