Revenue - Revenue by Reporting Unit (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 2,483,666
Intersegment elimination
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	(1,333)
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	951,275
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	951,275
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Intersegment elimination
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	(277)
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Energy | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	163,996
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Valves | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	113,136
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Water | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	251,020
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Pumps | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	324,222
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Agriculture | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	99,178
Health & Science Technologies
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	895,970
Health & Science Technologies | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	895,970
Health & Science Technologies | Intersegment elimination
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	(449)
Health & Science Technologies | Scientific Fluidics & Optics | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	417,859
Health & Science Technologies | Sealing Solutions | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	200,316
Health & Science Technologies | Gast | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	126,787
Health & Science Technologies | Micropump | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	36,827
Health & Science Technologies | Material Processing Technologies | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	114,630
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	636,421
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	636,421
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products | Intersegment elimination
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	(607)
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products | Fire & Safety | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	396,926
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products | Band-It | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	105,785
Fire & Safety/ Diversified Products | Dispensing | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 134,317