Accrual related to maritime and non-maritime cases

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- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for fifth and sixth years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for the first year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for fourth year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for two and three years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indemnity limit arising due to sale of business to acquiree.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maritime cases against company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum indemnity amount under agreement with acquiree.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Non-maritime cases against company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Other guarantees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_OtherGuarantees
Namespace Prefix:	bgc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Performance bonds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 96-1

-Paragraph 161

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated range of reasonably possible losses resulting from an adverse position taken by a taxing authority.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (d)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within one year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (Note 3)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date on leases defined as operating.

+ References

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2012 USD ($) Cases	Jun. 29, 2012 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 Minimum [Member] Brazilian State Claimant [Member] USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental-related accrued liabilities	$ 2.0		$ 1.9
Indemnity limit arising due to sale of business to Southwire Company	20
Contribution in loss by BICC plc in indemnity for the first year	100.00%	100.00%
Contribution in loss by BICC plc in indemnity for two and three years	75.00%	75.00%
Contribution in loss by BICC plc in indemnity for fourth year	50.00%	50.00%
Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for fifth and sixth years	25.00%	25.00%
Maximum Indemnity amount under agreement with acquiree		4.0
Non-maritime cases against company	628	628
Maritime cases against company	28,438	28,438
Accrual related to maritime and non-maritime cases, gross amount	5.1		5.1
Insurance recoveries related to lawsuits	0.5		0.6
Principal amount claimed				8
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 1	32.3
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 2	31.1
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 3	27.3
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 4	25.3
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 5	22.1
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement thereafter	16.7
Letters of credit	54.8
Performance bonds	291.5
Other guarantees	$ 221.2