DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of debt

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, debt consisted of the following:

	December 31,
	2017		2016
Long-term debt
Senior Unsecured Notes due through 2045, interest at 2.8% to 4.0% (net of debt issuance costs of $1,491 and $1,586 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively), swapped $100,000 to variable interest rates of 2.0% to 3.2%	$	693,424	$	692,975
Other borrowings due through 2023, interest up to 8.0%	10,823		10,860
	704,247		703,835
Less current portion	111		131
Long-term debt, less current portion	704,136		703,704
Short-term debt
Amounts due banks, interest at 31.8% (29.0% in 2016)	2,020		1,758
Current portion long-term debt	111		131
Total short-term debt	2,131		1,889
Total debt	$	706,267	$	705,593

Senior Notes 2015 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of debt

The maturity and interest rates of the 2015 Notes are as follows:

	Amount		Maturity Date	Interest Rate
Series A	$	100,000	August 20, 2025	3.15	%
Series B	100,000		August 20, 2030	3.35	%
Series C	50,000		April 1, 2035	3.61	%
Series D	100,000		April 1, 2045	4.02	%

Senior Notes 2016 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of debt

The maturity and interest rates of the 2016 Notes are as follows:

	Amount		Maturity Date	Interest Rate
Series A	$	100,000	October 20, 2028	2.75	%
Series B	100,000		October 20, 2033	3.03	%
Series C	100,000		October 20, 2037	3.27	%
Series D	50,000		October 20, 2041	3.52	%