Planned Spin-Off (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Planned Spin-Off [Abstract]

Planned Spin Off [Text Block]

2. Planned Spin-off of Certain Energy Businesses

On December 7, 2017, Dover announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to spin-off its upstream energy businesses within the Dover Energy segment, collectively, the “Wellsite” business, through a U.S. tax-free spin-off to shareholders. The Company expects to complete the separation in May of 2018, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions. The Company incurred $15,300 of costs associated with the transaction which were reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. These transaction costs primarily relate to professional fees associated with preparation of regulatory filings and separation activities within finance, legal and information system functions. Upon separation, the historical results of Wellsite will be presented as discontinued operations as it represents a strategic shift in operations with a material impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements.