Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Joint Ventures	NOTE 5. JOINT VENTURES Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies Joint Venture On April 1, 2002, Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC (CTCT), a joint venture formed by the Company and Caterpillar, began operations. CTCT develops advanced electronic guidance and control products for earth moving machines in the construction and mining industries. The joint venture is 50% owned by the Company and 50% owned by Caterpillar, with equal voting rights. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company's share of profits and losses are included in Income from equity method investments, net in the Non-operating income (expense), net section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying amount of the investment in CTCT was $11.1million at September 30, 2011 and $8.9 million at December 31, 2010, and is included in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $3.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of CTCT net income. During the comparable periods of 2010, the Company recorded $1.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of CTCT net income. During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, there were no dividends received for CTCT. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, dividends received from CTCT, amounted to $7.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and were recorded against the investment in CTCT. The Company acts as a contract manufacturer for CTCT. Products are manufactured based on orders received from CTCT and are sold at direct cost, plus a mark-up for the Company's overhead costs to CTCT. CTCT then resells products at cost, plus a mark-up in consideration for CTCT's research and development efforts to both Caterpillar and to the Company for sales through their respective distribution channels. CTCT does not have net inventory on its balance sheet in that the resale of products to Caterpillar and the Company occur simultaneously when the products are purchased from the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $2.3 million and $5.0 million of revenue, respectively, and $2.2 million and $4.9 million of cost of sales, respectively, for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then sold through the Caterpillar distribution channel. During the comparable three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded $0.8 million and $2.6 million of revenue, respectively, and $0.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then sold through the Caterpillar distribution channel. In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $10.0 million and $28.5 million, respectively, in net cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then repurchased by the Company upon sale through the Company's distribution channel. The comparable net cost of sales recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010 were $7.4 million and $22.0 million, respectively. In addition, the Company received reimbursement of employee-related costs from CTCT for company employees dedicated to CTCT or performance of work for CTCT totaling $3.6 million and $11.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and totaling $2.9 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively. The reimbursements were offset against operating expense. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had amounts due to and from CTCT. Receivables and payables to CTCT are settled individually with terms comparable to other non-related parties. The amounts due to and from CTCT are presented on a gross basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the receivables from CTCT were $9.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts receivable, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the same dates, the payables due to CTCT were $10.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Nikon-Trimble Joint Venture On March 28, 2003, Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd (Nikon-Trimble), a joint venture, was formed by the Company and Nikon Corporation. The joint venture began operations in July 2003 and is 50% owned by the Company and 50% owned by Nikon, with equal voting rights. It focuses on the design and manufacture of surveying instruments including mechanical total stations and related products. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company's share of profits and losses are included in Income from equity method investments, net in the Non-operating income (expense), net section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying amount of the investment in Nikon-Trimble was $17.1 million at September 30, 2011 and $15.5 million at December 31, 2010, and is included in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded a profit of $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded profit of $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of Nikon-Trimble net income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, there were no dividends received from Nikon-Trimble. Nikon-Trimble is the distributor in Japan for Nikon and the Company's products. The Company is the exclusive distributor outside of Japan for Nikon branded survey products. For products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble, revenue is recognized by the Company on a sell-through basis from Nikon-Trimble to the end customer. The terms and conditions of the sales of products from the Company to Nikon-Trimble are comparable with those of the standard distribution agreements which the Company maintains with its dealer channel and margins earned are similar to those from third party dealers. Similarly, the purchases of product by the Company from Nikon-Trimble are made on terms comparable with the arrangements which Nikon maintained with its international distribution channel prior to the formation of the joint venture with the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $4.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively, of revenue and $2.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble. During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded $4.7 million and $13.2 million, respectively, of revenue and $2.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble. The Company also purchases product from Nikon-Trimble for future sales to third party customers. Purchases of inventory from Nikon-Trimble were $5.2 million and $17.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $7.7 million and $16.0 million during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had amounts due to and from Nikon-Trimble. Receivables and payables to Nikon-Trimble are settled individually with terms comparable to other non-related parties. The amounts due to and from Nikon-Trimble are presented on a gross basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the amounts due from Nikon-Trimble were $3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts receivable, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the same dates, the amounts due to Nikon-Trimble were $5.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 5. JOINT VENTURES

