Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 12,693	$ 11,230
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	3,057	2,656
Amortization	746	486
Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends	38	(262)
Deferred compensation and other, net	(103)	1,967
Stock-based compensation	1,186	868
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(14)	(40)
Insurance settlement realized	(483)	(365)
Pension and other postretirement benefits	(2,357)	(4,910)
Decrease in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(9,764)	(12,478)
Inventories	352	(8,309)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(557)	(2,397)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,938	4,455
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	6,732	(7,099)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment	(3,178)	(3,475)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	64	170
Insurance settlement received and interest earned	18	22
Change in restricted cash, net	465	343
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,631)	(2,940)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,350	10,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(189)	(231)
Dividends paid	(3,105)	(2,701)
Stock options exercised, other	(1,288)	(50)
Excess tax benefit related to stock option exercises	546	78
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,686)	7,096
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	640	741
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,055	(2,202)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,909	25,766
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	18,964	23,564
Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Excess Tax Benefit Related to Stock Option Exercises	$ 706	$ 0