Schedule of Gross Carrying Value and Accumulated Amortization for Each Major Class of Intangible Asset (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	$ 395,964	$ 387,740
Intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	505,072	496,848
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(133,597)	(114,626)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	262,367	273,114
Intangible assets - Net	371,475	382,222
Patents
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	10,475	11,506
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(3,726)	(4,315)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	6,749	7,191
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	11 years
Trade Names
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	75,981	72,823
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(22,850)	(18,205)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	53,131	54,618
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	17 years
Customer Relationships
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	227,168	221,076
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(81,355)	(69,280)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	145,813	151,796
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	10 years
Noncompete Agreements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	3,196	4,801
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(2,708)	(4,053)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	488	748
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	2 years
Unpatented Technology
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	72,532	70,741
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(19,670)	(15,617)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	52,862	55,124
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	11 years
Other Amortizable Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	6,612	6,793
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(3,288)	(3,156)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	3,324	3,637
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	10 years
Banjo Trade Name
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	62,100	62,100
Indefinite lived intangible assets - Net	62,100	62,100
CVI and Melles Griot trade names
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	47,008	47,008
Indefinite lived intangible assets - Net	$ 47,008	$ 47,008