10-K/A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

————————————————————— 

FORM 10-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

—————————————————————  

ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-15103

—————————————————————  

INVACARE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	95-2680965
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, Ohio 44036

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (440) 329-6000

—————————————————————  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of exchange on which registered
Common Shares, without par value Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, without par value	New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

—————————————————————  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  ý

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such short period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý	Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨	Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý

As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the 28,363,662 Common Shares of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $941,389,942 and the aggregate market value of the 4,573 Class B Common Shares of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $151,778. While the Class B Common Shares are not listed for public trading on any exchange or market system, shares of that class are convertible into Common Shares at any time on a share-for-share basis. The market values indicated were calculated based upon the last sale price of the Common Shares as reported by The New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2011, which was $33.19. For purposes of this information, the 2,507,167 Common Shares and 1,080,174 Class B Common Shares which were held by Executive Officers and Directors of the Registrant were deemed to be the Common Shares and Class B Common Shares held by affiliates.

As of February 23, 2012, 30,734,171 Common Shares and 1,084,747 Class B Common Shares were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this report.

Except as otherwise stated, the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is as of December 31, 2011.

Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Invacare Corporation (the "Company") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2012 (the "Original Filing") is filed solely for the purposes of furnishing the Company's XBRL interactive data files in Exhibit 101 as required by Rule 405 of Regulation S-T. No other part of the Original Filing is amended hereby, and this amendment does not reflect events that may have occurred after the Original Filing date.

Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for the purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized as of March 26, 2012.

INVACARE CORPORATION
By:	/s/    GERALD B. BLOUCH
	Gerald B. Blouch
	President and Chief Executive Officer

INVACARE CORPORATION

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Exhibit Index

Official Exhibit No.	Description	Sequential Page No.
3(a)	Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation	(K)
3(b)	Code of Regulations, as amended on May 21, 2009	(M)
3(c)	Amendment to Code of Regulations, adopted May 20, 2010	(R)
4(a)	Specimen Share Certificate for Common Shares	(F)
4(b)	Specimen Share Certificate for Class B Common Shares	(F)
4(c)	Rights agreement between Invacare Corporation and National City Bank (as predecessor in interest to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.) dated as of July 8, 2005	(E)
4(d)	Indenture, dated as of February 12, 2007, by and among Invacare Corporation, the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (including the Form of 4.125% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debenture due 2027 and related Guarantee attached as Exhibit A)	(H)
4(f)	Amendment No. 1 to Rights agreement between Invacare Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. dated as of October 28, 2009	(N)
10(a)	Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved January 28, 1994	(D)*
10(b)	Amendment No. 1 to the Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved May 28, 1998	(D)*
10(c)	Amendment No. 2 to the Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved May 24, 2000	(A)*
10(d)	Amendment No. 3 to the Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved March 13, 2003	(B)*
10(e)	Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, effective January 1, 2001, as amended	(I)*
10(f)	Agreement entered into by and between the company and its Chief Financial Officer	(C)*
10(g)	Invacare Corporation 401(K) Plus Benefit Equalization Plan, effective January 1, 2003, as amended and restated	(I)*
10(h)	Invacare Corporation Amended and Restated 2003 Performance Plan	(L)*
10(i)	Form of Change of Control Agreement entered into by and between the company and certain of its executive officers and schedule of all such agreements with current executive officers	(S)*
10(j)**	Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into by and between the company and its directors and certain of its executive officers and schedule of all such agreements with directors and executive officers	*
10(k)	Invacare Corporation Deferred Compensation Plus Plan, effective January 1, 2005, as amended August 19, 2009 and on November 23, 2010	(S)*
10(l)	Invacare Corporation Death Benefit Only Plan, effective January 1, 2005, as amended	(I)*
10(m)	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective February 1, 2000	(D)*
10(n)	Form of Director Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan	(D)*
10(o)	Form of Director Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(I)*
10(p)	Form of Director Deferred Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(S)*
10(q)**	Form of Restricted Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan
10(r)	Form of Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(I)*
10(s)	Form of Executive Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(I)*

Official Exhibit No.	Description	Sequential Page No.
10(t)	Form of Switzerland Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(I)*
10(u)	Form of Switzerland Executive Stock Option Award under Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan	(I)*
10(v)**	Director Compensation Schedule	*
10(w)	Invacare Corporation Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, as amended March 9, 2010	(P)*
10(x)	Purchase Agreement by and among Invacare Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchasers named therein dated as of February 5, 2007	(G)
10(y)	Form of Rule 10b5-1 Sales Plan entered into between the company and certain of its executive officers and other employees and a schedule of all such agreements with executive officers and other employees	(S)
10(z)	A. Malachi Mixon, III Retirement Benefit Agreement	(I)*
10(aa)	Cash Balance Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, effective December 31, 2008	(J)*
10(ab)	Form of Participation Agreement, for current participants in the Cash Balance Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as of December 31, 2008, entered into by and between the company and certain participants and a schedule of all such agreements with participants	(J)*
10(ac)	Amended and Restated Severance Protection Agreement, between the company and Gerald B. Blouch, effective December 31, 2008	(J)*
10(ad)	Amendment No. 1 to the Cash Balance Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective August 19, 2009	(O)*
10(ae)	$400,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement by and among Invacare Corporation, the other borrowers, guarantors and lenders thereto; PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; Keybank National Association and Bank of America, N.A. as Co-Syndication Agents; and RBS Citizens, N.A. as Documentation Agent.	(Q)
10(af)	Amendment No. 1 to the $400,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement by and among Invacare Corporation, the other borrowers, guarantors and lenders thereto; PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; Keybank National Association and Bank of America, N.A. as Co-Syndication Agents; and RBS Citizens, N.A. as Documentation Agent.	(T)
10(ag)**	Amendment No. 2 to the $400,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement by and among Invacare Corporation, the other borrowers, guarantors and lenders thereto; PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; Keybank National Association and Bank of America, N.A. as Co-Syndication Agents; and RBS Citizens, N.A. as Documentation Agent.
10(ah)**	2012 Non-employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2012	*
10(ai)**	Amendment No. 3 to Invacare Corporation Deferred Compensation Plus Plan, effective January 1, 2005	*
21**	Subsidiaries of the company
23**	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1**	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2**	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS***	XBRL instance document
101.SCH***	XBRL taxonomy extension schema
101.CAL***	XBRL taxonomy extension calculation linkbase
101.DEF***	XBRL taxonomy extension definition linkbase

Official Exhibit No.	Description	Sequential Page No.
101.LAB***	XBRL taxonomy extension label linkbase
101.PRE***	XBRL taxonomy extension presentation linkbase

________________________

* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

** Filed with Original Form 10-K

*** Furnished herewith

(A) Reference is made to Exhibit 4.7 of the company's registration statement on Form S-8, filed March 30, 2001, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(B) Reference is made to Exhibit 10(z) of the company report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(C) Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated March 6, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(D) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(E) Reference is made to Exhibit 4.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated July 8, 2005, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(F) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(G) Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated February 5, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(H) Reference is made to Exhibit 4.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated February 12, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(I) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(J) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company report on Form 8-K, dated December 31, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(K) Reference is made to Exhibit 3(a) of the company report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(L) Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated May 21, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(M) Reference is made to Exhibit 3.1 of the company report on Form 10-Q, dated June 30, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(N) Reference is made to Exhibit 2.3 of the company report on Form 8-A, dated October 30, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(O) Reference is made to the Exhibit 10.2 of the company report on Form 10-Q, dated September 30, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(P) Reference is made to Appendix B of the company Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(Q) Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated October 28, 2010, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(R) Reference is made to Appendix A to the company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated April 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(S) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

(T) Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 of the company report on Form 8-K, dated April 5, 2011, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

XML

Property And Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Machinery and equipment	$	360,215		$	332,687
Land, buildings and improvements	95,737			91,956
Furniture and fixtures	14,034			27,775
Leasehold improvements	15,750			15,705
	485,736			468,123
Less allowance for depreciation	(356,024		)	(337,360		)
	$	129,712		$	130,763

XML

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance At Beginning of Period	$ 30,168		$ 28,075		$ 23,090
Charged To Cost And Expenses	11,460		16,979		19,281
Additions (Deductions) Describe	(9,408)	[1]	(14,886)	[1]	(14,296)	[1]
Balance At End of Period	32,220		30,168		28,075
Inventory obsolescense reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance At Beginning of Period	14,242		15,009		12,419
Charged To Cost And Expenses	3,885		5,350		6,497
Additions (Deductions) Describe	(3,890)	[2]	(6,117)	[2]	(3,907)	[2]
Balance At End of Period	14,237		14,242		15,009
Tax valuation allowances [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance At Beginning of Period	81,981		65,050		75,507
Charged To Cost And Expenses	37		4,526		6,275
Additions (Deductions) Describe	10,525	[3]	12,405	[3]	(16,732)	[3]
Balance At End of Period	92,543		81,981		65,050
Accrued warranty cost [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance At Beginning of Period	18,252		21,506		16,798
Charged To Cost And Expenses	13,658		6,427		14,112
Additions (Deductions) Describe	(12,068)	[2]	(9,681)	[2]	(9,404)	[2]
Balance At End of Period	19,842		18,252		21,506
Accrued product liability [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance At Beginning of Period	24,160		23,989		23,758
Charged To Cost And Expenses	8,917		8,523		7,880
Additions (Deductions) Describe	(11,329)	[4]	(8,352)	[4]	(7,649)	[4]
Balance At End of Period	$ 21,748		$ 24,160		$ 23,989

[1] Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

[2] Amounts written off or payments incurred.

[3] Other activity not affecting federal or foreign tax expense.

[4] Loss and loss adjustment.

XML

Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

The information by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
Revenues from external customers
North America/HME	$	746,782	$	738,441	$	747,018
Invacare Supply Group	299,491		297,517		280,295
Institutional Products Group	124,121		97,419		90,806
Europe	544,537		506,069		503,084
Asia/Pacific	86,199		82,635		71,933
Consolidated	$	1,801,130	$	1,722,081	$	1,693,136
Intersegment revenues
North America/HME	$	88,188	$	83,316	$	72,273
Invacare Supply Group	76		75		232
Institutional Products Group	6,567		5,571		2,639
Europe	9,308		10,165		9,719
Asia/Pacific	32,876		33,616		31,143
Consolidated	$	137,015	$	132,743	$	116,006
Depreciation and amortization
North America/HME	$	12,814	$	15,674	$	17,872
Invacare Supply Group	471		383		403
Institutional Products Group	4,942		1,995		1,339
Europe	15,799		13,620		15,285
Asia/Pacific	4,645		4,941		5,555
All Other (1)	212		191		108
Consolidated	$	38,883	$	36,804	$	40,562

	2011			2010			2009
Net interest expense (income)
North America/HME	$	(446	)	$	12,824		$	26,686
Invacare Supply Group	3,045			3,058			3,153
Institutional Products Group	2,729			530			2,526
Europe	(1,754		)	721			(1,876		)
Asia/Pacific	2,945			2,790			987
Consolidated	$	6,519		$	19,923		$	31,476
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
North America/HME	$	42,200		$	54,714		$	39,587
Invacare Supply Group	8,002			7,547			5,374
Institutional Products Group	12,378			9,130			8,741
Europe	33,579			39,344			34,685
Asia/Pacific	(35,141		)	6,754			1,639
All Other (1)	(55,431		)	(79,448		)	(42,747		)
Consolidated	$	5,587		$	38,041		$	47,279
Assets
North America/HME (2)	$	293,949		$	334,733		$	306,211
Invacare Supply Group	93,566			88,678			86,469
Institutional Products Group	117,626			67,506			49,711
Europe	689,596			660,620			761,992
Asia/Pacific (2)	50,604			92,322			90,318
All Other (1)	35,713			36,541			64,800
Consolidated	$	1,281,054		$	1,280,400		$	1,359,501
Long-lived assets
North America/HME (2)	$	68,190		$	81,426		$	69,430
Invacare Supply Group	24,445			24,126			24,085
Institutional Products Group	95,010			49,291			34,288
Europe	518,382			510,728			596,142
Asia/Pacific (2)	10,896			52,565			50,323
All Other (1)	35,361			36,105			56,769
Consolidated	$	752,284		$	754,241		$	831,037
Expenditures for assets
North America/HME	$	9,189		$	7,407		$	7,718
Invacare Supply Group	789			404			196
Institutional Products Group	3,612			2,663			637
Europe	4,876			4,448			5,268
Asia/Pacific	3,480			2,224			3,433
All Other (1)	214			207			747
Consolidated	$	22,160		$	17,353		$	17,999

  ________________________

(1) Consists of un-allocated corporate SG&A costs and intercompany profits, which do not meet the quantitative criteria for determining reportable segments. In addition, the “All Other” earnings (loss) before income taxes includes loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges, interest and fees and impairment charges recognized related to limited partnership investments.

(2) Asia/Pacific assets and long-lived assets decrease includes decrease of $39,729,000 and $201,000 due to goodwill and intangible asset write-offs, respectively in 2011. NA/HME assets and long-lived assets included decreases of $7,990,000 and $508,000 due to the goodwill and intangible asset impairment write-offs, respectively, in 2011.

Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]

Net sales by product, are as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
North America/HME
Lifestyle Products	$	302,043	$	303,798	$	296,068
Mobility and Seating	278,113		288,756		283,214
Respiratory Therapy	133,273		111,242		133,821
Other(1)	33,353		34,645		33,915
	$	746,782	$	738,441	$	747,018
Invacare Supply Group
Distributed	$	299,491	$	297,517	$	280,295
Institutional Products Group
Continuing Care	$	101,889	$	88,261	$	89,423
Other(1)	22,232		9,158		$	1,383
	$	124,121	$	97,419	$	90,806
Europe
Lifestyle Products	$	293,425	$	289,577	$	285,253
Mobility and Seating	209,732		183,271		185,186
Respiratory Therapy	27,866		20,493		17,137
Other(1)	13,514		12,728		15,508
	$	544,537	$	506,069	$	503,084
Asia/Pacific
Mobility and Seating	$	36,483	$	38,226	$	31,428
Lifestyle Products	20,151		21,216		28,363
Respiratory Therapy	682		1,021		626
Other(1)	28,883		22,172		11,516
	$	86,199	$	82,635	$	71,933
Total Consolidated	$	1,801,130	$	1,722,081	$	1,693,136

  ________________________

(1) Includes various services, including repair services, equipment rentals and external contracting.

XML

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Other Comprehensive Earnings

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows (in thousands):

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available- for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Plans			Unrealized Gain (Loss)  on Derivative Financial Instruments			Total
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	54,692		$	588		$	(1,558	)	$	(2,933	)	$	50,789
Foreign currency translation adjustments	119,453												119,453
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities				96									96
Deferred tax liability relating to unrealized gain on available for sale securities				(34		)							(34		)
Valuation reserve reduction relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				34									34
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							537						537
Deferred tax expense resulting from amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses, prior service credit and other amounts arising during the year							(188		)				(188		)
Valuation reserve reduction associated with item directly above							188						188
Current period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										3,360			3,360
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments										(31		)	(31		)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	174,145		$	684		$	(1,021	)	$	396		$	174,204
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(59,823		)										(59,823		)
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities				(684		)							(684		)
Deferred tax asset relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				239									239
Valuation reserve reduction relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				(239		)							(239		)
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							549						549
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants							(1,860		)				(1,860		)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							459						459
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above							(459		)				(459		)
Current period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										273			273
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments										(28		)	(28		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	114,322		$	—		$	(2,332	)	$	641		$	112,631
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,440												14,440
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							321						321
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants							(2,770		)				(2,770		)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from Defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							857						857
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above							(857		)				(857		)
Current period unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										305			305
Deferred tax benefits relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments										(51		)	(51		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	128,762		$	—		$	(4,781	)	$	895		$	124,876

XML

Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Salaries and wages	$ 42,174	$ 46,658
Taxes other than income taxes, primarily Value Added Taxes	23,007	19,981
Warranty cost	19,842	18,252	21,506
Freight	11,087	11,189
Professional	7,252	7,333
Product liability, current portion	3,468	4,134
Rebates	3,681	3,320
Insurance	2,657	2,393
Interest	1,255	2,273
Derivative liabilities (foreign forward exchange contracts)	893	1,929
Severance	5,158	524
Other items, principally trade accruals	12,121	12,093
Accrued expenses	$ 132,595	$ 130,079

XML

Interim Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

Interim Financial Information (unaudited)

	QUARTER ENDED (In thousands, except per share data)
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
2011
Net sales	$	428,498	$	466,412		$	456,519	$	449,701
Gross profit	123,006		134,918			131,077		129,477
Earnings before income taxes	10,004		8,261			17,150		(29,828		)
Net earnings (loss)	7,454		10,661			12,800		(35,028		)
Net earnings (loss) per share—basic	0.23		0.33			0.40		(1.10		)
Net earnings (loss) per share—assuming dilution	0.23		0.32			0.40		(1.10		)
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
2010
Net sales	$	402,240	$	430,828		$	437,476	$	451,537
Gross profit	117,713		126,490			131,567		133,871
Earnings before income taxes	5,306		2,414			20,923		9,398
Net earnings	3,106		(611		)	15,598		7,248
Net earnings per share—basic	0.10		(0.02		)	0.48		0.22
Net earnings per share—assuming dilution	0.09		(0.02		)	0.48		0.22

XML

Other Long-Term Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Liability	$ 27,488	$ 26,133
Product liability	18,280	20,026
Deferred income taxes	28,948	32,559
Deferred compensation	9,937	8,542
Other	21,497	12,331
Total long-term obligations	$ 106,150	$ 99,591

XML

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, revenue	$ 449,701,000	$ 456,519,000	$ 466,412,000	$ 428,498,000	$ 451,537,000	$ 437,476,000	$ 430,828,000	$ 402,240,000	$ 1,801,130,000	$ 1,722,081,000	$ 1,693,136,000
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes									5,587,000	38,041,000	47,279,000
Single customer, percentage	3.30%								3.30%
Institutional Products Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes									12,378,000	9,130,000	8,741,000
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes									(35,141,000)	6,754,000	1,639,000
North America/HME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes									42,200,000	54,714,000	39,587,000
Impairment of Goodwill [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, assets									(39,729,000)
Impairment of Goodwill [Member] | North America/HME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, assets									(7,990,000)
Impairment of Intangible Assets [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, increase (decrease)									(201,000)
Impairment of Intangible Assets [Member] | North America/HME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, increase (decrease)									(508,000)
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Institutional Products Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, revenue										9,158,000	1,383,000
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes										(128,000)	(472,000)
Increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, assets										21,945,000	4,193,000
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | North America/HME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, revenue										(9,158,000)	(1,383,000)
Offsetting increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, earnings before taxes										128,000	472,000
Increase (decrease) from segment reporting change, assets										$ (21,945,000)	$ (4,193,000)

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the three years ended 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	2011			Weighted Average Exercise Price	2010			Weighted Average Exercise Price		2009			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at January 1	4,484,195			29.60	4,619,528			$	29.28	4,910,547			$	29.37
Granted	608,896			24.57	646,797			25.22		754,581			20.38
Exercised	(178,744		)	23.15	(399,144		)	23.08		(490,325		)	19.68
Canceled	(458,982		)	31.42	(382,986		)	25.07		(555,275		)	26.27
Options outstanding at December 31	4,455,365			28.99	4,484,195			$	29.60	4,619,528			$	29.28
Options exercise price range at December 31	10.70 to				10.70 to					10.70 to
	$	47.80			$	47.80				$	47.80
Options exercisable at December 31	2,960,317				2,941,772					3,099,092
Options available for grant at December 31*	1,914,574				2,478,905					3,132,623

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options Outstanding [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding At 12/31/11	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$ 10.70 – $15.00	15,653	4.1 years	$	12.19	10,153	$	10.70
$ 15.01 – $25.00	1,857,809	7.4	22.54		933,867	22.13
$ 25.01 – $35.00	1,241,312	6.8	26.28		675,706	26.87
$ 35.01 – $47.80	1,340,591	2.3	40.64		1,340,591	40.64
Total	4,455,365	5.7	$	28.99	2,960,317	$	31.55

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	2011		2010		2009
Expected dividend yield	0.2	%	0.21	%	0.21	%
Expected stock price volatility	37.3	%	39.6	%	39.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.11	%	1.57	%	1.81	%
Expected life in years	5.9		3.9		3.7
Forfeiture percentage	6.9	%	10.5	%	12.7	%

XML

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

	COL A.		COL B.		COL C.				COL D.
	Balance At Beginning of Period		Charged To Cost And Expenses		Additions (Deductions) Describe				Balance At End of Period
			(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Deducted from asset accounts—
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	30,168	$	11,460	$	(9,408	)	(A)	$	32,220
Inventory obsolescence reserve	14,242		3,885		(3,890		)	(B)	14,237
Tax valuation allowances	81,981		37		10,525			(D)	92,543
Accrued warranty cost	18,252		13,658		(12,068		)	(B)	19,842
Accrued product liability	24,160		8,917		(11,329		)	(C)	21,748
Year Ended December 31, 2010
Deducted from asset accounts—
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	28,075	$	16,979	$	(14,886	)	(A)	$	30,168
Inventory obsolescence reserve	15,009		5,350		(6,117		)	(B)	14,242
Tax valuation allowances	65,050		4,526		12,405			(D)	81,981
Accrued warranty cost	21,506		6,427		(9,681		)	(B)	18,252
Accrued product liability	23,989		8,523		(8,352		)	(C)	24,160
Year Ended December 31, 2009
Deducted from asset accounts—
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	23,090	$	19,281	$	(14,296	)	(A)	$	28,075
Inventory obsolescence reserve	12,419		6,497		(3,907		)	(B)	15,009
Tax valuation allowances	75,507		6,275		(16,732		)	(D)	65,050
Accrued warranty cost	16,798		14,112		(9,404		)	(B)	21,506
Accrued product liability	23,758		7,880		(7,649		)	(C)	23,989

  ________________________

Note (A)—Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Note (B)—Amounts written off or payments incurred.

Note (C)—Loss and loss adjustment.

Note (D)—Other activity not affecting federal or foreign tax expense.

