Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Continuing operating activities
Net earnings	$ 117,843us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 123,769us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 123,531us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	179,455	170,132	168,555
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	(195)	26	(12,894)
Accretion of interest on convertible debentures	3,943	3,646	3,028
Inventory write-offs for obsolescence	21,394us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown	19,108us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown	20,865us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown
U.S. pension settlement charges	15,588	0	0
Pensions and other postretirement benefits, net of contributions	(16,145)	(9,327)	(12,146)
Deferred income taxes	15,663us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1,734us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(6,828)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Other	(2,269)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	(7,009)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	8,530us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired	(38,240)	(10,009)	(5,152)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	297,037	292,070	287,489
Continuing investing activities
Capital expenditures	(156,974)	(153,077)	(150,291)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,889	4,681	10,241
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(197,986)	(23,034)	(85,493)
Purchase of short-term investments	(495,762)	(664,867)	(381,040)
Maturity of short-term investments	485,306	465,668	339,287
Sale of investments	13,658	0	0
Other investing activities	617	(176)	(1,828)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	(348,252)	(370,805)	(269,124)
Continuing financing activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	0	0	150,000
Issuance costs	0	(4,558)	(4,827)
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(11)	(28)	(27)
Net (payments) proceeds on revolving credit lines	86,000	25,000	(66,000)
Common stock repurchases	0	0	(150,000)
Net changes in short-term borrowings	16	(146)	(115)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(547)	(257)	(1,040)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	(21,067)	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	50	0	174
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	196	0
Other financing activities	(1,324)	(3,638)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing financing activities	27,729	16,569	(71,835)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(24,690)	4,919	1,977
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from continuing activities	(48,176)	(57,247)	(51,493)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	640,348	697,595	749,088
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	592,172	640,348	697,595
Common Stock [Member]
Continuing financing activities
Dividends and Interest Paid	(32,477)	0	0
Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]
Continuing financing activities
Dividends and Interest Paid	$ (2,911)	$ 0	$ 0

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