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INCOME TAXES (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]    
Balance at the beginning of the year $ 25,907us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 25,255us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Increase related to current year tax provisions 700us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions 1,990us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions
(Decrease) increase related to prior years' tax positions (848)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions 208us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions
Increase related to acquisitions 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromAcquisition 3,528us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromAcquisition
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities (1,216)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities (95)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities
Resolution of and other decreases in prior years' tax liabilities (3,727)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations (3,491)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations
Other (2,427)leco_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsOtherAdjustments (1,488)leco_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsOtherAdjustments
Balance at the end of the year 18,389us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits 25,907us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Interest and penalties expense (benefit) (1,406)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense 492us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense
Accrued interest and penalties 8,019us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued 10,257us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate 9,132us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 13,739us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Reasonably possible further reduction in prior years' unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months 3,901us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit  
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority (50,282)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority  
Interest Received On Income Tax Examination Refund From Settlement With Taxing Authority 1,236leco_InterestReceivedOnIncomeTaxExaminationRefundFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority  
Deposits Assets, Current $ 27,068us-gaap_DepositsAssetsCurrent  
Rate of interest to be earned on tax deposit upon favorable outcome (percent) 1.00%leco_RateOfInterestEarnedOnTaxDeposit