XML

Leases and Commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lease Expense	$ 27,298,000	$ 23,094,000	$ 23,966,000
Capital Leases - 2012	1,578,000
Operating Leases - 2012	22,711,000
Capital Leases - 2013	1,481,000
Operating Leases - 2013	16,585,000
Capital Leases - 2014	1,440,000
Operating Leases - 2014	11,291,000
Capital Leases - 2015	1,420,000
Operating Leases - 2015	7,611,000
Capital Leases - 2016	1,417,000
Operating Leases - 2016	4,403,000
Capital Leases - Thereafter	3,701,000
Operating Leases - Thereafter	6,772,000
Total future minimum lease payments	11,037,000
Total future minimum lease payments	69,373,000
Amounts representing interest	(2,587,000)
Present value of minimum lease payments	8,450,000
Minimum [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lease Term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lease Term	20 years
Building and Equipment [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	14,643,000	14,197,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	$ 5,914,000	$ 5,201,000

XML

Long-Term Debt Line of Credit (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Oct. 28, 2010 Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Adjusted LIBOR [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Base Rate Option [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member] Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption, Purchase, or Repurchase Amount	$ 100,000,000				$ 63,351,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						1.75%	0.75%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Leverage Ratio		1.81	1.89					3.5	3.00
Interest Coverage Ratio		23.80	8.40							3.5
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		152,937,000
Stated Interest Rate Percentage		9.75%			4.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Borrowing Denominated in Foreign Currencies		$ 0	$ 12,982,000

XML

Income Taxes Income Before Income Tax (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic									$ (6,910)	$ (16,115)	$ (797)
Foreign									12,497	54,156	48,076
Earnings before Income Taxes	$ (29,828)	$ 17,150	$ 8,261	$ 10,004	$ 9,398	$ 20,923	$ 2,414	$ 5,306	$ 5,587	$ 38,041	$ 47,279

XML

Receivables Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 27,947,000	$ 25,327,000
Credit amount requiring additional analysis	250,000
Average Period of Adjudication	18 months
Installment receivable purchased from DLL	$ 3,806,000	$ 4,799,000
U.S.
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of Missed Payments before Delinquent	3
CANADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Typical Financing Period	12 months

XML

Supplemental Guarantor Information Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	$ 99,078,000	$ 122,207,000	$ 155,663,000
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(22,160,000)	(17,353,000)	(17,999,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	64,000	36,000	1,163,000
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(42,430,000)	(13,725,000)	0
Other long-term assets	(724,000)	801,000	601,000
Other	(13,000)	(376,000)	(447,000)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(65,263,000)	(30,617,000)	(16,682,000)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	450,595,000	708,742,000	400,123,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(454,567,000)	(751,660,000)	(553,436,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,139,000	2,912,000	1,628,000
Payment of financing costs	(24,113,000)	(30,329,000)	0
Payment of dividends	(1,588,000)	(1,612,000)	(1,605,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	(21,548,000)	(5,687,000)	0
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(47,082,000)	(77,634,000)	(153,290,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(271,000)	(2,995,000)	4,294,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,538,000)	10,961,000	(10,015,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,462,000	37,501,000	47,516,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	34,924,000	48,462,000	37,501,000
The Company (Parent) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	38,724,000	101,658,000	154,367,000
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(6,887,000)	(7,281,000)	(6,733,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	5,000
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other long-term assets	(731,000)	291,000	737,000
Other	(219,000)	153,000	(579,000)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(7,837,000)	(6,837,000)	(6,570,000)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	450,595,000	689,022,000	400,123,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(438,766,000)	(751,660,000)	(552,294,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,139,000	2,912,000	1,628,000
Payment of financing costs	(24,113,000)	(30,329,000)
Payment of dividends	(1,588,000)	(1,612,000)	(1,605,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	(21,548,000)	(5,687,000)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(31,281,000)	(97,354,000)	(152,148,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(394,000)	(2,533,000)	(4,351,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,036,000	6,569,000	10,920,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	3,642,000	4,036,000	6,569,000
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	49,396,000	15,427,000	1,823,000
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(5,316,000)	(1,567,000)	(1,875,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	16,000	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(42,430,000)	(13,725,000)
Other long-term assets	0	(11,000)	(122,000)
Other	73,000	(174,000)	416,000
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(47,657,000)	(15,477,000)	(1,581,000)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	0	0	0
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(2,111,000)	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Payment of financing costs	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(2,111,000)	0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(372,000)	(50,000)	242,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,476,000	2,526,000	2,284,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2,104,000	2,476,000	2,526,000
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	65,516,000	44,442,000	105,575,000
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(9,957,000)	(8,505,000)	(9,391,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	48,000	36,000	1,158,000
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other long-term assets	7,000	521,000	(14,000)
Other	133,000	(355,000)	(284,000)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(9,769,000)	(8,303,000)	(8,531,000)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	0	19,720,000	0
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(13,690,000)	0	(1,142,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Payment of financing costs	0	0
Payment of dividends	(54,558,000)	(39,320,000)	(106,102,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(68,248,000)	(19,600,000)	(107,244,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(271,000)	(2,995,000)	4,294,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(12,772,000)	13,544,000	(5,906,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	41,950,000	28,406,000	34,312,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	29,178,000	41,950,000	28,406,000
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	(54,558,000)	(39,320,000)	(106,102,000)
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other long-term assets	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	0	0	0
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	0	0	0
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Payment of financing costs	0	0
Payment of dividends	54,558,000	39,320,000	106,102,000
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	54,558,000	39,320,000	106,102,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Long-Term Debt Components of Convertible Debt (Details) (Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member], Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	$ 25,216,000	$ 46,205,000
Principal amount of liability component	13,850,000	77,201,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	(4,053,000)	(25,137,000)
Convertible Debt	$ 9,797,000	$ 52,064,000

XML

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	$ 112,631	$ 174,204	$ 50,789
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,440	(59,823)	119,453
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(684)	96
Deferred tax asset (liability) relating to unrealized gain on available for sale securities		239	(34)
Valuation reserve relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(239)	34
Defined Benefit Plans
Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized losses	321	549	537
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants	(2,770)	(1,860)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses	857	459	(188)
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above	(857)	(459)	188
Current Period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	305	273	3,360
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	(51)	(28)	(31)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	124,876	112,631	174,204
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	(250)	2,803	(3,158)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	114,322	174,145	54,692
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,440	(59,823)	119,453
Defined Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	128,762	114,322	174,145
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance		684	588
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(684)	96
Deferred tax asset (liability) relating to unrealized gain on available for sale securities		239	(34)
Valuation reserve relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(239)	34
Defined Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	0	0	684
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(2,332)	(1,021)	(1,558)
Defined Benefit Plans
Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized losses	321	549	537
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants	(2,770)	(1,860)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses	857	459	(188)
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above	(857)	(459)	188
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	(4,781)	(2,332)	(1,021)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	641	396	(2,933)
Defined Benefit Plans
Current Period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	305	273	3,360
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	(51)	(28)	(31)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	$ 895	$ 641	$ 396

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 votes		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Jul. 19, 2005
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.25
Ratio of Votes Per Share of Class B Common Stock to Common Stock	10
Class B Common Shares Dividend Rate Lower than Common Shares	10.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	3,000,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Awared Number Of Shares Available For Grant Other Than Options	1,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	6,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	608,896		646,797		754,581
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	10 years		10 years		10 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 16,031,000
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Percentage of Options Vested in Year Following Issuance	25.00%		25.00%		25.00%
Stock Option Related, Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	31,000		280,000		410,000
Treasury Stock, Value	21,548,000		5,687,000		0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	1,429,000		1,928,000		962,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	49,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	47,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	4,139,000		2,912,000		1,628,000
Percentage of Class A Preferred Stock per Right	0.10%
Right to Purchase Series A Participating Serial Preferred Purchase Price							$ 180.00
Percentage of Voting Power to be Acquired at Which Point Rights Become Exercisable	30.00%
Percentage of the Current Market Price per Common Share to be used as Denominator of Rights used to Acquire Common Stock	50.00%
Price to Redeem and Terminate Rights by Company	0.001
Number of Days Following a Public Announcement of Beneficial Ownership Acquisition	10 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	101,329		92,900		125,840
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 24.45
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	90,700
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 23.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	249,499		243,770
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	5,227,000		5,190,000		4,866,000
Share-based Compensation	2,199,000		2,023,000		1,783,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	4,362,000		5,261,000		1,716,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 8.88		$ 7.83		$ 6.84
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,914,574	[1]	2,478,905	[1]	3,132,623	[1]
Treasury Stock, Value	$ 676,000		$ 7,830,000		$ 8,841,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5.7		5.8		5.5
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4.2

[1] *Options available for grant as of December 31, 2011 reduced by net restricted stock award activity of 584,007.

XML

Charges Related To Restructuring Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$ 0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	10,870	4,804
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(5,638)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	5,232
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	8,688
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(3,530)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	5,158
Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	277
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(277)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	1,788
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(1,714)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	74
Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	117
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(117)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
NA/HME [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	4,760
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(1,668)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3,092
NA/HME [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	4,756
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(1,664)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3,092
NA/HME [Member] | Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
NA/HME [Member] | Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
NA/HME [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	4
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(4)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
IPG [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	123
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(52)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	71
IPG [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	123
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(52)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	71
IPG [Member] | Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
IPG [Member] | Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
IPG [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
ISG [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	335
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(82)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	253
ISG [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	335
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(82)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	253
ISG [Member] | Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
ISG [Member] | Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
ISG [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Europe [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	5,466
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(3,650)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,816
Europe [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	3,288
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(1,546)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,742
Europe [Member] | Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	277
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(277)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Europe [Member] | Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	1,788
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(1,714)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	74
Europe [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	113
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(113)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Asia/Pacific [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	186
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(186)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Asia/Pacific [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	186
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	(186)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Asia/Pacific [Member] | Product Line Discontinuance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Asia/Pacific [Member] | Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Asia/Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$ 0

XML

Long-Term Debt Maturities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.64%	6.06%
2012	$ 5,044,000
2013	1,143,000
2014	1,071,000
2015	1,088,000
2016	244,161,000
Interest Paid	$ 10,789,000	$ 28,341,000	$ 33,188,000

XML

Current Liabilities Warranty Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Balance as of January 1	$ 18,252	$ 21,506
Warranties provided during the period	11,225	5,996
Settlements made during the period	(12,068)	(9,681)
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations	2,433	431
Balance as of December 31	$ 19,842	$ 18,252

XML

Net Earnings Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Earnings Per Common Share

Net Earnings Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share.

	2011			2010		2009
	(In thousands except per share data)
Basic
Average common shares outstanding	31,958			32,393		31,969
Net earnings (loss)	$	(4,113	)	$	25,341	$	41,179
Net earnings per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	0.78	$	1.29
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding	31,958			32,393		31,969
Shares related to convertible debt	—			163		—
Stock options and awards	—			138		27
Average common shares assuming dilution	31,958			32,694		31,996
Net earnings (loss)	$	(4,113	)	$	25,341	$	41,179
Net earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	0.78	$	1.29

At December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, 2,355,567, 2,396,061 and 4,230,630 shares associated with stock options, respectively were excluded from the average common shares assuming dilution, as they were anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2011, the majority of the anti-dilutive shares were granted at an exercise price of $24.45, which was lower than the average fair market value price of $27.4 for 2011. For the 2011 Net Earnings per Share calculation, all of the shares associated with stock options were anti-dilutive because of the company's loss. In 2010, the majority of the anti-dilutive shares were granted at an exercise price of $41.87, which was higher than the average fair market value price of $25.82 for 2010. In 2009, the majority of the anti-dilutive shares were granted at an exercise price of $41.87, which was higher than the average fair market value price of $19.42 for 2009. Shares necessary to settle a conversion spread on the convertible notes were included in the common shares assuming dilution as the average market price of the company stock for 2010 did exceed the conversion price, which was not the case in 2011 and 2009.

XML

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]

Earnings (loss) before income taxes consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010			2009
Domestic	$	(6,910	)	$	(16,115	)	$	(797	)
Foreign	12,497			54,156			48,076
	$	5,587		$	38,041		$	47,279

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The company has provided for income taxes (benefits) as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010			2009
Current:
Federal	$	3,244		$	4,749		$	(8,310	)
State	1,000			689			1,775
Foreign	13,008			9,729			10,850
	17,252			15,167			4,315
Deferred:
Federal	(3,474		)	(1,696		)	—
Foreign	(4,078		)	(771		)	1,785
	(7,552		)	(2,467		)	1,785
Income Taxes	$	9,700		$	12,700		$	6,100

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation to the effective income tax rate from the federal statutory rate is as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	11.6		1.2		2.4
Tax credits	(22.1	)	(41.1	)	(146.4	)
Foreign taxes at less than the federal statutory rate excluding valuation allowances	(89.2	)	(24.4	)	(12.2	)
Federal and foreign valuation allowance	0.7		4.6		13.3
Non-deductible extinguishment and debt finance costs	46.1		8.5		—
Withholding taxes	(0.6	)	(0.4	)	2.4
Compensation	5.6		(0.3	)	0.6
Dividends	47.0		54.8		129.3
Life insurance	(12.2	)	(1.1	)	(1.0	)
Foreign branch activity	(25.2	)	(3.4	)	(5.2	)
Uncertain tax positions	2.0		(1.7	)	(2.5	)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment (Asia/Pacific)	252.7		—		—
Foreign tax audit settlement	(88.6	)	—		—
Other, net	10.8		1.7		(2.8	)
	173.6	%	33.4	%	12.9	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Loss carryforwards	$	2,017		$	5,853
Bad debt	9,698			9,398
Warranty	4,591			4,338
State and local taxes	2,687			2,699
Other accrued expenses and reserves	2,068			5,535
Inventory	1,949			2,742
Compensation and benefits	2,644			1,182
Product liability	292			292
Valuation allowance	(24,887		)	(21,657		)
Other, net	561			(4,604		)
	$	1,620		$	5,778
Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Goodwill & intangibles	(23,388		)	(24,478		)
Convertible debt	(941		)	(8,798		)
Fixed assets	(14,949		)	(15,770		)
Compensation and benefits	14,388			13,416
Loss and credit carryforwards	43,603			45,519
Product liability	4,236			4,428
State and local taxes	10,734			9,480
Valuation allowance	(67,656		)	(60,324		)
Other, net	5,025			3,968
	$	(28,948	)	$	(32,559	)
Net Deferred Income Taxes	$	(27,328	)	$	(26,781	)

Summary of Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,500		$	6,710
Additions to:
Positions taken during the current year	475			1,400
Positions taken during a prior year	105			265
Deductions due to:
Exchange rate impact	20			(65		)
Positions taken during a prior year	(545		)	(15		)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(195		)	(3,185		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(285		)	(610		)
Balance at end of year	$	4,075		$	4,500

XML

Current Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses [Table Text Block]

Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of accruals for the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Salaries and wages	$	42,174	$	46,658
Taxes other than income taxes, primarily Value Added Taxes	23,007		19,981
Warranty cost	19,842		18,252
Freight	11,087		11,189
Professional	7,252		7,333
Product liability, current portion	3,468		4,134
Rebates	3,681		3,320
Insurance	2,657		2,393
Interest	1,255		2,273
Derivative liability (foreign forward exchange contracts)	893		1,929
Severance	5,158		524
Other items, principally trade accruals	12,121		12,093
	$	132,595	$	130,079

Accrued Warranty Costs [Table Text Block]

Changes in accrued warranty costs were as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Balance as of January 1	$	18,252		$	21,506
Warranties provided during the period	11,225			5,996
Settlements made during the period	(12,068		)	(9,681		)
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations	2,433			431
Balance as of December 31	$	19,842		$	18,252

XML

Long-Term Debt Interest Rate Swaps (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.54%	3.29%
Interest Rate Derivative, September 2013, .0625% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	18,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate on LIBOR Component	0.625%
Derivative, Effective Aggregate Interest Rate	2.375%
Interest Rate Derivative, September 2013, .46% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	22,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate on LIBOR Component	0.46%
Derivative, Effective Aggregate Interest Rate	2.21%
Interest Rate Derivative, May 2013, 1.08% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	20,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate on LIBOR Component	1.08%
Derivative, Effective Aggregate Interest Rate	2.83%
Interest Rate Derivative, May 2013, .73% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	25,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate on LIBOR Component	0.73%
Derivative, Effective Aggregate Interest Rate	2.48%
Interest Rate Derivative, February 2013, 1.05% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	15,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate on LIBOR Component	1.05%
Derivative, Effective Aggregate Interest Rate	2.80%

XML

Concentration Of Credit Risk (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Retained Recourse Obligation For Events Of Default Under Contracts	10,414,000
Events of Default Under Contract by Third Party	70,354,000
Guarantee Obligation Liability	381,000
Concentration Risk, Single Customer, Percentage	3.30%
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of Customers Used For Concentration Risk Disclosure	10
Concentration Risk, Percentage	14.40%
Minimum Number Of Major Customers That If Lost Would Have Significant Impact On Company	1
Concentration Risk, Single Customer, Percentage	3.30%

XML

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Inventories [Table Text Block]

Inventories as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Finished goods	$	116,378	$	101,243
Raw materials	63,244		59,921
Work in process	13,139		13,211
	$	192,761	$	174,375

XML

Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]

Foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying and designated for hedge accounting treatment were as follows (in thousands USD):

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Notional Amount		Unrealized Net Gain (Loss)			Notional Amount		Unrealized Net Gain (Loss)
USD / AUD	$	3,324	$	104		$	3,072	$	(223	)
USD / CAD	8,424		29			32,974		(14		)
USD / CNY	8,130		(16		)	—		—
USD / EUR	42,267		701			32,419		927
USD / GBP	1,806		19			4,212		86
USD / NZD	8,256		86			9,577		202
USD / SEK	4,520		19			10,395		95
USD / MXP	14,029		(146		)	—		—
EUR / AUD	1,220		(48		)	—		—
EUR / CHF	5,433		(22		)	8,768		54
EUR / GBP	17,201		9			18,068		(577		)
EUR / SEK	—		—			8,045		92
EUR / NZD	7,009		505			2,630		5
GBP / CHF	929		(5		)	770		(3		)
GBP / SEK	1,690		12			2,014		(43		)
GBP / DKK	—		—			1,016		(27		)
CHF / SEK	271		(2		)	6,937		(3		)
DKK / CHF	—		—			514		1
DKK / SEK	—		—			1,465		18
NOK / CHF	436		(1		)	—		—
	$	124,945	$	1,244		$	142,876	$	590

Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

Foreign exchange forward contracts not qualifying or designated for hedge accounting treatment entered into in 2011 and 2010, respectively, and outstanding were as follows (in thousands USD):

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Notional Amount		Gain (Loss)			Notional Amount		Gain (Loss)
CAD / USD	$	2,146	$	12		$	14,636	$	337
EUR / USD	—		—			1,394		28
CHF / USD	3,419		(118		)	—		—
SEK / CAD	2,545		52			—		—
EUR / CAD	4,244		(10		)	—		—
EUR / DKK	3,482		—			—		—
	$	15,836	$	(64	)	$	16,030	$	365

Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

The fair values of the company’s derivative instruments were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,621	$	377	$	2,518	$	1,928
Interest rate swap contracts	$	18	$	388	$	—	$	—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Foreign currency forward contracts	64		128		366		1
Total derivatives	$	1,703	$	893	$	2,884	$	1,929

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) was as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives in ASC 815 cash flow hedge relationships	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)			Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)			Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives  (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	925		$	(250	)	$	(7	)
Interest rate swap contracts	(370		)	—			—
	$	555		$	(250	)	$	(7	)
Year ended December 31, 2010
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	(2,530	)	$	2,803		$	(134	)
Interest rate swap contracts	—			—			—
	$	(2,530	)	$	2,803		$	(134	)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815							Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Year ended December 31, 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts							$	83
Year ended December 31, 2010
Foreign currency forward contracts							$	3,800

XML

Other Intangibles Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia Pacific [Member] Intellectual Property [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 European [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 European [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 European [Member] Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 European [Member] Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Customer Lists [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Other Intangible Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Trademarks, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Developed Technology Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPG [Member] Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Trademarks [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member] Customer Lists [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 NA/HME [Member] Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets				$ 31,777,000	$ 31,246,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	1,761,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Amount														18,800,000	1,000,000	400,000	801,000
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset, Amount																			295,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum	20
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life Minimum for Majority of Assets	10
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Average Useful Life	13
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	10,542,000	8,451,000	8,671,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived						201,000	201,000					625,000		625,000						508,000	800,000	248,000	508,000	248,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Impairment Losses								427,000	896,000	427,000			336,000					336,000
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Impairment Losses After Tax											$ 320,000

XML

Interim Financial Information Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		$ (7,462,000)	$ (11,855,000)	$ (4,881,000)	$ (18,019,000)	$ (3,711,000)	$ (14,048,000)	$ (4,386,000)	$ (24,200,000)	$ (40,164,000)	$ (2,878,000)
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax		(7,462,000)	(11,855,000)	(4,881,000)	(14,154,000)	(3,711,000)	(14,648,000)	(3,786,000)
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Per Share, Net of Tax		$ (0.23)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.45)	$ (0.11)
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									4,947,000
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Per Share									$ 0.15
Restructuring Charges	9,128,000	1,311,000							10,593,000	0	4,506,000
Restructuring Charges, Net of Tax	9,217,000	971,000
Restructuring Charges, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.29	$ 0.03
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	49,480,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment, Net of Tax	48,719,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ 1.53
Germany [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax			(5,100,000)
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			5,100,000
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Per Share			$ 0.16
Restructuring Charges			431,000
Restructuring Charges, Net of Tax			$ 411,000
Restructuring Charges, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share			$ 0.01

XML

Receivables Aging of Installment Receivables (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current	$ 5,612
0-30 Days Past Due	84
31-60 Days Past Due	42
61-90 Days Past Due	8
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,175
Total Installment Receivables Past Due	11,921
U.S.
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current	0
0-30 Days Past Due	0
31-60 Days Past Due	0
61-90 Days Past Due	0
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,116
Total Installment Receivables Past Due	6,116
CANADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current	5,612
0-30 Days Past Due	84
31-60 Days Past Due	42
61-90 Days Past Due	8
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	59
Total Installment Receivables Past Due	$ 5,805

XML

Capital Stock (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Capital Units [Table Text Block]

Capital stock activity for 2011, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands of shares):

	Common Stock Shares	Class B Shares		Treasury Shares
January 1, 2009 Balance	32,449	1,111		(1,424	)
Exercise of stock options	490	—		(386	)
Restricted stock awards	109	—		(24	)
December 31, 2009 Balance	33,048	1,111		(1,834	)
Exercise of stock options	399	—		(247	)
Restricted stock awards	87	—		(33	)
Purchase of shares for treasury	—	—		(205	)
Conversion of Class B to Common	25	(25	)	—
December 31, 2010 Balance	33,559	1,086		(2,319	)
Exercise of stock options	180	—		—
Restricted stock awards	96	—		(31	)
Purchase of shares for treasury	—	—		(750	)
December 31, 2011 Balance	33,835	1,086		(3,100	)

XML

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Finished goods	$	116,378	$	101,243
Raw materials	63,244		59,921
Work in process	13,139		13,211
	$	192,761	$	174,375

XML

Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 116,378	$ 101,243
Raw materials	63,244	59,921
Work in process	13,139	13,211
Inventory, Net	$ 192,761	$ 174,375

XML

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
$400,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, due in October 2015	$	247,063		$	184,932
Convertible senior subordinated debentures at 4.125%, due in February 2027	9,797			52,064
Other notes and lease obligations	8,624			9,068
	265,484			246,064
Less current maturities of long-term debt	(5,044		)	(7,974		)
	$	260,440		$	238,090

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

The components of the company’s convertible debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Carrying amount of equity component	$	25,216		$	46,205
Principal amount of liability component	$	13,850		$	77,201
Unamortized discount	(4,053		)	(25,137		)
Net carrying amount of liability component	$	9,797		$	52,064

XML

Business Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business Segments

Business Segments

The company operates in five primary business segments: North America/Home Medical Equipment (NA/HME), Invacare Supply Group (ISG), Institutional Products Group (IPG), Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The NA/HME segment sells each of three primary product lines, which includes: lifestyle, mobility and seating and respiratory therapy products. Invacare Supply Group sells distributed product and the Institutional Products Group sells or rents long-term care medical equipment, health care furnishings and accessory products. Europe and Asia/Pacific sell the same product lines as NA/HME and IPG. Each business segment sells to the home health care, retail and extended care markets.

The company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes for each reportable segment. The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies for the company’s consolidated financial statements. Intersegment sales and transfers are based on the costs to manufacture plus a reasonable profit element. Therefore, intercompany profit or loss on intersegment sales and transfers is not considered in evaluating segment performance except for Asia/Pacific due to its significant intercompany sales volume.

In 2011, and as a result of an acquisition that expanded the company's North American rental operations, management re-evaluated its rental operations and determined that sales are more closely aligned with institutional customers and as a result, these operations are now included and evaluated as part of IPG. The principal changes were that IPG revenues for 2010 and 2009 were increased by $9,158,000 and $1,383,000, respectively, with an offsetting decrease in revenues for the NA/HME segment. In addition, IPG earnings before income taxes for 2010 and 2009 were decreased by $128,000 and $472,000, respectively, with an offsetting increase in NA/HME earnings before income taxes. In addition, IPG total assets for 2010 and 2009 were increased by $21,945,000 and $4,193,000, respectively, with an offsetting decrease in NA/HME.

The information by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
Revenues from external customers
North America/HME	$	746,782	$	738,441	$	747,018
Invacare Supply Group	299,491		297,517		280,295
Institutional Products Group	124,121		97,419		90,806
Europe	544,537		506,069		503,084
Asia/Pacific	86,199		82,635		71,933
Consolidated	$	1,801,130	$	1,722,081	$	1,693,136
Intersegment revenues
North America/HME	$	88,188	$	83,316	$	72,273
Invacare Supply Group	76		75		232
Institutional Products Group	6,567		5,571		2,639
Europe	9,308		10,165		9,719
Asia/Pacific	32,876		33,616		31,143
Consolidated	$	137,015	$	132,743	$	116,006
Depreciation and amortization
North America/HME	$	12,814	$	15,674	$	17,872
Invacare Supply Group	471		383		403
Institutional Products Group	4,942		1,995		1,339
Europe	15,799		13,620		15,285
Asia/Pacific	4,645		4,941		5,555
All Other (1)	212		191		108
Consolidated	$	38,883	$	36,804	$	40,562

	2011			2010			2009
Net interest expense (income)
North America/HME	$	(446	)	$	12,824		$	26,686
Invacare Supply Group	3,045			3,058			3,153
Institutional Products Group	2,729			530			2,526
Europe	(1,754		)	721			(1,876		)
Asia/Pacific	2,945			2,790			987
Consolidated	$	6,519		$	19,923		$	31,476
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
North America/HME	$	42,200		$	54,714		$	39,587
Invacare Supply Group	8,002			7,547			5,374
Institutional Products Group	12,378			9,130			8,741
Europe	33,579			39,344			34,685
Asia/Pacific	(35,141		)	6,754			1,639
All Other (1)	(55,431		)	(79,448		)	(42,747		)
Consolidated	$	5,587		$	38,041		$	47,279
Assets
North America/HME (2)	$	293,949		$	334,733		$	306,211
Invacare Supply Group	93,566			88,678			86,469
Institutional Products Group	117,626			67,506			49,711
Europe	689,596			660,620			761,992
Asia/Pacific (2)	50,604			92,322			90,318
All Other (1)	35,713			36,541			64,800
Consolidated	$	1,281,054		$	1,280,400		$	1,359,501
Long-lived assets
North America/HME (2)	$	68,190		$	81,426		$	69,430
Invacare Supply Group	24,445			24,126			24,085
Institutional Products Group	95,010			49,291			34,288
Europe	518,382			510,728			596,142
Asia/Pacific (2)	10,896			52,565			50,323
All Other (1)	35,361			36,105			56,769
Consolidated	$	752,284		$	754,241		$	831,037
Expenditures for assets
North America/HME	$	9,189		$	7,407		$	7,718
Invacare Supply Group	789			404			196
Institutional Products Group	3,612			2,663			637
Europe	4,876			4,448			5,268
Asia/Pacific	3,480			2,224			3,433
All Other (1)	214			207			747
Consolidated	$	22,160		$	17,353		$	17,999

  ________________________

(1) Consists of un-allocated corporate SG&A costs and intercompany profits, which do not meet the quantitative criteria for determining reportable segments. In addition, the “All Other” earnings (loss) before income taxes includes loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges, interest and fees and impairment charges recognized related to limited partnership investments.

