Pension and other postretirement benefits - fair values of pension plan assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 328,830	[1]	$ 305,481	[1]
Cash
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	659	[1]	472	[1]
Money Market Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31	[1]	310	[1]
Equity Securities | Managed Volatility
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	83,068	[1],[2]	77,140	[1],[2]
Equity Securities | U.S. Small/Mid-Cap Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	20,312	[1],[3]	19,760	[1],[3]
Equity Securities | World Equity Exclude United States
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	26,064	[1],[4]	30,183	[1],[4]
Equity Securities | Common Equity Securities - Teleflex Incorporated
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	13,422	[1]	10,972	[1]
Equity Securities | Diversified United Kingdom Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	875	[1]	928	[1]
Equity Securities | Diversified Global Exclude United Kingdom
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,884	[1]	2,319	[1]
Equity Securities | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,266	[1]	1,270	[1]
Fixed Income Investments | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,531	[1],[5]	9,003	[1],[5]
Fixed Income Investments | Long Duration Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	92,553	[1],[6]	76,608	[1],[6]
Fixed Income Investments | U K Corporate Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,719	[1]	2,569	[1]
Fixed Income Investments | U K Government Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,078	[1]	4,455	[1]
Fixed Income Investments | High Yield Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	11,618	[1],[7]	12,754	[1],[7]
Fixed Income Investments | Corporate, Government And Foreign Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	81	[1]	87	[1]
Fixed Income Investments | Asset Backed - Home Loans
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	782	[1]	847	[1]
Other Investments | Structured Credit
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,176	[1],[8]	29,109	[1],[8]
Other Investments | Hedge Fund Of Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,171	[1],[9]	22,540	[1],[9]
Other Investments | UK Property Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,549	[1],[10]	1,402	[1],[10]
Other Investments | Multi Asset Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,986	[1],[11]	2,748	[1],[11]
Other Investments | Other Credit Derivatives
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5	[1]	5	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1)
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	263,535	[1]	242,488	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Cash
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	659	[1]	472	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Money Market Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31	[1]	310	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | Managed Volatility
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	83,068	[1],[2]	77,140	[1],[2]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | U.S. Small/Mid-Cap Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	20,312	[1],[3]	19,760	[1],[3]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | World Equity Exclude United States
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	26,064	[1],[4]	30,183	[1],[4]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | Common Equity Securities - Teleflex Incorporated
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	13,422	[1]	10,972	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | Diversified United Kingdom Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	875	[1]	928	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | Diversified Global Exclude United Kingdom
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,884	[1]	2,319	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,266	[1]	1,270	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | Long Duration Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	92,553	[1],[6]	76,608	[1],[6]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Corporate Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,719	[1]	2,569	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Government Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,078	[1]	4,455	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | High Yield Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	11,618	[1],[7]	12,754	[1],[7]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | Corporate, Government And Foreign Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1]	0	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Fixed Income Investments | Asset Backed - Home Loans
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1]	0	[1]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Investments | Structured Credit
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1],[8]	0	[1],[8]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Investments | Hedge Fund Of Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1],[9]	0	[1],[9]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Investments | UK Property Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		[1],[10]	0	[1],[10]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Investments | Multi Asset Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,986	[1],[11]	2,748	[1],[11]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Investments | Other Credit Derivatives
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10,943	[1]	11,339	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Cash
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Money Market Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | Managed Volatility
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | U.S. Small/Mid-Cap Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | World Equity Exclude United States
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | Common Equity Securities - Teleflex Incorporated
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | Diversified United Kingdom Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | Diversified Global Exclude United Kingdom
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,531	[1],[5]	9,003	[1],[5]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | Long Duration Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[6]	0	[1],[6]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Corporate Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Government Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | High Yield Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[7]	0	[1],[7]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | Corporate, Government And Foreign Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	81	[1]	87	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed Income Investments | Asset Backed - Home Loans
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	782	[1]	847	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Investments | Structured Credit
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[8]	0	[1],[8]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Investments | Hedge Fund Of Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[9]	0	[1],[9]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Investments | UK Property Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,549	[1],[10]	1,402	[1],[10]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Investments | Multi Asset Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[11]	0	[1],[11]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Investments | Other Credit Derivatives
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	54,352	[1]	51,654	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Cash
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Money Market Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | Managed Volatility
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | U.S. Small/Mid-Cap Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | World Equity Exclude United States
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | Common Equity Securities - Teleflex Incorporated
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | Diversified United Kingdom Equity
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | Diversified Global Exclude United Kingdom
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity Securities | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | Emerging Markets Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | Long Duration Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[6]	0	[1],[6]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Corporate Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | U K Government Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | High Yield Bond Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[7]	0	[1],[7]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | Corporate, Government And Foreign Bonds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed Income Investments | Asset Backed - Home Loans
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other Investments | Structured Credit
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,176	[1],[8]	29,109	[1],[8]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other Investments | Hedge Fund Of Funds
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,171	[1],[9]	22,540	[1],[9]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other Investments | UK Property Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[10]	0	[1],[10]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other Investments | Multi Asset Fund
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[11]	0	[1],[11]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other Investments | Other Credit Derivatives
Schedule Of Pension Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 5	[1]	$ 5	[1]