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies Joint Venture

On April 1, 2002, Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC (CTCT), a joint venture formed by the Company and Caterpillar, began operations. CTCT develops advanced electronic guidance and control products for earth moving machines in the construction and mining industries. The joint venture is 50% owned by the Company and 50% owned by Caterpillar, with equal voting rights. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company's share of profits and losses are included in Income from equity method investments, net in the Non-operating income (expense), net section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying amount of the investment in CTCT was $11.1million at September 30, 2011 and $8.9 million at December 31, 2010, and is included in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $3.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of CTCT net income. During the comparable periods of 2010, the Company recorded $1.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of CTCT net income. During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, there were no dividends received for CTCT. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, dividends received from CTCT, amounted to $7.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and were recorded against the investment in CTCT.

The Company acts as a contract manufacturer for CTCT. Products are manufactured based on orders received from CTCT and are sold at direct cost, plus a mark-up for the Company's overhead costs to CTCT. CTCT then resells products at cost, plus a mark-up in consideration for CTCT's research and development efforts to both Caterpillar and to the Company for sales through their respective distribution channels. CTCT does not have net inventory on its balance sheet in that the resale of products to Caterpillar and the Company occur simultaneously when the products are purchased from the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $2.3 million and $5.0 million of revenue, respectively, and $2.2 million and $4.9 million of cost of sales, respectively, for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then sold through the Caterpillar distribution channel. During the comparable three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded $0.8 million and $2.6 million of revenue, respectively, and $0.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then sold through the Caterpillar distribution channel. In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $10.0 million and $28.5 million, respectively, in net cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to CTCT and then repurchased by the Company upon sale through the Company's distribution channel. The comparable net cost of sales recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010 were $7.4 million and $22.0 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company received reimbursement of employee-related costs from CTCT for company employees dedicated to CTCT or performance of work for CTCT totaling $3.6 million and $11.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and totaling $2.9 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively. The reimbursements were offset against operating expense.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had amounts due to and from CTCT. Receivables and payables to CTCT are settled individually with terms comparable to other non-related parties. The amounts due to and from CTCT are presented on a gross basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the receivables from CTCT were $9.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts receivable, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the same dates, the payables due to CTCT were $10.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Nikon-Trimble Joint Venture

On March 28, 2003, Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd (Nikon-Trimble), a joint venture, was formed by the Company and Nikon Corporation. The joint venture began operations in July 2003 and is 50% owned by the Company and 50% owned by Nikon, with equal voting rights. It focuses on the design and manufacture of surveying instruments including mechanical total stations and related products.

The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company's share of profits and losses are included in Income from equity method investments, net in the Non-operating income (expense), net section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying amount of the investment in Nikon-Trimble was $17.1 million at September 30, 2011 and $15.5 million at December 31, 2010, and is included in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded a profit of $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded profit of $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, as its proportionate share of Nikon-Trimble net income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, there were no dividends received from Nikon-Trimble.

Nikon-Trimble is the distributor in Japan for Nikon and the Company's products. The Company is the exclusive distributor outside of Japan for Nikon branded survey products. For products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble, revenue is recognized by the Company on a sell-through basis from Nikon-Trimble to the end customer.

The terms and conditions of the sales of products from the Company to Nikon-Trimble are comparable with those of the standard distribution agreements which the Company maintains with its dealer channel and margins earned are similar to those from third party dealers. Similarly, the purchases of product by the Company from Nikon-Trimble are made on terms comparable with the arrangements which Nikon maintained with its international distribution channel prior to the formation of the joint venture with the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded $4.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively, of revenue and $2.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble. During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the Company recorded $4.7 million and $13.2 million, respectively, of revenue and $2.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, of cost of sales for the manufacturing of products sold by the Company to Nikon-Trimble. The Company also purchases product from Nikon-Trimble for future sales to third party customers. Purchases of inventory from Nikon-Trimble were $5.2 million and $17.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $7.7 million and $16.0 million during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had amounts due to and from Nikon-Trimble. Receivables and payables to Nikon-Trimble are settled individually with terms comparable to other non-related parties. The amounts due to and from Nikon-Trimble are presented on a gross basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the amounts due from Nikon-Trimble were $3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts receivable, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the same dates, the amounts due to Nikon-Trimble were $5.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively, and are included within Accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.