(2) Asia/Pacific assets and long-lived assets decrease includes decrease of $39,729,000 and $201,000 due to goodwill and intangible asset write-offs, respectively in 2011. NA/HME assets and long-lived assets included decreases of $7,990,000 and $508,000 due to the goodwill and intangible asset impairment write-offs, respectively, in 2011.

Net sales by product, are as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
North America/HME
Lifestyle Products	$	302,043	$	303,798	$	296,068
Mobility and Seating	278,113		288,756		283,214
Respiratory Therapy	133,273		111,242		133,821
Other(1)	33,353		34,645		33,915
	$	746,782	$	738,441	$	747,018
Invacare Supply Group
Distributed	$	299,491	$	297,517	$	280,295
Institutional Products Group
Continuing Care	$	101,889	$	88,261	$	89,423
Other(1)	22,232		9,158		$	1,383
	$	124,121	$	97,419	$	90,806
Europe
Lifestyle Products	$	293,425	$	289,577	$	285,253
Mobility and Seating	209,732		183,271		185,186
Respiratory Therapy	27,866		20,493		17,137
Other(1)	13,514		12,728		15,508
	$	544,537	$	506,069	$	503,084
Asia/Pacific
Mobility and Seating	$	36,483	$	38,226	$	31,428
Lifestyle Products	20,151		21,216		28,363
Respiratory Therapy	682		1,021		626
Other(1)	28,883		22,172		11,516
	$	86,199	$	82,635	$	71,933
Total Consolidated	$	1,801,130	$	1,722,081	$	1,693,136

  ________________________

(1) Includes various services, including repair services, equipment rentals and external contracting.

No single customer accounted for more than 3.3% of the company’s sales.

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Pursuant to ASC 820, the inputs used to derive the fair value of assets and liabilities are analyzed and assigned a level I, II or III priority, with level I being the highest and level III being the lowest in the hierarchy. Level I inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level II inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets: quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. Level III inputs are based on valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

The following table provides a summary of the company’s assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis (in thousands).

				Basis for Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets / (Liabilities)	Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Other Unobservable Inputs
	Total			Level I	Level II			Level III
December 31, 2011:
Forward Exchange Contracts—net	$	1,180		—	$	1,180		—
Interest Rate Swap Agreements—net	$	(370	)		$	(370	)
December 31, 2010:
Forward Exchange Contracts—net	955			—	955			—

Forward Contracts: The company operates internationally and as a result is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. Specifically, the exposure includes intercompany loans and third party sales or payments. In an attempt to reduce this exposure, foreign currency forward contracts are utilized and accounted for as hedging instruments. The forward contracts are used to hedge the following currencies: AUD, CAD, CHF, CNY, DKK, EUR, GBP, MXP, NOK, NZD, SEK and USD. The company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Fair values for the company’s foreign exchange forward contracts are based on quoted market prices for contracts with similar maturities.

The gains and losses that result from the majority of the forward contracts are deferred and recognized when the offsetting gains and losses for the identified transactions are recognized. The company recognized a net loss of $250,000 in 2011, a net gain of $2,803,000 in 2010 and a net loss of $339,000 in 2009 on ASC 815 designated derivatives. Gains or losses recognized as the result of the settlement of forward contracts are recognized in cost of products sold for hedges of inventory transactions, sales for hedges of forecasted sales or selling, general and administrative expenses for other hedged transactions. The company’s forward contracts are included in Other Current Assets or Accrued Expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2011						2010
	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,924		$	34,924		$	48,462		$	48,462
Other investments	1,362			1,362			1,588			1,588
Installment receivables, net of reserves	7,477			7,477			5,672			5,672
Long-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)	(265,484		)	(264,112		)	(246,064		)	(264,382		)
Forward contracts in Other Current Assets	1,685			1,685			2,884			2,884
Forward contracts in Accrued Expenses	(505		)	(505		)	(1,929		)	(1,929		)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Other Current Assets	18			18			—			—
Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Accrued Expenses	(388		)	(388		)	—			—

The company, in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments, used the following methods and assumptions:

Cash, cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents equals its fair value.

Installment receivables: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for installment receivables approximates its fair value. The interest rates associated with these receivables have not varied significantly since inception. Management believes that after consideration of the credit risk, the net book value of the installment receivables approximates market value.

Long-term debt: Fair values for the company’s senior notes and convertible debt are based on quoted market prices as of the end of the year, while the revolving credit facility fair values are based upon the company’s estimate of the market for similar borrowing arrangements.

Other investments: The company has made other investments in limited partnerships and non-marketable equity securities, which are accounted for using the cost method, adjusted for any estimated declines in value. These investments were acquired in private placements and there are no quoted market prices or stated rates of return and the company does not have the ability to easily sell these investments. The company completed an evaluation of the residual value related to these investments in the fourth quarter of 2011 and recognized an immaterial loss. An immaterial loss was also recognized in the fourth quarter of 2010. In the fourth quarter 2009, the company recognized impairment charges totaling $6,713,000 pre-tax, which is included in the All Other segment, as a result of an evaluation of the residual value related to these investments which considered the weakening in the commercial real estate market as well as the redemption of one of the investments for a nominal amount.

Other Intangibles and Goodwill: Under Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are subject to annual impairment tests. Furthermore, goodwill and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. To review goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC 350, the company first estimates the fair value of each reporting unit and compares the calculated fair value to the carrying value of the each reporting unit. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below. The company has determined that its reporting units are the same as its operating segments. The company completes its annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year. To estimate the fair values of the reporting units, the company utilizes a discounted cash flow method (DCF) model in which the company forecasts income statement and balance sheet amounts based on assumptions regarding future sales growth, profitability, inventory turns, days' sales outstanding, etc. to forecast future cash flows. The cash flows are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital discount rate where the cost of debt is based on quoted rates for 20-year debt of companies of similar credit risk and the cost of equity is based upon the 20-year treasury rate for the risk free rate, a market risk premium, the industry average beta and a small cap stock adjustment. The discount rates used have a significant impact upon the discounted cash flow methodology utilized in the company's annual impairment testing as higher discount rates decrease the fair value estimates. The assumptions used are based on a market participant's point of view and yielded a discount rate of 9.27% in 2011 for the company's initial impairment analysis compared to 9.59% in 2010 and 10.74% in 2009.

The company also utilizes an EV (Enterprise Value) to EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) Method to compute the fair value of its reporting units which considers potential acquirers and their EV to EBITDA multiples adjusted by an estimated premium. While more weight is given to the discounted cash flow method, the EV to EBITDA Method does provide corroborative evidence of the reasonableness of the discounted cash flow method results.

The results of the company's Step I annual impairment test indicated a potential impairment in the Asia Pacific segment. As a result, the company completed a Step II impairment test for this segment. Pursuant to Property, Plant and Equipment, ASC 360, the company compared the forecasted un-discounted cash flows of the Asia/Pacific segment to the carrying value of the net assets, which calculated no impairment of any other long-lived assets. As part of the Step II test, the company calculated the fair value of all recorded and unrecorded assets and liabilities to determine the goodwill impairment amount. As a result of reduced profitability in the Asia/Pacific segment in the fourth quarter of 2011, uncertainty associated with future market conditions, and based on the Step II calculated results, the company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill in the Asia Pacific segment of $39,729,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011, which represented the entire goodwill amount for the segment.

In December, 2011, the FDA requested that the company agree to a consent decree of injunction at the company's corporate facility and its wheelchair manufacturing facility in Elyria, Ohio, the proposed terms of which would require the suspension of certain operations at those facilities until they are certified by the company and determined by the FDA to be in compliance with FDA quality system regulations. As a result of this potential uncertain event, the company's market capitalization declined considerably on the day of the disclosure. In accordance with ASC 350, a significant decline in the company's stock price and market capitalization, should be considered as indicators of possible impairment that would require an interim assessment of goodwill for impairment. The company believes the consent decree would primarily impact the company's NA/HME segment if the operations at the subject facilities were suspended.

The company is in the process of negotiating with the FDA the terms of the consent decree. As of December, 2011, the company updated the assumptions and variables in its DCF model as of December, 2011 in regards to the NA/HME segment and factored in a 230 basis point risk premium to the discount rate used to reflect the increased uncertainty with the company's forecasted cash flows for the reporting unit. The risk premium adjustment was calculated by the company by considering the decline in the company's stock price as well as the company's EBITDA multiple. The premium adjustment was made as the company was not able to produce a range of cash flows given the lack of clarity on the final terms of the consent decree. The results of the calculation as of December 31, 2011 confirmed that the carrying value of the NA/HME reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Pursuant to ASC 360, the company compared the forecasted un-discounted cash flows of the NA/HME segment to the carrying value of the net assets, which indicated no impairment of any other long-lived assets. The company then conducted a preliminary Step II test in which the fair values of all recorded and unrecorded assets and liabilities were calculated to determine the estimated impairment charge of $7,990,000, which represented the entire goodwill amount for the segment. The company expects to finalize the Step II analysis and record any adjustment in the first quarter of 2012.

While there was no indication of impairment in 2011 related to goodwill for the Europe, ISG or IPG segments, a future potential impairment is possible for any of the company's segments should actual results differ materially from forecasted results used in the valuation analysis. Furthermore, the company's annual valuation of goodwill can differ materially if the market inputs used to determine the discount rate change significantly. For instance, higher interest rates or greater stock price volatility would increase the discount rate and thus increase the chance of impairment. In consideration of this potential, the company reviewed the results if the discount rate used were 100 basis points higher for the 2011 impairment analysis and determined that there still would not be any indicator of potential impairment for the Europe, ISG or IPG segments.

The company's intangible assets consist of intangible assets with defined lives as well as intangible assets with indefinite lives. Defined-lived intangible assets consist principally of customer lists, developed technology, license agreements, patents and other miscellaneous intangibles such as non-compete agreements. The company's indefinite lived intangible assets consist entirely of trademarks.

The company evaluates the carrying value of definite-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. Definite-lived assets are determined to be impaired if the future un-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than the carrying value. Actual impairment amounts for definite-lived assets are then calculated using a discounted cash flow calculation. The company reviews indefinite-lived assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year and whenever events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. Any impairment amounts for indefinite-lived assets are calculated as the difference between the future discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset less than the carrying value for the asset.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the company recognized intangible write-down charges of $1,761,000 comprised of: customer list impairment of $625,000 in the IPG segment, customer list impairment of $508,000 in the NA/HME segment, indefinite-lived trademark impairment of $427,000 in the European segment and an intellectual property impairment of $201,000 in the Asia/Pacific segment. The fair value of the customer lists were calculated using an excess earnings method, using a discounted cash flow model. Estimated cash flow returns to the customer relationship were reduced by the cash flows required to satisfy the return requirements of each of the assets employed with the residual cash flow then discounted to value the customer relationship. The fair value of the trademark was calculated using a relief from royalty payment methodology which requires applying an estimated market royalty rate to forecasted net sales and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value. The intellectual properly intangible asset was impaired as the intellectual property was deemed no longer viable and is no longer being used.

As a result of the company’s 2010 intangible impairment review, the company calculated the fair value of an IPG segment indefinite-lived trademark and a NA/HME segment customer list as each had indicators of impairment, principally net sales less than forecasted. The fair value of the trademark was calculated using a relief from royalty payment methodology which requires applying an estimated market royalty rate to forecasted net sales and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value. The calculated fair value resulted in an impairment charge of $336,000 for the IPG segment indefinite-lived trademark. The fair value of the customer list was calculated using an excess earnings method, using a discounted cash flow model. Estimated cash flow returns to the customer relationship were reduced by the cash flows required to satisfy the return requirements of each of the assets employed with the residual cash flow then discounted to value the customer relationship. The calculated fair value resulted in an impairment charge of $248,000 for the NA/HME segment customer list.

The fair values of the company's intangible assets were calculated using inputs that are not observable in the market and included management’s own estimates regarding the assumptions that market participants would use and thus these inputs are deemed Level III inputs in regards to the fair value hierarchy.

XML

Derivatives Gain (Loss) in Statement of Finacial Position (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ 555,000	$ (2,530,000)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	(250,000)	2,803,000
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	(7,000)	(134,000)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	(250,000)	2,803,000	(339,000)
Sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Income	3,080,000	1,605,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Income		1,198,000
Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Income	(3,330,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	83,000	3,800,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	925,000	(2,530,000)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	(250,000)	2,803,000
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	(7,000)	(134,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Selling General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Income	83,000	3,800,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(370,000)	0
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	0	0
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Income	$ (385,000)	$ 0

XML

Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 subsidiaries	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Selling General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Selling General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Selling General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Market for Medical Equipment and Supplies	$ 11,000,000,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum				3	5
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum				10	40
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	47,719,000					39,729,000	39,729,000							0
Goodwill, Estimated Impairment Charge								7,990,000		7,990,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived						201,000		508,000	800,000		248,000				625,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Impairment Losses												427,000	896,000			336,000
Annual Policy Losses Insured per Occurence																		10,000,000
Annual Policy Losses, in Aggregate																		13,000,000
Annual Policy Losses, External Insurance Coverage, in Aggregate																		75,000,000
Research and Development Expense	27,556,000	25,954,000	25,725,000
Advertising Expense	19,523,000	20,119,000	16,519,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																			6,640,000	6,135,000	4,495,000
Number of Subsidiaries	2
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings	$ 660,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Initial Conversion Price																	$ 24.79

XML

Other Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]

Other long-term obligations as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan liability	$	27,488	$	26,133
Product liability	18,280		20,026
Deferred income taxes	28,948		32,559
Deferred compensation	9,937		8,542
Other	21,497		12,331
Total long-term obligations	$	106,150	$	99,591

XML

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of its business, the company is a defendant in a number of lawsuits, primarily product liability actions in which various plaintiffs seek damages for injuries allegedly caused by defective products. All of the product liability lawsuits have been referred to the company’s captive insurance company and/or excess insurance carriers and generally are contested vigorously. The coverage territory of the company’s insurance is worldwide with the exception of those countries with respect to which, at the time the product is sold for use or at the time a claim is made, the U.S. government has suspended or prohibited diplomatic or trade relations. The amount recorded for identified contingent liabilities is based on estimates. See Other Long-Term Obligations. Amounts recorded are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect additional technical and legal information that becomes available. Actual costs to be incurred in future periods may vary from the estimates, given the inherent uncertainties in evaluating certain exposures.

As a medical device manufacturer, the company is subject to extensive government regulation, including numerous laws directed at preventing fraud and abuse and laws regulating reimbursement under various government programs. The marketing, invoicing, documenting and other practices of health care suppliers and manufacturers are all subject to government scrutiny. Violations of law or regulations can result in administrative, civil and criminal penalties and sanctions, including disqualification from Medicare and other reimbursement programs, which could have a material adverse effect on the company’s business.

Further, the FDA regulates virtually all aspects of a medical device’s development, testing, manufacturing, labeling, promotion, distribution and marketing. The company’s failure to comply with the regulatory requirements of the FDA and other applicable U.S. regulatory requirements may subject the company to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions. These sanctions include warning letters, civil penalties, criminal penalties, injunctions, consent decrees, product seizure or detention, product recalls and total or partial suspension of production.

As part of its regulatory function, the FDA routinely inspects the sites of medical device companies, and in 2011, the FDA inspected certain of the company's facilities. In December 2011, the FDA requested that the company negotiate and agree to a consent decree of injunction related to the company's headquarters facility and its wheelchair manufacturing facility in Elyria, Ohio. The FDA's proposed consent decree would require suspension of certain operations at these Elyria facilities until they are certified by the company and then determined by FDA to be in compliance with FDA quality system regulations. The company is in the process of negotiating the terms of the proposed consent decree with FDA. In addition, in December 2010, the company received a warning letter from the FDA related to quality system processes and procedures at the company's Sanford, Florida facility. The company is taking these issues very seriously and has added resources to ensure it is addressing all of the FDA's concerns in a timely manner. However, the results of regulatory claims, proceedings, investigations, or litigation are difficult to predict. An unfavorable resolution or outcome of the FDA warning letter or consent decree of injunction could materially and adversely affect the company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Any of the above contingencies could have an adverse impact on the company's financial condition or results of operations.

XML

Supplemental Guarantor Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Guarantor Information

Supplemental Guarantor Information

Effective February 12, 2007, substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) of the company became guarantors of the indebtedness of Invacare Corporation under its 4.125% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2027 (the “Debentures”) with an original aggregate principal amount of $135,000,000. The majority of the company’s subsidiaries are not guaranteeing the indebtedness of the Debentures (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries has fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, to pay principal, premium, and interest related to the Debentures and each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are directly or indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries of the company.

Presented below are the consolidating condensed financial statements of Invacare Corporation (Parent), its combined Guarantor Subsidiaries and combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries with their investments in subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method. The company does not believe that separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are material to investors and accordingly, separate financial statements and other disclosures related to the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented.

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	The Company (Parent)			Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Net sales	$	379,570		$	776,105		$	746,359		$	(100,904	)	$	1,801,130
Cost of products sold	276,164			604,102			503,050			(100,664		)	1,282,652
Gross Profit	103,406			172,003			243,309			(240		)	518,478
Selling, general and administrative expenses	131,145			53,884			182,510			54,560			422,099
Charge related to restructuring activities	3,854			762			5,977			—			10,593
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees	24,200			—			—			—			24,200
Asset write-downs to intangibles and investments	5,531			3,592			40,357			—			49,480
Income (loss) from equity investee	58,155			3,364			1,523			(63,042		)	—
Interest expense—net	38			3,056			3,425			—			6,519
Earnings (loss) before Income Taxes	(3,207		)	114,073			12,563			(117,842		)	5,587
Income taxes	906			76			8,718			—			9,700
Net Earnings (loss)	$	(4,113	)	$	113,997		$	3,845		$	(117,842	)	$	(4,113	)
Year ended December 31, 2010
Net sales	$	403,227		$	723,402		$	693,463		$	(98,011	)	$	1,722,081
Cost of products sold	283,859			563,837			462,776			(98,032		)	1,212,440
Gross Profit	119,368			159,565			230,687			21			509,641
Selling, general and administrative expenses	132,177			70,902			169,114			39,320			411,513
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees	40,164			—			—			—			40,164
Income (loss) from equity investee	97,602			37,438			(591		)	(134,449		)	—
Interest expense—net	16,208			729			2,986			—			19,923
Earnings (loss) before Income Taxes	28,421			125,372			57,996			(173,748		)	38,041
Income taxes	3,080			—			9,620			—			12,700
Net Earnings (loss)	$	25,341		$	125,372		$	48,376		$	(173,748	)	$	25,341
Year ended December 31, 2009
Net sales	$	388,141		$	707,618		$	681,374		$	(83,997	)	$	1,693,136
Cost of products sold	275,089			555,503			453,464			(84,114		)	1,199,942
Gross Profit	113,052			152,115			227,910			117			493,194
Selling, general and administrative expenses	16,813			118,940			156,791			106,102			398,646
Charge related to restructuring activities	301			60			4,145			—			4,506
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees	2,878			—			—			—			2,878
Asset write-downs to intangibles and investments	8,409			—			—			—			8,409
Income (loss) from equity investee	(22,580		)	25,508			(13,445		)	10,517			—
Interest expense (income)—net	27,021			(2,897		)	7,352			—			31,476
Earnings (loss) before Income Taxes	35,050			61,520			46,177			(95,468		)	47,279
Income taxes (benefit)	(6,129		)	99			12,130			—			6,100
Net Earnings (loss)	$	41,179		$	61,421		$	34,047		$	(95,468	)	$	41,179

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

	The Company (Parent)		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries		Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2011
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,642	$	2,104	$	29,178	$	—		$	34,924
Trade receivables, net	83,522		74,161		90,291		—			247,974
Installment receivables, net	—		1,180		5,491		—			6,671
Inventories, net	45,937		49,336		99,006		(1,518		)	192,761
Deferred income taxes	422		45		1,153		—			1,620
Other current assets	10,171		6,517		33,812		(5,680		)	44,820
Total Current Assets	143,694		133,343		258,931		(7,198		)	528,770
Investment in subsidiaries	1,560,693		524,800		—		(2,085,493		)	—
Intercompany advances, net	79,598		846,829		200,157		(1,126,584		)	—
Other Assets	40,813		698		1,136		—			42,647
Other Intangibles	821		26,838		55,661		—			83,320
Property and Equipment, net	45,459		17,770		66,483		—			129,712
Goodwill	—		54,894		441,711		—			496,605
Total Assets	$	1,871,078	$	1,605,172	$	1,024,079	$	(3,219,275	)	$	1,281,054
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	73,948	$	18,078	$	56,779	$	—		$	148,805
Accrued expenses	37,708		21,038		79,529		(5,680		)	132,595
Accrued income taxes	508		—		987		—			1,495
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	4,210		4		830		—			5,044
Total Current Liabilities	116,374		39,120		138,125		(5,680		)	287,939
Long-Term Debt	252,855		227		7,358		—			260,440
Other Long-Term Obligations	47,873		7,312		50,965		—			106,150
Intercompany advances, net	827,451		210,005		89,128		(1,126,584		)	—
Total Shareholders’ Equity	626,525		1,348,508		738,503		(2,087,011		)	626,525
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,871,078	$	1,605,172	$	1,024,079	$	(3,219,275	)	$	1,281,054

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

	The Company (Parent)		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries		Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2010
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,036	$	2,476	$	41,950	$	—		$	48,462
Trade receivables, net	95,673		68,504		87,827		—			252,004
Installment receivables, net	—		876		3,083		—			3,959
Inventories, net	72,499		39,299		63,873		(1,296		)	174,375
Deferred income taxes	3,289		—		2,489		—			5,778
Other current assets	12,274		6,895		27,685		(5,273		)	41,581
Total Current Assets	187,771		118,050		226,907		(6,569		)	526,159
Investment in subsidiaries	1,489,732		594,690		—		(2,084,422		)	—
Intercompany advances, net	77,990		745,991		226,421		(1,050,402		)	—
Other Assets	42,782		1,881		821		—			45,484
Other Intangibles	1,241		8,590		61,080		—			70,911
Property and Equipment, net	46,791		12,093		71,879		—			130,763
Goodwill	5,023		34,388		467,672		—			507,083
Total Assets	$	1,851,330	$	1,515,683	$	1,054,780	$	(3,141,393	)	$	1,280,400
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	73,468	$	14,923	$	55,362	$	—		$	143,753
Accrued expenses	39,090		20,690		75,572		(5,273		)	130,079
Accrued income taxes	5,633		—		2,869		—			8,502
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	7,149		83		742		—			7,974
Total Current Liabilities	125,340		35,696		134,545		(5,273		)	290,308
Long-Term Debt	217,164		—		20,926		—			238,090
Other Long-Term Obligations	48,645		1,123		49,823		—			99,591
Intercompany advances, net	807,770		180,743		61,889		(1,050,402		)	—
Total Shareholders’ Equity	652,411		1,298,121		787,597		(2,085,718		)	652,411
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,851,330	$	1,515,683	$	1,054,780	$	(3,141,393	)	$	1,280,400

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	The Company (Parent)			Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	$	38,724		$	49,396		$	65,516		$	(54,558	)	$	99,078
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(6,887		)	(5,316		)	(9,957		)	—			(22,160		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			16			48			—			64
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(42,430		)	—			—			(42,430		)
Other long-term assets	(731		)	—			7			—			(724		)
Other	(219		)	73			133			—			(13		)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(7,837		)	(47,657		)	(9,769		)	—			(65,263		)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	450,595			—			—			—			450,595
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(438,766		)	(2,111		)	(13,690		)	—			(454,567		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,139			—			—			—			4,139
Payment of financing costs	(24,113		)	—			—			—			(24,113		)
Payment of dividends	(1,588		)	—			(54,558		)	54,558			(1,588		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(21,548		)	—			—			—			(21,548		)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(31,281		)	(2,111		)	(68,248		)	54,558			(47,082		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(271		)	—			(271		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(394		)	(372		)	(12,772		)	—			(13,538		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,036			2,476			41,950			—			48,462
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	3,642		$	2,104		$	29,178		$	—		$	34,924

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	The Company (Parent)			Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2010
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	$	101,658		$	15,427		$	44,442		$	(39,320	)	$	122,207
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,281		)	(1,567		)	(8,505		)	—			(17,353		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			—			36			—			36
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(13,725		)	—			—			(13,725		)
Other long-term assets	291			(11		)	521			—			801
Other	153			(174		)	(355		)	—			(376		)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(6,837		)	(15,477		)	(8,303		)	—			(30,617		)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	689,022			—			19,720			—			708,742
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(751,660		)	—			—			—			(751,660		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,912			—			—			—			2,912
Payment of financing costs	(30,329		)	—			—			—			(30,329		)
Payment of dividends	(1,612		)	—			(39,320		)	39,320			(1,612		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(5,687		)	—			—			—			(5,687		)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(97,354		)	—			(19,600		)	39,320			(77,634		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(2,995		)	—			(2,995		)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(2,533		)	(50		)	13,544			—			10,961
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	6,569			2,526			28,406			—			37,501
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	4,036		$	2,476		$	41,950		$	—		$	48,462

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	The Company (Parent)			Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2009
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities	$	154,367		$	1,823		$	105,575		$	(106,102	)	$	155,663
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(6,733		)	(1,875		)	(9,391		)	—			(17,999		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	5			—			1,158			—			1,163
Other long-term assets	737			(122		)	(14		)	—			601
Other	(579		)	416			(284		)	—			(447		)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(6,570		)	(1,581		)	(8,531		)	—			(16,682		)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	400,123			—			—			—			400,123
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(552,294		)	—			(1,142		)	—			(553,436		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,628			—			—			—			1,628
Payment of dividends	(1,605		)	—			(106,102		)	106,102			(1,605		)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities	(152,148		)	—			(107,244		)	106,102			(153,290		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			4,294			—			4,294
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,351		)	242			(5,906		)	—			(10,015		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,920			2,284			34,312			—			47,516
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	6,569		$	2,526		$	28,406		$	—		$	37,501

XML

Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables

Receivables

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. Substantially all of the company’s receivables are due from health care, medical equipment providers and long term care facilities located throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. A significant portion of products sold to providers, both foreign and domestic, is ultimately funded through government reimbursement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S. As a consequence, changes in these programs can have an adverse impact on dealer liquidity and profitability. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts ($27,947,000 in 2011 and $25,327,000 in 2010) is based primarily on management’s evaluation of the financial condition of specific customers. In addition, as a result of the third party financing arrangement with DLL, a third party financing company which the company has worked with since 2000, management monitors the collection status of these contracts in accordance with the company’s limited recourse obligations and provides amounts necessary for estimated losses in the allowance for doubtful accounts and establishing reserves for specific customers as needed. The company charges off uncollectible trade accounts receivable after such receivables are moved to collection status and legal remedies are exhausted. See Concentration of Credit Risk in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the financing arrangement. Long-term installment receivables are included in “Other Assets” on the consolidated balance sheet.