[1] Information on asset categories described in notes (b)-(k) is derived from prospectuses and other material provided by the respective funds comprising the respective asset categories.

[2] This category comprises mutual funds that invest in securities of United States and non-United States companies of all capitalization ranges that exhibit relatively low volatility.

[3] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small and mid-sized companies. The fund invests in common stocks or exchange traded funds holding common stock of United States companies with market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 2500 Index.

[4] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign companies. These securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, exchange traded funds based on an international equity index and derivative instruments whose value is based on an international equity index and derivative instruments whose value is based on an underlying equity security or a basket of equity securities. The fund invests in securities of foreign issuers located in developed and emerging market countries. However, the fund will not invest more than 30% of its assets in the common stocks or other equity securities of issuers located in emerging market countries.

[5] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities of emerging market issuers, primarily in United States dollar-denominated debt of foreign governments, government-related and corporate issuers in emerging market countries and entities organized to restructure the debt of those issuers.

[6] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests in instruments or derivatives having economic characteristics similar to fixed income securities. The fund invests in investment grade fixed income instruments, including securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, exchange traded funds, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage-backed securities. The fund invests primarily in long duration government and corporate fixed income securities, and uses derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements and Treasury futures contracts, for the purpose of managing the overall duration and yield curve exposure of the Fund’s portfolio of fixed income securities.

[7] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests at least 80% of its net assets in higher-yielding fixed income securities, including corporate bonds and debentures, convertible and preferred securities and zero coupon obligations.

[8] This category comprises a fund that invests primarily in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and other structured credit vehicles. The fund investments may include fixed income securities, loan participants, credit-linked notes, medium-term notes, pooled investment vehicles and derivative instruments.

[9] This category comprises a hedge fund that invests in various other hedge funds. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013:•approximately 33% and 28%, respectively, of the assets of the hedge fund were invested in equity hedge based funds, including equity long/short and equity market neutral strategies;•approximately 10% and 18%, respectively, of the assets were held in tactical/directional based funds, including global macro, long/short equity, commodity and systematic quantitative strategies;•approximately 24% and 25%, respectively, of the assets were held in relative value based funds, including convertible and fixed income arbitrage, credit long/short and volatility arbitrage strategies;•approximately 33% and 23%, respectively, of the assets were held in funds with an event driven strategy; and•approximately 6% of the assets were held in cash as of December 31, 2013.

[10] This category comprises a fund that invests primarily in UK freehold and leasehold property. The fund does not invest in higher risk activities such as developments. The fund may invest in indirect vehicles and property derivatives.

[11] This category comprises a mutual fund that invests primarily in equities, bonds and alternatives.