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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2011
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
1.00% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Dec. 15, 2009
1.00% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
0.875% Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
New Buildings [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
New Buildings [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Machinery, Equipment and Office Furnishings [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Machinery, Equipment and Office Furnishings [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Automotive [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Automotive [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Copper Rod [Member]
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Aluminum Rod [Member]
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Influence [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
North America [Member]
Parent Company [Member]
1.00% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
North America [Member]
Parent Company [Member]
0.875% Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                            
Minimum percent of ownership to exercise significant influence                                 20.00%          
Maximum percent of ownership to exercise significant influence                                 50.00%          
Percentage of ownership recorded at cost         20.00%                                  
Interest rate           1.00% 1.00% 0.875%                            
Debt maturity date                                         2012 2013
Cash restricted at one of subsidiaries   $ 0.4                                        
Percentage of LIFO inventory     56.00%                                      
Percentage of weighted average cost inventory 81.00%                                          
Useful life, minimum                 15 years 50 years 2 years 15 years                    
Assets held-for-sale 5.5                                          
Decrease in estimated fair value that would have no impact on carrying value 5.00%                                          
Restructuring charges 5.3 19.5                                        
Payment period on purchases       30 days 60 days               45 days 210 days                
Bad debt expense associate with uncollectable accounts                                   4.4 4.9 8.3    
Concentration risk, percentage                             91.00% 72.00%            
Deferred tax liabilities (149.6) (161.2)                                        
Net current deferred tax asset 34.2                                          
Net long term deferred tax liabilities 183.8                                          
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance 40.1 38.9                                        
Shipping and handling costs 137.8 119.4 111.2                                      
Advertising expense $ 6.1 $ 12.0 $ 7.5