The company’s U.S. customers electing to finance their purchases can do so using DLL. In addition, Invacare often provides financing directly for its Canadian customers for which DLL is not an option, as DLL typically provides financing to Canadian customers only on a limited basis. The installment receivables recorded on the books of the company represent a single portfolio segment of finance receivables to the independent provider channel. The portfolio segment is comprised of two classes of receivables distinguished by geography and credit quality. The U.S. installment receivables are the first class and represent installment receivables re-purchased from DLL because the customers were in default. Default with DLL is defined as a customer being delinquent by three payments. The Canadian installment receivables represent the second class of installment receivables which were originally financed by Invacare because third party financing was not available to the HME providers. The Canadian installment receivables are typically financed for twelve months and historically have had a very low risk of default.

The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts and evaluation for impairment for both classes of installment receivables is based on the company’s quarterly review of the financial condition of each individual customer with the allowance for doubtful accounts adjusted accordingly. Installments are individually and not collectively reviewed for impairment. The company assesses the bad debt reserve levels based upon the status of the customer’s adherence to a legally negotiated payment schedule and the company’s ability to enforce judgments, liens, etc.

For purposes of granting or extending credit, the company utilizes a scoring model to generate a composite score that considers each customer’s consumer credit score and or D&B credit rating, payment history, security collateral and time in business. Additional analysis is performed for customers desiring credit greater than $250,000 which includes a detailed review of the customer’s financials as well as consideration of other factors such as exposure to changing reimbursement laws.

Interest income is recognized on installment receivables based on the terms of the installment agreements. Installment accounts are monitored and if a customer defaults on payments and is moved to collection, interest income is no longer recognized. Subsequent payments received once an account is put on non-accrual status are generally first applied to the principal balance and then to the interest. Accruing of interest on collection accounts would only be restarted if the account became current again. All installment accounts are accounted for using the same methodology regardless of the duration of the installment agreements. When an account is placed in collection status, the company goes through a legal process of adjudication which typically approximates 18 months. Any write-offs are made after the legal process has been completed. The company has not made any changes to either its accounting policies or methodology to estimation allowances for doubtful accounts in the last twelve months.

Installment receivables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011									2010
	Current			Long- Term			Total			Current			Long- Term			Total
Installment receivables	$	8,990		$	2,931		$	11,921		$	5,777		$	4,854		$	10,631
Less:
Unearned interest	(171		)	—			(171		)	(118		)	—			(118		)
	8,819			2,931			11,750			5,659			4,854			10,513
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,148		)	(2,125		)	(4,273		)	(1,700		)	(3,141		)	(4,841		)
	$	6,671		$	806		$	7,477		$	3,959		$	1,713		$	5,672

Installment receivable purchased from DLL during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 increased the gross installment receivables balance by $3,806,000 during the year compared to $4,799,000 in 2010. No sales of installment receivables were made by the company during the year.

The movement in the installment receivables allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):

	2011
Balance as of January 1	$	4,841
Current period provision	1,215
Direct write-offs charged against the allowance	(1,783		)
Balance as of December 31	$	4,273

Installment receivables by class as of December 31, 2011 consist of the following (in thousands):

	Total Installment Receivables		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		Interest Income Recognized
U.S.
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	$	6,116	$	6,116	$	4,240	$	—
Canada
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	5,696		5,525		—		271
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	109		109		33		—
Total Canadian Installment Receivables	$	5,805	$	5,634	$	33	$	271
Total
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	5,696		5,525		—		271
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	6,225		6,225		4,273		—
Total Installment Receivables	$	11,921	$	11,750	$	4,273	$	271

Installment receivables by class as of December 31, 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	Total Installment Receivables		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		Interest Income Recognized
U.S.
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	$	7,153	$	7,153	$	4,822	$	—
Canada
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	3,222		3,104		—		109
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	256		256		19		—
Total Canadian Installment Receivables	$	3,478	$	3,360	$	19	$	109
Total
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	3,222		3,104		—		109
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	7,409		7,409		4,841		—
Total Installment Receivables	$	10,631	$	10,513	$	4,841	$	109

Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded as noted in the table above represent those installment receivables on a non-accrual basis in accordance with ASU 2010-20. As of December 31, 2011, the company had no U.S. installment receivables past due of 90 days or more for which the company is still accruing interest. Individually, all U.S. installment receivables are assigned a specific allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s review when the company does not expect to receive both the contractual principal and interest payments as specified in the loan agreement. However, while the full balance may be deemed to be impaired, the company does historically collect a large percentage of the principal of its U.S. installment receivables.

In Canada, the company had an immaterial amount of installment receivables which were past due of 90 days or more as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for which the company is still accruing interest.

The aging of the company’s installment receivables was as follows as of December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

	Total		U.S.		Canada
Current	$	5,612	$	—	$	5,612
0-30 Days Past Due	84		—		84
31-60 Days Past Due	42		—		42
61-90 Days Past Due	8		—		8
90+ Days Past Due	6,175		6,116		59
	$	11,921	$	6,116	$	5,805

XML

Interim Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Interim Financial Information

Interim Financial Information (unaudited)

	QUARTER ENDED (In thousands, except per share data)
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
2011
Net sales	$	428,498	$	466,412		$	456,519	$	449,701
Gross profit	123,006		134,918			131,077		129,477
Earnings before income taxes	10,004		8,261			17,150		(29,828		)
Net earnings (loss)	7,454		10,661			12,800		(35,028		)
Net earnings (loss) per share—basic	0.23		0.33			0.40		(1.10		)
Net earnings (loss) per share—assuming dilution	0.23		0.32			0.40		(1.10		)
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
2010
Net sales	$	402,240	$	430,828		$	437,476	$	451,537
Gross profit	117,713		126,490			131,567		133,871
Earnings before income taxes	5,306		2,414			20,923		9,398
Net earnings	3,106		(611		)	15,598		7,248
Net earnings per share—basic	0.10		(0.02		)	0.48		0.22
Net earnings per share—assuming dilution	0.09		(0.02		)	0.48		0.22

Earnings and earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $4,881,000 ($4,881,000 after tax or $0.15 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt.

Earnings and earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $11,855,000 ($11,855,000 after tax or $0.36 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt; a tax settlement benefit in Germany of $5,100,000 ($5,100,000 after tax or $0.16 per share assuming dilution); and restructuring charges of $431,000 ($411,000 after tax or $0.01 per share assuming dilution).

Earnings and earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $7,462,000 (7,462,000 after tax or $0.23 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt and restructuring charge of $1,311,000 ($971,000 after tax or $0.03 per share assuming dilution).

Loss and loss per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 reflects asset write-downs for goodwill and intangibles of $49,480,000 ($48,719,000 after tax or $1.53 per share assuming dilution) and restructuring charges of $9,128,000 ($9,217,000 after tax or $0.29 per share assuming dilution).

Earnings and earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $4,386,000 ($3,786,000 after tax or $0.11 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt.

Loss and loss per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $14,048,000 ($14,648,000 after tax or $0.45 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt.

Earnings and earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $3,711,000 ($3,711,000 after tax or $0.11 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt.

Loss and loss per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 reflects loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees of $18,019,000 ($14,154,000 after tax or $0.43 per share assuming dilution) as a result of the company’s decision to extinguish higher interest rate debt.

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions Stock Options Outstanding by Exercise Price (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$ 10.70	$ 10.70	$ 10.70
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$ 47.80	$ 47.80	$ 47.80
Number Outstanding at 12/31/11	4,455,365
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5.7
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.99	$ 29.60	$ 29.28	$ 29.37
Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	2,960,317
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.55
Range of Exercise Price 10.70 to 15.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$ 10.70
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$ 15
Number Outstanding at 12/31/11	15,653
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4.1
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 12.19
Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	10,153
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.70
Range of Exercise Price 15.01 to 25.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$ 15.01
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$ 25
Number Outstanding at 12/31/11	1,857,809
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7.4
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 22.54
Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	933,867
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 22.13
Range of Exercise Price 25.01 to 35.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$ 25.01
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$ 35
Number Outstanding at 12/31/11	1,241,312
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6.8
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.28
Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	675,706
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.87
Range of Exercise Price 35.01 to 47.80 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$ 35.01
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$ 47.80
Number Outstanding at 12/31/11	1,340,591
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2.3
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 40.64
Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	1,340,591
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 40.64

XML

Goodwill (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill [Line Items]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

	North America/ HME			Invacare Supply Group		Institutional Products Group			Europe			Asia/ Pacific			Consolidated
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	9,551		$	23,073	$	20,267		$	467,385		$	35,817		$	556,093
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—		1,238			(60,870		)	4,330			(55,302		)
Purchase accounting adjustments	6,292			—		—			—			—			6,292
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	15,843		$	23,073	$	21,505		$	406,515		$	40,147		$	507,083
Reclassification	(7,853		)			7,853
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—		(537		)	14,668			(418		)	13,713
Acquisitions	—			—		23,528			—			—			23,528
Impairment charge	(7,990		)	—		—			—			(39,729		)	(47,719		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	—		$	23,073	$	52,349		$	421,183		$	—		$	496,605

XML

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The following table provides a summary of the company’s assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis (in thousands).

				Basis for Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets / (Liabilities)	Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Other Unobservable Inputs
	Total			Level I	Level II			Level III
December 31, 2011:
Forward Exchange Contracts—net	$	1,180		—	$	1,180		—
Interest Rate Swap Agreements—net	$	(370	)		$	(370	)
December 31, 2010:
Forward Exchange Contracts—net	955			—	955			—

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

The carrying amounts and fair values of the company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2011						2010
	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,924		$	34,924		$	48,462		$	48,462
Other investments	1,362			1,362			1,588			1,588
Installment receivables, net of reserves	7,477			7,477			5,672			5,672
Long-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)	(265,484		)	(264,112		)	(246,064		)	(264,382		)
Forward contracts in Other Current Assets	1,685			1,685			2,884			2,884
Forward contracts in Accrued Expenses	(505		)	(505		)	(1,929		)	(1,929		)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Other Current Assets	18			18			—			—
Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Accrued Expenses	(388		)	(388		)	—			—

XML

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 265,484	$ 246,064
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(5,044)	(7,974)
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	260,440	238,090
Line of Credit [Member] | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility October 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	247,063	184,932
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	9,797	52,064
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Other Notes and Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 8,624	$ 9,068

XML

Consolidated Statement Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 1,801,130	$ 1,722,081	$ 1,693,136
Cost of products sold	1,282,652	1,212,440	1,199,942
Gross Profit	518,478	509,641	493,194
Selling, general and administrative expense	422,099	411,513	398,646
Charge related to restructuring activities	10,593	0	4,506
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees	24,200	40,164	2,878
Asset write-downs to goodwill, intangible assets and investments	49,480	0	8,409
Interest expense	7,963	20,647	33,150
Interest income	(1,444)	(724)	(1,674)
Earnings before Income Taxes	5,587	38,041	47,279
Income taxes	9,700	12,700	6,100
Net Earnings (loss)	$ (4,113)	$ 25,341	$ 41,179
Net Earnings (loss) per Share - Basic	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic	31,958	32,393	31,969
Net Earnings (loss) per Share - Assuming Dilution	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Assuming Dilution	31,958	32,694	31,996

XML

Leases and Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases [Abstract]

Operating and Capital Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]

Future minimum operating and capital lease commitments, as of December 31, 2011, are as follows (in thousands):

Year	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
2012	$	1,578		$	22,711
2013	1,481			16,585
2014	1,440			11,291
2015	1,420			7,611
2016	1,417			4,403
Thereafter	3,701			6,772
Total future minimum lease payments	11,037			$	69,373
Amounts representing interest	(2,587		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$	8,450

XML

Net Earnings Per Common Share Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	2,355,567	2,396,061	4,230,630
Antidilutive Share Granted, Average Exercise Price	$ 24.45	$ 41.87	$ 41.87
Fair value stock price	$ 27.4	$ 25.82	$ 19.42

XML

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 532,942	$ 8,119	$ 278	$ 215,279	$ 306,698	$ 50,789	$ (48,221)
Exercise of stock options	1,355	123		9,529			(8,297)
Non-qualified stock option expense	2,713			2,713
Restricted stock awards	1,238	31		1,751			(544)
Net earnings (loss)	41,179				41,179
Foreign currency translation adjustments	119,453					119,453
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	3,329					3,329
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses and credits	537					537
Marketable securities holding gain (loss)	96					96
Total comprehensive income (loss)	164,594
Dividends	(1,605)				(1,605)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	701,237	8,273	278	229,272	346,272	174,204	(57,062)
Exercise of stock options	2,298	99		9,108			(6,909)
Non-qualified stock option expense	4,113			4,113
Restricted stock awards	1,101	23		1,999			(921)
Conversion from Class B Stock to Common Stock		6	(6)
Net earnings (loss)	25,341				25,341
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(59,823)					(59,823)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	245					245
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses and credits	549					549
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants	(1,860)					(1,860)
Marketable securities holding gain (loss)	(684)					(684)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(36,232)
Extinguishment of Convertible Debt	(12,807)			(12,807)
Dividends	(1,612)				(1,612)
Purchase of treasury shares	(5,687)						(5,687)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	652,411	8,401	272	231,685	370,001	112,631	(70,579)
Exercise of stock options	4,133	45		4,098			(10)
Non-qualified stock option expense	4,441			4,441
Restricted stock awards	1,533	25		2,174			(666)
Net earnings (loss)	(4,113)				(4,113)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,440					14,440
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	254					254
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses and credits	321					321
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants	(2,770)					(2,770)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	8,132
Extinguishment of Convertible Debt	(20,989)			(20,989)
Dividends	(1,588)				(1,588)
Purchase of treasury shares	(21,548)						(21,548)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 626,525	$ 8,471	$ 272	$ 221,409	$ 364,300	$ 124,876	$ (92,803)

XML

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (3,244,000)	$ (4,749,000)	$ 8,310,000
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(4,947,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	20,000	1,150,000	490,000
Income Tax Examination, Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Per Share	$ 0.15
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	104,493,000	108,850,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities	39,278,000	53,650,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	92,543,000	81,981,000
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	27,328,000	26,781,000
Income Taxes Paid, Net	14,290,000	2,600,000	12,340,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties	3,525,000	3,420,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	720,000	740,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	3,525,000	3,420,000
Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)			7,750,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	4,750,000	1,800,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	34,340,000
Foreign Country [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	30,305,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	39,102,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Not Subject to Expiration	31,662,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	370,000,000
Expiring in 2027 [Member] | Foreign Country [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	7,440,000
Expiring in 2012 [Member] | Domestic Country [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	3,798,000
Expiring between 2012 and 2015 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	175,000,000
Expiring between 2016 and 2025 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	92,000,000
Expiring after 2026 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	103,000,000
Expiring between 2014 and 2018 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	12,953,000
Expiring between 2019 and 2021 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	$ 21,387,000

XML

Receivables Rollforward of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	$ 4,841
Current period provision	11,460	16,979	19,281
Balance as of December 31	4,273	4,841
Installment Receivables [Member]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	4,841
Current period provision	1,215
Direct write-offs charged against the allowance	(1,783)
Balance as of December 31	$ 4,273

XML

Derivatives Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,703	$ 2,884
Liabilities	893	1,929
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	1,621	2,518
Liabilities	377	1,928
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	64	366
Liabilities	128	1
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	18	0
Liabilities	$ 388	$ 0

XML

Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]

The amounts of stock-based compensation expense recognized were as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized as part of selling, general and administrative expense	$	6,640	$	6,135	$	4,495

XML

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)		1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 Dynamic Medical Systems [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Centralized Medical Equipment LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of Acquired Entity		$ 41,465,000	$ 13,725,000
Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment		8,000,000
Contingent Consideration Term		24 months
Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value		7,300,000
Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired	$ 965,000

XML

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Earnings

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows (in thousands):

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available- for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Plans			Unrealized Gain (Loss)  on Derivative Financial Instruments			Total
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	54,692		$	588		$	(1,558	)	$	(2,933	)	$	50,789
Foreign currency translation adjustments	119,453												119,453
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities				96									96
Deferred tax liability relating to unrealized gain on available for sale securities				(34		)							(34		)
Valuation reserve reduction relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				34									34
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							537						537
Deferred tax expense resulting from amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses, prior service credit and other amounts arising during the year							(188		)				(188		)
Valuation reserve reduction associated with item directly above							188						188
Current period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										3,360			3,360
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments										(31		)	(31		)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	174,145		$	684		$	(1,021	)	$	396		$	174,204
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(59,823		)										(59,823		)
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities				(684		)							(684		)
Deferred tax asset relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				239									239
Valuation reserve reduction relating to unrealized loss on available for sale securities				(239		)							(239		)
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							549						549
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants							(1,860		)				(1,860		)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							459						459
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above							(459		)				(459		)
Current period unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										273			273
Deferred tax loss relating to unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments										(28		)	(28		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	114,322		$	—		$	(2,332	)	$	641		$	112,631
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,440												14,440
Defined Benefit Plans:
Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							321						321
Amounts arising during the year, primarily due to the addition of new participants							(2,770		)				(2,770		)
Deferred tax adjustment resulting from Defined benefit plan amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized losses							857						857
Valuation reserve increase associated with item directly above							(857		)				(857		)
Current period unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications										305			305
Deferred tax benefits relating to unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments										(51		)	(51		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	128,762		$	—		$	(4,781	)	$	895		$	124,876

A $250,000 net loss in 2011, a net gain of $2,803,000 in 2010 and a net loss of $3,158,000 in 2009 were reclassified into earnings related to derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

XML

Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Receivables [Abstract]

Installment Receivables [Table Text Block]

Installment receivables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011									2010
	Current			Long- Term			Total			Current			Long- Term			Total
Installment receivables	$	8,990		$	2,931		$	11,921		$	5,777		$	4,854		$	10,631
Less:
Unearned interest	(171		)	—			(171		)	(118		)	—			(118		)
	8,819			2,931			11,750			5,659			4,854			10,513
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,148		)	(2,125		)	(4,273		)	(1,700		)	(3,141		)	(4,841		)
	$	6,671		$	806		$	7,477		$	3,959		$	1,713		$	5,672

Schedule of Installment Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Table Text Block]

The movement in the installment receivables allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):

	2011
Balance as of January 1	$	4,841
Current period provision	1,215
Direct write-offs charged against the allowance	(1,783		)
Balance as of December 31	$	4,273

Schedule of Installment Receivables by Class [Table Text Block]

Installment receivables by class as of December 31, 2011 consist of the following (in thousands):

	Total Installment Receivables		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		Interest Income Recognized
U.S.
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	$	6,116	$	6,116	$	4,240	$	—
Canada
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	5,696		5,525		—		271
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	109		109		33		—
Total Canadian Installment Receivables	$	5,805	$	5,634	$	33	$	271
Total
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	5,696		5,525		—		271
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	6,225		6,225		4,273		—
Total Installment Receivables	$	11,921	$	11,750	$	4,273	$	271

Installment receivables by class as of December 31, 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	Total Installment Receivables		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		Interest Income Recognized
U.S.
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	$	7,153	$	7,153	$	4,822	$	—
Canada
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	3,222		3,104		—		109
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	256		256		19		—
Total Canadian Installment Receivables	$	3,478	$	3,360	$	19	$	109
Total
Non-Impaired Installment receivables with no related allowance recorded	3,222		3,104		—		109
Impaired Installment receivables with a related allowance recorded	7,409		7,409		4,841		—
Total Installment Receivables	$	10,631	$	10,513	$	4,841	$	109

Schedule of Aging of Installment Receivables [Table Text Block]

The aging of the company’s installment receivables was as follows as of December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

	Total		U.S.		Canada
Current	$	5,612	$	—	$	5,612
0-30 Days Past Due	84		—		84
31-60 Days Past Due	42		—		42
61-90 Days Past Due	8		—		8
90+ Days Past Due	6,175		6,116		59
	$	11,921	$	6,116	$	5,805

XML

Derivatives Notional Amounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss)	$ 48,000	$ 28,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives, Matured During Period	189,793,000	173,337,000
Gain (Loss)	83,000	3,800,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	15,836,000	16,030,000
Gain (Loss)	(64,000)	365,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | CAD / USD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	2,146,000	14,636,000
Gain (Loss)	12,000	337,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / USD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	1,394,000
Gain (Loss)	0	28,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | CHF / USD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	3,419,000	0
Gain (Loss)	(118,000)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | SEK / USD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	2,545,000	0
Gain (Loss)	52,000	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / CAD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	4,244,000	0
Gain (Loss)	(10,000)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / DKK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	3,482,000	0
Gain (Loss)	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	124,945,000	142,876,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	1,244,000	590,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / AUD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	3,324,000	3,072,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	104,000	(223,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / CAD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	8,424,000	32,974,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	29,000	(14,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / CNY [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	8,130,000	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(16,000)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / EUR [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	42,267,000	32,419,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	701,000	927,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / GBP [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,806,000	4,212,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	19,000	86,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / NZD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	8,256,000	9,577,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	86,000	202,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / SEK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	4,520,000	10,395,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	19,000	95,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | USD / MXP [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	14,029,000	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(146,000)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / AUD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,220,000	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(48,000)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / CHF [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	5,433,000	8,768,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(22,000)	54,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / GBP [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	17,201,000	18,068,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	9,000	(577,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / SEK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	8,045,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	92,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | EUR / NZD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	7,009,000	2,630,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	505,000	5,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | GBP / CHF [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	929,000	770,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(5,000)	(3,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | GBP / SEK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,690,000	2,014,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	12,000	(43,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | GBP / DKK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	1,016,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	(27,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | CHF / SEK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	271,000	6,937,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(2,000)	(3,000)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | DKK / CHF [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	514,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	1,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | DKK / SEK [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	1,465,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	18,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | NOK / CHF [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	436,000	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ (1,000)	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Percentage of Forcasted Transactions With Currency Rate Exposure	60.00%
Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Percentage of Forcasted Transactions With Currency Rate Exposure	90.00%

XML

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Earnings (loss) before income taxes consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010			2009
Domestic	$	(6,910	)	$	(16,115	)	$	(797	)
Foreign	12,497			54,156			48,076
	$	5,587		$	38,041		$	47,279

The company has provided for income taxes (benefits) as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010			2009
Current:
Federal	$	3,244		$	4,749		$	(8,310	)
State	1,000			689			1,775
Foreign	13,008			9,729			10,850
	17,252			15,167			4,315
Deferred:
Federal	(3,474		)	(1,696		)	—
Foreign	(4,078		)	(771		)	1,785
	(7,552		)	(2,467		)	1,785
Income Taxes	$	9,700		$	12,700		$	6,100

Included in the 2009 Federal current tax benefit is a benefit of $7,750,000 resulting from the carryback of the 2008 Federal domestic net operating loss as a result of the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which became effective in November of 2009. The deferred tax asset previously recorded by the company, related to the loss carryforward, was fully offset by a tax valuation allowance. A reconciliation to the effective income tax rate from the federal statutory rate is as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	11.6		1.2		2.4
Tax credits	(22.1	)	(41.1	)	(146.4	)
Foreign taxes at less than the federal statutory rate excluding valuation allowances	(89.2	)	(24.4	)	(12.2	)
Federal and foreign valuation allowance	0.7		4.6		13.3
Non-deductible extinguishment and debt finance costs	46.1		8.5		—
Withholding taxes	(0.6	)	(0.4	)	2.4
Compensation	5.6		(0.3	)	0.6
Dividends	47.0		54.8		129.3
Life insurance	(12.2	)	(1.1	)	(1.0	)
Foreign branch activity	(25.2	)	(3.4	)	(5.2	)
Uncertain tax positions	2.0		(1.7	)	(2.5	)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment (Asia/Pacific)	252.7		—		—
Foreign tax audit settlement	(88.6	)	—		—
Other, net	10.8		1.7		(2.8	)
	173.6	%	33.4	%	12.9	%

The foreign tax audit settlement above relates to a tax settlement in Germany as the German government agreed to follow a European Court of Justice case and a German Tax Court case that impacted an open tax return year for a benefit of $4,947,000 or $0.15 per diluted share. 

