Claims outstanding under indemnity.

Name:	bgc_ClaimsOutstandingUnderIndemnity
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

+ Details

Name:	bgc_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ContributionInLossByAcquireeInIndemnityForFifthAndSixthYears
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree inIndemnity for the first year.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ContributionInLossByAcquireeInindemnityForFirstYear
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for fourth year.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ContributionInLossByAcquireeInIndemnityForFourthYear
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ContributionInLossByAcquireeInIndemnityForTwoAndThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expiry of seller's obligation to indemnify.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ExpiryOfSellerObligationToIndemnify
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indemnity limit arising due to sale of business to acquiree.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_IndemnityLimitArisingDueToSaleOfBusinessToAcquiree
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indemnity limit for breach of representations and warranties.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_IndemnityLimitForBreachOfRepresentationsAndWarranties
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	bgc_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maritime cases against company.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_MaritimeCasesAgainstCompany
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum indemnity amount under agreement with acquiree.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_MaximumIndemnityAmountUnderAgreementWithAcquiree
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Non-maritime cases against company.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_NonMaritimeCasesAgainstCompany
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Other guarantees.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Performance bonds.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_PerformanceBonds
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Receivables from insurance recoveries related to lawsuits.

+ Details

Name:	bgc_ReceivablesFromInsuranceRecoveriesRelatedToLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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 AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161
-Subparagraph a

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount recovered from insurance. To the extent that costs are losses are reported as a separate line item, this reduces operating expenses.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 13
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b(i)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2011 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007
Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental-related accrued liabilities	$ 2.0		$ 1.5
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 BICC plc in indemnity for fifth and sixth years	25.00%	25.00%
Maximum indemnity amount under agreement with acquiree		4.0
Indemnity limit arising due to sale of business to Southwire Company	20
Claims outstanding under indemnity	0		0
Expiry of seller's obligation to indemnify, years				4
Indemnity limit for breach of representations and warranties	105
Non-maritime cases against company	590	590
Maritime cases against company	28,438	28,438
Receivables from insurance recoveries related to lawsuits	4.9		5.1
Insurance recoveries related to lawsuits	0.5		0.5
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 1	20.4
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 2	18.3
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 3	11.8
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 4	8.1
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 5	6.6
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	15.5
Letters of credit	46.7
Performance bonds	208.1
Other guarantees	$ 194.3