Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	$ 95,108	$ 221,467	$ 201,884
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(282,503)	(30,757)	(5,325)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,474	28,252	14,951
Deferred taxes	212,363	11,354	(254)
Stock-based compensation	6,784	11,296	8,955
Capitalized legal fees charge	0	5,573	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	900	3,008
Impairment of goodwill	51,157	0	0
Gain on sale of assets	(5,189)	0	(2,937)
Gain on company owned life insurance	(2,414)	0	(863)
Change in pension and other postretirement plans	(7,908)	(2,391)	(4,312)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	22,498	(10,345)	(3,862)
Inventories	(13,447)	(15,714)	18,071
Other current assets	(300)	1,224	(981)
Accounts payable	(5,680)	3,452	(13,802)
Payroll and related expenses	(10,332)	3,263	(157)
Accrued expenses	(7,422)	10,121	9,172
Deferred revenue	8,336	(948)	(1,069)
Other long-term liabilities	(2,924)	(457)	(200)
Other operating activities	(883)	(488)	1,395
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(2,390)	14,335	21,790
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(200,810)	0
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(9,510)	(19,559)	(14,253)
Disposal of property, plant and equipment	0	0	2,985
Purchase of investments	0	0	(6,760)
Maturities of investments	0	6,564	36,715
Proceeds from sale of assets	6,359	0	0
Proceeds from company owned life insurance	10,238	0	0
Capitalized legal fees	0	(613)	(1,491)
Other investing activities	(400)	(1,397)	1,022
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,687	(215,815)	18,218
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	27,000	139,000	0
Repayment of debt	(47,000)	(54,000)	0
Stock repurchase	0	(10,019)	(20,037)
Financing lease obligation	3,291	0	0
Employee stock purchase plan	2,396	2,002	1,538
Stock options exercised and other	(425)	223	259
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(14,738)	77,206	(18,240)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	502	(2,085)	(2,185)
Resulting (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(9,939)	(126,359)	19,583
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	85,169	95,108	221,467
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	8,054	6,906	6,351
Cash paid during the year for interest	$ 1,868	$ 1,443	$ 0