At December 31, 2011, total deferred tax assets were $104,493,000, total deferred tax liabilities were $39,278,000 and the tax valuation allowance total was $92,543,000 for a net deferred income tax liability of $27,328,000 compared to total deferred tax assets of $108,850,000, total deferred tax liabilities of $53,650,000 and a tax valuation allowance total of $81,981,000 for a net deferred income tax liability of $26,781,000 at December 31, 2010. Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Loss carryforwards	$	2,017		$	5,853
Bad debt	9,698			9,398
Warranty	4,591			4,338
State and local taxes	2,687			2,699
Other accrued expenses and reserves	2,068			5,535
Inventory	1,949			2,742
Compensation and benefits	2,644			1,182
Product liability	292			292
Valuation allowance	(24,887		)	(21,657		)
Other, net	561			(4,604		)
	$	1,620		$	5,778
Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Goodwill & intangibles	(23,388		)	(24,478		)
Convertible debt	(941		)	(8,798		)
Fixed assets	(14,949		)	(15,770		)
Compensation and benefits	14,388			13,416
Loss and credit carryforwards	43,603			45,519
Product liability	4,236			4,428
State and local taxes	10,734			9,480
Valuation allowance	(67,656		)	(60,324		)
Other, net	5,025			3,968
	$	(28,948	)	$	(32,559	)
Net Deferred Income Taxes	$	(27,328	)	$	(26,781	)

The company recorded a valuation allowance for its domestic net deferred tax assets due to a domestic loss recognized in each year from 2007 through 2011 and based upon near term domestic projections. For 2010, the company had a domestic current tax return liability of $1,800,000 and for 2011 the company estimates a domestic current tax return liability of approximately $4,750,000 and has recorded a deferred tax asset equal to these amounts. In addition, during 2007 through 2010, the company also recorded valuation allowances for certain foreign country net deferred tax assets where recent performance results in a three year cumulative loss and near term projections do not warrant substantial positive evidence to overcome the past losses. The company made net payments for income taxes of $14,290,000, $2,600,000, and $12,340,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

At December 31, 2011, the company had foreign tax loss carryforwards of approximately $39,102,000 of which $31,662,000 are non-expiring and $7,440,000 expire in 2027, of which $30,305,000 are offset by valuation allowances. At December 31, 2011, the company also had a $3,798,000 domestic capital loss carryforward which expires in 2012, and $370,000,000 of domestic state and local tax loss carryforwards, of which $175,000,000 expire between 2012 and 2015, $92,000,000 expire between 2016 and 2025 and $103,000,000 expire after 2026. The company has domestic federal tax credit carryforwards of $34,340,000 of which $12,953,000 expire between 2014 and 2018 and $21,387,000 expire between 2019 and 2021.

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the company had a liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties of $3,525,000 and $3,420,000, respectively. The company does not believe there will be a material change in its unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.

The total liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rates were $3,525,000 and $3,420,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,500		$	6,710
Additions to:
Positions taken during the current year	475			1,400
Positions taken during a prior year	105			265
Deductions due to:
Exchange rate impact	20			(65		)
Positions taken during a prior year	(545		)	(15		)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(195		)	(3,185		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(285		)	(610		)
Balance at end of year	$	4,075		$	4,500

The company recognizes interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During 2011, 2010 and 2009 the benefit for interest and penalties was $20,000, $1,150,000 and $490,000, respectively. The company had approximately $720,000 and $740,000 of accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. The company is subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for calendar year 2009 and 2011, and is subject to various U.S. state income tax examinations for 2006 to 2011. With regards to foreign income tax jurisdictions, the company is generally subject to examinations for the periods 2006 to 2011.

XML

Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 153,418,000	$ 129,558,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	70,098,000	58,647,000
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	94,790,000	72,998,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	50,832,000	40,071,000
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	3,160,000	3,183,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,160,000	2,958,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	9,823,000	8,521,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	4,870,000	3,988,000
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	6,358,000	7,518,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	5,266,000	5,863,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	7,510,000	6,092,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	5,970,000	5,767,000
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	$ 31,777,000	$ 31,246,000

XML

Supplemental Guarantor Information Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 34,924	$ 48,462	$ 37,501	$ 47,516
Trade receivables, net	247,974	252,004
Installment receivables, net	6,671	3,959
Inventories, net	192,761	174,375
Deferred income taxes	1,620	5,778
Other current assets	44,820	41,581
Total Current Assets	528,770	526,159
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany advances, net	0	0
Other Assets	42,647	45,484
Other Intangibles	83,320	70,911
Property and Equipment, net	129,712	130,763
Goodwill	496,605	507,083	556,093
Total Assets	1,281,054	1,280,400
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	148,805	143,753
Accrued expenses	132,595	130,079
Accrued income taxes	1,495	8,502
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	5,044	7,974
Total Current Liabilities	287,939	290,308
Long-Term Debt	260,440	238,090
Other Long-Term Obligations	106,150	99,591
Inercompany advances, net	0	0
Total Shareholders' Equity	626,525	652,411	701,237	532,942
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	1,281,054	1,280,400
The Company (Parent) [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	3,642	4,036	6,569	10,920
Trade receivables, net	83,522	95,673
Installment receivables, net	0	0
Inventories, net	45,937	72,499
Deferred income taxes	422	3,289
Other current assets	10,171	12,274
Total Current Assets	143,694	187,771
Investment in subsidiaries	1,560,693	1,489,732
Intercompany advances, net	79,598	77,990
Other Assets	40,813	42,782
Other Intangibles	821	1,241
Property and Equipment, net	45,459	46,791
Goodwill	0	5,023
Total Assets	1,871,078	1,851,330
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	73,948	73,468
Accrued expenses	37,708	39,090
Accrued income taxes	508	5,633
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	4,210	7,149
Total Current Liabilities	116,374	125,340
Long-Term Debt	252,855	217,164
Other Long-Term Obligations	47,873	48,645
Inercompany advances, net	827,451	807,770
Total Shareholders' Equity	626,525	652,411
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	1,871,078	1,851,330
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,104	2,476	2,526	2,284
Trade receivables, net	74,161	68,504
Installment receivables, net	1,180	876
Inventories, net	49,336	39,299
Deferred income taxes	45	0
Other current assets	6,517	6,895
Total Current Assets	133,343	118,050
Investment in subsidiaries	524,800	594,690
Intercompany advances, net	846,829	745,991
Other Assets	698	1,881
Other Intangibles	26,838	8,590
Property and Equipment, net	17,770	12,093
Goodwill	54,894	34,388
Total Assets	1,605,172	1,515,683
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	18,078	14,923
Accrued expenses	21,038	20,690
Accrued income taxes	0	0
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	4	83
Total Current Liabilities	39,120	35,696
Long-Term Debt	227	0
Other Long-Term Obligations	7,312	1,123
Inercompany advances, net	210,005	180,743
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,348,508	1,298,121
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	1,605,172	1,515,683
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	29,178	41,950	28,406	34,312
Trade receivables, net	90,291	87,827
Installment receivables, net	5,491	3,083
Inventories, net	99,006	63,873
Deferred income taxes	1,153	2,489
Other current assets	33,812	27,685
Total Current Assets	258,931	226,907
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany advances, net	200,157	226,421
Other Assets	1,136	821
Other Intangibles	55,661	61,080
Property and Equipment, net	66,483	71,879
Goodwill	441,711	467,672
Total Assets	1,024,079	1,054,780
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	56,779	55,362
Accrued expenses	79,529	75,572
Accrued income taxes	987	2,869
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	830	742
Total Current Liabilities	138,125	134,545
Long-Term Debt	7,358	20,926
Other Long-Term Obligations	50,965	49,823
Inercompany advances, net	89,128	61,889
Total Shareholders' Equity	738,503	787,597
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	1,024,079	1,054,780
Eliminations [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade receivables, net	0	0
Installment receivables, net	0	0
Inventories, net	(1,518)	(1,296)
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other current assets	(5,680)	(5,273)
Total Current Assets	(7,198)	(6,569)
Investment in subsidiaries	(2,085,493)	(2,084,422)
Intercompany advances, net	(1,126,584)	(1,050,402)
Other Assets	0	0
Other Intangibles	0	0
Property and Equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Total Assets	(3,219,275)	(3,141,393)
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	(5,680)	(5,273)
Accrued income taxes	0	0
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	0	0
Total Current Liabilities	(5,680)	(5,273)
Long-Term Debt	0	0
Other Long-Term Obligations	0	0
Inercompany advances, net	(1,126,584)	(1,050,402)
Total Shareholders' Equity	(2,087,011)	(2,085,718)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ (3,219,275)	$ (3,141,393)

XML

Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations: Invacare Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor in the estimated $11.0 billion worldwide market for medical equipment and supplies used in the home based upon the company’s distribution channels, breadth of product line and net sales. The company designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive line of health care products for the non-acute care environment, including the home health care, retail and extended care markets.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Certain foreign subsidiaries, represented by the European segment, are consolidated using a November 30 fiscal year end in order to meet filing deadlines. No material subsequent events have occurred related to the European segment, which would require disclosure or adjustment to the company’s financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates: The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method. Market values are based on the lower of replacement cost or estimated net realizable value. Inventories have been reduced by an allowance for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimated allowance is based on management’s review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales.

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. The company principally uses the straight-line method of depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on annual rates sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Machinery and equipment as well as furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated using lives of 3 to 10 years, while buildings and improvements are depreciated using lives of 5 to 40 years. Accelerated methods of depreciation are used for federal income tax purposes. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An asset would be considered impaired when the future net undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles: In accordance with Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, ASC 350, goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles are subject to annual impairment testing. For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is estimated by forecasting cash flows and discounting those cash flows using appropriate discount rates. The fair values are then compared to the carrying value of the net assets of each reporting unit. Intangibles assets are also reviewed for impairment by estimating forecasted cash flows and discounting those cash flows as needed to calculate impairment amounts. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $39,729,000 and $7,990,000 related to the Asia/Pacific and North America/Home Medical Equipment (NA/HME) segments, respectively, and intangible asset impairment amounts of $625,000; $508,000; $427,000 and $201,000 were recorded for the IPG, NA/HME, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, respectively. These impairments were due to the fact that actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were insufficient to justify the carrying values.

In 2010, the company recorded impairment charges, included in amortization expense, of $336,000 and $248,000 related to intangible assets for the IPG and the NA/HME segments, respectively, as the actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were less than what was originally used to value the intangibles. In 2009, the company recorded impairment charges related to intangible assets for Europe of $896,000 and NA/HME of $800,000 as the actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were less than what was originally used to value the intangibles. See the Goodwill and Other Intangible Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for the details of the calculations and reasons for the impairments.

Accrued Warranty Cost: Generally, the company’s products are covered by warranties against defects in material and workmanship for various periods depending on the product from the date of sale to the customer. Certain components carry a lifetime warranty. A provision for estimated warranty cost is recorded at the time of sale based upon actual experience. The company continuously assesses the adequacy of its product warranty accrual and makes adjustments as needed. Historical analysis is primarily used to determine the company’s warranty reserves. Claims history is reviewed and provisions are adjusted as needed. However, the company does consider other events, such as a product recall, which could warrant additional warranty reserve provision. No material adjustments to warranty reserves were necessary in the current year. See Current Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of the changes in the warranty accrual.

Product Liability Cost: The company’s captive insurance company, Invatection Insurance Co., currently has a policy year that runs from September 1 to August 31 and insures annual policy losses of $10,000,000 per occurrence and $13,000,000 in the aggregate of the company’s North American product liability exposure. The company also has additional layers of external insurance coverage insuring up to $75,000,000 in aggregate losses per policy year arising from individual claims anywhere in the world that exceed the captive insurance company policy limits or the limits of the company’s per country foreign liability limits, as applicable. There can be no assurance that Invacare’s current insurance levels will continue to be adequate or available at affordable rates.

Product liability reserves are recorded for individual claims based upon historical experience, industry expertise and other indicators. Additional reserves, in excess of the specific individual case reserves, are provided for incurred but not reported claims based upon actuarial valuations at the time such valuations are conducted. Historical claims experience and other assumptions are taken into consideration by the company in estimating the ultimate reserves. For example, the actuarial analysis assumes that historical loss experience is an indicator of future experience, that the distribution of exposures by geographic area and nature of operations for ongoing operations is expected to be very similar to historical operations with no dramatic changes and that the government indices used to trend losses and exposures are appropriate. Estimates made are adjusted on a regular basis and can be impacted by actual loss awards and settlements on claims. While actuarial analysis is used to help determine adequate reserves, the company is responsible for the determination and recording of adequate reserves in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards and practices.

Revenue Recognition: Invacare’s revenues are recognized when products are shipped or service provided to unaffiliated customers, risk of loss is passed and title is transferred. Revenue Recognition, ASC 605, provides guidance on the application of generally accepted accounting principles to selected revenue recognition issues. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold.

Sales are made only to customers with whom the company believes collection is reasonably assured based upon a credit analysis, which may include obtaining a credit application, a signed security agreement, personal guarantee and/or a cross corporate guarantee depending on the credit history of the customer. Credit lines are established for new customers after an evaluation of their credit report and/or other relevant financial information. Existing credit lines are regularly reviewed and adjusted with consideration given to any outstanding past due amounts.

The company offers discounts and rebates, which are accounted for as reductions to revenue in the period in which the sale is recognized. Discounts offered include: cash discounts for prompt payment, base and trade discounts based on contract level for specific classes of customers. Volume discounts and rebates are given based on large purchases and the achievement of certain sales volumes. Product returns are accounted for as a reduction to reported sales with estimates recorded for anticipated returns at the time of sale. The company does not sell any goods on consignment.

Distributed products sold by the company are accounted for in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance in ASC 605-45-05. The company records distributed product sales gross as a principal since the company takes title to the products and has the risks of loss for collections, delivery and returns.

Product sales that give rise to installment receivables are recorded at the time of sale when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. As such, interest income is recognized based on the terms of the installment agreements. Installment accounts are monitored and if a customer defaults on payments, interest income is no longer recognized. All installment accounts are accounted for using the same methodology, regardless of duration of the installment agreements. The company has entered into an agreement with De Lage Landen, Inc. (“DLL”), a third party financing company, to provide the majority of future lease financing to Invacare customers.

Research and Development: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of products sold. The company’s annual expenditures for product development and engineering were approximately $27,556,000, $25,954,000 and $25,725,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Advertising: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses amounted to $19,523,000, $20,119,000 and $16,519,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, the majority of which is incurred for advertising in the United States.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans: The company accounts for share based compensation under the provisions of the Compensation—Stock Compensation, ASC 718. The amounts of stock-based compensation expense recognized were as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized as part of selling, general and administrative expense	$	6,640	$	6,135	$	4,495

The amounts above reflect compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and nonqualified stock options awarded under the 2003 Performance Plan. Stock-based compensation is not allocated to the business segments, but is reported as part of All Other as shown in the company’s Business Segment Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes: The company uses the liability method in measuring the provision for income taxes and recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The liability method requires that deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences of currently enacted rates for differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities. With the exception of two subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries with undistributed earnings are considered to have such earnings indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly with the exception of the two subsidiaries, no provision for income taxes has been provided for unremitted earnings of these foreign subsidiaries. The amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested is not practically determinable. The company has established a deferred tax liability of $660,000 for the unremitted earnings of the two subsidiaries for which the company intends to remit earnings when available under local statutory laws.

Derivative Instruments:Derivatives and Hedging, ASC 815, requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative is dependent upon whether or not the derivative has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment and the type of hedging relationship. For derivatives designated and qualifying as hedging instruments, the company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The company recognizes its derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet measured at fair value. A majority of the company’s derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change.

Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency of the company’s subsidiaries outside the United States is the applicable local currency. The assets and liabilities of the company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from translation of balance sheet items are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings.

Net Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive stock options and awards outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share can potentially be impacted by the convertible notes should the conditions be met to make the notes convertible or if average market price of company stock for the period exceeds the conversion price of $24.79. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net loss per share assuming dilution utilized weighted average shares-basic as a result of the company's net loss.

Defined Benefit Plans: The company’s benefit plans are accounted for in accordance with Compensation-Retirement Benefits, ASC 715 which requires plan sponsors to recognize the funded status of their defined benefit postretirement benefit plans in the consolidated balance sheet, measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05 or the ASU). ASU 2011-05 requires comprehensive income to be reported in either a single statement or in two consecutive statements reporting net income and other comprehensive income (OCI). The ASU does not change what is required to be reported in OCI or the requirement to disclose reclassifications of items from OCI to net income. The company is analyzing the impact of ASU 2011-05, which is required to be adopted for the company's first quarter 2012 Form 10-Q. The company does not believe ASU 2011-05 will have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 34,924	$ 48,462
Trade receivables, net	247,974	252,004
Installment receivables, net	6,671	3,959
Inventories, net	192,761	174,375
Deferred income taxes	1,620	5,778
Other current assets	44,820	41,581
Total Current Assets	528,770	526,159
Other Assets	42,647	45,484
Other Intangibles	83,320	70,911
Property and Equipment, net	129,712	130,763
Goodwill	496,605	507,083
Total Assets	1,281,054	1,280,400
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	148,805	143,753
Accrued expenses	132,595	130,079
Accrued income taxes	1,495	8,502
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term obligations	5,044	7,974
Total Current Liabilities	287,939	290,308
Long-Term Debt	260,440	238,090
Other Long-Term Obligations	106,150	99,591
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Shares (Authorized 300 shares; none outstanding)	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	221,409	231,685
Retained earnings	364,300	370,001
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	124,876	112,631
Treasury shares (3,100 and 2,319 shares in 2011 and 2010, respectively)	(92,803)	(70,579)
Total Shareholders' Equity	626,525	652,411
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	1,281,054	1,280,400
Common Stock [Member]
Shareholders' Equity
Common shares	8,471	8,401
Common Class B [Member]
Shareholders' Equity
Common shares	$ 272	$ 272

XML

Other Long-Term Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Other Liabilities Disclosure

Other Long-Term Obligations

Other long-term obligations as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan liability	$	27,488	$	26,133
Product liability	18,280		20,026
Deferred income taxes	28,948		32,559
Deferred compensation	9,937		8,542
Other	21,497		12,331
Total long-term obligations	$	106,150	$	99,591

XML

Fair Values of Financial Instruments Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 All Other Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member] Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ISG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ISG [Member] Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member] Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Lists [Member] IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Lists [Member] North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer Lists [Member] North America/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer Lists [Member] North America/HME [Member] Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trademarks [Member] IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trademarks [Member] IPG [Member] Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Trademarks [Member] Europe [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	$ (250,000)	$ 2,803,000	$ (339,000)
Number of Quoted Market Prices Available				0
Stated Rates of Return Available				0
Cost-method Investments, Realized Losses						6,713,000
Discounted Cash Flow, Discount Rate	9.27%	9.59%	10.74%
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	47,719,000						39,729,000	39,729,000				0		0							0	0
Goodwill, Estimated Impairment Charge															7,990,000		7,990,000
Discounted Cash Flow, Sensitivity Analysis Discount Rate Increase										1.00%		1.00%	1.00%	1.00%							1.00%	1.00%
Discounted Cash Flow, Discount Rate Premium																	2.30%
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	1,761,000				1,761,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived							201,000		625,000						508,000	800,000		248,000					625,000	508,000	248,000	248,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Impairment Losses											$ 336,000								$ 427,000	$ 896,000							$ 336,000	$ 336,000	$ 427,000

XML

Income Taxes Unrecognized Tax Liability (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 4,500	$ 6,710
Additions to:
Positions taken during the current year	475	1,400
Positions taken during a prior year	105	265
Deductions due to:
Exchange rate impact	20	(65)
Positions taken during a prior year	(545)	(15)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(195)	(3,185)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(285)	(610)
Balance at end of year	$ 4,075	$ 4,500

XML

Income Taxes Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	11.60%	1.20%	2.40%
Tax credits	(22.10%)	(41.10%)	(146.40%)
Foreign taxes at less than the federal statutory rate excluding valuation allowances	(89.20%)	(24.40%)	(12.20%)
Federal and foreign valuation allowance	0.70%	4.60%	13.30%
Non-deductible extinguishment and debt finance costs	46.10%	8.50%	0.00%
Withholding taxes	(0.60%)	(0.40%)	2.40%
Compensation	5.60%	(0.30%)	0.60%
Dividends	47.00%	54.80%	129.30%
Life insurance	(12.20%)	(1.10%)	(1.00%)
Foreign branch activity	(25.20%)	(3.40%)	(5.20%)
Uncertain tax positions	2.00%	(1.70%)	(2.50%)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment (Asia/Pacific)	252.70%	0.00%	0.00%
Foreign tax audit settlement	(88.60%)	0.00%	0.00%
Other, net	10.80%	1.70%	(2.80%)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	173.60%	33.40%	12.90%

XML

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Feb. 23, 2012 Common Class A [Member]	Feb. 23, 2012 Common Class B [Member]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	INVACARE CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000742112
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			30,734,171	1,084,747
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 941,389,942

XML

Leases and Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases [Abstract]

Leases and Commitments

Leases and Commitments

The company leases a portion of its facilities, transportation equipment, data processing equipment and certain other equipment. These leases have terms from 1 to 20 years and provide for renewal options. Generally, the company is required to pay taxes and normal expenses of operating the facilities and equipment. As of December 31, 2011, the company is committed under non-cancelable operating leases, which have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year and expire on various dates through 2024. Lease expenses were approximately $27,298,000 in 2011, $23,094,000 in 2010, and $23,966,000 in 2009.

The amount of buildings and equipment capitalized in connection with capital leases was $14,643,000 and $14,197,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, accumulated amortization was $5,914,000 and $5,201,000, respectively, which is included in depreciation expense.

Future minimum operating and capital lease commitments, as of December 31, 2011, are as follows (in thousands):

Year	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
2012	$	1,578		$	22,711
2013	1,481			16,585
2014	1,440			11,291
2015	1,420			7,611
2016	1,417			4,403
Thereafter	3,701			6,772
Total future minimum lease payments	11,037			$	69,373
Amounts representing interest	(2,587		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$	8,450

XML

Retirement and Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Participants	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Times Participants	Dec. 31, 2010 Participants	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum percentage of matching contribution for total compensation				3.00%
Percentage quarterly contributions of qualified wages	4.00%		4.00%
Percentage quarterly contributions of qualified wages, subsequent quarters		1.00%
Contribution expense				$ 5,599,000	$ 7,153,000	$ 6,681,000
Number of participants unaffected by plan conversion		3		3	3
Benefit payment as multiplier of final earnings, current employee				3
Benefit payment as multiplier of final earnings, after normal retirement or post-employment				1
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		4,781,000		4,781,000	2,332,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net change				2,449,000
Net periodic benefit costs				2,086,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Rate, interest credited	6.00%	0.00%	6.00%
Projected benefit obligation, unfunded plan		27,879,000		27,879,000	26,524,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		27,879,000		27,879,000	26,524,000
Assumption, future salary increase rate		4.00%		4.00%	4.00%
Assumed discount rate		4.40%		4.40%	6.00%
Retirement age		65		65	65
Interest cost				904,000	1,535,000	1,454,000
Benefit payments				410,000	1,592,000	517,000
Net periodic benefit costs				1,765,000	2,176,000	2,128,000
Death Benefit Only Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation expense		536,000		536,000	399,000	190,000
Service cost and accrual adjustments				449,000	235,000	131,000
Netherlands Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Retirement age		65		65
European Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)				$ 215,000	$ (23,000)
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company matching employee contributions				66.70%

XML

Income Taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current:
Federal	$ 3,244	$ 4,749	$ (8,310)
State	1,000	689	1,775
Foreign	13,008	9,729	10,850
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	17,252	15,167	4,315
Deferred:
Federal	(3,474)	(1,696)	0
Foreign	(4,078)	(771)	1,785
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(7,552)	(2,467)	1,785
Income Taxes	$ 9,700	$ 12,700	$ 6,100

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.25
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	300	300
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Treasury Stock, Shares	3,100	2,319
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	33,835	33,559
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0	0
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	12,000	12,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	1,086	1,086
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0	0

XML

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

In September 2011, the company completed the acquisition of Dynamic Medical Systems (DMS), a solutions-based service organization with a strong presence in the western United States, for $41,465,000, which was paid in cash.  The acquisition gives the company a national rental footprint, which strategically enhances the company's ability to service regional and national long-term care providers. DMS has a clinical solution selling approach for wound therapies, safe patient handling and other rental applications in institutional settings. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, the company agreed to pay contingent consideration of up to $8,000,000 if certain goals were met over the next 24 months, principally earnings projections, for which the company has recorded a liability amount of $7,300,000 based on the company's estimate of the probable payout.

