CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 113,338	$ 137,981	$ 113,844
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	118,931	121,497	93,896
(Gain)/Loss on sale of businesses	29,184		(29,912)
(Gain) loss on fixed asset disposals	632	77	(414)
(Gain on Bargain Purchase)	0	0	(910)
Deferred income taxes	(27,241)	5,928	(3,871)
Share-based compensation	8,500	7,349	9,428
Impairment of assets	3,202	887	4,988
Impairment of assets held for sale	41,369	0	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and divested:
Accounts receivable, net	12,845	6,599	26,524
Inventories, net	(19,375)	(25,499)	(30,100)
Progress payments	(6,971)	(6,131)	(7,923)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	16,147	8,567	(7,290)
Deferred revenue	24,471	(7,281)	(34,436)
Income taxes	38,946	(16,811)	15,211
Net pension and postretirement liabilities	(26,431)	(1,630)	(1,132)
Other current and long-term assets and liabilities	4,219	6,294	4,571
Net cash provided by operating activities	331,766	237,827	152,474
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long-lived assets	594	1,348	2,557
Proceeds from divestiture	152,965	0	52,123
Acquisitions of intangible assets	0	0	(1,761)
Proceeds from insurance	2,357	0	0
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(67,115)	(72,242)	(82,954)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(34,364)	(236,135)	(460,439)
Additional consideration of prior period acquisitions	(989)	(6,663)	(2,524)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	53,448	(313,692)	(492,998)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	364,557	983,109	576,934
Borrowings of debt	0	500,000	0
Payment of revolving credit facility	(414,770)	(1,229,148)	(296,145)
Principal payments on debt	(80)	(125,033)	0
Repurchases of common stock	(65,220)	0	(25,705)
Proceeds from share-based compensation	38,182	27,450	15,492
Dividends paid	(25,013)	(18,377)	(16,392)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	296	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	9,610	2,137	57
Net cash provided by financing activities	(92,438)	140,138	254,241
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash	(17,954)	(1,002)	3,919
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	274,822	63,271	(82,364)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	175,294	112,023	194,387
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	450,116	175,294	112,023
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	2,891	4,546	1,478
Recognition of asset retirement obligation	0	0	6,904
Property and equipment under build to suit transaction	$ 14,735	$ 6,225	$ 0