Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 45,900	$ 34,091	$ 17,490
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	11,455	9,867	9,525
Amortization	2,338	988	1,078
Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends	(42)	19	(833)
Deferred income taxes	2,431	1,849	(505)
Uncertain tax positions (non-deferred portion)	3,673	(1,130)	1,266
Deferred compensation and other, net	660	(628)	652
Stock-based compensation	3,513	3,096	2,130
Restructuring and related activities	0	0	2,289
Non cash gain from purchase of equity affiliate	(2,718)	0	0
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(86)	32	(1,202)
Insurance settlement realized	(1,840)	(1,640)	(1,608)
Pension and other postretirement benefits	(4,239)	(2,636)	(7,929)
(Decrease) increase in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(31,558)	(4,469)	(6,816)
Inventories	(9,281)	(7,153)	9,765
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,505)	(814)	(129)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,442	5,511	16,540
Change in restructuring liabilities	0	0	(4,473)
Estimated taxes on income	(2,477)	564	4,363
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,666	37,547	41,603
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(12,117)	(9,354)	(13,834)
Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(25,477)	(35,909)	(1,975)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	393	229	1,666
Insurance settlement received and interest earned	80	5,122	5,204
Change in restricted cash, net	1,760	(1,124)	2,327
Net cash used in investing activities	(35,361)	(41,036)	(6,612)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net decrease in short-term borrowings	(254)	(1,456)	(1,755)
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	9,841	3,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(27,364)	(636)	(23,973)
Dividends paid	(11,586)	(10,449)	(10,111)
Stock options exercised, other	1,105	5,500	412
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	109	2,558	0
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of related expenses	48,143	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders	1,000	1,021	890
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	9,153	4,337	(32,817)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,315)	(133)	1,985
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,857)	715	4,159
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,766	25,051	20,892
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	16,909	25,766	25,051
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest Paid	9,110	7,799	180
Income Taxes Paid	3,298	4,884	5,113
Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Restricted insurance receivable	0	5,000	5,000
Property, plant and equipment acquired by capital lease	$ 0	$ 848	$ 432