In October 2011, the company acquired a developed technology intangible asset and inventory related to a negative pressure wound therapy product in the United States for $965,000.

In June 2010, Invacare Corporation acquired Centralized Medical Equipment LLC and the majority of the assets of Specialty Medical Equipment LLC, both Massachusetts limited liability companies, collectively referred to as Boston Rentals, which rent equipment to skilled nursing and long-term care providers, for $13,725,000, which was paid in cash.

The results of the acquisitions are included in the Institutional Products Group segment since the date of acquisition.

XML

Property And Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Machinery and equipment	$	360,215		$	332,687
Land, buildings and improvements	95,737			91,956
Furniture and fixtures	14,034			27,775
Leasehold improvements	15,750			15,705
	485,736			468,123
Less allowance for depreciation	(356,024		)	(337,360		)
	$	129,712		$	130,763

XML

Charges Related To Restructuring Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Charges Related To Restructuring Activities

Charges Related to Restructuring Activities

During 2011, as part of the company's ongoing globalization initiative to reduce complexity within it global footprint, the company finalized the closure of two facilities. The restructuring was necessitated by the continued decline in reimbursement by the U.S. government as well as similar reimbursement pressures abroad and continued pricing pressures faced by the company as a result of outsourcing by competitors to lower cost locations. As a result, the company recorded restructuring charges of $10,870,000 in 2011, of which $277,000 was recorded in cost of products sold as it related to inventory markdowns. There have been no material changes in accrued balances related to the charge, either as a result of revisions in the plan or changes in estimates. The majority of the outstanding charge accruals at December 31, 2011 are expected to be paid out within the next twelve months.

Previously, the company recorded restructuring charges which commenced in 2005 and concluded in the fourth quarter of 2009. For 2009, the company recorded restructuring charges of $4,804,000 of which $298,000 was recorded in cost of products sold as it related to inventory markdowns. The previous charges were related to a multi-year cost reduction plan.

A progression by reporting segment of the accruals recorded as a result of the restructuring is as follows (in thousands):

	Severance			Product Line Discontinuance			Contract Terminations			Other			Total
December 31, 2010 Balance
NA/HME	—			—			—			—			—
ISG	—			—			—			—			—
Europe	—			—			—			—			—
Asia/Pacific	—			—			—			—			—
Total	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges
NA/HME	4,756			—			—			4			4,760
IPG	123			—			—			—			123
ISG	335			—			—			—			335
Europe	3,288			277			1,788			113			5,466
Asia/Pacific	186			—			—			—			186
Total	8,688			277			1,788			117			10,870
Payments
NA/HME	(1,664		)	—			—			(4		)	(1,668		)
IPG	(52		)	—			—			—			(52		)
ISG	(82		)	—			—			—			(82		)
Europe	(1,546		)	(277		)	(1,714		)	(113		)	(3,650		)
Asia/Pacific	(186		)	—			—			—			(186		)
Total	(3,530		)	(277		)	(1,714		)	(117		)	(5,638		)
December 31, 2011 Balance
NA/HME	3,092			—			—			—			3,092
IPG	71			—			—			—			71
ISG	253			—			—			—			253
Europe	1,742			—			74			—			1,816
Asia/Pacific	—			—			—			—			—
Total	$	5,158		$	—		$	74		$	—		$	5,232

XML

Retirement and Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]

Retirement and Benefit Plans

Retirement and Benefit Plans

Substantially all full-time salaried and hourly domestic employees are included in the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan sponsored by the company. The company makes matching cash contributions up to 66.7% of employees’ contributions up to 3% of compensation. The company also makes quarterly contributions to this Plan equal to a percentage of qualified wages as determined by resolution of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors. In the first and second quarters of 2011, quarterly contributions were made at 4% of qualified wages. Per resolution of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2011, quarterly contributions were reduced to 1% of qualified wages. The company will continue contributions at 1% for subsequent quarters unless and until the company determines that a different rate of quarterly contributions shall be made. The company may make discretionary contributions to the domestic plans based on an annual resolution of the Board of Directors. Contribution expense for the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $5,599,000, $7,153,000, and $6,681,000, respectively.

The company sponsors a Deferred Compensation Plus Plan covering certain employees, which provides for elective deferrals and the company retirement deferrals so that the total retirement deferrals equal amounts that would have contributed to the company’s principal retirement plans if it were not for limitations imposed by income tax regulations.

The company also sponsors a non-qualified defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain key executives. Effective December 31, 2008, the SERP was amended, in part to comply with IRS Section 409A. As a result of the amendment, the plan became a defined benefit cash balance plan for the non-retired participants and thus, future payments by the company will be made based upon a cash balance formula with interest credited at a rate determined annually by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors, currently 0%. In the first and second quarters of 2011, interest was credited at 6%. Per resolution of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors, the interest crediting rate was reduced from 6% per annum to 0% effective as of July 1, 2011 for active participants in the SERP. The fund will continue the interest crediting rate at 0% thereafter unless and until the Administrative Committee determines that a different crediting interest rate shall be made. The plan continues to be unfunded with individual hypothetical accounts maintained for each participant.

The SERP projected benefit obligation related to this unfunded plan was $27,879,000 and $26,524,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and the accumulated benefit obligation was $27,879,000 and $26,524,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The projected benefit obligations were calculated using an assumed future salary increase of 4% at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. The assumed discount rate, relevant for three participants unaffected by plan conversion was 4.4% and 6% for 2011 and 2010, respectively, based upon the discount rate on high-quality fixed-income investments without adjustment. The retirement age was 65 for both 2011 and 2010. Expense for the plan in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1,765,000, $2,176,000, and $2,128,000, respectively of which $904,000, $1,535,000, and $1,454,000 was related to interest cost with the remaining portion related to service costs, prior service costs and other gains/losses. Benefit payments in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $410,000, $1,592,000 and $517,000, respectively. In 2010, benefit payments included a lump sum distribution to a plan participant.

In 2005, the company began sponsoring a Death Benefit Only Plan (DBO) for certain key executives that provides a benefit equal to three times the participant’s final target earnings should the participant’s death occur while an employee and a benefit equal to one times the participant’s final earnings upon the participant’s death after normal retirement or post-employment. Expense for the plan in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $536,000, $399,000, and $190,000, respectively of which $449,000, $235,000, and $131,000 was related to service cost and accrual adjustments with the remaining portion related to interest costs. There were no benefit payments in 2011, 2010 or 2009.

In Europe, the company maintains defined benefit plans in Switzerland and in the Netherlands. In Switzerland, a statutory pension plan is maintained with a private insurance company and, in accordance with Swiss law, the plan functions as a defined contribution plan whereby employee and employer contributions are defined as a percentage of individual salary depending on the age of the employee and a guaranteed interest rate, which is annually defined by the Swiss Pension Fund. Under U.S. GAAP, the plan is treated as a defined benefit plan. In the Netherlands, the statutory pension plan contains benefits and provisions for an Old Age Pension benefit that starts at age 65 and is payable until death and a Survivors Pension that starts immediately after the death of the insured and is payable until the death of the surviving spouse. The plan also provides for a Temporary Survivors Pension, an Orphans Pension and Premium Waiver During Disability. Under U.S. GAAP the plan is treated as a defined benefit plan. In 2011, income for the plans was $215,000 while in 2010 expense for the plans was $23,000.

Accumulated other comprehensive income associated with the SERP, Swiss pension plan, Netherlands pension plan and DBO was $4,781,000 and $2,332,000 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively for a net change of $2,449,000 with $2,086,000 in net periodic benefit costs recognized during the year.

In conjunction with these non-qualified U.S. defined benefit plans, the company has invested in life insurance policies related to certain employees to help satisfy these future obligations. The current cash surrender value of these policies approximates the current benefit obligations.

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected dividend yield	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Expected stock price volatility	37.30%	39.60%	39.90%
Risk free interest rate	1.11%	1.57%	1.81%
Expected life in years	5.9	3.9	3.7
Forfeiture percentage	6.90%	10.50%	12.70%

XML

Current Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]

Current Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of accruals for the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Salaries and wages	$	42,174	$	46,658
Taxes other than income taxes, primarily Value Added Taxes	23,007		19,981
Warranty cost	19,842		18,252
Freight	11,087		11,189
Professional	7,252		7,333
Product liability, current portion	3,468		4,134
Rebates	3,681		3,320
Insurance	2,657		2,393
Interest	1,255		2,273
Derivative liability (foreign forward exchange contracts)	893		1,929
Severance	5,158		524
Other items, principally trade accruals	12,121		12,093
	$	132,595	$	130,079

Accrued rebates relate to several volume incentive programs the company offers its customers. The company accounts for these rebates as a reduction of revenue when the products are sold in accordance with the guidance in ASC 605-50, Customer Payments and Incentives.

Changes in accrued warranty costs were as follows (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Balance as of January 1	$	18,252		$	21,506
Warranties provided during the period	11,225			5,996
Settlements made during the period	(12,068		)	(9,681		)
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations	2,433			431
Balance as of December 31	$	19,842		$	18,252

The increase in the liability for pre-existing warranties in 2011, as shown above, is the result of product recalls.

XML

Receivables Installment Receivables by Class (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	$ 11,921	$ 10,631
Unpaid Principal Balance	11,750	10,513
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	4,273	4,841
Interest Income Recognized	271	109
CANADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	5,805	3,478
Unpaid Principal Balance	5,634	3,360
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	33	19
Interest Income Recognized	271	109
Impaired Installment Receivables with Related Allowance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	6,225	7,409
Unpaid Principal Balance	6,225	7,409
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	4,273	4,841
Interest Income Recognized	0	0
Impaired Installment Receivables with Related Allowance [Member] | U.S.
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	6,116	7,153
Unpaid Principal Balance	6,116	7,153
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	4,240	4,822
Interest Income Recognized	0	0
Impaired Installment Receivables with Related Allowance [Member] | CANADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	109	256
Unpaid Principal Balance	109	256
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	33	19
Interest Income Recognized	0	0
Installment Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	5,696	3,222
Unpaid Principal Balance	5,525	3,104
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	0	0
Interest Income Recognized	271	109
Installment Receivables [Member] | CANADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	5,696	3,222
Unpaid Principal Balance	5,525	3,104
Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	0	0
Interest Income Recognized	$ 271	$ 109

XML

Interim Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 449,701	$ 456,519	$ 466,412	$ 428,498	$ 451,537	$ 437,476	$ 430,828	$ 402,240	$ 1,801,130	$ 1,722,081	$ 1,693,136
Gross profit	129,477	131,077	134,918	123,006	133,871	131,567	126,490	117,713	518,478	509,641	493,194
Earnings before income taxes	(29,828)	17,150	8,261	10,004	9,398	20,923	2,414	5,306	5,587	38,041	47,279
Net earnings (loss)	$ (35,028)	$ 12,800	$ 10,661	$ 7,454	$ 7,248	$ 15,598	$ (611)	$ 3,106	$ (4,113)	$ 25,341	$ 41,179
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic	$ (1.10)	$ 0.40	$ 0.33	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ (0.02)	$ 0.10	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29
Net earnings (loss) per share - assuming dilution	$ (1.10)	$ 0.40	$ 0.32	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ (0.02)	$ 0.09	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29

XML

Goodwill And Other Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment is as follows (in thousands):

	North America/ HME			Invacare Supply Group		Institutional Products Group			Europe			Asia/ Pacific			Consolidated
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	9,551		$	23,073	$	20,267		$	467,385		$	35,817		$	556,093
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—		1,238			(60,870		)	4,330			(55,302		)
Purchase accounting adjustments	6,292			—		—			—			—			6,292
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	15,843		$	23,073	$	21,505		$	406,515		$	40,147		$	507,083
Reclassification	(7,853		)			7,853
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—		(537		)	14,668			(418		)	13,713
Acquisitions	—			—		23,528			—			—			23,528
Impairment charge	(7,990		)	—		—			—			(39,729		)	(47,719		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	—		$	23,073	$	52,349		$	421,183		$	—		$	496,605

As a result of the Dynamic Medical Systems acquisition in 2011, additional goodwill of $23,528,000 was recorded for the Institutional Product Group segment, which is deductible for tax purposes. As a result of the Boston Rentals acquisition in 2010, additional goodwill of $6,292,000 was recorded, which is deductible for tax purposes. In the third quarter of 2011 and as a result of an acquisition that expanded the company's North American rental operations, management re-evaluated its rental operations and determined that sales are more closely aligned with institutional customers and as a result, these operations are now included and evaluated as part of IPG. The reclassification noted in the table above reflects the impact of the change by management.

In accordance with Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, ASC 350, goodwill is reviewed for impairment. To review goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC 350, the company first estimates the fair value of each reporting unit and compares the calculated fair value to the carrying value of the each reporting unit. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below. The company has determined that its reporting units are the same as its operating segments. The company completes its annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. To estimate the fair values of the reporting units, the company utilizes a discounted cash flow method (DCF) model in which the company forecasts income statement and balance sheet amounts based on assumptions regarding future sales growth, profitability, inventory turns, days' sales outstanding, etc. to forecast future cash flows. The cash flows are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital discount rate where the cost of debt is based on quoted rates for 20-year debt of companies of similar credit risk and the cost of equity is based upon the 20-year treasury rate for the risk free rate, a market risk premium, the industry average beta and a small cap stock adjustment. The discount rates used have a significant impact upon the discounted cash flow methodology utilized in the company's annual impairment testing as higher discount rates decrease the fair value estimates. The assumptions used are based on a market participant's point of view and yielded a discount rate of 9.27% in 2011 for the company's initial impairment analysis compared to 9.59% in 2010 and 10.74% in 2009.

The company also utilizes an EV (Enterprise Value) to EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) Method to compute the fair value of its reporting units which considers potential acquirers and their EV to EBITDA multiples adjusted by an estimated premium. While more weight is given to the discounted cash flow method, the EV to EBITDA Method does provide corroborative evidence of the reasonableness of the discounted cash flow method results.

The results of the company's Step I annual impairment test indicated a potential impairment in the Asia Pacific segment. As a result, the company completed a Step II impairment test for this segment. Pursuant to ASC 360, the company compared the forecasted un-discounted cash flows of the Asia/Pacific segment to the carrying value of the net assets, which indicated no impairment of any other long-lived assets. As part of the Step II test, the company calculated the fair value of all recorded and unrecorded assets and liabilities to determine the goodwill impairment amount. As a result of reduced profitability in the Asia/Pacific segment in the fourth quarter of 2011, uncertainty associated with future market conditions, and based on the Step II calculated results, the company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill in the Asia Pacific segment of $39,729,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011, which represented the entire goodwill amount for the segment.

In December 2011, the FDA requested that the company agree to a consent decree of injunction at the company's corporate facility and its wheelchair manufacturing facility in Elyria, Ohio, the proposed terms of which would require the suspension of certain operations at those facilities until they are certified by the company and then determined by the FDA to be in compliance with FDA quality system regulations. In accordance with ASC 350, a significant decline in the company's stock price and market capitalization, as occurred following the announcement of the consent decree, should be considered as indicators of possible impairment that would require an interim assessment of goodwill for impairment. The company believes the consent decree would primarily impact the company's NA/HME segment if the operations at the facilities cited were suspended.

The company is in the process of negotiating with the FDA on the terms of the consent decree. As of December 31, 2011, the company updated the assumptions and variables in its DCF model as of December 31, 2011 in regards to the NA/HME segment and factored in a 230 basis point risk premium to the discount rate used to reflect the increased uncertainty with the company's forecasted cash flows for the reporting unit. The risk premium adjustment was calculated by the company by considering the decline in the company's stock price as well as the company's EBITDA multiple. The premium adjustment was made as the company was not able to produce a range of cash flows given the lack of clarity on the final terms of the consent decree. The results of the calculation as of December 31, 2011 confirmed that the carrying value of the NA/HME reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Pursuant to ASC 360, the company compared the forecasted un-discounted cash flows of the NA/HME segment to the carrying value of the net assets, which indicated no impairment of any other long-lived assets. The company then conducted a preliminary Step II test in which the fair values of all recorded and unrecorded assets and liabilities were calculated to determine the estimated impairment charge of $7,990,000, which represented the entire goodwill amount for the segment. The company expects to finalize the Step II analysis and record any adjustment in the first quarter of 2012.

While there was no indication of impairment in 2011 related to goodwill for the Europe, ISG or IPG segments, a future potential impairment is possible for each or any of the company's segments should actual results differ materially from forecasted results used in the valuation analysis. Furthermore, the company's annual valuation of goodwill can differ materially if the market inputs used to determine the discount rate change significantly. For instance, higher interest rates or greater stock price volatility would increase the discount rate and thus increase the chance of impairment. In consideration of this potential, the company reviewed the results if the discount rate used were 100 basis points higher for the 2011 impairment analysis and determined that there still would not be an indicator of potential impairment for the Europe, ISG or IPG segments.

XML

Other Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Other Intangibles

All of the company’s other intangible assets have been assigned definite lives and continue to be amortized over their useful lives, except for $31,777,000 related to trademarks, which have indefinite lives. The changes in intangible balances reflected on the balance sheet from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011 were the result of foreign currency translation and amortization except for intangible write-downs, noted below, which totaled $1,761,000 and additions resulting from acquisitions. As a result of the DMS acquisition, a customer list intangible of $18,800,000, which was assigned a ten-year life, other intangibles of $1,000,000, which were assigned four-year lives, and a trademark intangible of $400,000, which was assigned a five-year life, were recorded by the IPG segment.  The IPG segment also acquired a developed technology intangible of $801,000, which was assigned a seven-year life, and a trademark intangible of $295,000, which has an indefinite life.

The company’s intangibles consist of the following (in thousands):

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization
Customer Lists	$	94,790	$	50,832	$	72,998	$	40,071
Trademarks	31,777		—		31,246		—
License agreements	3,160		3,160		3,183		2,958
Developed Technology	9,823		4,870		8,521		3,988
Patents	6,358		5,266		7,518		5,863
Other	7,510		5,970		6,092		5,767
	$	153,418	$	70,098	$	129,558	$	58,647

Amortization expense related to other intangibles was $10,542,000, $8,451,000 and $8,671,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years is expected to be $10,175,000 for 2012, $9,414,000 in 2013, $8,633,000 in 2014, $7,219,000 in 2015 and $5,440,000 in 2016. Amortized intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis for periods from 3 to 20 years with the majority of the intangibles being amortized over a life of between 10 and 13 years.

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the company reviews intangibles for impairment. The company's intangible assets consist of intangible assets with defined lives as well as intangible assets with indefinite lives. Defined-lived intangible assets consist principally of customer lists, developed technology, license agreements, patents and other miscellaneous intangibles such as non-compete agreements. The company's indefinite lived intangible assets consist entirely of trademarks.

The company evaluates the carrying value of definite-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. Definite-lived assets are determined to be impaired if the future un-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than the carrying value. Actual impairment amounts for definite-lived assets are then calculated using a discounted cash flow calculation. The company reviews indefinite-lived assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year and whenever events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. Any impairment amounts for indefinite-lived assets are calculated as the difference between the future discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset less than the carrying value for the asset.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the company recognized intangible write-down charges of $1,761,000 comprised of: customer list impairment of $625,000 in the IPG segment, customer list impairment of $508,000 in the NA/HME segment, indefinite-lived trademark impairment of $427,000 in the Europe segment and an intellectual property impairment of $201,000 in the Asia/Pacific segment. The after-tax and pre-tax impairment amounts were the same for each of the above impairments except for the indefinite-lived trademark impairment in the Europe segment which was $320,000 after-tax. As a result of the company’s 2010 intangible impairment review, impairment charges of $336,000 and $248,000 were recorded related to trademarks for IPG and a customer list for NA/HME, respectively, as the actual and remaining forecasted cash flows associated with these intangibles were less than the cash flows originally used to value the intangibles.

XML

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
$400,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, due in October 2015	$	247,063		$	184,932
Convertible senior subordinated debentures at 4.125%, due in February 2027	9,797			52,064
Other notes and lease obligations	8,624			9,068
	265,484			246,064
Less current maturities of long-term debt	(5,044		)	(7,974		)
	$	260,440		$	238,090

The company's senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), entered into on October 28, 2010, provides for a $400 million senior secured revolving credit facility maturing in October 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the company may from time to time borrow, repay and re-borrow up to an aggregate outstanding amount at any one time of $400 million, subject to customary conditions. The Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of swing line loans. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the company's election, at (i) the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin; or (ii) a Base Rate Option plus a margin. The applicable margin is currently 1.75% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.75% for the Base Rate Option loans based on the company's leverage ratio. In addition to interest, the company is required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement. The commitment fee rate is currently 0.30% per annum. Like the interest rate spreads, the commitment fee is subject to adjustment based on the company's leverage ratio. The obligations of the borrowers under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the company's U.S. assets and are guaranteed by substantially all of the company's material domestic and foreign subsidiaries.

The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants that are customary for similar credit arrangements, including covenants relating to, among other things, financial reporting and notification, compliance with laws, preservation of existence, maintenance of books and records, use of proceeds, maintenance of properties and insurance, and limitations on liens, dispositions, issuance of debt, investments, payment of dividends, repurchases of capital stock, acquisitions, transactions with affiliates, and capital expenditures. There also are financial covenants that require the company to maintain a maximum leverage ratio (consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, each as defined in the Credit Agreement) of no greater than 3.5 to 1, and a minimum interest coverage ratio (consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest charges, each as defined in the Credit Agreement) of no less than 3.5 to 1. As of December 31, 2011, the company's leverage ratio was 1.81 and the company's interest coverage ratio was 23.80 compared to a leverage ratio of 1.89 and an interest coverage ratio of 8.40 as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, the company was in compliance with all covenant requirements and under the most restrictive covenant of the company's borrowing arrangements, the company had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $152,937,000.

The company may from time to time seek to retire or purchase its 4.125% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2027, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such purchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, the company's liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material. In 2011, the company repurchased and extinguished $63,351,000 principal amount of its Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures compared to $57,799,000 in 2010. As of December 31, 2011, the company had $13,850,000 remaining of Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures.

While there is general concern about the potential for rising interest rates, the company believes that its exposure to interest rate fluctuations is manageable given that portions of the company's debt are at fixed rates into 2013, the company has the ability to utilize swaps to exchange variable rate debt to fixed rate debt, if needed, and the company's free cash flow should allow it to absorb any modest rate increases in the months ahead without any material impact on its liquidity or capital resources. In 2011, the company entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert a portion of floating rate revolving credit facility debt to fixed rate debt to avoid the risk of changes in market interest rates. Specifically, interest rate swap agreements for notional amounts of $18,000,000 and $22,000,000 through September 2013, $20,000,000 and $25,000,000 through May 2013 and $15,000,000 through February 2013 were entered into that fix the LIBOR component of the interest rate on that portion of the revolving credit facility debt at rates of 0.625%, 0.46%, 1.08%, 0.73% and 1.05%, respectively, for effective aggregate rates of 2.375%, 2.21%, 2.83%, 2.48% and 2.80%, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the weighted average floating interest rate on borrowing was 2.54% compared to 3.29% as of December 31, 2010.

The Credit Agreement required the company to redeem, purchase or repurchase no less than $100 million in principal amount of the 9.75% Senior Notes due 2015 and/or the company’s 4.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2027 (the “Convertible Notes”) by February 28, 2011. This was completed by December 31, 2010. After February 28, 2011, the company may redeem, purchase or repurchase the Convertible Notes so long as no event of default is then occurring or would be caused thereby and the company’s leverage ratio after such redemption, purchase or repurchase is not more than 3.00 to 1. The Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default with corresponding grace periods, including, among other things, failure to pay any principal or interest when due, failure to perform or observe covenants, bankruptcy or insolvency events and change of control.

