Segment Reporting Details 3 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales	$ 648,360	$ 601,114	$ 561,088	$ 498,766	$ 592,765	$ 490,213	$ 468,549	$ 416,651	$ 2,309,328	$ 1,968,178	$ 1,728,853
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	410,007				364,472				410,007	364,472
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									612,643	574,625	504,597
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	57,424				61,943				57,424	61,943
OTHER AMERICAS
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									159,756	130,851	105,210
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	3,758				2,919				3,758	2,919
TOTAL AMERICAS
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									772,399	705,476	609,807
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	61,182				64,862				61,182	64,862
GERMANY
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									200,062	170,468	166,480
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	26,266				27,274				26,266	27,274
FRANCE
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									136,589	124,330	123,035
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	4,743				4,620				4,743	4,620
UNITED KINGDOM
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									66,321	59,347	44,983
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	6,155				6,437				6,155	6,437
SWITZERLAND
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									79,376	57,047	62,179
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	245,376				205,806				245,376	205,806
OTHER EUROPE
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									379,784	317,044	302,024
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	7,015				6,685				7,015	6,685
TOTAL EUROPE
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									862,132	728,236	698,701
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	289,555				250,822				289,555	250,822
CHINA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									379,791	291,115	228,433
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	54,125				43,697				54,125	43,697
REST OF WORLD
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									295,006	243,351	191,912
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	5,145				5,091				5,145	5,091
TOTAL ASIA REST OF WORLD
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Total Net Sales									674,797	534,466	420,345
Total Segments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$ 59,270				$ 48,788				$ 59,270	$ 48,788