Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 1,723,092	$ 2,066,288	$ 2,895,970
Outsourced, on-site services to steel mills and other metals producers and resource recovery technologies for the re-use of industrial waste stream by-products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	1,106,162	1,378,142	1,358,454
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	0	0	885,377
Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	259,674	275,614	286,167
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	186,243	226,529	180,738
Industrial grating products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	129,869	139,711	142,355
Heat transfer products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 41,144	$ 46,292	$ 42,879