In 2007, the company issued $135,000,000 principal amount of Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2027. The debentures are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the company guaranteed by substantially all of the company’s domestic subsidiaries, pay interest at 4.125% per annum on each February 1 and August 1, and are convertible upon satisfaction of certain conditions into cash, common shares of the company, or a combination of cash and common shares of the company, subject to certain conditions, and at the company’s discretion. The debentures allow the company to satisfy the conversion using any combination of cash or stock. The company intends to satisfy the accreted value of the debentures using cash. Assuming adequate cash on hand at the time of conversion, the company also intends to satisfy the conversion spread using cash, as opposed to stock. As of December 31, 2011, the principal amount of the company’s Convertible Notes exceeded the if-converted value of those notes by $5,307,000. During 2011, the company retired $63,351,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes at a premium above par. In accordance with ASC 470-20, Convertible Debt, the company utilized the inducement method of accounting to calculate the loss associated with the early retirement of the convertible debt. For the year endedDecember 31, 2011, the company recorded expense of $24,200,000 related to the loss on the debt extinguishment including the write-off of $1,554,000 of deferred financing fees, which were previously capitalized.

The company includes the dilutive effect of shares necessary to settle the conversion spread in the Net Earnings per Share—Assuming Dilution calculation unless such amounts are anti-dilutive. The initial conversion rate is 40.3323 shares per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $24.79 per share. Holders of the debentures can convert the debt to common stock if the company’s common stock price is at a level in excess of $32.23, a 30% premium to the initial conversion price for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days preceding the date on which the notice of conversion is given. At a conversion price of $32.23 (30% premium over $24.79), the full conversion of the convertible debt equates to 559,000 shares. The debentures are redeemable at the company’s option, subject to specified conditions, on or after February 6, 2012 through and including February 1, 2017. The company may redeem some or all of the debentures for cash on or after February 1, 2017. Holders have the right to require the company to repurchase all or some of their debentures upon the occurrence of certain circumstances on February 1, 2017 and 2022. The company evaluated the terms of the call, redemption and conversion features under the applicable accounting literature, including Derivatives and Hedging, ASC 815, and determined that the features did not require separate accounting as derivatives. The notes, debentures and common shares issuable upon conversion of the debentures have been registered under the Securities Act.

The components of the company’s convertible debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011			2010
Carrying amount of equity component	$	25,216		$	46,205
Principal amount of liability component	$	13,850		$	77,201
Unamortized discount	(4,053		)	(25,137		)
Net carrying amount of liability component	$	9,797		$	52,064

The unamortized discount of $4,053,000 is to be amortized through February 2017. The effective interest rate on the liability component was 11.5% for 2007 through 2011. Non-cash interest expense of $1,565,000, $3,198,000 and $4,142,000 was recognized in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in comparison to actual interest expense paid of $1,670,000, $4,178,000 and $5,569,000 based on the stated coupon rate of 4.125%, for each of the same periods. The convertible debt was not convertible as of December 31, 2011 nor was the convertible debt conversion price threshold of $32.23, as noted above, met.

Included in the $400,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, there was $12,982,000 of borrowings denominated in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2010 compared to none as of December 31, 2011. For 2011 and 2010, the weighted average interest rate on all borrowings was 2.64% and 6.06%, respectively.

The aggregate minimum maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years are as follows: $5,044,000 in 2012, $1,143,000 in 2013, $1,071,000 in 2014, $1,088,000 in 2015, and $244,161,000 in 2016. Interest paid on all borrowings was $10,789,000, $28,341,000 and $33,188,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

XML

Property And Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 485,736	$ 468,123
Less allowance for depreciation	(356,024)	(337,360)
Property and Equipment, net	129,712	130,763
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	360,215	332,687
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	95,737	91,956
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	14,034	27,775
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 15,750	$ 15,705

XML

Capital Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Capital Stock [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	178,744	399,144	490,325
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited	4,900	5,600	17,325
Common Stock Shares
Capital Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	33,559,000	33,048,000	32,449,000
Exercise of stock options	180,000	399,000	490,000
Restricted stock awards	96,000	87,000	109,000
Purchase of shares for treasury	0	0
Conversion of Class B to Common		25,000
Ending Balance	33,835,000	33,559,000	33,048,000
Class B Shares
Capital Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,086,000	1,111,000	1,111,000
Exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards	0	0	0
Purchase of shares for treasury	0	0
Conversion of Class B to Common		(25,000)
Ending Balance	1,086,000	1,086,000	1,111,000
Treasury Shares
Capital Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(2,319,000)	(1,834,000)	(1,424,000)
Exercise of stock options	0	(247,000)	(386,000)
Restricted stock awards	(31,000)	(33,000)	(24,000)
Purchase of shares for treasury	(750,000)	(205,000)
Conversion of Class B to Common		0
Ending Balance	(3,100,000)	(2,319,000)	(1,834,000)

XML

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended								3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 NA/HME [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Invacare Supply Group [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Invacare Supply Group [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Institutional Products Group [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Institutional Products Group [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Asia/Pacific [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ISG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member] Europe [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member] IPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Member] ISG [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1, 2010	$ 507,083,000	$ 556,093,000			$ 15,843,000	$ 9,551,000	$ 23,073,000	$ 23,073,000	$ 21,505,000	$ 20,267,000	$ 406,515,000	$ 467,385,000		$ 40,147,000	$ 35,817,000
Reclassification					(7,853,000)				7,853,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,713,000	(55,302,000)			0	0	0	0	(537,000)	1,238,000	14,668,000	(60,870,000)		(418,000)	4,330,000
Acquisitions	23,528,000	6,292,000			0	6,292,000	0	0	23,528,000	0	0	0		0	0
Impairment charge	47,719,000						0		0		0		39,729,000	39,729,000					0	0	0
Estimated Impairment Charge				7,990,000	7,990,000
Balance at December 31, 2011	$ 496,605,000	$ 507,083,000	$ 556,093,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ 15,843,000	$ 23,073,000	$ 23,073,000	$ 52,349,000	$ 21,505,000	$ 421,183,000	$ 406,515,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ 40,147,000
Maturity of Corporate Debt with Similar Credit Risk																		20 years
US Treasury Bond Maturity																		20 years
Discounted Cash Flow, Discount Rate	9.27%	9.59%	10.74%
Discounted Cash Flow, Discount Rate Premium					2.30%
Discounted Cash Flow, Sensitivity Analysis Discount Rate Increase											1.00%					1.00%	1.00%		1.00%	1.00%	1.00%

XML

Fair Values of Financial Instruments Details of Book Value and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Installment receivables, net	$ 6,671	$ 3,959
Other current assets	44,820	41,581
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	34,924	48,462
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	34,924	48,462
Other Assets [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	1,362	1,588
Other Assets [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	1,362	1,588
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Installment receivables, net	7,477	5,672
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Installment receivables, net	7,477	5,672
Debt [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)	(265,484)	(246,064)
Debt [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)	(264,112)	(264,382)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other current assets	1,685	2,884
Accrued Expenses	(505)	(1,929)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other current assets	1,685	2,884
Accrued Expenses	(505)	(1,929)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other current assets	18	0
Accrued Expenses	(388)	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other current assets	18	0
Accrued Expenses	$ (388)	$ 0

XML

Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Value added tax receivables	$ 16,941	$ 13,829
Supplier receivables	5,381	5,703
Recoverable income taxes	3,338	3,708
Derivatives (forward exchange contracts)	1,703	2,884
Prepaid insurance	2,307	2,222
Prepaid and other current assets	15,150	13,235
Other current assets	$ 44,820	$ 41,581

XML

Income Taxes Components of Deferred Income Tax (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net, Current	$ 1,620	$ 5,778
Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	(28,948)	(32,559)
Net Deferred Income Taxes	(27,328)	(26,781)
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, Current [Member]
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Loss carryforwards	2,017	5,853
Bad debt	9,698	9,398
Warranty	4,591	4,338
State and local taxes	2,687	2,699
Other accrued expenses and reserves	2,068	5,535
Inventory	1,949	2,742
Compensation and benefits	2,644	1,182
Product liability	292	292
Valuation allowance	(24,887)	(21,657)
Other, net	561	(4,604)
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, Noncurrent [Member]
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
State and local taxes	10,734	9,480
Compensation and benefits	14,388	13,416
Product liability	4,236	4,428
Other, net	5,025	3,968
Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net:
Goodwill & intangibles	(23,388)	(24,478)
Convertible debt	(941)	(8,798)
Fixed assets	(14,949)	(15,770)
Loss and credit carryforwards	43,603	45,519
Valuation allowance	$ (67,656)	$ (60,324)

XML

Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Certain foreign subsidiaries, represented by the European segment, are consolidated using a November 30 fiscal year end in order to meet filing deadlines. No material subsequent events have occurred related to the European segment, which would require disclosure or adjustment to the company’s financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Inventories

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method. Market values are based on the lower of replacement cost or estimated net realizable value. Inventories have been reduced by an allowance for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimated allowance is based on management’s review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. The company principally uses the straight-line method of depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on annual rates sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Machinery and equipment as well as furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated using lives of 3 to 10 years, while buildings and improvements are depreciated using lives of 5 to 40 years. Accelerated methods of depreciation are used for federal income tax purposes. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An asset would be considered impaired when the future net undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles: In accordance with Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, ASC 350, goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles are subject to annual impairment testing. For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is estimated by forecasting cash flows and discounting those cash flows using appropriate discount rates. The fair values are then compared to the carrying value of the net assets of each reporting unit. Intangibles assets are also reviewed for impairment by estimating forecasted cash flows and discounting those cash flows as needed to calculate impairment amounts. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $39,729,000 and $7,990,000 related to the Asia/Pacific and North America/Home Medical Equipment (NA/HME) segments, respectively, and intangible asset impairment amounts of $625,000; $508,000; $427,000 and $201,000 were recorded for the IPG, NA/HME, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, respectively. These impairments were due to the fact that actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were insufficient to justify the carrying values.

In 2010, the company recorded impairment charges, included in amortization expense, of $336,000 and $248,000 related to intangible assets for the IPG and the NA/HME segments, respectively, as the actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were less than what was originally used to value the intangibles. In 2009, the company recorded impairment charges related to intangible assets for Europe of $896,000 and NA/HME of $800,000 as the actual and future projected cash flows associated with these intangibles were less than what was originally used to value the intangibles. See the Goodwill and Other Intangible Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for the details of the calculations and reasons for the impairments.

Accrued Warranty Cost

Accrued Warranty Cost: Generally, the company’s products are covered by warranties against defects in material and workmanship for various periods depending on the product from the date of sale to the customer. Certain components carry a lifetime warranty. A provision for estimated warranty cost is recorded at the time of sale based upon actual experience. The company continuously assesses the adequacy of its product warranty accrual and makes adjustments as needed. Historical analysis is primarily used to determine the company’s warranty reserves. Claims history is reviewed and provisions are adjusted as needed. However, the company does consider other events, such as a product recall, which could warrant additional warranty reserve provision. No material adjustments to warranty reserves were necessary in the current year. See Current Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of the changes in the warranty accrual.

Product Liability Cost

Product Liability Cost: The company’s captive insurance company, Invatection Insurance Co., currently has a policy year that runs from September 1 to August 31 and insures annual policy losses of $10,000,000 per occurrence and $13,000,000 in the aggregate of the company’s North American product liability exposure. The company also has additional layers of external insurance coverage insuring up to $75,000,000 in aggregate losses per policy year arising from individual claims anywhere in the world that exceed the captive insurance company policy limits or the limits of the company’s per country foreign liability limits, as applicable. There can be no assurance that Invacare’s current insurance levels will continue to be adequate or available at affordable rates.

Product liability reserves are recorded for individual claims based upon historical experience, industry expertise and other indicators. Additional reserves, in excess of the specific individual case reserves, are provided for incurred but not reported claims based upon actuarial valuations at the time such valuations are conducted. Historical claims experience and other assumptions are taken into consideration by the company in estimating the ultimate reserves. For example, the actuarial analysis assumes that historical loss experience is an indicator of future experience, that the distribution of exposures by geographic area and nature of operations for ongoing operations is expected to be very similar to historical operations with no dramatic changes and that the government indices used to trend losses and exposures are appropriate. Estimates made are adjusted on a regular basis and can be impacted by actual loss awards and settlements on claims. While actuarial analysis is used to help determine adequate reserves, the company is responsible for the determination and recording of adequate reserves in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards and practices.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: Invacare’s revenues are recognized when products are shipped or service provided to unaffiliated customers, risk of loss is passed and title is transferred. Revenue Recognition, ASC 605, provides guidance on the application of generally accepted accounting principles to selected revenue recognition issues. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold.

Sales are made only to customers with whom the company believes collection is reasonably assured based upon a credit analysis, which may include obtaining a credit application, a signed security agreement, personal guarantee and/or a cross corporate guarantee depending on the credit history of the customer. Credit lines are established for new customers after an evaluation of their credit report and/or other relevant financial information. Existing credit lines are regularly reviewed and adjusted with consideration given to any outstanding past due amounts.

The company offers discounts and rebates, which are accounted for as reductions to revenue in the period in which the sale is recognized. Discounts offered include: cash discounts for prompt payment, base and trade discounts based on contract level for specific classes of customers. Volume discounts and rebates are given based on large purchases and the achievement of certain sales volumes. Product returns are accounted for as a reduction to reported sales with estimates recorded for anticipated returns at the time of sale. The company does not sell any goods on consignment.

Distributed products sold by the company are accounted for in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance in ASC 605-45-05. The company records distributed product sales gross as a principal since the company takes title to the products and has the risks of loss for collections, delivery and returns.

Product sales that give rise to installment receivables are recorded at the time of sale when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. As such, interest income is recognized based on the terms of the installment agreements. Installment accounts are monitored and if a customer defaults on payments, interest income is no longer recognized. All installment accounts are accounted for using the same methodology, regardless of duration of the installment agreements. The company has entered into an agreement with De Lage Landen, Inc. (“DLL”), a third party financing company, to provide the majority of future lease financing to Invacare customers.

Research and Development

Research and Development: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of products sold. The company’s annual expenditures for product development and engineering were approximately $27,556,000, $25,954,000 and $25,725,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Advertising

Advertising: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses amounted to $19,523,000, $20,119,000 and $16,519,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, the majority of which is incurred for advertising in the United States.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation Plans: The company accounts for share based compensation under the provisions of the Compensation—Stock Compensation, ASC 718. The amounts of stock-based compensation expense recognized were as follows (in thousands):

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized as part of selling, general and administrative expense	$	6,640	$	6,135	$	4,495

The amounts above reflect compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and nonqualified stock options awarded under the 2003 Performance Plan. Stock-based compensation is not allocated to the business segments, but is reported as part of All Other as shown in the company’s Business Segment Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The company uses the liability method in measuring the provision for income taxes and recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The liability method requires that deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences of currently enacted rates for differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities. With the exception of two subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries with undistributed earnings are considered to have such earnings indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly with the exception of the two subsidiaries, no provision for income taxes has been provided for unremitted earnings of these foreign subsidiaries. The amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested is not practically determinable. The company has established a deferred tax liability of $660,000 for the unremitted earnings of the two subsidiaries for which the company intends to remit earnings when available under local statutory laws.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments:Derivatives and Hedging, ASC 815, requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative is dependent upon whether or not the derivative has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment and the type of hedging relationship. For derivatives designated and qualifying as hedging instruments, the company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The company recognizes its derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet measured at fair value. A majority of the company’s derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency of the company’s subsidiaries outside the United States is the applicable local currency. The assets and liabilities of the company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from translation of balance sheet items are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings.

Net Earnings Per Share

Net Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive stock options and awards outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share can potentially be impacted by the convertible notes should the conditions be met to make the notes convertible or if average market price of company stock for the period exceeds the conversion price of $24.79. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net loss per share assuming dilution utilized weighted average shares-basic as a result of the company's net loss.

Defined Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans: The company’s benefit plans are accounted for in accordance with Compensation-Retirement Benefits, ASC 715 which requires plan sponsors to recognize the funded status of their defined benefit postretirement benefit plans in the consolidated balance sheet, measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.

XML

Net Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share.

	2011			2010		2009
	(In thousands except per share data)
Basic
Average common shares outstanding	31,958			32,393		31,969
Net earnings (loss)	$	(4,113	)	$	25,341	$	41,179
Net earnings per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	0.78	$	1.29
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding	31,958			32,393		31,969
Shares related to convertible debt	—			163		—
Stock options and awards	—			138		27
Average common shares assuming dilution	31,958			32,694		31,996
Net earnings (loss)	$	(4,113	)	$	25,341	$	41,179
Net earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	0.78	$	1.29

XML

Capital Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]

Capital Stock [Text Block]

Capital Stock

Capital stock activity for 2011, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands of shares):

	Common Stock Shares	Class B Shares		Treasury Shares
January 1, 2009 Balance	32,449	1,111		(1,424	)
Exercise of stock options	490	—		(386	)
Restricted stock awards	109	—		(24	)
December 31, 2009 Balance	33,048	1,111		(1,834	)
Exercise of stock options	399	—		(247	)
Restricted stock awards	87	—		(33	)
Purchase of shares for treasury	—	—		(205	)
Conversion of Class B to Common	25	(25	)	—
December 31, 2010 Balance	33,559	1,086		(2,319	)
Exercise of stock options	180	—		—
Restricted stock awards	96	—		(31	)
Purchase of shares for treasury	—	—		(750	)
December 31, 2011 Balance	33,835	1,086		(3,100	)

Stock awards for 4,900, 5,600 and 17,325 shares were canceled in 2011, 2010 and 2009. 

XML

Concentration Of Credit Risk

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration Of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

The company manufactures and distributes durable medical equipment and supplies to the home health care, retail and extended care markets. The company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. In December 2000, Invacare entered into an agreement with De Lage Landen, Inc. (“DLL”), a third party financing company, to provide the majority of future lease financing to Invacare’s North America customers. The DLL agreement provides for direct leasing between DLL and the Invacare customer. The company retains a recourse obligation of $10,414,000 at December 31, 2011 to DLL for events of default under the contracts, which total $70,354,000 at December 31, 2011. Guarantees, ASC 460, requires the company to record a guarantee liability as it relates to the limited recourse obligation. As such, the company has recorded a liability of $381,000 for this guarantee obligation within accrued expenses. The company monitors the collections status of these contracts and has provided amounts for estimated losses in its allowances for doubtful accounts in accordance with Receivables, ASC 310-10-05-4. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements.

Substantially all of the company’s receivables are due from health care, medical equipment providers and long term care facilities located throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. A significant portion of products sold to dealers, both foreign and domestic, is ultimately funded through government reimbursement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The company has also seen a significant shift in reimbursement to customers from managed care entities. As a consequence, changes in these programs can have an adverse impact on dealer liquidity and profitability. In addition, reimbursement guidelines in the home health care industry have a substantial impact on the nature and type of equipment an end user can obtain as well as the timing of reimbursement and, thus, affect the product mix, pricing and payment patterns of the company’s customers.

The company’s top 10 customers accounted for approximately 14.4% of 2011 net sales. The loss of business of one or more of these customers may have a significant impact on the company, although no single customer accounted for more than 3.3% of the company’s 2011 net sales. Providers who are part of a buying group generally make individual purchasing decisions and are invoiced directly by the company.

XML

Net Earnings Per Common Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basic
Average common shares outstanding									31,958	32,393	31,969
Net earnings (loss)	$ (35,028)	$ 12,800	$ 10,661	$ 7,454	$ 7,248	$ 15,598	$ (611)	$ 3,106	$ (4,113)	$ 25,341	$ 41,179
Net earnings per common share	$ (1.10)	$ 0.40	$ 0.33	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ (0.02)	$ 0.10	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding									31,958	32,393	31,969
Shares related to convertible debt									0	163	0
Stock options and awards									0	138	27
Average common shares assuming dilution									31,958	32,694	31,996
Net Earnings (loss)	$ (35,028)	$ 12,800	$ 10,661	$ 7,454	$ 7,248	$ 15,598	$ (611)	$ 3,106	$ (4,113)	$ 25,341	$ 41,179
Net Earnings (loss) per Share - Assuming Dilution	$ (1.10)	$ 0.40	$ 0.32	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ (0.02)	$ 0.09	$ (0.13)	$ 0.78	$ 1.29

XML

Charges Related To Restructuring Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

A progression by reporting segment of the accruals recorded as a result of the restructuring is as follows (in thousands):

	Severance			Product Line Discontinuance			Contract Terminations			Other			Total
December 31, 2010 Balance
NA/HME	—			—			—			—			—
ISG	—			—			—			—			—
Europe	—			—			—			—			—
Asia/Pacific	—			—			—			—			—
Total	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges
NA/HME	4,756			—			—			4			4,760
IPG	123			—			—			—			123
ISG	335			—			—			—			335
Europe	3,288			277			1,788			113			5,466
Asia/Pacific	186			—			—			—			186
Total	8,688			277			1,788			117			10,870
Payments
NA/HME	(1,664		)	—			—			(4		)	(1,668		)
IPG	(52		)	—			—			—			(52		)
ISG	(82		)	—			—			—			(82		)
Europe	(1,546		)	(277		)	(1,714		)	(113		)	(3,650		)
Asia/Pacific	(186		)	—			—			—			(186		)
Total	(3,530		)	(277		)	(1,714		)	(117		)	(5,638		)
December 31, 2011 Balance
NA/HME	3,092			—			—			—			3,092
IPG	71			—			—			—			71
ISG	253			—			—			—			253
Europe	1,742			—			74			—			1,816
Asia/Pacific	—			—			—			—			—
Total	$	5,158		$	—		$	74		$	—		$	5,232

XML

Business Segments (Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 1,801,130		$ 1,722,081		$ 1,693,136
Intersegment revenues	137,015		132,743		116,006
Depreciation and amortization	38,883		36,804		40,562
Net interest expense (income)	6,519		19,923		31,476
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	5,587		38,041		47,279
Assets	1,281,054		1,280,400		1,359,501
Long-lived assets	752,284		754,241		831,037
Expenditures for assets	22,160		17,353		17,999
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	86,199		82,635		71,933
Intersegment revenues	32,876		33,616		31,143
Depreciation and amortization	4,645		4,941		5,555
Net interest expense (income)	2,945		2,790		987
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(35,141)		6,754		1,639
Assets	50,604	[1]	92,322	[1]	90,318	[1]
Long-lived assets	10,896	[1]	52,565	[1]	50,323	[1]
Expenditures for assets	3,480		2,224		3,433
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	212	[2]	191	[2]	108	[2]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(55,431)	[2]	(79,448)	[2]	(42,747)	[2]
Assets	35,713	[2]	36,541	[2]	64,800	[2]
Long-lived assets	35,361	[2]	36,105	[2]	56,769	[2]
Expenditures for assets	214	[2]	207	[2]	747	[2]
North America/HME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	746,782		738,441		747,018
Intersegment revenues	88,188		83,316		72,273
Depreciation and amortization	12,814		15,674		17,872
Net interest expense (income)	(446)		12,824		26,686
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	42,200		54,714		39,587
Assets	293,949	[1]	334,733	[1]	306,211	[1]
Long-lived assets	68,190	[1]	81,426	[1]	69,430	[1]
Expenditures for assets	9,189		7,407		7,718
Invacare Supply Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	299,491		297,517		280,295
Intersegment revenues	76		75		232
Depreciation and amortization	471		383		403
Net interest expense (income)	3,045		3,058		3,153
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	8,002		7,547		5,374
Assets	93,566		88,678		86,469
Long-lived assets	24,445		24,126		24,085
Expenditures for assets	789		404		196
Institutional Products Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	124,121		97,419		90,806
Intersegment revenues	6,567		5,571		2,639
Depreciation and amortization	4,942		1,995		1,339
Net interest expense (income)	2,729		530		2,526
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	12,378		9,130		8,741
Assets	117,626		67,506		49,711
Long-lived assets	95,010		49,291		34,288
Expenditures for assets	3,612		2,663		637
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	544,537		506,069		503,084
Intersegment revenues	9,308		10,165		9,719
Depreciation and amortization	15,799		13,620		15,285
Net interest expense (income)	(1,754)		721		(1,876)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	33,579		39,344		34,685
Assets	689,596		660,620		761,992
Long-lived assets	518,382		510,728		596,142
Expenditures for assets	$ 4,876		$ 4,448		$ 5,268

[1] Asia/Pacific assets and long-lived assets decrease includes decrease of $39,729,000 and $201,000 due to goodwill and intangible asset write-offs, respectively in 2011. NA/HME assets and long-lived assets included decreases of $7,990,000 and $508,000 due to the goodwill and intangible asset impairment write-offs, respectively, in 2011.

[2] Consists of un-allocated corporate SG&A costs and intercompany profits, which do not meet the quantitative criteria for determining reportable segments. In addition, the “All Other” earnings (loss) before income taxes includes loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges, interest and fees and impairment charges recognized related to limited partnership investments.

