Schedule of Gross Carrying Value and Accumulated Amortization for Each Major Class of Intangible Asset (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	$ 412,537	$ 387,740
Intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	521,645	496,848
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(142,985)	(114,626)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	269,552	273,114
Intangible assets - Net	378,660	382,222
Patents
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	10,478	11,506
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(4,002)	(4,315)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	6,476	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	82,585	72,823
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(21,839)	(18,205)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	60,746	54,618
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	16 years
Customer Relationships
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	233,551	221,076
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(88,701)	(69,280)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	144,850	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	3,560	4,801
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(2,734)	(4,053)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	826	748
Amortized intangible assets - Weighted Average Life	3 years
Unpatented Technology
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	75,492	70,741
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(22,248)	(15,617)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	53,244	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	6,871	6,793
Amortized intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	(3,461)	(3,156)
Amortized intangible assets - Net	3,410	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