Segment and Geographic Information (Reconciliation of Income From Segments to Consolidation) (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment		2
Net sales	[1]	$ 1,808,376	$ 1,775,125	$ 1,794,962
Operating income		105,923	104,519	110,507
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets		(11)	328	(233)
Interest expense, net		15,747	13,144	13,382
Other expense, net		472	3,386	623
Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations		89,704	87,989	96,502
Income tax expense		30,850	27,551	30,722
Earnings from continuing operations		58,854	60,438	65,780
Segment Reconciliation [Abstract]
Total assets		1,426,286	1,439,611	1,199,281
Capital expenditures		29,777	29,932	28,283
Depreciation and amortization		44,929	37,729	36,209
U.S. Government contracts | Aerospace acquisition
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales		244,400	211,400	271,700
Operating Segments | Distribution
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales		1,106,322	1,177,539	1,161,992
Operating income		41,859	49,441	56,765
Segment Reconciliation [Abstract]
Total assets	[2]	540,900	558,630	547,350
Capital expenditures		9,016	10,685	12,205
Depreciation and amortization		16,107	16,368	14,461
Operating Segments | Aerospace acquisition
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net sales	[3]	702,054	597,586	632,970
Operating income		115,005	110,328	108,697
Segment Reconciliation [Abstract]
Total assets	[2]	720,823	738,426	531,868
Capital expenditures		17,935	13,378	12,044
Depreciation and amortization		23,584	16,275	16,039
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets		(11)	328	(233)
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate expense		(50,930)	(55,578)	(54,722)
Segment Reconciliation [Abstract]
Total assets	[2],[4]	164,563	142,555	120,063
Capital expenditures		2,826	5,869	4,034
Depreciation and amortization		$ 5,238	$ 5,086	$ 5,709

[1] Service revenue was not material for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

[2] Identifiable assets are year-end assets at their respective net carrying values segregated as to segment and corporate use.

[3] Net sales by the Aerospace segment under contracts with USG agencies (including sales to foreign governments through foreign military sales contracts with USG agencies) totaled $244.4 million, $211.4 million and $271.7 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and represent direct and indirect sales to the USG and related agencies.

[4] For the periods presented, the corporate identifiable assets are principally comprised of cash, short-term and long-term deferred income tax assets, cash surrender value of life insurance policies and fixed assets.