XML

Other Intangibles (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The company’s intangibles consist of the following (in thousands):

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization
Customer Lists	$	94,790	$	50,832	$	72,998	$	40,071
Trademarks	31,777		—		31,246		—
License agreements	3,160		3,160		3,183		2,958
Developed Technology	9,823		4,870		8,521		3,988
Patents	6,358		5,266		7,518		5,863
Other	7,510		5,970		6,092		5,767
	$	153,418	$	70,098	$	129,558	$	58,647

XML

Supplemental Guarantor Information Consolidating Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 The Company (Parent) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 The Company (Parent) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Company (Parent) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member] Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member] Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member] Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Feb. 17, 2007 Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member] Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest Rate																								4.125%	4.125%	4.125%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																											$ 135,000,000
Net sales	449,701,000	456,519,000	466,412,000	428,498,000	451,537,000	437,476,000	430,828,000	402,240,000	1,801,130,000	1,722,081,000	1,693,136,000	379,570,000	403,227,000	388,141,000	776,105,000	723,402,000	707,618,000	746,359,000	693,463,000	681,374,000	(100,904,000)	(98,011,000)	(83,997,000)
Cost of products sold									1,282,652,000	1,212,440,000	1,199,942,000	276,164,000	283,859,000	275,089,000	604,102,000	563,837,000	555,503,000	503,050,000	462,776,000	453,464,000	(100,664,000)	(98,032,000)	(84,114,000)
Gross Profit	129,477,000	131,077,000	134,918,000	123,006,000	133,871,000	131,567,000	126,490,000	117,713,000	518,478,000	509,641,000	493,194,000	103,406,000	119,368,000	113,052,000	172,003,000	159,565,000	152,115,000	243,309,000	230,687,000	227,910,000	(240,000)	21,000	117,000
Selling, general and administrative expense									422,099,000	411,513,000	398,646,000	131,145,000	132,177,000	16,813,000	53,884,000	70,902,000	118,940,000	182,510,000	169,114,000	156,791,000	54,560,000	39,320,000	106,102,000
Charge related to restructuring activities	9,128,000	1,311,000							10,593,000	0	4,506,000	3,854,000		301,000	762,000		60,000	5,977,000		4,145,000	0		0
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees		7,462,000	11,855,000	4,881,000	18,019,000	3,711,000	14,048,000	4,386,000	24,200,000	40,164,000	2,878,000	24,200,000	40,164,000	2,878,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	24,200,000
Asset write-downs to intangibles and investments									49,480,000	0	8,409,000	5,531,000		8,409,000	3,592,000		0	40,357,000		0	0		0
Income (loss) from equity investee									0	0	0	58,155,000	97,602,000	(22,580,000)	3,364,000	37,438,000	25,508,000	1,523,000	(591,000)	(13,445,000)	(63,042,000)	(134,449,000)	10,517,000
Interest expense, net									6,519,000	19,923,000	31,476,000	38,000	16,208,000	27,021,000	3,056,000	729,000	(2,897,000)	3,425,000	2,986,000	7,352,000	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) before Income Taxes	(29,828,000)	17,150,000	8,261,000	10,004,000	9,398,000	20,923,000	2,414,000	5,306,000	5,587,000	38,041,000	47,279,000	(3,207,000)	28,421,000	35,050,000	114,073,000	125,372,000	61,520,000	12,563,000	57,996,000	46,177,000	(117,842,000)	(173,748,000)	(95,468,000)
Income taxes (benefit)									9,700,000	12,700,000	6,100,000	906,000	3,080,000	(6,129,000)	76,000	0	99,000	8,718,000	9,620,000	12,130,000	0	0	0
Net earnings (loss)	$ (35,028,000)	$ 12,800,000	$ 10,661,000	$ 7,454,000	$ 7,248,000	$ 15,598,000	$ (611,000)	$ 3,106,000	$ (4,113,000)	$ 25,341,000	$ 41,179,000	$ (4,113,000)	$ 25,341,000	$ 41,179,000	$ 113,997,000	$ 125,372,000	$ 61,421,000	$ 3,845,000	$ 48,376,000	$ 34,047,000	$ (117,842,000)	$ (173,748,000)	$ (95,468,000)

XML

Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities
Net Earnings (loss)	$ (4,113)	$ 25,341	$ 41,179
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38,883	36,804	40,562
Provision for losses on trade and installment receivables	11,460	16,979	19,281
(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes	(7,552)	(2,467)	1,785
Provision for other deferred liabilities	2,676	2,781	2,573
Provision for stock-based compensation	6,640	6,135	4,495
Loss on disposals of property and equipment	209	233	1,237
Loss on debt extinguishment including debt finance charges and associated fees	24,200	40,164	2,878
Asset write-downs to goodwill, intangible assets and investments	49,480	0	8,409
Amortization of convertible debt discount	1,565	3,198	4,142
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(1,514)	(5,839)	6,452
Installment sales contracts, net	(3,162)	(2,423)	(3,356)
Inventories	(16,389)	(6,352)	20,515
Other current assets	649	3,181	11,628
Accounts payable	2,299	5,534	12,532
Accrued expenses	(4,087)	(6,980)	(18,012)
Other long-term liabilities	(2,166)	5,918	(637)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	99,078	122,207	155,663
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(22,160)	(17,353)	(17,999)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	64	36	1,163
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(42,430)	(13,725)	0
(Increase) Decrease in other long-term assets	(724)	801	601
Other	(13)	(376)	(447)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(65,263)	(30,617)	(16,682)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	450,595	708,742	400,123
Payments on revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings	(454,567)	(751,660)	(553,436)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,139	2,912	1,628
Payment of financing costs	(24,113)	(30,329)	0
Payment of dividends	(1,588)	(1,612)	(1,605)
Purchase of treasury stock	(21,548)	(5,687)	0
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities	(47,082)	(77,634)	(153,290)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(271)	(2,995)	4,294
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,538)	10,961	(10,015)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,462	37,501	47,516
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 34,924	$ 48,462	$ 37,501

XML

Charges Related To Restructuring Activities Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Activities, Number of Facilities Closed (In Facilities)	2
Inventory Write-down	$ 277	$ 298
Restructuring Charges including Inventory Markdowns	$ 10,870	$ 4,804
Restructuring and Related Activities, Expected Payout Period	12 months

XML

Other Current Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]

Other Current Assets

Other current assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Value added tax receivables	$	16,941	$	13,829
Supplier receivables	5,381		5,703
Recoverable income taxes	3,338		3,708
Derivatives (forward exchange contracts)	1,703		2,884
Prepaid insurance	2,307		2,222
Prepaids and other current assets	15,150		13,235
	$	44,820	$	41,581

XML

Receivables (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Installment Receivables	$ 11,921	$ 10,631
Installment Receivables, Net of Unearned Interest	11,750	10,513
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,273)	(4,841)
Installment receivables, net	6,671	3,959
Installment Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Installment Receivables, Current	8,990	5,777
Installment Receivables, Long-Term	2,931	4,854
Total Installment Receivables	11,921	10,631
Unearned Interest, Current	(171)	(118)
Unearned Interest, Noncurrent	0	0
Total Unearned Interest	(171)	(118)
Installment Receivables Net of Unearned Interest Current	8,819	5,659
Installment Receivables Net of Unearned Interest Noncurrent	2,931	4,854
Installment Receivables, Net of Unearned Interest	11,750	10,513
Allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(2,148)	(1,700)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, long-term	(2,125)	(3,141)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,273)	(4,841)
Installment receivables, net	6,671	3,959
Installment receivables, net, long-term	806	1,713
Installment receivables, net	$ 7,477	$ 5,672

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions Options Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at January 1 Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 29.60		$ 29.28		$ 29.37
Options outstanding at January 1	4,484,195		4,619,528		4,910,547
Granted	608,896		646,797		754,581
Granted Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.57		$ 25.22		$ 20.38
Excercised	(178,744)		(399,144)		(490,325)
Excercised Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 23.15		$ 23.08		$ 19.68
Canceled	(458,982)		(382,986)		(555,275)
Canceled Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.42		$ 25.07		$ 26.27
Options outstanding at December 31	4,455,365		4,484,195		4,619,528
Options outstanding at December 31 Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.99		$ 29.60		$ 29.28
Options exercise price range at December 31, Lower Limit	$ 10.70		$ 10.70		$ 10.70
Options exercise price range at December 31, Upper Limit	$ 47.80		$ 47.80		$ 47.80
Options exercisable at December 31	2,960,317		2,941,772		3,099,092
Options available for grant at December 31	6,800,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options available for grant at December 31	1,914,574	[1]	2,478,905	[1]	3,132,623	[1]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Net Restricted Stock Award Activity	584,007
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	101,329		92,900		125,840

[1] *Options available for grant as of December 31, 2011 reduced by net restricted stock award activity of 584,007.

XML

Business Segments Net Sales by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 1,801,130		$ 1,722,081		$ 1,693,136
North America/HME [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	746,782		738,441		747,018
North America/HME [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	302,043		303,798		296,068
North America/HME [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	278,113		288,756		283,214
North America/HME [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	133,273		111,242		133,821
North America/HME [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	33,353	[1]	34,645	[1]	33,915	[1]
Invacare Supply Group [Member] | Distributed [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	299,491		297,517		280,295
Institutional Products Group [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	124,121		97,419		90,806
Institutional Products Group [Member] | Continuing Care [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	101,889		88,261		89,423
Institutional Products Group [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	22,232	[1]	9,158	[1]	1,383	[1]
Europe [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	544,537		506,069		503,084
Europe [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	293,425		289,577		285,253
Europe [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	209,732		183,271		185,186
Europe [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	27,866		20,493		17,137
Europe [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	13,514	[1]	12,728	[1]	15,508	[1]
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	86,199		82,635		71,933
Asia Pacific [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	20,151		21,216		28,363
Asia Pacific [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	36,483		38,226		31,428
Asia Pacific [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	682		1,021		626
Asia Pacific [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 28,883	[1]	$ 22,172	[1]	$ 11,516	[1]

[1] Includes various services, including repair services, equipment rentals and external contracting.

XML

Other Intangibles Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Future Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	$ 10,175,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	9,414,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three		8,633,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four		7,219,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 5,440,000

XML

Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

Derivatives

ASC 815 requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative is dependent upon whether or not the derivative has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment and the type of hedging relationship. For derivatives designated and qualifying as hedging instruments, the company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

Cash Flow Hedging Strategy

The company uses derivative instruments in an attempt to manage its exposure to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk. Foreign forward exchange contracts are used to manage the price risk associated with forecasted sales denominated in foreign currencies and the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of inventory over the next twelve months. Interest rate swaps are, at times, utilized to manage interest rate risk associated with the company’s fixed and floating-rate borrowings.

The company recognizes its derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet measured at fair value. A majority of the company’s derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change.

During 2011, the company was a party to interest rate swap agreements that qualified as cash flow hedges and effectively converted floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt, so the company could avoid the risk of changes in market interest rates. The gains or losses on interest rate swaps are reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The company was not a party to any interest rate swap agreements during 2010.

To protect against increases/decreases in forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from inventory purchases/sales over the next year, the company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to hedge portions of its forecasted purchases/sales denominated in foreign currencies. The gains and losses are included in cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. If it is later determined that a hedged forecasted transaction is unlikely to occur, any prospective gains or losses on the forward contracts would be recognized in earnings. The company does not expect any material amount of hedge ineffectiveness related to forward contract cash flow hedges during the next twelve months.

The company has historically not recognized any material amount of ineffectiveness related to forward contract cash flow hedges because the company generally limits it hedges to between 60% and 90% of total forecasted transactions for a given entity’s exposure to currency rate changes and the transactions hedged are recurring in nature. Furthermore, the majority of the hedged transactions are related to intercompany sales and purchases for which settlement occurs on a specific day each month. Forward contracts with a total notional amount in USD of $189,793,000 and $173,337,000 matured during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying and designated for hedge accounting treatment were as follows (in thousands USD):

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Notional Amount		Unrealized Net Gain (Loss)			Notional Amount		Unrealized Net Gain (Loss)
USD / AUD	$	3,324	$	104		$	3,072	$	(223	)
USD / CAD	8,424		29			32,974		(14		)
USD / CNY	8,130		(16		)	—		—
USD / EUR	42,267		701			32,419		927
USD / GBP	1,806		19			4,212		86
USD / NZD	8,256		86			9,577		202
USD / SEK	4,520		19			10,395		95
USD / MXP	14,029		(146		)	—		—
EUR / AUD	1,220		(48		)	—		—
EUR / CHF	5,433		(22		)	8,768		54
EUR / GBP	17,201		9			18,068		(577		)
EUR / SEK	—		—			8,045		92
EUR / NZD	7,009		505			2,630		5
GBP / CHF	929		(5		)	770		(3		)
GBP / SEK	1,690		12			2,014		(43		)
GBP / DKK	—		—			1,016		(27		)
CHF / SEK	271		(2		)	6,937		(3		)
DKK / CHF	—		—			514		1
DKK / SEK	—		—			1,465		18
NOK / CHF	436		(1		)	—		—
	$	124,945	$	1,244		$	142,876	$	590

Fair Value Hedging Strategy

In 2011 and 2010, the company did not utilize any derivatives designated as fair value hedges. However, the company has in the past utilized fair value hedges in the form of forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain firm commitments and has entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt in an attempt to avoid paying higher than market interest rates. For derivative instruments designated and qualifying as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item associated with the hedged risk are recognized in the same line item associated with the hedged item in earnings.

Derivatives Not Qualifying or Designated for Hedge Accounting Treatment

The company utilizes foreign currency forward or option contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment in an attempt to manage the risk associated with the conversion of earnings in foreign currencies into U.S. Dollars. While these derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with ASC 815, these derivatives do provide the company with a means to manage the risk associated with currency translation. These instruments are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet and any gains or losses are recorded as part of earnings in the current period. Gains of $48,000 and $28,000 were recorded by the company for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting treatment.

The company also utilizes foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedges in accordance with ASC 815. These contracts are entered into to eliminate the risk associated with the settlement of short-term intercompany trading receivables and payables between Invacare Corporation and its foreign subsidiaries. The currency forward contracts are entered into at the same time as the intercompany receivables or payables are created so that upon settlement, the gain/loss on the settlement is offset by the gain/loss on the foreign currency forward contract. No material net gain or loss was realized by the company in 2011 or 2010 related to these forward contracts and the associated short-term intercompany trading receivables and payables.

Foreign exchange forward contracts not qualifying or designated for hedge accounting treatment entered into in 2011 and 2010, respectively, and outstanding were as follows (in thousands USD):

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Notional Amount		Gain (Loss)			Notional Amount		Gain (Loss)
CAD / USD	$	2,146	$	12		$	14,636	$	337
EUR / USD	—		—			1,394		28
CHF / USD	3,419		(118		)	—		—
SEK / CAD	2,545		52			—		—
EUR / CAD	4,244		(10		)	—		—
EUR / DKK	3,482		—			—		—
	$	15,836	$	(64	)	$	16,030	$	365

The fair values of the company’s derivative instruments were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,621	$	377	$	2,518	$	1,928
Interest rate swap contracts	$	18	$	388	$	—	$	—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Foreign currency forward contracts	64		128		366		1
Total derivatives	$	1,703	$	893	$	2,884	$	1,929

The fair values of the company’s foreign currency forward assets and liabilities are included in Other Current Assets and Accrued Expenses, respectively in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) was as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives in ASC 815 cash flow hedge relationships	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)			Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)			Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives  (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	925		$	(250	)	$	(7	)
Interest rate swap contracts	(370		)	—			—
	$	555		$	(250	)	$	(7	)
Year ended December 31, 2010
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	(2,530	)	$	2,803		$	(134	)
Interest rate swap contracts	—			—			—
	$	(2,530	)	$	2,803		$	(134	)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815							Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Year ended December 31, 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts							$	83
Year ended December 31, 2010
Foreign currency forward contracts							$	3,800

The gains or losses recognized as the result of the settlement of cash flow hedge foreign currency forward contracts are recognized in net sales for hedges of inventory sales or cost of product sold for hedges of inventory purchases. In 2011, net sales were increased by $3,080,000 and cost of product sold was increased by $3,330,000 for a net realized loss of $250,000. In 2010, net sales were increased by $1,605,000 and cost of product sold was decreased by $1,198,000 for a net realized gain of $2,803,000 compared to a net loss of $339,000 in 2009.

The company recognized net losses of $385,000 and $0 in 2011 and 2010, respectively related to interest rate swap agreements which are reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Gains of $83,000 and $3,800,000 were recognized in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in 2011 and 2010, respectively, on foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments which were offset by losses of comparable amounts also recorded in SG&A expenses on the intercompany trade payables for which the derivatives were entered into to offset.

XML

Long-Term Debt Convertible Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			60 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Feb. 17, 2007 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures February 2027 [Member] Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount												$ 4,053,000	$ 25,137,000		$ 4,053,000
Effective Interest Rate															11.50%
Principal Amount																135,000,000
Interest Rate												4.125%	4.125%	4.125%
Principal in Excess of If-converted Value												5,307,000			5,307,000
Extinguishment of Debt									100,000,000			63,351,000
Repurchased and Extinguished Principal												63,351,000	57,799,000
Principal amount of liability component												13,850,000	77,201,000		13,850,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(7,462,000)	(11,855,000)	(4,881,000)	(18,019,000)	(3,711,000)	(14,048,000)	(4,386,000)	(24,200,000)	(40,164,000)	(2,878,000)		(24,200,000)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost												1,554,000
Conversion Ratio												40.3323
Conversion Ratio Principal Amount												1,000			1,000
Initial Conversion Price											$ 24.79	$ 24.79			$ 24.79
Interest Expense												1,565,000	3,198,000	4,142,000
Interest Paid								$ 10,789,000	$ 28,341,000	$ 33,188,000		$ 1,670,000	$ 4,178,000	$ 5,569,000
Stated Interest Rate Percentage												4.25%			4.25%
Conversion Price												$ 32.23			$ 32.23
Conversion Price Premium												30.00%			30.00%
Trading Days Common Stock above Conversion Price																	20 days
Period of Consecutive Trading Days Preceding the Date on which the Notice of Conversion is Given												30 days
Number of equity instruments upon conversion of convertible debt												559,000

XML

Other Current Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Current Assets

Other current assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Value added tax receivables	$	16,941	$	13,829
Supplier receivables	5,381		5,703
Recoverable income taxes	3,338		3,708
Derivatives (forward exchange contracts)	1,703		2,884
Prepaid insurance	2,307		2,222
Prepaids and other current assets	15,150		13,235
	$	44,820	$	41,581

XML

Shareholders' Equity Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity Transactions

Shareholders’ Equity Transactions

The company’s Common Shares have a $.25 stated value. The Common Shares and the Class B Common Shares generally have identical rights, terms and conditions and vote together as a single class on most issues, except that the Class B Common Shares have ten votes per share, carry a 10% lower cash dividend rate and, in general, can only be transferred to family members. Holders of Class B Common Shares are entitled to convert their shares into Common Shares at any time on a share-for-share basis.

The 2003 Performance Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”), allows the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) to grant up to 6,800,000 Common Shares in connection with incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and stock awards (including the use of restricted stock), which includes the addition of 3,000,000 Common Shares authorized for issuance under the 2003 Plan, as approved by the company’s shareholders on May 21, 2009. The maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be granted during the term of the 2003 Plan pursuant to all awards, other than stock options, is 1,300,000 Common Shares. The Committee has the authority to determine which participants will receive awards, the amount of the awards and the other terms and conditions of the awards. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Committee granted 608,896, 646,797 and 754,581 non-qualified stock options, respectively, each having a term of ten years and generally granted at the fair market value of the company’s Common Shares on the date of grant under the 2003 Plan. There were no stock appreciation rights outstanding at December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Restricted stock awards for 101,329, 92,900, and 125,840 shares were granted in years 2011, 2010 and 2009 without cost to the recipients. The 2011 weighted average fair value of the 2011 restricted stock awards was $24.45. The restricted stock awards vest ratably over the four years after the award date. There were 90,700 restricted stock awards with a weighted average fair value of $23.39 that vested in 2011 and no restricted stock awards were forfeited in 2011.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were 249,499 and 243,770 shares, respectively, for restricted stock awards that were unvested. Unearned restricted stock compensation of $5,227,000 in 2011, $5,190,000 in 2010 and $4,866,000 in 2009, determined as the market value of the shares at the date of grant, is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense of $2,199,000, $2,023,000 and $1,783,000 was recognized in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to restricted stock awards granted since 2004.

The 2003 Plan and the 1994 Performance Plan have provisions that allow employees to exchange mature shares to pay the exercise price and surrender shares for the options or restricted awards to cover the minimum tax withholding obligation. Under these provisions, the company acquired approximately 31,000 treasury shares for $676,000 in 2011, 280,000 shares for $7,830,000 in 2010 and 410,000 shares for $8,841,000 in 2009.

The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the three years ended 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	2011			Weighted Average Exercise Price	2010			Weighted Average Exercise Price		2009			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at January 1	4,484,195			29.60	4,619,528			$	29.28	4,910,547			$	29.37
Granted	608,896			24.57	646,797			25.22		754,581			20.38
Exercised	(178,744		)	23.15	(399,144		)	23.08		(490,325		)	19.68
Canceled	(458,982		)	31.42	(382,986		)	25.07		(555,275		)	26.27
Options outstanding at December 31	4,455,365			28.99	4,484,195			$	29.60	4,619,528			$	29.28
Options exercise price range at December 31	10.70 to				10.70 to					10.70 to
	$	47.80			$	47.80				$	47.80
Options exercisable at December 31	2,960,317				2,941,772					3,099,092
Options available for grant at December 31*	1,914,574				2,478,905					3,132,623

 ________________________

 * Options available for grant as of December 31, 2011 reduced by net restricted stock award activity of 584,007.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding At 12/31/11	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable At 12/31/11	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$ 10.70 – $15.00	15,653	4.1 years	$	12.19	10,153	$	10.70
$ 15.01 – $25.00	1,857,809	7.4	22.54		933,867	22.13
$ 25.01 – $35.00	1,241,312	6.8	26.28		675,706	26.87
$ 35.01 – $47.80	1,340,591	2.3	40.64		1,340,591	40.64
Total	4,455,365	5.7	$	28.99	2,960,317	$	31.55

The plans provide that shares granted come from the company’s authorized but un-issued Common Shares or treasury shares. In addition, the company’s stock-based compensation plans allow participants to exchange mature shares for the exercise price and surrender shares for minimum withholding taxes, which results in the company acquiring treasury shares. Pursuant to the plans, the Committee has established that the majority of the 2011 grants may not be exercised within one year from the date granted and options must be exercised within ten years from the date granted. Accordingly, for the stock options issued in 2011, 2010 and 2009, 25% of such options vested in the year following issuance. The stock options awarded during such years provided a four-year vesting period whereby options vest equally in each year. The 2011, 2010 and 2009 expense has been adjusted for estimated forfeitures of awards that will not vest because service or employment requirements have not been met.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	2011		2010		2009
Expected dividend yield	0.2	%	0.21	%	0.21	%
Expected stock price volatility	37.3	%	39.6	%	39.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.11	%	1.57	%	1.81	%
Expected life in years	5.9		3.9		3.7
Forfeiture percentage	6.9	%	10.5	%	12.7	%

Expected stock price volatility is calculated at each date of grant based on historical stock prices for a period of time commensurate with the expected life of the option. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $8.88, $7.83 and $6.84, respectively. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was 5.7, 5.8 and 5.5 years, respectively. The weighted-average contractual life of options exercisable at December 31, 2011 was 4.2 years. The total intrinsic value of stock awards exercised in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1,429,000, $1,928,000 and $962,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the intrinsic value of all options outstanding and of all options exercisable was $49,000 and $47,000, respectively.

The exercise of stock awards in 2011, 2010 and 2009 resulted in cash received by the company totaling $4,139,000, $2,912,000 and $1,628,000 for each period, respectively with no tax benefits for any period. The total fair value of awards vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $4,362,000, $5,261,000 and $1,716,000, respectively.

As of December 31, 2011, there was $16,031,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost from stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans, which is related to non-vested options and shares, which includes $5,227,000 related to restricted stock awards. The company expects the compensation expense to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years. Prior to the adoption of ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, the company presented all tax benefit deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as a component of operating cash flows in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASC 718, any tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recognized for those options is classified as a component of financing cash flows.

Effective July 8, 2005, the company adopted a new Rights Agreement to replace the company’s previous shareholder rights plan, which expired on July 7, 2005. In order to implement the new Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of the company’s Common Shares and Class B Common Shares to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 19, 2005. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the company one one-thousandth of a Series A Participating Serial Preferred Share, without par value, at a Purchase Price of $180.00 in cash, subject to adjustment. The Rights will not become exercisable until after a person (an “Acquiring Party”) has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, or commences a tender offer to acquire, shares representing 30% or more of the company’s outstanding voting power, subject to deferral by the Board of Directors. After the Rights become exercisable, under certain circumstances, the Rights may be exercisable to purchase Common Shares of the company, or common shares of an acquiring company, at a price equal to the exercise price of the Right divided by 50% of the then current market price per Common Share or acquiring company common share, as the case may be. The Rights will expire on July 18, 2015 unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the company. The company may redeem and terminate the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to 10 days following a public announcement that an Acquiring Party has acquired beneficial ownership of shares representing 30% or more of the company’s outstanding voting power, and in certain other circumstances described in the Rights Agreement.

XML

Fair Values of Financial Instruments Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,180	$ 955
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	(370)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	1,180	955
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	(370)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value