Consolidated Statements 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	$ 193,857	$ 157,100	$ 113,391
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets	(2,831)	12	447
Depreciation and amortization	36,882	32,367	31,850
Amortization of intangible assets	35,504	25,741	24,496
Amortization of debt issuance expenses	1,263	547	308
Share-based compensation expense	12,076	17,358	15,710
Deferred income taxes	(3,576)	(7,336)	1,081
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(5,298)	(3,457)	(2,762)
Forward starting interest rate contract	(38,707)	(30,970)
Changes in (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	(16,488)	(22,162)	26,069
Inventories	(607)	(26,651)	23,149
Trade accounts payable	(8,645)	21,432	(16,310)
Accrued expenses	7,411	17,941	(14,294)
Other - net	6,400	2,555	9,397
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	217,241	184,477	212,532
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash purchases of property, plant and equipment	(35,175)	(31,740)	(25,059)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(443,634)	(91,286)
Proceeds from fixed asset disposals	12,651	720	3,582
Other - net	(3,379)		1,860
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(469,537)	(122,306)	(19,617)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under credit facilities for acquisitions	365,000	53,866
Borrowings under revolving facilities	471,222
Borrowings under credit facilities and term loan	1,890	7,685	70,114
Payments under revolving facilities, credit facilities and term loan	(906,115)	(331,632)	(225,604)
Debt issuance costs	(5,451)	(2,685)
Dividends paid	(54,613)	(46,334)	(38,637)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	33,064	18,057	7,694
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	5,298	3,457	2,762
Unvested shares surrendered for tax withholding	(6,008)	(2,082)	(1,313)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	253,412	95,521	(184,984)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5,993)	3,918	4,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(4,877)	161,610	12,173
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	235,136	73,526	61,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	230,259	235,136	73,526
Cash paid for:
Interest	27,749	16,776	17,311
Income taxes	66,087	73,867	50,796
Significant non-cash activities:
Contingent consideration for acquisition	3,000
Debt acquired with acquisition of business	1,400	758
Issuance of unvested shares	12,488	5,603	5,131
4.2% Senior Notes, Due December 2021 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes	349,125
2.58% Senior Euro Notes, Due June 2015 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes		96,762
4.5% Senior Notes, Due December 2020 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes		$ 298,427