Accrual related to maritime and non-maritime cases

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Claims outstanding under indemnity.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

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

- Definition

Contribution in loss by acquiree in indemnity for fourth year.

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

- Definition

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

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

- Definition

Expiry of seller's obligation to indemnify.

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

- Definition

Indemnity limit arising due to sale of business to acquiree.

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

- Definition

Indemnity limit for breach of representations and warranties.

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

- Definition

Maritime cases against company.

+ 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.

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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.

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Name:	bgc_PerformanceBonds
Namespace Prefix:	bgc
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

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

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

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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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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

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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 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

+ 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 fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

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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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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

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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 second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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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

+ Details

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Commitments And Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007
Commitments And Contingencies
Environmental-related accrued liabilities	$ 1.9		$ 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 acquiree 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	601	601
Maritime cases against company	28,438	28,438
Accrual related to maritime and non-maritime cases	4.8		5.1
Insurance recoveries related to lawsuits	0.5
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 1	20.5
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 2	14.4
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 3	11.1
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 4	7.7
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement for year 5	5.7
Minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreement thereafter	12.1
Letters of credit	55.3
Performance bonds	248.9
Other guarantees	$ 195.6