Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,545,867	[1]	$ 2,217,825	[1]	$ 2,196,343	[1]
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	1,683,093		1,472,602		1,466,030
Asbestos charge	241,647
Environmental charge	30,327
Restructuring charge			6,676		5,243
Selling, general and administrative	548,536		503,385		516,801
Operating costs and expenses, Total	2,503,603		1,982,663		1,988,074
Operating profit	42,264		235,162		208,269
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1,635		1,184		2,820
Interest expense	(26,255)		(26,841)		(27,139)
Miscellaneous income	2,810		1,424		976
Other income (expense), Total	(21,810)		(24,233)		(23,343)
Income before income taxes	20,454		210,929		184,926
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(6,062)		56,739		50,846
Net income before allocations to noncontrolling interests	26,516		154,190		134,080
Less: Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries' earnings	201		20		224
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 26,315		$ 154,170		$ 133,856
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.45		$ 2.63		$ 2.29
Average basic shares outstanding	58,120		58,601		58,473
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.44		$ 2.59		$ 2.28
Average diluted shares outstanding	59,204		59,562		58,812

[1] Net sales and assets by geographic region are based on the location of the business unit.