Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 35,590	$ 26,628
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	8,527	7,448
Amortization	1,596	736
Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends	(136)	(523)
Deferred compensation and other, net	6,987	1,559
Stock-based compensation	2,675	2,371
Non cash gain from purchase of equity affiliate	(2,718)	0
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(61)	(24)
Insurance settlement realized	(1,242)	(1,225)
Pension and other postretirement benefits	(4,099)	(3,184)
(Decrease) increase in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(29,390)	(7,982)
Inventories	(16,334)	(8,645)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,061)	(2,656)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	6,196	5,007
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,530	19,510
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment	(8,914)	(6,259)
Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(10,981)	(6,862)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	221	147
Insurance settlement received and interest earned	61	5,099
Change in restricted cash, net	1,181	(1,516)
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,432)	(9,391)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in short-term borrowings	(185)	(1,394)
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	29
Repayment of long-term debt	(30,613)	(5,367)
Dividends paid	(8,492)	(7,768)
Stock options exercised, other	629	3,829
Excess tax benefit related to stock option exercises	153	2,294
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of related expenses	48,143	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	9,635	(8,377)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(920)	356
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(5,187)	2,098
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,766	25,051
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,579	27,149
Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Restricted Insurance Receivable	$ 0	$ 5,000