ACQUISITIONS	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS During May 2016, the Company acquired Vizient Manufacturing Solutions ("Vizient"). Vizient, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, is a robotic integrator specializing in custom engineered tooling and automated arc welding systems for general and heavy fabrication applications. The acquisition assisted in diversifying end-market exposure and broadening global growth opportunities. Pro forma information related to this acquisition has not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Vizient is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition. On March 2, 2017, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding and entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Air Liquide’s subsidiary, Air Liquide Welding (the “proposed acquisition”). Air Liquide Welding is a key player in the manufacturing of welding and cutting technologies. In 2016, the Air Liquide Welding businesses, which have approximately 2,000 employees across the world, generated sales of approximately $400 million. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has incurred $3.6 million of acquisition transaction costs related to the proposed acquisition. The proposed acquisition is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement between the parties and customary conditions and provisions for a transaction of this type, including the “information-consultation” process with the employee representative bodies and the applicable competition authorities’ approval. As the parties have not yet reached a definitive agreement regarding the proposed acquisition, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into, or that the proposed acquisition will be consummated.

ACQUISITIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

During May 2016, the Company acquired Vizient Manufacturing Solutions ("Vizient"). Vizient, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, is a robotic integrator specializing in custom engineered tooling and automated arc welding systems for general and heavy fabrication applications. The acquisition assisted in diversifying end-market exposure and broadening global growth opportunities. Pro forma information related to this acquisition has not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Vizient is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

On March 2, 2017, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding and entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Air Liquide’s subsidiary, Air Liquide Welding (the “proposed acquisition”). Air Liquide Welding is a key player in the manufacturing of welding and cutting technologies. In 2016, the Air Liquide Welding businesses, which have approximately 2,000 employees across the world, generated sales of approximately $400 million. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has incurred $3.6 million of acquisition transaction costs related to the proposed acquisition. The proposed acquisition is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement between the parties and customary conditions and provisions for a transaction of this type, including the “information-consultation” process with the employee representative bodies and the applicable competition authorities’ approval. As the parties have not yet reached a definitive agreement regarding the proposed acquisition, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into, or that the proposed acquisition will be consummated.